The star chart you need to print out and use during any count you do has 2 parts: part 1 has only stars on it, while part 2 also includes the constellation lines and names. (You will only need a new copy of part 1 for every time you do a new count, however, because part 1 is the only sheet you will be writing on). After you print each part out, you should staple the first part on top of the second. This way, when you observe, you will be able to see the constellations and their names for reference, without having them get in the way as you circle the stars you see in the sky. If you print these maps out first and then look at them as you read the instructions below, you can better follow along. (Make sure before you print these that under page layout in your printing options you select the landscape orientation.)
Star Chart part 2 (back sheet)Star Chart part 1 (front sheet)
The Summer Triangle should not be hard to identify even if you have no experience viewing the stars at all, because it is made up of the 3 brightest stars in the September and October skies and is situated overhead. Once you can spot it in the sky, doing the star count will be relatively easy. Follow these instructions:
Tape red cellophane or paper from a brown paper bag over the lighted end of a flashlight to dim the light and preserve night vision. You will need this modified flashlight to illuminate your star chart when you observe.
Go outside between the hours of 9:00 pm and 12:00 am, on one or more clear nights during Sept. 6th-17th and during Oct. 4th-18th. Remember, you can observe from anywhere you like in Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County.
With your feet facing North, sit down or lie down on your back so you can comfortably observe the night sky. (To find North you can: use a compass, use a car if it has an indicator of direction, or use the sun, which sets in the West, as a reference. **See last paragraph of Project Overview Pg. for more details**) We strongly suggest that you figure out where North is before the time you plan to observe, especially if you have to rely on viewing the sunset to find it. It is essential that you get yourself oriented in order to locate the Summer Triangle in the sky.
Make sure nothing is blocking your view of the sky overhead. Shield your eyes from the direct glare of nearby lights, by having an assistant hold up a coat or blanket if necessary.
Look straight up into the sky and hold your star chart out in front of you (so that the direction North is situated at the bottom of the page and its arrow is pointing towards your feet). Using your covered flashlight to illuminate your chart, compare where stars are shown on it to where they are visible in the sky. You should see the brightest star in the sky, Vega, directly overhead (in the constellation Lyra, in region #1 of your chart).
Once you've identified Vega in the sky, find Deneb on your star chart, which is the brightest star in the constellation Cygnus (also called the Northern Cross, in region #2 of your chart). Then find it in the sky. Compared to Vega, it will be slightly to your East in the sky. It occupies the end of the cross. Do you see it? Good.
Now all you have to do is find Altair, the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (it is not shown on your star chart, but is in the direction of South). This star will be slightly behind you as you face north right now, because it is in the southernmost area of the triangle. If you cock your head back slightly more than when you looked directly overhead at Vega, you should be staring right at Altair.
Now that you've gotten yourself oriented by identifying the Summer Triangle, you're ready to circle the stars you see in each of the 2 regions outlined on your chart.
**Note: If you have trouble identifying the Summer Triangle at first, don't give up right away. It takes your eyes about 10 minutes to adapt to the darkness anyway, so the longer you stay outside, the easier it will be for you to find the Summer Triangle. After all, it is formed by the 3 brightest stars in the September and October skies, so they will pop out at you sooner or later!**
If you would like to have an additional star chart as a reference that shows the entire Summer Triangle as well as other constellations visible in the September or October skies, then here are some great sites you should check out:
Go to Skymaps.com to get a map that shows the Summer Triangle outlined in a dotted line among all the other constellations.
Go to Heavens Above to get a map that will show you what all the constellations look like in the sky at the exact date and time you specify. This is great for plugging in the date and time that you plan to do a count, to help you get oriented!
You should observe with the unaided eye only (glasses are fine, but NO binoculars!) during nights when the sky is not cloudy or, at least when the area of the Summer Triangle is cloud free.
Wait at least 10 minutes outside before beginning your observations! This will give your eyes time to become fully dark-adapted. Without doing so, you will not be able to see the stars as well.
Notice that the star chart of the Summer Triangle we have asked you to print out is divided into 2 regions. Look into the sky at Vega, the brightest star in region #1 of your chart. Circle all the stars in region #1 on your chart that you can see in the sky from your location.
Next find Deneb in the sky, the brightest star in region #2 of your chart. Just like before, circle all the stars in region #2 on your chart that you can see in the sky.
Ok, before stopping try once more to see the faintest stars shown on your star chart. Incidentally, it is often easiest to see a faint star by looking just to one side of it, because the sides of the eye's retina are more sensitive to faint light than the very back. (This technique is called averted vision). Looking straight at the star can place the image in the eyes' natural blind spot.
If you are observing from a place other than your house, make sure to find out what the street address (or nearest street address) is of your location before you leave!!! We ask for this information on your data form so that we can plot your data accurately on a map of the tri-county area. If you aren't anywhere near a street address, then later on your data form give us a good description of where you counted so we can approximate your location. Or, if you have a vehicle with a GPS that is with you at your location, you can write down the longitude and latitude that it indicates. This information will do just fine in place of an address. (We are converting all addresses to longitudes and latitudes anyway).
When you are finished and are back indoors, take a moment to count all the stars you circled on your chart in each region. For example, if you circled 5 stars in region #1 (Lyra), and 7 stars in region #2 (Cygnus) on your chart, then on your data form you would indicate having seen 5 stars in region #1, and 7 in region #2.
**Note: If the sky is bright with urban sky glow, you may well have a difficult time viewing many stars in the constellations Lyra and Cynus. REMEMBER that this project is NOT a test of eyesight, but one of sky conditions, so if you are unable to see even some of the brightest stars this is still valuable information. On the other hand, if you are in a particular good observing spot where they is little light pollution, then it is possible that you could see more stars in the sky than are shown on your star chart. If this happens, simply add the stars to your chart with a pencil, positioning them as accurately as possible. When you are finished observing, circle these stars along with the stars you saw that were already included on your chart. Then count them up as indicated in Step 7.**
There are several ways you can submit your data to us. Do whatever is most convenient for you.
You can:
Submit the Data Form online
Print the Data Form (printer friendly version), fill it out, and mail it to Terry Richardson, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29424
Print the Data Form (printer friendly version), fill it out, and fax it to 953-4824
Or e-mail all of the necessary information (that is requested on the Data Form) to DSR1700@aol.com
**Note: If you are going to print the Data Form and fill it out by hand, make sure to use the printer friendly version!**
If you have any questions or comments about this project feel free to
e-mail us.
We would love to hear from you!
Page last updated: 9/17/04