The Summer Triangle

By travel

6/25/2012, 6:54:20 AM

One of the easiest asterisma (which is an arrangement of stars) to see in the summer sky is a constellation called the Summer Triangle.

This asterism of stars does not have a catchy name, but it is famous as a design we see on warm, summer nights.

There are three stars that mark the corners of the triangle. The stars are Vega, which is also part of the constellation named Lyra, the Harp; Deneb, which is also part of the constellation Cygnus, the Swan; and Altair, which is part of the constellation Aquila, the Eagle.

It is called the Summer Triangle because summer is the time of year to best see it. Look over your head while facing east after sunset, and you should be able to find it.

Look east and up after dark and you should see the Summer Triangle. Many thanks to Earthsky.org for this diagram.

350x318_06231211_summer_triangle_300r

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