Observing The Milky Way (Carina-Sagittarius Arm)
Let's observe the Milky Way
Observational Astronomy
When you see the heading of this article, you might be confused. Because it's like saying watching Earth while being on Earth. Although we can actually see the milky way, All the stars we see in the night sky are located inside the milky way. But this doesn't mean just stars. We're going to observe the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way galaxy. (Carina-Sagittarius Arm).
Recommended to observe in a new Moon Day.
After choosing a date, you have to choose a place to observe this amazing scene. If your house is located in a low-light polluted area then you can observe Milky Way from your Home.
But, if you are living in an urban area, then you have to switch to an ideal place. The best place to observe is a low-light polluted place, like a rural area or a national park. Simply a low-light polluted place.
Now for Home Observers, wait until midnight and switch off all the lights in your home. (Hope your neighbors will switch off their lights at midnight). Then go outside with a red flashlight (just paste a red paper to your regular flashlight) and make sure that you're safe from nocturnal animals. Especially snakes. Then grab a chair and sit back.
Others make sure that you're in a very very dark place. Make sure you are safe with a red flashlight.
Then look up at the night sky, searching for the constellation Scorpio. It will be situated in the SE direction. Use a Star app on your phone for a better understanding. (Recommended App-Stellarium) Then wait staring at Scorpio for at least 20 minutes. Then you will see a faint cloud-like thing. Ureka! That's the Milky Way that you were been looking for. After a few minutes, you will see it more saturated depending on your area's light pollution. Hope you Learned something new. So set a date and observe that astonishing scene with your own eyes.
By,
Hasindu Gayathra
