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Visual bright objects and bright spectra in Vela ‘the Sails’, etc
Suggestions: Up in the sky at convenient times now is the precious ‘spectral gem’: gamma Velorum. Easy to spot in the constellation Vela ‘the Sails’ of the Argo Navis/ship: from False Cross, take the shorter line outwards and towards preceding, for a bit over that distance again, you'll hit this mag. +1.7 multiple star.
With a simple grating e.g. the SA100 you will see visually the colourful beautiful bright bumps of emission in the spectrum (as opposed to dark lines). It is said to be the most visible Wolf Rayet type star.
Another of this type is the mag. 5.5 Theta Muscae in ‘the Fly’.
For information: ‘thought to be the most massive and luminous star(s)’, RA136a1 in 30 Doradus in NGC 2070 the Tarantula.
Check out the hyper dynamic supernova-anticipated cauldron eta Carinae.
For comparison, use the grating to also see Class A star Fomalhaut (alpha Piscis Austrini). And Sirius!
We can enjoy all these visually (expect thin strips of bright colours) and show at group viewing. Later if desired, free or free-trial software can yield much information.
Texts traditionally from the northern-hemisphere do not always cover south sky targets well enough. Vela ‘the Sails’ is quite special, with several visual and fainter unusual targets. Let us feast.
Merry Christmas to all
Team Southskyscience
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