PLANET EARTH EDUCATION
For Astronomy and Environment

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MOBILE STARS
Planetarium

How To Use The Free Sky Map

Finding North Using the Pole Star

The first thing to do is to get your bearings.  Begin by finding the Plough, which is part of the constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear.  Follow the two pointer stars, Merak and Dubhe, in more or less a straight line, to the first bright star you come to and this is Polaris, the Pole Star.  It is called the Pole Star because it is right above the North Pole of the Earth.

If you face Polaris you are facing North  East is on your right, West is on your left and South is behind you.  Take note of any landmarks on your horizon at these cardinal compass points

How to use the Star Maps

The map of the night sky is for the 15th of the month at 22.00 hours Universal Time(UT).  It represents the night sky as seen from the latitude of 53^o 30' North in the North of England.
The table beneath the star map shows other dates and times when the same map is applicable.

The way to use the star map is to imagine it in front of you such that the part of the horizon you are facing is at the bottom of the map.  For example if you are facing North you would use the map as if it were upside down i.e. the North at the bottom.

You may wish to make a printout of the map so that you can take it outside with you.  The following link is for a printable version of the Free Sky Map.  (Note opens in a new window)

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