favorite constellation?

[Planet Andy]

hey forum...

Came up with a "what's your favorite" which I hope will be fun and I think is TRF appropriate: What's your favorite constellation and why?

Mine is Orion. I was born during an ice storm and so while I enjoy every season, I really look forward to the winter. It's not the preferred launch weather but if you can see through the commercialism its a time when people are generally a little more happy with overall excitement and hope for good things and a new year. The family and friends get togethers and feasts. When I begin to see Orion appearing in the eastern night time sky I know I'll be skiing soon, enjoying snowstorms...I love snowstorms. Orion includes Betelgeuse which is the 12th brightest star in the sky and Rigel which is the 7th brightest star in the sky. Also it's really easily identifiable. I'm not an avid astronomer or anything I just really like Orion.


Planet Andy

 

[hokkyokusei]

I like Orion too, but my favourite is Ursa Major, for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it was the first constellation I could identify as a child, though in those days I called it the plough or the big dipper.

The second reason is because it points at the North Star. I also like Ursa Minor, because it contains the North Star.

 

[illini]

Hard to name a favorite, but I'll pick Hercules. Mostly because of M13...one of the jewels of the night sky. Sagittarius is also fun because the Milky Way passes right through it, and the large number of Messier objects.

 

[rstaff3]

...stupid comment deleted....

 

[illini]

Originally posted by rstaff3
The Milky Way...it's home you know

D'oh! Galaxies don't count...

 

[arthur dent]

yep,its got to be the plough for me.It just jumps out at you and says look at me

 

[rstaff3]

Double D'OH! my bad...time to go back to Astronomy 101

 

[dr wogz]

Pitty, as I stand on my balcony, and look up.

In a big city, like Montreal, it's hard to see more than say, a dozen stars, and teh odd planet. I can remember standing outside (still in Montreal) and look up with my dad, and barely make out the milky way, amoung many other stars. Of course, a lot has changed itneh last 35 years!! Just don't get that anymore. too much 'light pollution'

Recently, we & the 'extrended family' went camping. Colleen, my wife, looked up, and was amazed at how many stars there were! and even that 'constant speed' falling star.. "Is that a meteor?!" Uh, no dear, that's a satalite.."

Do I have a favotrite? From the few I can name / identify.. no.

 

[Austin]

I favor Orion and the Horsehead Nebulea...a classic.

My favorite however is Cygnus, which is what I have remembered as a kid was even cool then! In fact, I use the name online for gaming but mod'ed it a bit to Cgynus. The fact that it contains the first black hole I heard of, Cygnus-X1, is was drew me to it...

...get it...dragged me in...err...pulled me over to the dark...uh, I hate the dark...(the rambling of a feeble mind )

Dang Black Holes...do it to me every time!!!

Carl

 

[sandman]

I think a lot of guys here know my favorite constellation.

The Astron Constellation!

 

[Hospital_Rocket]

For me it is the classic, Orion the Hunter - the first constellation other than the big dipper I could readily recognize.

Right on it's heels is the Pleiades or M45 in the constellation Taurus.

 

[rstaff3]

Now that I've stewed about yet another case of the brain not fully registering what I read, I have mulled over the true topic. I have to agree with hokkyokusei. I like the Big Dripper for the same reason.

 

[graylensman]

"I've seen attack ships on fire, off the shoulder of Orion..."

 

[DynaSoar]

Originally posted by Planet Andy
hey forum...

Came up with a "what's your favorite" which I hope will be fun and I think is TRF appropriate: What's your favorite constellation and why?

Yet another for Orion.

My soon to be wife and I were walking one winter night discussing raising a family. Both being amateur astronomers we frequently looked up while we walked. Just after she asked what names I thought were interesting, we saw a large fireball leave a trail across Orion from Betelguese to Rigel, and we stopped in our tracks. Both still staring at the trail it left, I said "Well, what's the middle name going to be?"

Orion is presently working on his dissertation at the Miami Center to Cure Paralysis, and will be 30 on February 6th.

