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Central Maryland just had its second big snowstorm of the season and its first for 2021. All the snow has got me thinking about winter-themed observing targets beyond our solar system, so let’s look at a few now.
- The winter constellation Orion the Hunter is probably the best known and most recognizable in the sky, second only to the “Big Dipper” asterism that forms but a portion of Ursa Major – the big bear. Orion is firmly associated with winter in the minds of astronomers and the public.
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- Way back in 1997 this column carried a summary of explanations for the legendary “Star of Bethlehem.” It won’t be repeated this month. However, one conclusion does seem to be of some importance and may be used for dismissing the most unlikely origins, including comets, meteors or even supernovae.
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- On the morning of Feb. 18, the moon will eclipse the planet Mars in broad daylight for the East Coast beginning about a half hour after sunrise.
