Favorite Constellation?

[astrofiend]

Hey Lads & Ladies!

Firstly, being new to the site, a hello is in order! It's great to see a site supporting the Aussie scene so strongly.

My question is this: What is your favorite constellation? (Probably similar to choosing between your children, I know, but anyhow...)

It could be for any reason - the star patterns, the DSO's contained within, the mythology associated with it - anything!

For my part, I'm going with Centaurus. For the brilliant stars it contains, it's general location in possibly the best region of the whole sky, and for the wonderful objects contined within. So how about you guys?

[vespine]

This is just a damned popularity contest! ;)

Orion... Mainly because it is the 1st constellation I learned to recognise, long before i actually got "into" astronomy.... Having since discevered that it contains the great orion nebula AND the horsehead nebula doesn't hurt either :)

Altho, having only recently started learning many of the other constellations I have to say I have really grown to love scorpio, mainly because I can so easily recognise the scorpion in it! I find it the easiest constellation to associate with what it is supposed to represent, by far :)

[ving]

i think the last time i was asked this i said corvus. its planetary was the first one i had ever found :)
now... well i just dont know. hydrus for its own planetary and galaxies? leo for the triplet? crux for the jewelbox? or maybe orion because its the most recognisable and has a dam fine nebula in it...

anyhow, welcome to this fine meeting place. I hope you enjoy your stay :D

[JohnG]

The L1649A, just beautiful.

JohnG :D

[Lester]

Orion is special, also Scorpius, Centaurus is good, Doradus is nice, then Coma Berenices and Virgo. There are different objects of interest in many if not all the constellations.

To pick one right now= Scorpius; but ask me again in 6 months and I will say Orion.

[Dave47tuc]

I like them ALL;)

But Crux is special.:)

[Sonia]

Mine is the Orion as it was the first constellation i looked at.
I enjoy viewing the orions nebula which i find fascinating.

[yagon]

I love crux because it makes me think of all things Australian. I've always wanted a surfboard with curx painted on the bottom.

[southern 40]

don't forget the Teapot :lol: Sagittarius

[Volans]

Does Argo Navis still count? I like the original names to some of the constellations. My own nick is a contraction (BTW I like Volans because of the sparred biral in it - NGC 2442). Volans was originally known as Piscis Volans. Fornax was known as Fornax Chemica. And what about the meteor shower called "the Quadrantids"?...that was named afte Quadrans Muralis. Vulpecular was originally Vulpecular cum Anser - The Fox and the Goose.

Peter.

[iceman]

I love Centaurus and Crux! In the first case, for the objects contained within.. for the llatter, for being so recognisably australian.

Still though, nothing like Scorpius and Sagi during winter, right overhead with the dust clouds so bright at a dark site, and the dark lane cutting right through.

[acropolite]

Like the others Crux, because we can claim it as our own, and Scorpius, because unlike many of the other constellations it's easily recognisable.

[Glenn Dawes]

Hi Guys,

I like Octans because:
1) It is unique (there is nowhere else you will find Dec. -90 degrees).
2) I knew no one would say "octans".
3) It is always up when I want to observe it (now don't be mean and say 'observe what?')
4) Under dark skies it is so distinctive!
Opps I think my cheese has slipped off its cracker - I'm out of here.

Glenn

[danielsun]

sparred biral???:P
Fornax or Virgo for galaxys,sagittarius scorpius for globulars crux/carina fo O/Cs probably just depends what time of year but there's something special in every constellation for me.

[wavelandscott]

For starters I'd say Cassiopia...then Scorpius and Crux...

[RAJAH235]

Carina would have to be my No.1 for the simply stunning Eta Carinae nebula, & the Homunculus Cloud. Bit of a toss up between Centaurus & Orion for 2nd & 3rd. :D L.

[venus]

Columbus http://www.astronomical.org/portal/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=24

[[1ponders]]

Definately Crux. It was the first constellation I found even before I knew what a constellation was. When I go outside at night, more often than not it is the first place in the sky I look towards.

[ving]

no one has mentioned the emu... :)

[rogerg]

Actually the Emu is the only one I really care about. All the rest are just silly names those northern hemisphere people made up and really don't have much relevance to my astronomy. :)

Roger.

[Dan31415]

Orion because I can find it!

[sheeny]

Definitely Orion followed by Crux.

There is so much in Orion, it's visible on summer evenings... whenever Lyn and I are apart we often look for Orion while we talk on the phone... yeah, I know... ain't that sweet!:love:

And Crux?... well it's "ours". I've been able to recognise it and find it for as long as I could remember. Being a New South Welshman it's always visible, and as a young man in my 20's living in Far North Queensland, I found I really missed it when I couldn't find it. As much as I loved my time in FNQ, not being able to see Crux all the time let me know how far from home I was!

Al.

[yagon]

what is this emu thing? i've heard about it, but don't know where it is. anyone have a pic of it?

[mickoking]

Crux 'n' Centaurus would probably be my favorite constellations.

[johnno]

Hi Astrofriend,

First,
A warm welcome to the Ice In Space Forums.
I hope you enjoy your time here,as I am sure you will.

My Favourite like some of the other members is Orion,and because M42 is Stunning,from Binoculars to Telescope,ALMOST, regardless of Magnification

Regards.
John

[vespine]

The Emu:

http://www.questacon.edu.au/html/the_emu.html

That's great :)

[robagar]

ursa major, because it reminds me of winter back up north where it's actually cold at night :)