We have all heard of the famous Big Five and you may have even heard of the small five (leopard tortoise, red-billed buffalo weaver, rhino beetle, ant lion and elephant shrew) but something that you may have not heard about and might just have a chance to see at Londolozi is the celestial big five.
These are five of the best specimens of deep-sky objects (star clusters, bright and dark gas clouds and galaxies) that were selected by a special ‘deep-sky task force’ from the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA) that are visible from anywhere in the southern hemisphere and can been seen with just a pair of binoculars.
The Southern Pleiades
The first of the five is an open cluster of stars which resembles the famous Pleiades, also known as the seven sisters. It is group of a few thousand stars that were formed roughly around the same time can be found in the constellation of Carina.
The Southern Pleiades
The Carina Nebula
This is bright nebula which is an area of recent star formation as well as an area of star death and destruction. This is also the brightest patch along the southern Milky Way and is also found in the constellation of Carina. Within the nebula there is a star called Eta Carinae which is on the brink of death and could possibly be the next supernova (a large explosion that takes place at the end of a star’s life) in our galaxy.
A Map of the Carina Constellation showing the position of the Southern Pleiades and the Carina Nebula shown at C92
Omega Centauri
This globular cluster is a spherical collection of about 10 million stars and is the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way and one of the very few that is visible to the naked eye. It looks like a fuzzy star and can appear to be as large as the fully moon. It can be seen in the constellation of Centaurus.
Omega Centauri appearing as a fuzzy star. Image via Wikimedia Commons
The Coal Sack
At 500 light years away the Coal Sack is one of the nearest dark nebulas to earth . A dark nebula is a type of interstellar cloud that is so dense that is blocks any light from objects behind it making it appear as a dark cloud in the night sky. It is a dormant star nursery with no stars inside but in the beginning phase of developing into a star forming region. It can be found in the Southern Cross constellation and is best see on a dark moonless night.
The Coal Sack near the Southern Cross
The Milky Way
This is a barred spiral galaxy that is our very own home in the universe. It is the beautiful band of light that stretches across the night sky that is formed by the stars that we cannot individually distinguish with the naked eye.
The Milky Way lighting up the night skies.
So next time you get a chance on a clear night to gaze at the heavens above try to see if you can see any of these fascinating celestial objects. It can be a very humbling experience…
Great blog Tayla. Interesting information.
As a northern hemisphere inhabitant, the night skies and the amazing views are a treasured part of our trips to Londolozi. We look so much forward to seeing it and all the wonders of Londolozi very soon.
Tayla, I loved all the pictures. Especially one of Milky Way🤗
that is one of the moments that I miss most !
Sean Z did a great job reviewing much of this one evening during our last visit!
Getting the vaccine Saturday, so it looks like we should be able to return in July.
Happy New Year!
Sean does some great Star talks!!
Tayla, really fun change of subject and very interesting. Keep surprising us and you will be carving out a niche of your own!
Wonderful photos of the stars and the sky at night. This is also one of the many good things about a safari: you can really admire the stars in the sky. Here in Europe it’s far too light at night so that it is difficult to see any stars at all.
This blog reminded me of my first visit to the Sabi Sand, when our ranger turned off the engine and lights and told us to look up. We were absolutely speechless to see the sky as we’d never seen it before, with a gajillion stars horizon to horizon! Repeating that experience is one of my favorite things to do when I’m at Londolozi – and I’m so looking forward to doing it again soon!
I believe African skies are the most beautiful in the world, illustrating the stories of the universe in ways like no other nations. Thank you for reminding us ……
A really nice blog Tayla. I am a star gazer and often go out at night to just look up and see the stars and the moon. Unfortunately I live in a city and therefore do not get to see too many stars. I really enjoyed reading your blog and I thank you for sharing. Be well and stay safe. Toronto, Canada
we spent a wonderful evening following a delicious dinner in the bush with Allie as he pointed out the various stars and constellations! Wow it was wonderful to see the southern skies without the lights we have in the city which make it almost impossible to see the stars at hi one. Victoria
Next time I am there I will look for these for sure! Very interesting to know a “dark nebula” is actually a thing to be seen!
Tayla, Thank you so much for your detailed explanation and education on the stars! We look forward to searching them out from your vantage point on our next visit to Londolozi!
I love this little astronomy lesson! I’m filing it away for when we visit a bubble hotel in Joshua Tree this coming new year! Happy 2021 to you all!
Brilliant post and wonderful images!!
What a wonderful contribution to the mix! It gives a full scope vision to the Londolozi environment and experience.
Absolutely fascinating Tayla! You are very knowledgeable indeed. Lovely pics too. Well done! Wendy M
Gosh would be lovely to enjoy the southern sky again. Super interesting Tayla ❤️🙏