Kuala Lumpur Night Sky

Last night and tonight we have clear cloudless sky in Kuala Lumpur for those interested in watching the stars and planets at night.

At this time of the year the most prominent constellation is Orion, one of the best known of all constellations.

I have mentioned briefly in my previous article 'Orion - The Mighty Hunter' dated February 13, the major stars of the Orion constellation as well as the bright Sirius of Canis Major and Procyon of Canis Minor that formed an almost equilateral triangle with Betelguese of Orion.

Besides Orion we can also see the Heavenly Twins, Castor and Pollux of Gemini. In Greek mythology Castor and Pollux were the twin brothers of Hellen of Troy. They went with Jason and others in the ship Argo in search of the Golden Fleece. During the voyage a storm threatened to overwhelm the vessel. Orpheus, one of the heroes on board, called for help from Apollo, the Gold of Light, who caused two stars to shine on the heads of the twins. The storm ceased and the ship was saved.

A line from Rigel to Bellatrix passes through the constellation Auriga, the Chariot Driver and its bright yellow star, Capella. Others small stars of Auriga constellation are difficult to see with naked eye.

We can observe that Sirius, Procyon, Pollux, Castor and Capella form a huge sweeping curve of bright stars in the sky.

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