- Andromeda (constellation) (Wikipedia)
Andromeda is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century Greco-Roman astronomer Ptolemy, and one of the 88 modern constellations. Located in the northern celestial hemisphere, it is named for Andromeda, daughter of Cassiopeia, in the Greek myth, who was chained to a rock to be eaten by the sea monster Cetus. Andromeda is most prominent during autumn evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, along with several other constellations named for characters in the Perseus myth. Because of its northern declination, Andromeda is visible only north of 40° south latitude; for observers farther south, it lies below the horizon. It is one of the largest constellations, with an area of 722 square degrees. This is over 1,400 times the size of the full moon, 55% of the size of the largest constellation, Hydra, and over 10 times the size of the smallest constellation, Crux.
- Chuckanut Mountains (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
The dense forests of the Chuckanut Mountains hide a striking geologic secret, but the mystery won’t be revealed unless you look at a topographic map. The entire area is deformed and contorted into tight folds, exposing the many layers that make up the rocks here. Though visitors to Larrabee State Park won’t see these fantastical landforms as clearly from the ground, hikers will quickly pick up on the unusual curving, ridged terrain. Trails trace the tops of the ridgelines, providing great viewpoints for photographing picturesque Lost Lake and Fragrance Lake. The folded Chuckanut layers also drop down to Puget Sound, offering spectacular views of the San Juan Islands. Geology is only part of the appeal of Washington’s first state park. There is much to do at Larrabee, with campgrounds, picnic shelters, shoreline access, and miles of trails for hiking and biking. Getting to the park is also part of the experience—Chuckanut Drive is famous for great views of Bellingham Bay.
- Chuckanut Mountains (Wikipedia)
The Chuckanut Mountains (from “Chuckanut”, an indigenous word meaning “long beach far from a narrow entrance”), or Chuckanuts, are located along the Washington state coast of the Salish Sea, just south of Bellingham, Washington. Part of the Cascade Range, they are the only place where the Cascades come west down to meet the sea. The Chuckanuts are considered to be a part of the Puget Lowland Forest Ecoregion.