For the newbie this find is worth the time as Vulpecula houses two "easy to see" deep sky celestial objects. The Dumb-bell nebula and the Coat-hanger cluster are easy enough to spot with minimal equipment. Hone your astronomy skills by starting with this great find.
For those amateur astronomers that have stared at the sky for a while, you know what the title of this writing is referencing. I believe I was in the third or fourth grade when I found out. Throughout my elementary schooling, I would come up with any excuse I could think of to get out of the classroom. and make a visit to the library to gaze through my favorite section; the 520 of dewey. It was one book in particular (I don't remember the name or author, but I remember the book being old and tattered) that I unexpectedly opened up to a picture of a Fox and Goose superimposed over a bunch of stars. It wasn't the Goose that interested me at that point. Rather, it was the Fox with the Goose in its mouth that interested me. "Wow, Vulpecula!", I thought to myself while reading further that Vulpecula was Latin for 'Little Fox' but the translation 'Fox' was widely used. "A constellation named the same as my last name!", as I day-dreamed.
A fellow by the name of Johannes Hevelius created this constellation in the 16th century. Because of this, unfortunately, there is no wonderful mythology story associated with the constellation Vulpecula. Even more interesting is that the Goose, which can be found in the jaws of the Fox, is no longer officially in the sky. I believe this is due in part to the fact that this constellation is made up of a set of faint stars, and for the newbie, takes a bit of time to find it for the first time.
But for the newbie this find is worth the time as Vulpecula houses two "easy to see" deep sky celestial objects.
The Dumb-bell Nebula
Image © Gregory A. Pruden
The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) was the first found object of its kind. It was discovered by French astronomer Charles Messier in 1764. M27 is a large bright planetary nebula which is visible with a pair of binoculars. Binoculars will reveal a dimly glowing disk. A telescope will reveal an object that closely resembles the shape of a dumbbell or hourglass.
A second well notable deep sky object is that of Brocchi's Cluster (Collinder 399). This is a set of stars that has a distinctive shape of a coat-hanger.
As a reminder for those seasoned and new astronomers alike, the Vulpecula et Anser is a perfect constellation to start or add to your journal with. Note the time, place, and weather conditions along with a sketch of the constellation and deep-sky object that you happen to view. Also make note of the equipment you used to view your stars.
I'd like to take a moment to thank Gregory Pruden for the use of his images above. If you are ever interested in taking photographs of the heavens, be sure to visit his web-site http://velatron.com/dca/personal/ where he has instructions on doing so. He also has several pictures of other noteworthy object for you to look at.
Vulpecula and its hidden treasures are best seen in the mid of summer. Vulpecula et Answer has been called one of the August constellations. If you are up late one night during the spring, be sure to check out Vulpecula before you leave for the night (or morning as the case will be).