 

[North Star]

Originally posted by hokkyokusei
The second reason is because it points at the North Star. I also like Ursa Minor, because it contains the North Star.

What more could I add?

 

[jflis]

My fav is Cassiopeia (the big W)

Don't know why, just is

 

[cls]

OK, Cygnus for me. "Six stars of the northern cross, in mourning for their sister's loss, in a final flash of glory, nevermore to grace the night"

7/4 time! woo hoo!

 

[North Star]

Originally posted by graylensman
"I've seen attack ships on fire, off the shoulder of Orion..."

So - You've seen things we people wouldn't believe! I bet the C beams glittering in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate were a sight.

 

[buzz]

Canis Major! No really, I'am Sirius! hehehe

 

[Planet Andy]

thanks for participating, keep on going

Lots of you are also Orion fans...great. Based on comments I think maybe its the first Constellation I could recognize as a kid also... I also see a couple of Cygnus fans who realize the constellation was named for the Rush song

Jim F the lone fan of Cassiopeia so far...reminds me of my sixth grade teacher whose first name was William who used to say "I can see my initials in the sky". He used to play Wes Montgomery records on rainy days at recess also.

Safe, Happy Thanksgiving All,

Andy

 

[Sirius Rocketry]

Originally posted by buzz
Canis Major! No really, I'am Sirius! hehehe

Pretty funny!

Dave
Sirius Rocketry

 

[Const Star]

well, being my name is Const Star which is short for Constant Star aka the north star. shouldnt be too hard to figure mine out.

legend of the north star is that if u ever lost it can help u find ur way home. wishful thinking in my part i guess, but hopefuly itll help me find my way back to happiness

 

[Sirius Rocketry]

Originally posted by Const Star
well, being my name is Const Star which is short for Constant Star aka the north star. shouldnt be too hard to figure mine out.

legend of the north star is that if u ever lost it can help u find ur way home. wishful thinking in my part i guess, but hopefuly itll help me find my way back to happiness

I am as constant as the Northern Star... Brings a song to mind....

 

[hokkyokusei]

Originally posted by Const Star
well, being my name is Const Star which is short for Constant Star aka the north star. shouldnt be too hard to figure mine out.

I didn't realise that. Interesting how many people here basically have "North Star" as their handle.

 

[Const Star]

yeah
believe it or not, i got the nick name from an art fun to do thing with star wars. how to find ur star wars name type thing

Const Wil Star ( for ur first name: Con - first 3 letters in ur last name, st - first 2 letters in ur first name/ middle name: Wil - first 3 letters in ur mothers maiden name/ last name: St - first 2 letters in ur first name, ar - first 2 letters in ur closest siblings name.)

i just shortened it up by using Const Star which was ironic giving its meaning.

 

[North Star]

But I am as constant as the North Star, whose true fix'ed and rested quality has no fellow in the firmament.

(as near as I can remember - it's been a while since I heard it last)

 

[JRThro]

Originally posted by DynaSoar
Yet another for Orion.

My soon to be wife and I were walking one winter night discussing raising a family. Both being amateur astronomers we frequently looked up while we walked. Just after she asked what names I thought were interesting, we saw a large fireball leave a trail across Orion from Betelguese to Rigel, and we stopped in our tracks. Both still staring at the trail it left, I said "Well, what's the middle name going to be?"

Orion is presently working on his dissertation at the Miami Center to Cure Paralysis, and will be 30 on February 6th.

That's really cool.

Orion (the constellation) is my favorite, too. I was just showing it to my 5 year old son a few nights ago. My 7 year old son usually calls it "O'Brian," though.

 

[Karl]

My favorite constellation is Orion. I have known about it since i was pretty young, and where I live gives a clear view of Orions Belt most days of the year.

Karl

 

[gerbs4me]

Mine is Orion, not sure why its my favorite

 

[urbanek]

Hercules. The big globular cluster in Herc was the first Messier object I ever found on my own with my Parent's 6" Dynascope.

Second would have to be Scorpius.

urbanek