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Learn the Constellations
The First Light Astronomy Kit from David Chandler Company
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The American Association of Amateur Astronomers

Learn the Constellations
The First Light Astronomy Kit from David Chandler Company

 Buy it Now or Find Out More

The Constellation Corvus - The Crow

The constellation of Hydra is both the largest and longest of all the constellations, spanning almost 7 hours of Right Ascension, and covering over 1300 square degrees. The attendant constellations of Corvus, Crater, and Sextans seem to ride on the back of Hydra as it winds across the sky. While on the whole this is a rather sparse region of the sky containing primarily faint and distant galaxies, there are three Messier objects and several fine Herschel objects in the area, making the hunt worthwhile.

CORVUS

NGC 4038-9 - The Ring Tail or Antennae Galaxy. This fascinating object is actually two interacting galaxies which have been greatly distorted by gravitational forces. A telescope shows a curving arc about 3' in length and about 2' at its widest point. Oriented N-S, it looks like a bulging crescent and is brighter on the northern end.

This  interesting object is best seen in  moderate to large size aperture telescopes. This object lies just WSW of Gamma Corvi (Minkar) and appears to be colliding galaxies. It is a combination of NGC 4038 (the northern-most bulk) and NGC 4039 (the southern extension). 

NGC 4361 - This large planetary nebula is about 50" in diameter, and has an easily seen central star. The nebulosity is grey, and reminds me somewhat of the Owl Nebula in Ursa Major.

NGC 4038-9 - The Ring Tail or Antennae Galaxy in Corvus. Photo copyright by AAAA Member Mark Cunning of Craig, Colorado

STARGATE

Stargate - Anyone logging on to the Stargate BBS, run by Observing Coordinator John Wagoner will be greeted by a graphical representation of this pretty asterism along with its coordinates: Right Ascension - 12h 36m Dec - Minus 12 degrees. It seems that while John was working on his Messier Certificate, he bumped into this grouping of stars while on the way to M-104. It reminded him of the stargate used by Buck Rogers and friends to enter hyperspace, hence the name he bestowed upon it. The rest is history.

Article © Copyright Rick Raasch
Photos
© Copyright Edward P. Flaspoehler, Jr.

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