Constellations, what are they exactly? The chances are you’ve seen them if you have ever glanced up at the sky. From the “Big Bear” to “Orion”, you may even know about a few of them and the ancient myths that they represent. You may even be wondering why they matter and how you can find them while observing the night sky. In this article, I will shed some light on the constellations and offer some tips that may help you with identifying them.

“The stars we are given. The constellations we make. That is to say, stars exist in the cosmos, but constellations are the imaginary lines we draw between them, the readings we give the sky, the stories we tell.“

Rebecca Solnit

When starting off, one of the first hurdles astronomers must overcome is identifying and knowing most of the constellations. This skill is necessary for navigating the night sky effectively and efficiently. After all, you can’t expect to find something like the Hercules Cluster if you can’t find Hercules.

This may sound incredibly difficult at first, but it is easier than you think! To begin with, I will categorize some of the main constellations into three groups based upon the time of year in which they are visible.

The Northern Circumpolar Constellations

The stars and objects in the night sky behave in the exact same way as the Sun. They rise in the east and set in the west every night due to the Earth’s rotation. This means that some constellations will rise and set depending on both the time of the day and the time of the year we try to observe them at. However, when a constellation is “circumpolar”, it lies within close proximity to the nearest polar star and never sets below the horizon. This means that a circumpolar constellation will always be in the sky no matter the time of day or year. That makes these constellations perfect to learn for beginners!

The number of circumpolar constellations that are visible in the sky depends on your latitude north of the equator; however, there are about five that can be seen almost everywhere in the northern hemisphere. These constellations are Ursa Major the Big Bear, Ursa Minor the Little Bear, Cassiopeia Queen of Ethiopia, Cepheus the King, and Draco the Dragon.

Ursa Major – The Big Bear (The Big Dipper)

Perhaps the most famous circumpolar star arrangements that you can see is the Big Dipper. Contrary to popular belief, the Big Dipper is actually a smaller part of the parent constellation known as Ursa Major the Big Bear. We can find it in the northern sky very easily due to the bright stars that it is made of. There are four bright stars that form its “bowl-like” shape. Two of these stars are known as the “pointer stars” Merak and Dubhe. If an imaginary line is drawn through them, the line will always “point” towards the North Star, Polaris. This trick is extremely useful for finding the Little Dipper. Additionally, other constellations will be easier to find by being able to locate the Big Dipper.

Ursa Minor – The Little Bear (The Little Dipper)

Talking about the Little Dipper, this arrangement of stars is in the constellation of Ursa Minor and contains the north star, Polaris. This star has its reputation because it lines up almost perfectly with the Earth’s axis of rotation. This means that the star will always “appear” to be at the same place in the sky as the Earth rotates. We can see the north star at the end of the Little Dipper’s “handle”. This constellation is a very useful reference point for finding other constellations and for knowing where north is when you are without a compass. Depending on the amount of light pollution around you, it may be hard to make out the entirety of this constellation; however, Polaris will still most likely be visible in any condition.

Cassiopeia – Queen of Ethiopia

As one of the easiest to see circumpolar constellations, Cassiopeia is the constellation directly across the north star from Ursa Major. It is easy to make out in the sky because of it’s “W-like” shape that contains a few relatively bright stars and star clusters Messier 57, Messier 103, and the Owl Cluster (NGC 457).

Cepheus & Draco – The King & The Dragon

Cepheus and Draco are the other two main circumpolar constellations and are relatively dim by comparison to the others. They are both found in the space that surrounds Ursa Minor between Cassiopeia and Ursa Major. Cepheus and Draco may be difficult to see if you have a lot of light pollution in your area.

The Winter Sky

By turning our backs on the northern night sky, we can find a group of constellations that changes depending on the time of the year. We’ll first discuss the ones you can see at the end of the year. These constellations come alive during the winter season due to the Earth’s tilt and location in its orbit around the Sun along with the cleaner and dryer air that winter usually brings. While there are many constellations in the winter sky, the primary ones can be found in a group known as the “Winter Circle” or “Winter Hexagon”.

Orion – The Hunter

Orion the Hunter is perhaps the most famous and easiest to see constellations. He can be identified by his “belt” of three stars in close proximity to each other. It resides at the bottom of the Winter Circle. Betelgeuse and Rigel can be seen at the top left and bottom right of the constellation respectively, and are among the brightest stars in this constellation. Orion’s “sword” is made up of a row of three stars that “hang” down from the belt. Interestingly enough, this middle “star” is actually an object called the Orion Nebula. As we look closer, this object will look more like a fuzzy patch of light than a star.

