It’s Galaxy Season!
This weekend, CGO hosts the annual Virgo Venture. Which reminds us that it’s that time of year when our night sky is angled away from the obscuring dust of our own Milky Way and we can see farther into deep space, including a better view of other galaxies. Here is an FAQ to guide you.
Question: What if the Virgo Venture gets cancelled? Can I still see galaxies?
Answer: Galaxy Season typically runs from March through May/June, which in Minnesota is a time of year when ANY WEATHER IS POSSIBLE on any given day. So, I really can’t say.
Question: Will galaxies look just like the photos?
Answer: Not at all. They will look like smudges that you might pass right over with your telescope if you are not careful.
Question: How many galaxies are there in that part of the sky?
Answer: Way too many. In fact, there are so many that you will inevitably get them confused, mixed up, and lose track of which one is which.
Question: What is the Virgo Cluster?
Answer: It is the region of space to blame for the situation I mentioned above, since it forms the heart of a supercluster containing thousands of galaxies.
Question: What is Markarian’s Chain?
Answer: It is a group of specialty retail boutiques focusing on Italian handbags. I think. I may have that wrong.
Question: So, are you recommending this experience or not?
Answer: Heck yes. When you have trouble finding a specific galaxy, or when you find too many galaxies and cannot tell them apart, just remember: you are looking at ANOTHER BLEEPIN’ GALAXY. How cool is that?