Introduction:
Winter is an exceptional time for astronomy enthusiasts, as it provides an opportunity to observe constellations that are less visible during other times of the year. The President of the Kielce branch of the Polish Society of Astronomy Enthusiasts, Mikołaj Sabat, highlights the attractiveness of winter sky observations. This season offers a chance to observe numerous interesting celestial objects with the naked eye, as well as through binoculars and amateur telescopes.
Orion – The Hunter:
One of the most intriguing constellations in the winter sky is Orion, known as “The Hunter.” The stars of this constellation can be seen clearly on the eastern horizon just two hours after sunset. Three bright stars form the famous “Orion’s Belt,” but the most fascinating events occur around these stars. South of Orion’s Belt lies the Great Nebula, a place where new stars are born. It is the brightest object of its kind visible from Earth and the closest expansive area where new stars are formed.
The Pleiades Cluster:
Another remarkable object is the Pleiades, a star cluster located north of Orion. It is a large system of young stars that resembles a bright cloud. With the use of binoculars, individual stars within this cluster can be observed. The Pleiades are one of the closest open star clusters to us.
Observing Planets:
Winter is also an excellent time to observe planets. Jupiter can be found in the southern and southeastern part of the sky and is currently particularly visible. Another fascinating planet, Saturn, will be visible shortly after sunset. With the help of a telescope, its rings can be observed.
Meteor Showers:
Meteor showers can also be seen in the winter sky. The Quadrantids meteor shower occurs between December and January, with an expected rate of up to 110 meteors per hour.
Observing Conditions:
Night sky observations are possible even in cities, although better conditions are found in areas free from light pollution. Websites with interactive light pollution maps can help in finding suitable observation spots. In the Świętokrzyskie region of Poland, west of Łopuszno, and near Bodzentyn and Łagów, there are locations where observations can be even more impressive.
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The source of the article is from the blog trebujena.net