Canis Major – The Great Dog

If we follow the belt’s direction downwards and to the left, we will find Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is the primary star of Canis Major the Great Dog. Canis Major was one of Orion’s hunting dogs along with Canis Minor. This makes it helpful to remember their placement in the night sky, as they can both be seen “following” Orion from behind.

Taurus – The Bull

Again, we return to the belt of Orion. Now following it upwards and to the right. This will lead us directly to the red star “Aldebaran” and its parent constellation, Taurus the Bull. Taurus contains objects such as the Messier 1 “Crab Nebula” and Messier 45 the “Pleiades” cluster, and is easily identifiable by it’s “V-shape”. The Crab Nebula resides between the “horns” of Taurus. The Pleiades, also known as “the Seven Sisters”, lays up and to the right of the bull (where its shoulder would be).

Auriga – The Charioteer

Auriga the Charioteer is the top constellation of the Winter Circle, residing at the tip of the horns of Taurus. The five stars of this constellation represent a man on a chariot holding a goat in his hand. Of these, there is a primary yellow star that is known as “Capella”. This constellation is just under zenith (the point straight above you in the sky). A useful tip for finding Auriga is to find the tip of Taurus’ “upper horn” because they share the same star.

Gemini – The Twins

If we continue counter-clockwise around the Winter Circle from Auriga, we will come across the two stars “Castor” and “Pollux”. These two stars make up the upper part of Gemini the Twins. Another easy way to find this constellation is to draw a line from Rigel through Betelgeuse in Orion upwards to the relatively rectangular constellation. Gemini, like Taurus, is another Zodiac constellation.

Canis Minor – The Little Dog

Made up of two stars, to complete our journey around the Winter Circle we can find Canis Minor the Little Dog. The main one that resides in the Winter Circle, is the white star “Procyon”. Procyon, Betelgeuse (Orion), and Sirius (Canis Major) make up another pattern called the “Winter Triangle”.

Leo – The Lion

Leo the Lion is outside of the winter circle and to the left of Canis Minor. It looks similar to a backward question mark, with its defining blue star known as “Regulus” on the period. It is another one of the well-known “Zodiac” constellations.

Andromeda / Pegasus

Andromeda and Pegasus are combined by four primary stars known as “The Great Square” and are a rather strange-looking grouping of stars. As a part of the upper section of the constellation, there are two separate branches of stars that are the “legs” of Andromeda. The closest galaxy to our own, the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31), is right near these legs. It is rather hard to see in places with a lot of light pollution, but it is definitely a sight to see on a clear night. On the other end of the constellation, there are three strands of stars that all make up the front half of Pegasus.

The Summer Sky

The summer sky is hazier and warmer than the brilliant and clear winter sky. These conditions, along with the tilt and position of the Earth in its orbit, make observing the summer sky a little more difficult. It is also dominated by an arrangement of three stars known as the Summer Triangle. These stars are named “Vega”, “Altair”, and “Deneb”. Each resides in their own respective constellations. Knowing the location of the Summer Triangle makes it a little easier to find some of the other constellations that reside in the summer sky.

Lyra – The Lyre

When searching for Lyra the Lyre, it is the most important to know about its most prominent star, “Vega”. This star is the brightest of the three that make up the Summer Triangle; thus, making it the easiest one to find. It lies near the zenith in the Summer sky. While small, Lyra is useful to know because it is one of the three constellations in the Summer Triangle. This means that knowing its placement can assist us in finding the other constellations.

Cygnus – The Swan

The second constellation in the Summer Triangle is Cygnus the Swan. Perhaps the easiest way to find Cygnus is to first find “Vega” in the constellation of Lyra. Draw a line eastward from Vega to find the prominent star “Deneb”. This star, along with four other prominent stars, forms a shape called the “Northern Cross”. If the amount of light pollution is substantially low, the Northern Cross can be seen immersed in the Milky Way.

Aquila – The Eagle

Find the third prominent star of the summer triangle called “Altair” in order to find Aquila the Eagle. One of the easiest ways to do this is by following the Milky Way downwards until Altair comes into view. Aquila’s appearance is similar to that of a diamond-shaped kite with a tail following behind it. This is the final constellation in the Summer Triangle.

Sagittarius – The Archer

By continuing to follow the Milky Way downwards past Aquila, an arrangement of stars called “the teapot” comes into view. It received its nickname due to the close resemblance it has to the shape of an old-fashioned teapot. The parent constellation to the teapot is in fact, Sagittarius the Archer. Sagittarius acts as our marker for the Center of our Milky Way Galaxy; making the constellation quite significant.

