Book SummaryTurn Left At Orion, by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. David

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Turn Left At Orion

Observing Celestial Objects

Our solar system is organized around a central star.

To observe the Sun without harm, it is essential to project its likeness and utilize a filter that spans the full opening of the telescope.

Davis underscores the importance of adopting proper safety protocols to safeguard against potential hazards when observing the sun. Observing the Sun without proper protection can cause permanent damage to your eyesight and potentially damage the observational tools as well. They suggest two main methods for secure solar observation: casting its image onto a surface or using filters that cover the telescope's entire aperture.

Project an image of the sun through your telescope onto a screen designed for detailed examination. Despite being a generally safer approach compared to direct observation, Consolmagno warns that the intense heat could still endanger the sensitive components within your telescope. Directing your finderscope towards the sun can result in damage or potentially ignite a fire. Position yourself and your clothing well away from the path of the light's projection. Consolmagno and Davis emphasize the importance of outfitting your telescope with a solar filter that spans the entire aperture, irrespective of the telescope's design, be it lens-based or utilizing a mirror. Ensure you do not use filters that attach to the eyepiece for solar observations, because the intense solar heat could cause them to break, potentially leading to severe damage to your eyesight.

Watching the different types of solar eclipses, including partial, annular, and total occurrences.

The book describes the different types of solar eclipses, such as partial, annular, and total. During periods when the Moon is at its maximum distance from our planet, it appears too small to completely cover the Sun, resulting in an annular eclipse where a bright ring of the Sun can still be seen. The authors emphasize the unique visual experience of observing a total solar eclipse, which is distinctly different from the sights offered by partial or annular eclipses. Consolmagno compares the experience of observing an almost complete solar eclipse to traveling a great distance for a remarkable musical performance, yet not quite reaching the full splendor of the occasion.

The authors describe the captivating events observable during a total solar eclipse, such as the delicate dance of shadow bands across the landscape, the visibility of major stars and planets, and the rapid transit of the lunar shadow over the sky, along with the emergence of the diamond ring and Baily's beads phenomena caused by sunlight filtering through the lunar terrain's valleys, and the momentary glimpse of the corona and solar flares when the eclipse reaches totality. The authors emphasize the importance of being prepared for the profound emotional effect of the event, highlighting the value of the experience over the equipment involved, and appreciating the event in its fullness.

Tracking the movement of sunspots and other celestial entities as they traverse the solar surface.

The authors remark that the ever-changing nature of the Sun, as seen through the shifting positions of sunspots and the transit of celestial objects in front of it, provides a captivating activity for sky observers. The sun's surface occasionally hosts dark areas, termed sunspots, which are a result of significant magnetic disturbances. The cycle of their quantity and visual transformation, which spans 11 years, offers a captivating subject for observation.

Tracking transits involves monitoring the passage of planets such as Mercury or Venus across the face of the Sun. The next transit of Venus is not anticipated to occur before the year 2117, although transits of Mercury occur more frequently. On November 11, 2019, the passage of Mercury could be seen from numerous locations, spanning most areas of Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The celestial events are scheduled to occur on November 13, 2032, and will reoccur on November 7, 2039.

Our natural satellite.

The Moon's visibility shifts from a subtle illumination by Earthshine to its most luminous phase.

Davis and Consolmagno provide a comprehensive guide for examining the lunar landscape as it undergoes its different phases. During the first few evenings after the new Moon, the side of the Moon not illuminated by direct sunlight is softly lit by light reflected off the Earth. The lunar characteristics typically obscured by the sun's direct rays are revealed through the illumination cast by Earth's reflection. The line separating the moonlit side from the shadowed side, called the terminator, is constantly shifting, revealing a lunar landscape that never remains the same. The sun's low position near the moon's day-night divide accentuates the topography of lunar craters, with extended shadows that clearly outline their elevations and depressions. Viewers are therefore able to perceive the lunar surface's three-dimensional features.

The authors provide a thorough examination of our planet's moon, outlining the seven unique phases it experiences and describing the transformation of its surface appearances as the sunlight angle varies. The authors have provided visual aids for each phase to help observers identify the astronomical features they come across.

Celestial events including the moon being obscured by other celestial bodies and its evident swinging motion also cover the phenomenon where the Earth's shadow obscures the moon.

When the Moon is completely illuminated, it passes into the shadow cast by Earth, which leads to a lunar eclipse. The Moon's inclination is minimal, resulting in its periodic disappearance from the night sky each month. The authors highlight the enthralling spectacle of Earth's shadow as it traverses the moon's surface, along with the transformation of colors observed during the eclipse's maximum phase. Consolmagno...