One AM and my insomnia demon was putting on his best performance. Feeling too hot, I threw the bedding away and despite it being freezing outside, I opened the window.
A winter wind blew snowflakes into my face but that didn’t put me off. Enjoying the coldness, I noticed how clear the sky was and how bright the stars were.
When younger, I had enjoyed reading about the solar system and now I dug up that knowledge to name the constellations. It took me a few moments but then three stars lined together gave Orion away.
I smiled and traced him out. Next, Canis Major, one of Orion’s hunting dogs. As for Taurus, the bull Orion was hunting, I couldn’t see because next door’s roof blocked him. Moving back, I looked for the two stars of Canis Minor however they were too far away. Next, the unicorn, Monoceros, but I couldn’t pick those stars out either.
Turning back, I focused on Orion until I yawed and felt sleepy. Closing the window, I settled down again and miraculously fell to sleep.
I could watch Orion all night. If the skies would clear enough to see him. And then maybe move NE to focus on Gemini, and the Plough/Ursa Major, and the Serpent. Thence after … no, they’re my lot. But thanks for the reminder that, behind that seemingly perpetual greyness, the stars still shine. 🙂
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I recently got back into stargazing. I find all the history behind the naming of the stars interesting.
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I did quite an uncover of Orion in a post some time ago about the Roman cult of Mithras. Fascinating stuff.
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