Stargazers across the United Kingdom are in for a delightful celestial treat this week, as a leading astronomer has announced the discovery of six brand new constellations, all whimsically named after beloved party foods.
A Festive Buffet in the Night Sky
According to astronomer Mark Thompson, eagle-eyed viewers can now spot The Sausage Roll, The Chicken Nugget, and The Prawn Ring twinkling above. Under the right conditions, you might also catch a glimpse of The Cheese on a Stick, The Pig in Blanket, and The Mini Pizza.
The perfect opportunity to witness these interstellar snacks arrives on Thursday night, when a rare 'Micro New Moon' will create ideal, dark skies for observation. 'Whether it's the Pig in Blanket in Gemini, or the Prawn Ring in the Winter Hexagon, there's now a whole festive buffet twinkling overhead,' Mr Thompson explained.
Why a Micro New Moon is Perfect for Stargazing
The Moon's orbit around Earth is elliptical, meaning its distance from our planet varies. The farthest point in this orbit is called apogee, which creates a smaller-appearing micromoon. This Thursday's micromoon coincides with a New Moon, meaning the side facing Earth is not illuminated by the Sun.
This celestial alignment will render our lunar satellite almost invisible, resulting in beautifully dark skies that allow the stars of the new constellations to shine with exceptional clarity. 'This Thursday's Micro New Moon is the perfect moment to take a break from the Christmas chaos, wrap up warm, and look up,' Mr Thompson advised.
Your Guide to Spotting the Celestial Snacks
In celebration of this event, Mr Thompson has collaborated with Iceland Foods to guide Britons in their cosmic hunt. Here is a breakdown of where and when to look for each new constellation.
The Chicken Nugget: This formation incorporates the famous stars of Orion, such as Betelgeuse and Rigel. For the best view, look south-southeast at around 10pm on Thursday.
The Prawn Ring: This constellation features two distinct rings of stars. The outer ring links Capella, Aldebaran, and Rigel, while the inner portion connects stars like Alhena and Betelgeuse. It is also best seen by looking south-southeast at around 10pm.
The Mini Pizza: Formed by the main stars of the Auriga constellation, including Capella and Elnath, this tasty sight can be spotted by gazing towards the southeast in the evening.
Pig in Blanket: A festive favourite now immortalised in the stars of Gemini, including Castor and Pollux. Mr Thompson recommends looking east to southeast in the early evening, or directly south by midnight.
Sausage Roll: This pastry-inspired constellation is made from the stars of Leo, such as Regulus. To find it, look south to southeast in the evening.
Cheese on a Stick: This unique constellation draws stars from both Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. The 'cheese' is formed by stars like Dubhe and Merak in the Big Dipper, with the 'stick' extending into the Little Dipper. To spot it, simply look north in the night sky.
So, wrap up warm, find a dark spot away from city lights, and prepare to feast your eyes on a truly unique astronomical discovery this Thursday night.
