Learning the constellations in the sky is simple to do and can be
done from your home. You do not have to be in a very dark
sky. However, you do need to be able to see the main stars of the
constellations. If you do not see the stars very clearly, you
will need to find a darker location. You need to pick up a sky
chart to help you recognize the constellation pattern. You can pick up a
copy of Sky & Telescope magazine at your local book store for the
current month. In the middle of the magazine, there is a sky chart
for the month. You can also pick up a sky chart wheel instead of
the magazine. This is a chart where you set the date and time and
it shows you what constellations are visible in the sky at that
time. It usually can be found in some bookstores, astronomy store,
or planetarium.
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Now that you have your sky chart from Sky & Telescope or the sky
chart wheel, you are ready to begin. Pick 2 days in the week to go
outside about one and a half hours after sunset. The days you pick
does not have to be the same for each week since the weather can
change. You will need to go outside every week for one year.
When the year is complete, you should know most of the constellations.
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The procedure to do each time you go outside to look at the sky is
the following:
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Since you live in the northern hemisphere,
locate the north star Polaris. This is a good reference point
because it is always in the same place. The reason it does not
move is that the star is directly overhead at the north pole.
As the earth spins, the stars move east to west. At the north
pole, any stars directly over head will not move since the earth
rotates on its polar axis.
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Now that you have found where the north star
is, turn and look toward it. South is now behind you,
East is to your right, and West is to your left.
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Now, look to the west and find the
constellations that are in the west on the sky chart.
Saying the name of the constellation out loud when you see
it will help you remember the name.
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Do the same thing for the South, East,
North and overhead directions. Some constellations are faint
and hard to see if you have a lot of light in the sky from the city.
Ursa Minor (the little dipper) is not easy to see in the city.
Most people find it by locating Polaris first, this star is
at the end of the handle in the little dipper.
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If the sky chart you are using has the
name of bright stars, look for them as well.
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Do the steps one through five each week, 2
nights a week, for one year and that will do it.
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Once you have learned the constellations, you will never forget
them. As you go outside each week, you will see the sky change
from one season to another. Finally, when you get under a very
dark sky away from the city lights, the constellations will seem to
have disappeared in the many stars above. But you will begin to see
them quickly again.
One final note, if you are using Sky & Telescope magazine, be
sure to locate the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn
when they are visible in the sky. Watch the movement of the
moon. You will see that it moves from west to east over a period
of time. The planets do this as well but move too slowly to
see. However, Mercury, Venus, and Mars are close enough to see
this movement.
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For information of each constellation, visit this web site
Table Of Constellations
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