[Serena]

When I was young I remember the summer evenings when it was possible for us children to stay out till late. We lived outside the city in the countryside: a lot of crickets, fireflies and other strange insects I can't remember the name.....and the stars.....I loved to watch the sky and all those bright ones! And watching the stars dream about........
I have to confess my total lack of knowledge about them..... I know in our part of the sky Orsa minor and Orsa Mayor , that's all.
During my trips in India I remember only some stars above us while drinking a beer on Goa or Kerala beaches but I can't say what stars were they. I suppose not the same of my juvenile summers......

So anybody can help me?
You know I will be in Ladakh in August: what about ladakhi stars?  

Serena.

[Aadil]

Hi there,

Well, you will find the stars in Ladakh pretty much the same as you would see them from Italy but with a slight difference which is that the Ursa Minor will not be as high up as you usually see it in Europe and also that it will not be possible to see Ursa Major all the time like you are used to there. It will no longer be circumpolar in India as it is at a lower latitude of around 23-25 degrees in the Ladakh region. The southern stars will be a bit more visible than from Europe so you will see some newer stars (from the southern hemisphere) that you never see from the northern skies!!! If you are ever coming down to Mumbai it will be a pleasure to show you the night sky through my telescope!!!

Cheers,
Aadil.

[Serena]

Thanks Aadil! Happy to find an astrophile here!
Do you know where I can find a good map of the sky?

I'm sorry, return is from Delhi!

[Aadil]

Serena, on Jul 4 2006, 01:25 AM, said:

Thanks Aadil! Happy to find an astrophile here!
Do you know where I can find a good map of the sky?

I'm sorry, return is from Delhi!

Hi there,

I would suggest going to the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Delhi when you are there. They should have some good simple maps of the night sky. Ask for some of the Amateur Astronomers' Association of Delhi members over there and they should be able to help you out too. Hope this helps and wish you have a good time out under the stars in Ladakh!!! How I wish I were there in Ladakh with my telescope too!!! Maybe someday I will visit this beautiful place too.

Cheers,
Aadil.

[cyberhippie]

I'm probably taking coals to Newcastle here but have you visited one of the Janter manters, built by Jai Singh, amazing astrological architectural instruments for plotting the position of the stars!!

The best known of these is situated in Jaipur but there's also one in Delhi!! Albeit partially vandalised by the Delhi Municipal Council!!