National Geographic: Southern Sky: Charting the Heavens - Poster - 28 x 22 inches - Paper Rolled

• 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!
• QUALITY PRINT: Printed on thick paper suitable for display on your home, school or office wall.
• 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.
• TRUSTED CONTENT: National Geographic prides itself on the calibre and rigour of its editorial process so that you can count on having accurate information on every map

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 mythic figures . This map of the sky as seen from the southern 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 Northern 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. Printed on high quality thick paper strong enough for display on your wall. Your map is rolled and packaged in a sturdy tube to protect it during shipment.