MDMD(5): Starry nights.

[Michel Ryckx]

[Having prepared some posts on the things rj asked, here we go.]

What did they observe until the Transit?  They try to set the exact
postion of the Cape observatory (62.2-9).  Their method:

1. 'Jupiter's Moons playing at Duck and Ducklings', a wonderful
comparison (and in the light of other Ducks . . .).  At the time, only 4
of the Jupiter moons were known, all discovered by Galileo in 1610: Io,
Callisto, Europa and Ganymedes.  More on Jupiter at www.astro.wisc.edu/,
with very fine pictures as well.

2. 'fix'd Stars, such as Regulus and Procyon, as well the zenith-Star at
the Cape, Shaula, the Sting in the Tail of the Scorpion.  More on these
stars: go to your local orrery (I'd nearly forgotten the local zoo has a
very nice one, and went to visit it)

Kindly provided by Nautical Technologies, Inc.:

SHAULA (45) Mag 1.7: A second magnitude star lying about 15 degrees SE
of Antares and about a fourth of the way on a line between Antares and
Peacock. Shaula is found at the end of the scorpions tail. Scientific
name: Lambda Scorpiii.  330 light years away.

REGULUS (26) Mag 1.3 :The "pointers" of the Big Dipper lead up to the
Pole Star (Polaris) and down to Regulus. This star may be found easily,
as it is situated at the end of the handle of the "Sickle" (also the
head of Leo, the Lion.) and is the brightest star in the group.
Scientific name: Alpha Leo.  69 light years away.

PROCYON (20) Mag 0.5 :A line drawn from Pollux to Sirius passes almost
through Procyon, the little dog star, which is located to the SW of
Orions belt. A large arc can be drawn from Sirius, to Procyon, Pollux,
Castor, and then up to Capella. Scientific name: Alpha Canis Minoris.
11,4 light years away.

Michel