National Geographic: Northern Sky: Charting The Heavens - Poster - 28 x 22 inches - Laminated

Once you get far enough away from the ever spreading glow of urban areas and allow your eyes to adjust, a so-called "dark night" looks more like an explosion of illumination. Ancient astronomers peered into the night sky and imagined glittering jewels set in a crystal sphere slowly revolving around Earth from east to west.Every culture has drawn pictures in the stars, creating constellations that represent animals or mythical figures. This map of the sky as seen from the northern hemisphere features the 88 constellations today recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). These constellations are not just pictures but basic units that partition the sky. As seen on this map, main stars in a constellation have Greek letter designations - alpha for the brightest, beta for the second brightest, and onward. Galaxies, star clusters and nebulae are designated by the letter M, for Messier Catalogue objects, or NGC for New General Catalogue, followed by their number designation.This map is an attractive product for the stargazer and budding astronomer. It makes an essential companion to Southern Sky: Charting the Heavens, and its size makes it perfect for a gallery wall.This map is found in National Geographic's 10th Edition World Atlas, published to mark the 100th anniversary of National Geographic Cartography, and is now available as a stand alone product.Your laminated map has a glossy finish so that you can use dry erase markers on the map to highlight features, make plans, and share unique information with others. Lamination is also extremely durable, resistant to folding or ripping.Your map is rolled and packaged in a sturdy tube to protect it during shipment.

• UNIQUE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PRODUCT: This map offers a stunning view of the constellations in our night sky.
• CLASSY MAP FOR OFFICE OR HOME: The artistry in this beautiful product makes it a gorgeous addition to any collection!
• USE WITH DRY ERASE: Highlight areas on the map and wipe off when you're done on this glossy laminate finish
• DURABLE MATERIAL: With laminated product, your map is protected from tears, folds and liquids
• ICONIC CARTOGRAPHY: National Geographic's maps are the standard others are measured against. You can count on this product having the highest quality content and display in the industry.