BACK TO JUNE OBSERVATIONS Young Observers Ottawa RASC Home Page

June Constellation: Bootes - the ice cream cone

This constellation has a bright orange star called Arcturus. To find it, follow the arc of the handle of the Big Dipper to Arcturus.
Can you see the ice cream cone?
If you continue the arc down toward the horizon you should notice another orange object about the same brightness as Arturus. This is Mars.

Notice that Arctursu twinkles but Mars doesn't. It has a steadier light because as a planet, Mars is not very affected by the water vapour in Earth's atmosphere and because starts are so far away, therefore very small, the water vapour in the air makes them twinkle.

Back To KID SPACE This page last modified: June 13, 1999 HOME PAGE