Gaze Upon the Dazzling Celestial Treasures of the Kootenay Winter Nights

Canadian winters can be quite severe at times.

Amid the frigid temperatures and heaps of snow, this season showcases the luminous winter constellations.

Orion – the Hunter is the most recognized formation in the entire sky.

The trio of stars aligned in a straight line representing his belt, is positioned on the celestial equator, indicating that both the northern and southern hemispheres can observe this cluster of seven stars depicting the Hunter in combat with Taurus the Bull.

Early sunsets allow for stargazing and capturing images of the sky after dinner, in contrast to around 10 p.m. during summer.

Alongside these seven radiant suns, other constellations near Orion also feature brilliant stars.

In total, a dozen bright points of illumination dominate the sky.

Dangling from the belt stars known as Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka is the imagined sword.

This hazy band of light is the Orion Nebula, a region of gas and dust situated approximately 1,500 light-years (ly) away, with an estimated width of 24 ly.

It’s important to remember that one light-year is nearly 10 trillion kilometers.

Within this area, new stars are being formed as clumps of gas and dust gradually condense and collapse inward.

As the star develops, its internal pressure and temperature also rise until the star ignites in a thermo-nuclear reaction.

Among the brighter constellations such as Auriga, Gemini, Canis Minor and Major, as well as Taurus, lie two brilliant planets.

The first is Jupiter, which is situated high in the night sky within the constellation Taurus.

Currently, Jupiter is roughly 632 million kilometers or 35 light-minutes away, while the orange-hued star named Aldebaran lower to the right is 66 light-years distant.

This star is known as the “angry eye of the bull” and is a foreground star of the much more distant star cluster called the Hyades, located 154 light-years away.

The Pleiades, or “Seven Sisters,” is a spectacular view through low power binoculars and in mythology is considered the “heart” of the Bull.

Moving eastward, we arrive at the constellation Gemini, home to the bright stars Castor (51 ly) and Pollux (33 ly).

Below and aligned with these two stars is Mars.

Known as the red planet, it appears bright orange and will be near Earth on Jan. 16.

This close encounter occurs every 26 months, thus providing a great opportunity to observe Martian surface features using a telescope.

On the night of Jan. 13, Mars will either be occluded and concealed by the moon for up to an hour or have a very close approach, depending on your location in North America.

And let us not overlook the planet Venus now visible in the lower western sky.

It sets around 8:30 p.m. local time.

To the upper left is the planetary gem of the sky, Saturn.

Taking on a yellowish tint, Saturn is currently 83 light-minutes away. Venus and Saturn will align (appear closest in the sky) on the night of Jan. 18.

Modern astronomy applications will assist you in identifying the planets and familiarizing you with the constellations.

The night sky is a realm of marvel that can be appreciated throughout the year.

Clear skies.

Known as “The Backyard Astronomer,” Gary Boyle is an astronomy educator, guest lecturer, former monthly columnist for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, and a STEM educator. He has been interviewed on more than 60 Canadian radio stations and various television networks throughout Canada and the U.S. In acknowledgment of his public outreach in the field of astronomy, the International Astronomical Union has honored him by naming Asteroid (22406) Garyboyle. Follow him on Facebook or visit his website: www.wondersofastronomy.com.