Steve’s Virtual Planet

The Winter Hexagon

The shortened days of the winter months grant an extra chance to get out under the stars. Even with cold weather forcing star gazers to “rug up”, there are at least several objects that appear early enough in the evening such that you don’t have to brave the chill for too long into the night. A great circle of stars known as the Winter Hexagon appears overhead in the early evening forming a ring connecting a grand collection of constellations.

Starting with Sirius, the brightest star in the heavens, we can work around counter clockwise to Rigel, Aldebaran, Capella, Pollux, and Procyon. These are all prominent stars whose brightness shines through even a light veil of clouds. The circuit takes in the major constellations of Canis Major, Orion, Taurus, Auriga, Gemini and Canis Minor.

These stars range in magnitude from -1.5 with Sirius down to Pollux at mag 1.1. So, they are peeping out early and high overhead this time of year. As the night deepens, one can easily make out the figure of Orion, easily spotted by it’s belt of three stars. The ring of Auriga is usually next to become clear, forming it’s own circle of stars. The triangle of the face of Taurus slowly takes shape as the great expanse of the Big Dog about Sirius moves up into the southern sky like a big meat cleaver.

All these objects shine through even moderate light pollution. So, whether you’re in the suburbs or the country, you can practice your geometry using these fine beacons of the winter night, as in six, half dozen or the other! Enjoy!