Constellations
I am a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and currently sit on the council. I presented a series of astronomy talks on YouTube called ‘The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Cosmos. I also present lectures on cruise ships all over the world, and to various clubs and societies at home. I have a monthly astronomy feature on BBC Radio York and my own weekly Astronomy Show on a community radio station called Drystone Radio, which can be heard on line. I also write a monthly ‘What’s in the night sky?’ feature for the Craven Herald newspaper which covers the Yorkshire Dales.
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 5 minutes
- Episodes
- 89
- Years Active
- 2021
Lepus the Hare
Lepus is a constellation known since ancient Greek time. It represents a Hare, located at the feet of it's hunter,Orion.
00:04:02 |
Wed 24 Feb 2021
Leo Minor the Lesser Lion
Leo Minor lies between the brighter Leo and Ursa Major, Johannes Hevelius, the Polish astronomer, introduced this constellation inn the late 17th century. There is little of interest in Leo Minor.
00:02:03 |
Tue 23 Feb 2021
Leo the Lion
One of the few constellations that looks like the figure it is supposed to represent- in this case a crouching lion.
00:10:33 |
Tue 23 Feb 2021
Lacerta the Lizard
An inconspicuous constellation sandwiched between Cygnus and Andromeda, introduced in the late 17th century by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius
00:03:12 |
Mon 22 Feb 2021
Indus the Indian
A constellation representing an American native Indian, introduced in 1603 on the star atlas of Johan Bayer. Indus contains no bright stars.
00:01:48 |
Mon 22 Feb 2021
Hydrus the Lesser Water Snake
Johann Bayer introduced the this constellation in 1603. Alas there are no bright stars.
00:02:26 |
Sun 21 Feb 2021
Hydra the Water Snake
The largest constellation in the sky, but by no means easy to identify on account of its faintness. The heart of the Water Snake is marked by Alphard the only bright star, which is sometimes known as…
00:06:31 |
Sun 21 Feb 2021
Horologium the Clock
One of the constellations representing mechanical instruments introduced in the 1750s by the Frenchman Laaille. Axs with so many of his constellations, Horologium is faint and obscure.
00:02:02 |
Sat 20 Feb 2021
Hercules
Hercules represents a Greek mythological hero, famous for hs 12 labours. Despite being the 5th largest constellation Hercules is not one of the most prominent.
00:06:45 |
Sat 20 Feb 2021
Grus the Crane
A constellation introduced on the 1603 star atla of Johann Bayer. It represents a water bird, the crane, although others have seen here a flamingo.
00:02:22 |
Fri 19 Feb 2021
Gemini the Twins
A constellation familiar since ancient times, representing a pair of twins holding hands. We know them as Castor and Pollux, members of the Argonauts' crew and of mixed parentage: although both sons …
00:06:20 |
Thu 18 Feb 2021
Fornax the Furnace
A barren constellation introduced in the mid 18th century by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, orginally under the name of Fornax Chemica, the Chemical Furnace.
00:03:06 |
Wed 17 Feb 2021
Eridanus the River
An extensive constellation, the 6th largest in the sky, but often over looked because of its faintness. It meanders from Taurus in the north to Hydrus in the south.
00:04:05 |
Tue 16 Feb 2021
Equuleus the Little Horse
The second smallest constellation in the sky, Equuleus aeems to have orginated with the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE.
00:02:06 |
Mon 15 Feb 2021
Draco the Dragon
Dragons feature in many ancient legends, and so it is not suprising to find such a monster in the sky. Its body lies coiled around the North Star.
00:08:49 |
Sun 14 Feb 2021
Dorado the Goldfish
This constellation alos commonly known as the Swordfish was introduced in 1603 by Johann Bayer.
00:08:40 |
Sat 13 Feb 2021
Delphinus the Dolphin
A constellation which orginated in Greek times, celebrating the long standing relationship between mankind and this most intelligent of sea creatures.
00:04:31 |
Fri 12 Feb 2021
Cygnus the Swan
Cygnus represents a swan flying down the Milky Way. Swans feature in many legends, including that of Zeus who visited Leda, wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta, in the guise of a swan.
00:09:37 |
Thu 11 Feb 2021
Crux the Southern Cross
The smallest constellation in the sky, but one of the most celebrated and distinctive. It was formed from some of the stars of Centaurus by various astronomers in the 16th century.
00:05:36 |
Wed 10 Feb 2021
Crater the Cup
An ancient constellation representing the goblet of Apollo, and associated in legend with the neighbouring constellation of Corvus the Crow.
00:02:41 |
Tue 09 Feb 2021
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