“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.”

(Jane Taylor)

These timeless words perfectly capture our fascination with the night sky, especially during the warm, clear nights of summer. As the sun sets and the sky darkens, a celestial tapestry unfolds, revealing some of the most breathtaking stars and constellations. From the brilliant Vega in the constellation Lyra to the striking Altair in Aquila, summer nights offer a spectacular view of the cosmos. The balmy weather and extended twilight make summer the ideal season for stargazing, allowing us to revel in the stars without the chill of winter or the unpredictability of spring and fall. And did you know there are enchanting legends about the stars? Let’s uncover those stories together.

✨ The romantic stories behind the Summer Triangle

Have you ever heard of the Summer Triangle?

The Summer Triangle is a prominent asterism in the summer sky, marked by the bright stars Vega, Deneb, and Altair, each the alpha star (the brightest star) of the constellations Lyra, Cygnus, and Aquila, respectively. Let’s delve into the enchanting tales and legends that surround these stars and constellations.

Lyra depicted in the lower right corner of an 1825 star map (Source: Wikipedia)

The tale hidden in the constellation Lyra, visible in the Northern Hemisphere sky on midsummer nights, is closely related to the story of Orpheus in Greek and Roman mythology. According to the myth, Apollo gifted a lyre to his son Orpheus, a musical genius. The melody Orpheus played on his lyre was so beautiful that it captivated everyone. However, when his beloved wife Eurydice died from a snake bite, Orpheus ventured into the underworld to find her, playing his lyre. The beautiful melody moved the king and queen of the underworld, allowing him to take his wife back, but he broke the promise not to look back until they reached the surface, causing Eurydice to return to the underworld. Overwhelmed with grief, Orpheus eventually died, and the lyre, left without its master, continued to play sad and beautiful music. To honor him, Zeus placed the lyre in the sky, creating the constellation Lyra.

There is an equally poignant legend in the East known as the tale of “The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.” Long ago, a heavenly shepherd (the Cowherd) and a celestial weaver (the Weaver Girl) fell deeply in love but neglected their duties. Angered by their dereliction, the Jade Emperor separated them, placing them on opposite sides of the Milky Way. However, magpies and crows took pity on the sorrowful couple and formed a bridge with their heads across the Milky Way once a year to reunite them. The joy of their reunion and the sadness of their imminent parting moved them to tears, which fell to Earth as rain. The lovers cross this bridge on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, a day known as Qixi (七夕) in China, Chilseok in Korea, and celebrated during the Tanabata festival in Japan. In this celestial narrative, Vega, the alpha star in the constellation Lyra, represents the Weaver Girl, while Altair, the alpha star in Aquila, symbolizes the Cowherd. The Milky Way, stretching brightly and vividly across the night sky from north to south during the summer months, provides the perfect backdrop for observing Vega and Altair.

Vega (left) and Altair (right)

The northern constellation Cygnus presents its own narrative of love and transformation. In Greek mythology, Zeus, notorious for his numerous love affairs, often transformed himself to escape the watchful eyes of his wife, Hera. To seduce Leda, the wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta, Zeus adopted the form of a beautiful swan. Hence, Cygnus is also known as the Swan. In many cultures where the swan is seen as a psychopomp, Cygnus is believed to serve as a gateway to the afterlife, and that the souls of the departed would pass through it on their journey to the other side.

Aside from the Summer Triangle, the summer sky in the Northern Hemisphere boasts many bright stars. To name a few: Antares, a red supergiant often referred to as the “heart” of the Scorpion; Arcturus, a red giant in the constellation Boötes (the Herdsman); and Spica, a bright blue giant in the constellation Virgo that is prominent in the early summer sky.

✨ Experience the magic of starry nights through the telescope lens

To truly appreciate the wonders of the night sky, it is best to escape the city lights and head to the countryside. On a clear summer night, armed with a telescope or a pair of binoculars, you can lose yourself in the breathtaking beauty of countless stars. The night sky away from the urban glow offers an unparalleled celestial experience that is both enchanting and mesmerizing.

Various products made from polycarbonate

Telescope lenses bring stars closer and into sharper focus. In the past, these lenses were primarily made of glass, making them expensive and heavy. However, modern lenses often use polycarbonate, a petroleum-based material that is lighter, more affordable, and just as effective as glass. This innovation allows even beginners in stargazing to purchase and use telescopes with ease, making the wonders of the night sky accessible to everyone.

Polycarbonate isn’t limited to telescope lenses; it’s a versatile material found in cameras, microscopes, safety goggles, optical prisms, and even everyday lenses. This thermoplastic marvel is exceptionally strong and durable, boasting the same clarity as traditional glass. However, its lighter weight and remarkable impact resistance set it apart, making it the material of choice for demanding applications like bulletproof glass.

When we look up at the summer night sky, the mesmerizing tales woven among the stars and the twinkling path of the Milky Way capture our imagination. The breathtaking view of the universe through a pristine telescope lens offers not only comfort and inspiration but also a profound sense of limitless possibilities. Stargazing is a magical experience, providing an opportunity to create unforgettable memories. So, why not take a moment this summer to marvel at the wonders of the cosmos and add a new chapter to your story of cherished moments?