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Navigating the Spring Sky�a.k.a. “Galaxy Season”

Constellations • Asterisms • Deep‑Sky Objects

…and the Messier Marathon

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What we’ll cover

  • How to use stars, asterisms and constellations to confidently “hop” across the spring sky
  • Understanding the basis of “galaxy season” – why this is the ideal time to observe galaxies and where are the galaxies are located?
  • The Messier Marathon – what is it? when is it? how can you be a part of it?

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The Major Constellations of the Spring Sky

Greco‑Roman mythology

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Chinese & Indigenous sky traditions

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Farewell, winter friends!

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The Spring Constellations

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Ursa Major – The Great Bear

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Asterisms

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Boötes – The Herdsman

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Who is/was Boötes?

  • Arcas, son of Zeus and Callisto.
  • Hera, Zeus' wife, transformed Callisto into a bear when she heard of Zeus's disloyalty, but one day Arcas, who didn't recognize his mother, attempted to hunt her.
  • Zeus placed them in the sky — Arcas as Boötes and Callisto as Ursa Major — to prevent Arcas from mistakenly killing her.

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Virgo – The Maiden �(aka “the virgin”)

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Leo – The Lion

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Coma Berenices�(Bernice’s Hair)

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Queen Berenice II of Egypt�(267 BCE – 221 BCE)

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The night sky in other cultures

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Azure (Green) Dragon of the East

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Ojibwe Sky Traditions

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Arc to Arcturus • Spike to Spica

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The Spring Triangle

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Galaxy Season

Spring skies are known as "Galaxy Season”

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We look away from the Milky Way plane

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Best viewing: March through June

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Prime time for the Messier Marathon

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Why Galaxy Season?

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Virgo Cluster Navigation

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Markarian’s Chain

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The Eyes of Markarian (52 million ly)

NGC4438

NGC4435

Very Large Telescope, Chile - 2011

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Messier

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The Messier Marathon

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Runners on your marks!

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Observing Tips

  • Use binoculars first
  • Start right after twilight
  • Seek dark skies
  • Begin in the western sky, work eastward
  • Start small – you won’t see them all!

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Gearing up for the marathon…

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Messier Marathon at John Clyde Preserve

Primary Weekend: March 20-23

Secondary Weekend: March 13-15

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Summary & Questions

  • Spring = Galaxy Season
  • Arc to Arcturus
  • Spike to Spica
  • Complete the Spring Triangle
  • Explore the Virgo Cluster
  • “Run” the Messier Marathon!