If you are a stargazer, you might be familiar with the eight planets in our Solar System. However, have you ever heard of Neptune—the fourth largest planet in terms of size and the eighth planet from the Sun?
Neptune, named after the Roman god of the sea, is located more than 2.7 billion miles from the Sun. It is not visible to the naked eye, but it is still an exciting object to observe with your telescope. However, before you can marvel at its beauty, you need to locate the constellation it belongs to—Neptune constellation.
What is Neptune Constellation?
Neptune constellation is a modern constellation, which means it was not recognized by ancient astronomers. It was first introduced by French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century and is named after the planet Neptune.
The constellation covers an area of 1,294 square degrees, making it the fourth largest constellation in the sky. It is located in the southern hemisphere and is visible in latitudes between +25° and -90°.
How to Find Neptune Constellation?
To find Neptune constellation, you need to locate the bright stars that form it. The easiest way to do that is to use a star chart or a sky mapping app. Here are the steps to follow:
- Find a location with clear skies and minimal light pollution.
- Wait until it is dark and the stars are visible.
- Look towards the southeast direction. You should be able to see the bright stars forming a distinct V shape. This is the Pisces constellation.
- Look closely at the star on the right side of the V shape. This star is called Alrescha, and it marks the beginning of the Neptune constellation.
- Follow the line of stars above Alrescha, and you will see a distinct pattern of stars forming the shape of a stick figure. This is the Neptune constellation.
How to Recognize Neptune Constellation?
Once you have found Neptune constellation, you might notice that it does not have any bright stars like other constellations. However, it has several faint stars, and its pattern is unique, making it easy to recognize. Here are some of the notable object within the Neptune constellation:
- NGC 7293, also known as the Helix Nebula, is a planetary nebula located around 700 light-years away from Earth.
- M72, a globular cluster of stars located around 53,000 light-years away from Earth.
- The Blue Flash star, which is a suspected blue straggler star, located around 3,400 light-years away from Earth.
Conclusion
Finding and recognizing Neptune constellation requires a bit of patience and knowledge, but its unique shape and interesting objects make it worth the effort. So, gather your telescope and your star chart, head to the Southern Hemisphere, and enjoy the wonders of the Neptune constellation.
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