Scorpius – The Scorpion

The red star “Antares” can be found by looking right from the Teapot and staying close to the horizon. The parent constellation to Antares is, in fact, Scorpius the Scorpion. Scorpius is yet another one of the famous Zodiac constellations. Antares is also known as “the Heart” of Scorpius, due to its deep red color.

Boötes – The Herdsman

The final major constellation on this list is known as Boötes the Herdsman. This constellation is to the right, or in the westward direction, from Scorpius. It has a kite-like shape to it, with the red star “Arcturus” at its bottom point. My own high school Astronomy teacher taught me a handy phrase: “arc to Arcturus”. This helps me remember to follow an “arc-like” path from Antares westward to find this constellation. Try this out for yourself!

I hope that you have found this article helpful and informative! Now that I’ve acquainted you with some of the constellations of the night skies, it’s time for you to go hunting for them! Soon you will be able to navigate the sky like the back of your hand, with some time and practice of course.

For Additional Information:

• Charts of the Night Sky – A useful application by Dominic Ford that shows you what your night sky looks like depending upon the time and date. Additionally, this site also allows you to select a plethora of options such as star brightness, the locations of planets, etc.
• Star Atlas – A much more in-depth and interactive application that allows you to explore the night sky.
• Star and Planet Locator – Where you can buy your own Star and Planet Locator, a tool that makes it even easier to navigate the night sky.

The post Constellations: What are they and how to find them? appeared first on Space Tonight.

Step 1: Pick a Stargazing Date

Whether you are planning a one-time trip or hoping to make stargazing a regular scheduled family activity, finding the the appropriate date can mean the difference between an enjoyable evening-filled viewing or a miserable fruitless search.

What season is best to see stars at night?

In short, winter is the best season to see stars at night in the Northern hemisphere . There are three main reasons why stargazing in the winter has its advantages over other seasons.

First, there are clusters of the brightest stars that are visible in the winter months for the Northern hemisphere. You can learn more about the winter triangle and the winter hexagon.

Second the atmospheric conditions clear up visibility into the sky. This happens because the winter months have a reduced amount of humidity in the sky, and that enables for minimal optical distortion and better visibility into space.

Lastly, winter has the longest period of dark hours between sunset and sunrise. Stargazers can take advantage of the duration for longer star viewing hours.

With that being said, that does not at all mean you should not stargaze in the summer. Months in the summer have their own benefits, the elements for one, as we dive more in the next section.

Preparing for the weather

Consider the weather forecast for wherever you plan to see stars at night. If you are in a mild climate then this may not be that big of a concern for you; however, if you are in colder or rainier climates, you will need to bring an extra layer of protection against mother nature.

Preparing for the weather includes making sure you are wearing proper shoes, correct number of layers, and packing food or snacks based on how long you and your party plan to be outside.

Stargazing typically requires at least a few hours of your time and the majority of that time will be spent outside. For younger children or the elderly, summer months may be ideal to make the event less daunting.

For those in more secluded towns or cities, you may be able to stargaze right from your home. Areas without light pollution and objects blocking your view of the sky are prime candidates for stargazing. For a number of people, they have that luxury right at home.

Finding your “Dark Sky”

A “dark sky” is important for anyone interested in seeing stars at night. As a result, star seekers must keep in mind factors that introduce light into the sky:

Factor 1: The phase of the moon — The brightness and size of the moon depends on the moon’s current phase, which is determined by the position of the sun relative to the moon.

Light from the sun reflects off of the moon at different angles, and those angles impact the ability to see the moon and other “candies” in the sky.

When the moon is at its fullest, seeing anything else in the sky may not be possible without other equipment. On the other hand, a full-sized moon may make for an interesting experience viewing the moon itself.

Darker moons help reduce light in the sky and provide better visibility to other sky artifacts such as stars and planets.

Consult a moon phase calendar to predict what the moon will look like on your stargazing night.

Factor 2: Twilight from the sun — The term twilight is the light from the sun, after the sun has set below the visible horizon.

Twilight is the brightest when a sun has just set and will get progressively darker until dusk. Between dusk and dawn, twilight will be minimal. Thus resulting in a “dark sky.”

Time of the year matters the most when considering twilight since the winter months in the Northern hemisphere have most hours of darkness. There are the least number of dark hours in the summer.

Step 2: Finding the Best Location to See Stars

Next you will need to find area without much light. This is know as “dark sky.” Ambient light can dramatically impair your ability to see the sky clearly. The pollution of light has become a growing problem due to ever-evolving cities. Whether you are using a telescope, binoculars, or just your eyes, a “dark sky” will increase your visibility of the night’s sky.

