The gentle singing of the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, might put a baby to sleep, but in reality, the words are not as accurate as the song. Stars are huge celestial bodies made mostly of hydrogen and helium that emits light.
The most common star to humans is the one that lights Earth - the Sun. But aside from it, the countless stars seen every night are all light-years away from Earth. It is impossible to count all the stars in the universe, but scientists suggest that there could be around 300 billion stars in the Milky Way galaxy.
But these stars do not just shine in the darkness. They are grouped to form constellations such as the Orion, the Great Hunter, Leo the Lion, or Taurus the Bull. They are patterns that are easily recognized that help people orient themselves using the night sky.
Presently, there are 88 constellations that the International Astronomical Union recognizes that covers the entire northern and southern sky. On the other hand, asterisms also exist. They are naked-eye star patterns but do not form constellations on their own.
An example of it is the Big Dipper, which is part of Ursa Major, but another one that can be seen this week is the Great Diamond.
The Great Diamond of Virgo
According to The Guardian, this week, an asterism known as the Great Diamond can be tracked down in the night sky. Also known as the Diamond of Virgo, this asterism consists of four stars: the Cor Corali in Canes Venatici, the hunting dogs constellation, Denebola in Leo the Lion constellation, Spica in Virgo the Virgin constellation, and Arcturus in Boötes the herdsman constellation.
The chart shows what it would look like when looking west at midnight from London. In order to see the Great Diamond, the viewer should first identify the Plough asterism in Ursa Major. From there, follow the curve of the handle across to Arcturus, then find the bright jewel of Spica, followed by tracing to the more subdued Denebola, and lastly to the fainter Cor Caroli.
Meanwhile, observers in the southern hemisphere will find the asterism in the north-west at night. Spica will be at the highest altitude, and Cor Caroli will be at the lowest.
In the middle of the Great Diamond can be seen the faint constellation of Coma Berenices, Berenice's hair. Its name is in honor of the Egyptian queen named Berenice II, who sacrificed her hair as an offering to the gods.
Where Are the Stars? Light Pollution Affects the Night Sky
But some may have a hard time seeing this celestial show because of light pollution. It is the inappropriate or excessive use of artificial light, which can have serious environmental consequences for humans, wildlife, and the planet's climate. Its components include the glare, skyglow, light trespass, and clutter.
It's the side effect of industrial civilization, from the interior and exterior lighting, advertising, commercial properties, offices, factories, streetlights, to illuminated sporting venues.
These artificial lights overpower the darkness disrupting the natural day-night pattern, and it seems that the adverse effects of the loss of this inspirational natural resource are intangible. Many civic groups, homeowners, environmental groups, and scientists are taking action to restore the natural night to combat light pollution.
