Fantastic Guide to Learn About the Stars

I am very familiar with the many astronomy concepts of the Universe, but I know absolutely nothing about stargazing. I discovered a fantastic interactive guide, which will give anyone who goes through it a very basic understanding about watching the stars.

(This feature is intended for northern hemisphere skygazers)

Whenever I look up at the night sky (Chicago lights diminish the experience), I am always awed by the dim specks of light, and the infrequent visits of planets in my night sky. However, to actually understand what I am looking at, and how I can use the stars to my advantage is something I did not really know how to do.

By the end of the guide, you will be familiar with many different things, and will be able to identify:

• 3 Constellations


• 2 Stars


• 1 (or more) planet


• And the useful ability to use the stars as a natural compass

Visit the Night Sky Feature Here

This excellent feature allowed me to learn about the stars in such a simple way. I never thought understanding the stars could be such an easy experience. I give this feature five stars (no pun intended).

Original Article: From LifeHacker, From Hackszine

Most Massive Star Just Discovered

Located 20,000 light-years away, a newly weighed star simply known as A1 has been discovered to weigh 114 solar masses. This means that the star weighs 114 times more than the sun. A1 took the record from the previous holder, a star weighing 83 solar masses.

Image Credit: University of Montreal

Scientists were able to measure the A1's mass by using its companion star (a binary system that two orbit a common center of gravity), and used A1's orbit data, the two stars' Doppler shift, and the eclipses made by the stars, all to help figure out the mass.

Scientists have believed that the largest a star can reach is 150 solar masses, and this new discovery has helped to add more reliance to that theory.