Originally Published in the August 2017 Guidestar
by Steve Goldberg
Asterism: a grouping of stars that form a recognizable pattern.
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 19 h, 04 m
Declination: -24º 44’
Magnitude: Naked eye
Size: 8o x 4o
In the constellation Sagittarius, the Teapot, there are two asterisms that share common stars: The Lemon and The Spoon. These asterisms comprise the line of stars to the “upper left” of the Teapot, attached to the “handle” of the Teapot.
The “Lemon” is th
e lower 3 stars: Pi π, Omicron ο and Xi ξ.
The “Spoon” includes the “Lemon” with 2 additional stars at the top. Starting with the “highest star”, they are: Rho ρ, 43 Sgr, Pi π, Omicron ο and Xi ξ.
Since the Teapot’s spout is spewing steam or hot water creating the Milky Way, you need a Teaspoon to put the Lemon in your tea.