Tips on finding “dark sky locations” near you:

• Look online for locations. There are a number of resources online that have listings of places closest to you. The International Dark Sky Association has compiled a list of over 100 dark sky locations in their interactive map.
• Consult local astronomy clubs, schools, and universities for the best “dark sky locations.” These organizations have recommendations on spots that they have used for gatherings.
• Avoid densely populated areas such as city centers. Typically these areas have the most lighting for streets and other commercial purposes.
• Higher elevated areas such as mountains allow you to keep distance from the light pollution. The majority of light will now be below you, so that it does not impact the sky above.

Step 3: Pick Up Sky-Viewing Gear

Being properly equipped will certainly improve your view of the stars at night; however, no equipment is actually required. Consider your budget for the evening and how much detail you would like to see. Below we have compiled a list of different items that can help your stargazing.

Selecting your optics

There are three primary ways to view your stars. Stargazers can use (1) their eyes, (2) binoculars, or (3) telescopes. Here are the pros and cons of each method.

1. Using what your mother gave you

The easiest and quickest option is to go without any optical equipment at all. Of course you may not get the full experience compared to those with more expensive equipment, but beginner stargazers who are looking to spend a scientific or even romantic evening can do so without spending a dime.

2. Binoculars

At first, it may seem strange to use a pair of binoculars to stare at the sky, but actually binoculars can work great for seeing stars. Binoculars typically are used for seeing far distances, bird watching, or getting a view of sporting events and concerts.

But there are actually binoculars specifically designed for the purposes of seeing stars and other sky artifacts. Binoculars are a good middle ground for intermediate or frequent stargazers that do not want to go through the hassle of buying and carrying an entire stand-up telescope.

3. Telescopes

Telescopes

Bringing a red flashlight

Red light is useful for stargazing because a red light will allow your eyes to remain adapted to the darkness. When you see bright white, yellow, or blue lights, your iris will shrink in size to accommodate the rush of light in to your eyes. Red light can help your eyes maintain an enlarged iris. In an attempt to let in as much light as possible, your iris open to allow more light, which in turn adapts your eyes to darkness.

If you plan on frequently viewing the night’s sky, then the investment for a flashlight under $10 would be a great investment. You do not need to go out and purchase a dedicated red flashlight. Our recommendation is to find a standard flashlight and use cheap red cellophane that you can find at the local crafts store. You can find this material online as well.

Other gear to consider

Outside of viewing equipment, the following items may help make the night viewing a more pleasant experience:

• Observation Seating (chairs, blanket, etc.)
• Insect Repellant
• Optic cleaning equipment
• Speakers, headphones, and music
• Waterproof bags
• Tents and temporary shelter
• Toiletries for when nature calls
• Extra layers – tops, bottoms, socks
• Charges for cell phones and other equipment
• Extra batteries for electronics

Step 4: Get to Know Your Sky

Now that you have your gear and are ready to go, we recommend that a bit of pre-reading can make your experience that much more informative. In addition to the spectacular views that you can see with stargazing, the opportunity to learn about space and astronomy should also really excite you.

In order to see and learn the most from your trip, there are several resources that we recommend to check out before you go off on your night sky adventure.

1. Google Sky: You might be familiar with Google maps, but are you familiar with Google Sky? It’s essentially a map of the sky that’s provided to you free from Google.
2. Sky Chart: An interactive sky chart is another way to see what’s in the sky on a given evening. You can print out a sky chart to have a physical copy of what you can potentially see.
3. Mobile Applications: If you want to bring the information with you, check out SkyView, NightSky, and StarWalk 2 (with a Kid version).

With these tools in hand, pick and choose what you want to see! Using these resources can help you find and spot exactly what you are looking for. If you see something that you do not recognize, these helpful items can also help determine what you are seeing!

Step 5: Make a Plan and Go See Stars!

The final step is to do some final preparation and get going. We have compiled a stargazing checklist to make sure that you have prepared and thought of everything that you may need.

• Pick a time for “dark sky” that works for you
• Select a “dark sky location”
• Check the weather for your location
• Pack appropriate clothing
• Bring food, snacks, and beverages
• Pack your viewing gear
• Pack viewing accessories such as a flashlight
• Bring protection in case of weather elements
• Determine what you want to see from the night’s sky chart
• Bring a printable Sky Chart or download mobile applications

For beginner’s planning can help ensure that time is best spent focusing on the sky, and less about logistics. A bit of preparation can also give you the best viewing chances at deep sky objects and stars.

If you were able to follow this How-To Guide, then you should be all set. Happy Stargazing!

The post How to See Stars at Night (5 Step Beginner’s Guide) appeared first on Space Tonight.