Stargazing

Stargazing

On each clear Friday night in February till March you can do stargazing at the observatory of Turku. You can take the bus number 32 till Otavanaukio. From there it's just a 5 minute walk to the observatory. It is hidden behind housing blocks and threes but you will find it.

The entrance for students is € 3.-. Inside there is a big telescope which makes it possible to see every crater on the moon (it was quite fascinating). Furthermore, there is a tiny room to warm yourself up. In front of the observatory you can find binoculars as well which make it possible to see another galaxy and the Venus as well. I was a little bit disappointed about what I saw through this equipment because I expected more. 

From this location you can usually see those different constellations: Sirius, Orion, the big and small bear, Polaris and some other constellations. The planet called Venus is always the “star” which is visible before the others when it’s getting dark.

Sirius is the biggest star at the sky and is shining almost as bright as Venus. Sometimes Sirius is also twinkling.

The three stars in a row belongs to Orion. Orion is also a famous brand in film industry. Furthermore, these three stars are “Orion’s belt”. Orion was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion (see at the pictures below).

You can take the distance between the two highest stars from the big bear five times and you will see the Polaris. Polaris is around 60 grades below the horizon in Southern Finland. In Switzerland is it around 45 grades, whereas the Polaris at the North Pole is located directly above your head. Polaris shows always the direction to north. Polaris, the big bear and other constellations are showing us the cardinal point. In addition, Polaris is one of the stars which belongs to the little bear. 

Venus, the moon and stars moves every day quite a big distance.