night sky ... the stars ... a fascinating spectacle!The bright constellation ... Inviting look Milky Way ... How many stars in the sky?Interestingly, there is at least one person who, with enthusiasm and inexplicable awe looking at the night light, would not ask this question?And, probably, many even tried to count them ...
little history
Do you know who first told the world how many stars in the sky?How long has it been?
About two and a half thousand years ago, the ancient astronomer Hipparchus was made the first star catalog.What prompted scientists to think celebrate the stars?Probably, he was impressed that has witnessed the emergence of a new, very bright star.Such a significant event for the astronomer could not leave an imprint.Hipparchus decided to record all visible stars in order, so you do not miss the emergence of new stars, if it happens.As a result, the astronomer was rewritten in 1025 stars.For each identified by the coordinates and size.
course, started to conduct observation much earlier.In ancient astronomers it was also his works, but unfortunately, we heard only their small grains.Therefore, the first catalog of the stars is considered to be the result of the work of Hipparchus.All of them were divided into six categories to them.The main selection criterion was the brightness.At the same time, the notion of "magnitude".Of course, Gipparhova the value has changed and become refined.
About magnitudes
In ancient times it was believed that since the heavenly bodies are located in one area, then they are removed from the earth at one (the same) distance.Stars that seemed the most dull and barely visible, was given the sixth magnitude, and the brightest - the first.The catalog, compiled by Hipparchus, in the first place was the largest 15 stars, the second - 45 - the third 208, the fourth - 474, in the fifth - 217, in the sixth - 49 (and a few nebulae).
Time passed.There were new stars appeared experience, accumulated knowledge.Soon, astronomers have found that stellar radiation is uneven and they are at different distances.There are new definitions of their magnitude: the visual, photovisual, photographic, bolometric.
consider together
Perhaps the question about how many stars in the sky, will not answer even the most authoritative modern astrologer.And this is understandable.How to disagree with the ancient sages, argue that count the stars as difficult to call the number of grains of sand on Earth!But a rough estimate we may give.
What do we need to count the number of grains of sand?Data on the area of the coastline (you can learn from a satellite) and the average thickness of the sand layer.This will help determine the amount of sand on the whole planet (Vz).Now, will measure a grain of sand (Vp).Catch?For the approximate number of grains of sand will only perform one action - split Vz on Vp.Of course, the figure will be "rough", but still ...
Under the same scheme, we can roughly determine how many stars in the sky.The principle is the same, only instead of beaches - the galaxy.We believe.In our galaxy, about 1012 stars.And what, then, of the universe?We leave you the pleasure to answer the question by giving a little hint: galaxies, about the same - 1012.
You just multiply.
name stars in the sky
most prominent luminaries of humanity began to give names to thousands of years ago.This Sirius and Vega, and Aldebaran and Antares, and many others.Those stars, the brightness of which a little weaker, denoted by the letter of the Greek alphabet and numbers.Some of them have not received even number.They just recorded on maps, marking the position and indicating strength shine (brightness).
the brightest star in the universe is considered the blue UW AGR.On the visible horizon leading Deneb, of the closest to us - Sirius in the Solar System - Venus.
