Hi everybody

Here's the latest article from the Astronomy site at BellaOnline.com.

Constellation or Asterism & Other Posers
Constellations, asterisms, galaxies and star clusters are all groups of stars. So how are they different? Why isn’t the Big Dipper a constellation? Where are the globular clusters? And if Saturn is in Virgo, has it left the Solar System?

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art180464.asp

*Eta Aquarid meteor shower*

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaked on May 5. This meteor shower is best seen in the southern hemisphere - here is a photograph taken in Indonesia: http://pinterest.com/pin/250090585530264542/ What we’re seeing in the Eta Aquarids are bits of famous Halley’s Comet as we pass through its debris stream.

You can find out more about meteor showers here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art27461.asp
More about Halley’s Comet here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44795.asp
And more about Halley himself, who was an amazing fellow, here: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48305.asp

*First solar eclipse of 2013*

On May 9/10 the first solar eclipse of the year will occur. It’s an annular eclipse, which means that the Moon doesn’t quite cover the Sun. It leaves a ring. Unless you live in northern Australia or are sailing around the right part of the south Pacific, you’re not going to see the maximum eclipse. However there will be live webcasts, including one at http://events.slooh.com/ Here is a map showing the path of the eclipse, including the partial eclipse: http://d1jqu7g1y74ds1.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ASE2013_Stereographic_Magnitude_1-580x448.jpg

To find out more about solar eclipses: http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art28395.asp

For a variety of astronomy images, follow me on Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/astrobella/

To participate in online discussions, this site has a community forum all about Astronomy located here - http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=323

Please visit astronomy.bellaonline.com for even more great content about Astronomy.

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I welcome your feedback!

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I wish you clear skies.

Mona Evans, Astronomy Editor
http://astronomy.bellaonline.com

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