Night Sky Wandering (Part I)

Winter Holiday Week 2008

A simulated view of the sky to the south from where I live.
A simulated view of the sky to the south from where I live. (Click to embiggen.)

This is the (simulated) sky view looking south from our house this week at about 11 at night. It’s one I never get tired of.  Depending on where you live, you might see this view in darker skies, or more light-polluted ones, or the star patterns might be oriented entirely differently than from this view.

Veteran star-gazers will recognize the scene pretty quickly.  But, what about those of you who are just falling in love with the sky?  What do you see here?  Take a good hard look and then wander outside sometime after 10 p.m. this next week or so, and see if you can find these star patterns.

I’ll post a guide to this image in a day or two, complete with constellation and star names. But, for now, come stargazing with me and let’s enjoy this scene together!