HOWDY STAR HOMIES TRACE HERE; APRIL IS A GREAT MONTH TO PLAY THE ARC-TO-ARCTURUS AND SPIKE-TO-SPICA GAME.
WE’LL USE THE BIG DIPPER WILL POINT US TO TWO VERY COOL STARS.
HIT THE DARKNESS AT 5AM FACING NORTHWEST LOOK FOR THE FAMOUS BIG DIPPER ASTERISM LOOKING LIKE A LADLE OR A POT.
NOW, DRAW AN IMAGINARY ARC THROUGH THE HANDLE OF THE BIG DIPPER AND RUN IT INTO THE BRIGHT ORANGE STAR ARCTURUS.
ARCTURUS IS TWENTY-FIVE TIMES LARGER THAN THE SUN, AND IS THE CLOSEST GIANT STAR TO EARTH.
IF YOU KEEP GOING ALONG THE ARC, STRAIGHTENING OUT A BIT YOU'LL FIND BRIGHT BLUE SPICA IT’S ACTUALLY TWO STARS ORBITING TIGHTLY.
AN EASY WAY TO FIND THESE BRIGHT STARS REALLY EASILY IS TO REMEMBER THE MNEMONIC FOLLOW THE ARC TO ARCTURUS AND SPIKE ON TO SPICA.
IT’S NOT GREAT, BUT DANGIT WE’RE ASTRONOMERS NOT RAPMASTERS!
ENJOY THE STARS, AND KEEP LOOKIN’ UP!