Autumn Sky

In autumn, a good starting point is to locate the Cassiopeia first. It shaped like a "W" which could be easily distinguished from the stars at the northeast. You can also find it by extending the line formed by Merak and Dubhe at the Big Dipper, and Polaris. Cassiopeia consists of 5 bright stars, which forming a peculiar W shape or M shape. In Greek Legend, Cassiopeia is the wife of King Cepheus of Ethiopia.

Not far from Cassiopeia is the renowned " Great Square of Pegasus" in the authumn sky. Pegasus, which also known as the Flying Horse. The square is the body of the horse, and when it is rising in the east is often liken to a diamond. The horse is orientated upside down if viewed in the north of equator, while appears upright in the south. Pegasus contains one of the best globular clusters (M15) for small telescope, also it is believed there may be a black hole at the center. In Greek myth, Pegasus became Zeus' packhorse, which carries lightning to where it was needed.

When traced northeast from the "Square", you could pick out the Andromeda. In Greek myth, Andromeda is a chained or girdled lady. She is seen in the sky with her arms stretched out, and lies with her head at the upper left corner of the "Square". The most striking feature here is that the largest and nearest spiral galaxy is located in this northern part of the figure, the so-called (M31). It appears as a fuzzy elongated patch of light, which could be observed through binoculars.

When you extend the line from Tsih to Ruchban in Cassiopeia to about five times the distance between them, you will notice a bright star called Mirfak, which belongs to Perseus. Perseus is believed to be another Greek hero. Perseus has 2 bright stars, namely Mirfak and Algo. Note that Algo, which located at the southwest part almost forms a right-angled triangle with Mirfak and Almak of Andromeda. The star Mirfak actually marks the elbow of the hero while Algo represents part of the head of Medusa whom the hero has just slain.

In the Southern sky, there are not many bright stars. But don't miss the magnificent Fomalhaut of Piscis Austrinus (Southern fish). It could be the brightest star in south sky in autumn. When you see Formalhaut rising in the South at the early evening, it is the season of deep autumn already.

Autumn Sky

In autumn, a good starting point is to locate the Cassiopeia first. It shaped like a "W" which could be easily distinguished from the stars at the northeast. You can also find it by extending the line formed by Merak and Dubhe at the Big Dipper, and Polaris. Cassiopeia consists of 5 bright stars, which forming a peculiar W shape or M shape. In Greek Legend, Cassiopeia is the wife of King Cepheus of Ethiopia.

Not far from Cassiopeia is the renowned " Great Square of Pegasus" in the authumn sky. Pegasus, which also known as the Flying Horse. The square is the body of the horse, and when it is rising in the east is often liken to a diamond. The horse is orientated upside down if viewed in the north of equator, while appears upright in the south. Pegasus contains one of the best globular clusters (M15) for small telescope, also it is believed there may be a black hole at the center. In Greek myth, Pegasus became Zeus' packhorse, which carries lightning to where it was needed.

When traced northeast from the "Square", you could pick out the Andromeda. In Greek myth, Andromeda is a chained or girdled lady. She is seen in the sky with her arms stretched out, and lies with her head at the upper left corner of the "Square". The most striking feature here is that the largest and nearest spiral galaxy is located in this northern part of the figure, the so-called (M31). It appears as a fuzzy elongated patch of light, which could be observed through binoculars.

When you extend the line from Tsih to Ruchban in Cassiopeia to about five times the distance between them, you will notice a bright star called Mirfak, which belongs to Perseus. Perseus is believed to be another Greek hero. Perseus has 2 bright stars, namely Mirfak and Algo. Note that Algo, which located at the southwest part almost forms a right-angled triangle with Mirfak and Almak of Andromeda. The star Mirfak actually marks the elbow of the hero while Algo represents part of the head of Medusa whom the hero has just slain.

In the Southern sky, there are not many bright stars. But don't miss the magnificent Fomalhaut of Piscis Austrinus (Southern fish). It could be the brightest star in south sky in autumn. When you see Formalhaut rising in the South at the early evening, it is the season of deep autumn already.