Most Astronomers are also Extractionists

Astronomers are often brilliant Extractionists! This amazing article by Joe Rao really explores the idea of Recognizing Resemblances in the stars above:

"Out of the 88 star patterns that are officially recognized as constellations, Sagittarius may be the one in which you can see the widest variety of forms. And all will be on display this week, when Sagittarius appears low to the southern horizon a couple of hours after sunset.

Although tracing out an Archer-Centaur among Sagittarius' stars does require some imagination, visualizing it as a Teapot is quite easy. In fact, it is the Teapot and not the Archer that is usually portrayed on most star charts and in observing guides. I often wonder, who was the first to visualize these stars as resembling a teapot? It does not appear in any astronomy guides or star books prior to the early 1930s. I myself find it a truly delightful pattern: As star pictures go, it's one of the best.

During the 1970s, the late astronomy popularizer George Lovi (1939-1993) pointed out that we could augment our tea service with a teaspoon and lemon as well. Lovi's "teaspoon" comprises stars in northern Sagittarius, while his "lemon" is an alternate rendition of the nearby Southern Crown."

Read more: http://www.space.com/30274-constellation-sagittarius-archer-dipper-teapot.html

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