The Infinity Heart
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This was posted on my blog August 15, 2007 but I thought it was worth another mention since it is kind of cool and easy to observe.
There’s a lot of “heart” just below the “teapot” shape of Sagittarius!
Groups of stars that belong to three different constellations make up a large heart -shaped asterism with an infinity symbol at its top.
Sagittarius, Telescopium and Corona Australis each lend stellar points to make this expansive asterism in the southern sky and if you can find and observe the “teapot” shape of Sagittarius, then finding the “Infinity Heart” will be a snap.
The top left and more obvious curve of the heart-shaped group is part of Corona Australis. This long sweeping arc of stars fits nicely in binoculars.
Sagittarius supplies a couple of stars for the upper right portion of the heart. Kaus Australis, the star that marks the bottom right of the “teapot” and connecting point for the spout, shares the upper right curve of the heart shaped outline.
Alpha Telescopium marks the bottom point of the star-studded heart.
And finally, Lambda Corona Australis marks the center of the infinity symbol that rests at the heart shaped asterism’s top.
I have sketched an Infinity symbol within the heart on a star map and included it beside the image above as a rough finder chart.
Most of the stars along the outline are between fourth and sixth magnitude so it is an easy target.
The infinity symbol within the heart is naked eye...at least it is from my front yard.
It also reminds me of a pretzel.
Try it and let me know how you do.
Posted by: Becky Ramotowski | permalink
Comment
Gallery: Places
Name:: don
29 July, 2008
The sketch will be helpful I'm sure. I just need a clear night now! :-) Fine, instructive post!
