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Exploring Constellations and Asterisms
In addition to locating and identifying numerous celestial objects, SkyScout can also take you on
a guided tour of each constellation as well as many famous asterisms. Along with viewing scientific
data, text description and audio narration, SkyScout includes the following three menus:
Tour Brightest Stars - SkyScout will display a list of only the brightest stars in each constellation.
Selecting any of these stars will allow you to view all the data as well as guide you to the selected star.
Trace Constellation Figure - Trace Constellation Figure is an excellent way to learn the location and
shapes of the constellations. This option not only displays the brightest stars but it will also display all
the major stars that make up that constellation. To trace out the pattern of a constellation, simply select
each star one by one and follow the red direction arrow to the selected star. SkyScout will point you to
each star that makes up the constellation.
Constellation Image - To further help you learn your way around the constellations, SkyScout shows
a drawing of each constellation that you can view on its display.
Asterisms - Asterisms are similar to constellations in that they are a large recognizable pattern of stars.
Asterisms also have a Trace Figure option that will display and guide you to the brightest stars that
make up the pattern.
Field Guide
SkyScout comes with a complete field guide to help you better
understand and enjoy using your Personal Planetarium. In addition
to a complete audio introduction to Astronomy, SkyScout also has
many useful reference guides that can be viewed on its display.
Included under the Field Guide Menu are the following:
Introduction to Astronomy - This six-part audio introduction will give you an overview of the history
and folklore of Astronomy as well as practical observation tips to make your experience more enjoyable.
Glossary - SkyScout has a built-in glossary of terms that you may come across while reading or listening
to the object information.
Great Astronomers - SkyScout profiles the lives of many of the most influential Astronomers that have
contributed the most to our understanding and enjoyment of the night skies.
Man Made Objects - SkyScout gives a brief background of the modern-day tools that man has used
to explore and understand the Universe, including the Hubble Space Telescope and International
Space Station.
Comets - View a description of some of the most spectacular comets that have past through our skies
over the last century.
Asteroids - SkyScout gives useful and fascinating information about these larger rocky objects orbiting
the Asteroid belt.
Extra Solar Planets - View descriptions of stars (other than our Sun), that are known to have planets
orbiting them.