Starship Asterisk*

[quote="Chris Peterson"][quote="Ann"]As usual, I would like to identify the stars. At first I thought I saw the Big Dipper there, but on second thought I think not. Chris once said I could use Stellarium to identify a field of stars, but I don't know how. (In fact, I think someone taught me to use it once, and I managed to do it once, but then I forgot it again.)[/quote]
You can use any planetarium program, but that can be quite difficult. I upload uncertain starfields to [url=http://nova.astrometry.net/]nova.astrometry.net[/url], which can usually solve the field.

I don't think it's necessary in this case, however. That is clearly the handle of the Big Dipper oriented vertically above the outhouse, and two of the cup stars at the top of the frame. You can quite easily make out the visual double of Mizar and Alcor. So the view is to the northeast.[/quote]

Thanks, Chris (and Art)! I'll try to us [url=http://nova.astrometry.net/]nova.astrometry.net[/url] next time. But I agree with you, that is indeed the handle of the Big Dipper.

Ann

[quote="Ann"]As usual, I would like to identify the stars. At first I thought I saw the Big Dipper there, but on second thought I think not. Chris once said I could use Stellarium to identify a field of stars, but I don't know how. (In fact, I think someone taught me to use it once, and I managed to do it once, but then I forgot it again.)[/quote]
You can use any planetarium program, but that can be quite difficult. I upload uncertain starfields to [url=http://nova.astrometry.net/]nova.astrometry.net[/url], which can usually solve the field.

I don't think it's necessary in this case, however. That is clearly the handle of the Big Dipper oriented vertically above the outhouse, and two of the cup stars at the top of the frame. You can quite easily make out the visual double of Mizar and Alcor. So the view is to the northeast.

[quote="Ann"]

As usual, I would like to identify the stars.

At first I thought I saw the Big Dipper there, but on second thought I think not.[/quote]
Why not? It's in the proper position vs-a-vs the 'question mark' of Leo on the right.

It's a fine picture. And it makes me feel cold. I shudder when I see all that snow and the starry sky above.

Imagine using the bathroom in that outhouse.

As usual, I would like to identify the stars. At first I thought I saw the Big Dipper there, but on second thought I think not. Chris once said I could use Stellarium to identify a field of stars, but I don't know how. (In fact, I think someone taught me to use it once, and I managed to do it once, but then I forgot it again.)

Can somebody help me again?

Ann

[quote="alter-ego"][quote="APOD Robot"]

... In actuality though, the aliens are snow-covered trees,
and the red hut they seem to be guarding is an outhouse.[/quote]
Ooooooweeeeeee! That's a brisk walk at 3:00am![/quote]
You know you've reached the Finnish line when you pass the last Lap.

Reminds me of the Pillars of Creation.

How about a link to the same spot but in the summer?

An absolutely wonderful photo .. and I was at once struck by the similarity of the formations to the 'Pillars of Creation' and other molecular formations in space. Perhaps those cosmological formations are also built on some framework.

I hope whoever has to go isn't in a hurry !! And the seat probably needs "tending to" before use. A fur cover would probably by a welcome addition

[quote="APOD Robot"]... In actuality though, the aliens are snow-covered trees, and the red hut they seem to be guarding is an outhouse.[/quote]
Ooooooweeeeeee! That's a brisk walk at 3:00am!

[url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap170110.html][img]https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/S_170110.jpg[/img] [size=150]Sentinels of a Northern Sky[/size][/url]

[b] Explanation: [/b] Who guards the north? [url=https://www.facebook.com/PierreDestribatsPhoto/photos/a.220618984735288.51805.220264771437376/803036789826835/?type=3&theater]The featured picture[/url] was taken last March in [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapland_%28Finland%29]Finnish Lapland[/url] where weather can include sub-freezing temperatures and driving snow. [url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110115.html]Surreal[/url] [url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101029.html]landscapes[/url] sometimes result, where [url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150412.html]white alien-looking sentinels[/url] seem to patrol the landscape. In actuality though, the [url=http://irepo.primecp.com/2016/06/285095/Alien-Cat-Knit-Hat_Large600_ID-1705349.jpg]alien[/url]s are snow-covered trees, and the red hut they seem to be guarding is an [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outhouse]outhouse[/url]. Far in the distance, behind this uncommon [url=https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110328.html]Earthly vista[/url], is a beautiful [url=https://www.nasa.gov/mediacast/jpl/whats-up-january-2017]night sky[/url] which includes a [url=http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211.fall2000.web.projects/Christina%20Shaw/AuroraColors.html]green aurora[/url], bright stars, and streaks of [url=https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/]orbiting satellites[/url]. Of course, in the spring, the trees thaw and [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapland_%28Finland%29#Gallery]Lapland looks[/url] much [url=http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01348/SNF23TRAVB---682_1348756a.jpg]different[/url].

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