Look up! Look waaaay up!

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You may have participated in one of Brendan Bronzan’s Sidewalk Astronomy events throughout the summer, but the 33-year-old Cornwallite, astronomy buff, and founder of Speaking of Space would like you to know that winter is the best time for stargazing. Check out his suggestions for winter sky sightings.

Orion Constellation

This is one of the most recognizable constellations ever and it’s only out in the winter months. The top star, called Betelgeuse, is a massive red supergiant. It could supernova (blow up) at any point. I’m just waiting for it.

Orion Nebulla

The Orion Nebulla is made up of a huge collection of gas and dust. It’s like a stellar buffet. There’s so much stellar material—hydrogen gas specifi cally—that it is the perfect environment for new stars to form.

Pleides Constellation

The Pleides, also known as the Seven Sisters are seven very bright stars packed into a very small area. And they’re so close that some of the stellar gas surrounding them is illuminated by the stars.

Taurus Constellation

This constellation makes a “V” in the sky. The brightest star in Taurus is Alderbaran, which is the 14th brightest star in the sky. It’s red and it’s the eye of Taurus, the bull. I think it’s just kind of neat.

TAURUS CONSTELLATIONSIRIUS A STAR

I picked this one because it’s the brightest star in the sky. It looks like it’s fl ickering because the atmosphere distorts it. Fun fact: the Sirius System is gradually moving closer to Earth which means it’s getting brighter all the time.

Check out Brendan’s work: www.speakingof.space