Stargazing is a captivating hobby that allows anyone to connect with the beauty and mystery of the cosmos from the comfort of their own backyard or local park.
Identifying constellations in the night sky can be an exciting challenge for first-timers, seasoned and amateur astronomers alike.
Fortunately, several patterns of stars are easy to find with the naked eye, providing a perfect starting point for beginners.
So, let’s jump into the world of stars!
Understanding the Basics
The constellations we see depend on our location on Earth and the time of year. Each of the two hemispheres showcases its own unique collection, with some constellations visible throughout the year and others seasonal.
What are Constellations?
Humans have noticed star patterns since they first gazed upon the ancient skies. The 2nd-century Greek astronomer Ptolemy was among the first to create a list of identifiable patterns known as the 48 Ptolemaic Constellations.
In modern times, we have 88 constellations covering the entire sky, registered and defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU oversees all the official naming of celestial bodies, ensuring uniformity and clarity in the process.
Each constellation typically represents a mythological figure, animal, or object and organizes the night sky into more manageable segments for celestial navigation, like an atlas.
Constellation or Asterism?
An asterism is a recognizable pattern of stars that is not formally defined as a constellation.
For example, both The Big Dipper and Little Dipper are asterisms, but Hercules and Lyra are constellations. While the former are simple patterns that are easy to spot, the latter signifies an official area of the sky with defined boundaries.
Most asterisms are part of a constellation. The Big Dipper is within Ursa-Major, the Great Bear constellation.
Knowing the difference between constellations vs asterisms is crucial for proper astronomical understanding. All asterisms are patterns of stars, but not all are constellations.
Look for these Constellations
In the Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere’s night sky is graced with some of the most beautiful and easiest constellations to find.
From the saucepan shape of the Big Dipper in Ursa Major to the dazzling Belt of Orion the Hunter, these stellar patterns in the northern sky not only guide the curious eye but also offer a treasure trove of historical and mythological stories.
Ursa Major and The Big Dipper
The most well-known constellation in the northern skies is Ursa Major, also known as “The Great Bear.”
As a prominent fixture in the northern celestial sphere, it’s not just a constellation of beauty but also a practical tool for navigation. Its two pointer stars, Merak and Dubhe, lead directly to Polaris, the North Star.
When seeking out The Great Bear, search the sky over the northern horizon for the asterism of the Big Dipper. This will present the back and tail of Ursa Major.
Ursa Major has been one of the most popular celestial starting points for stargazers and travelers since ancient times.
Finding Ursa Major
- Search the sky to the north for the asterism, the Big Dipper.
- It will locate the back and tail portion of the constellation Ursa Major.
Ursa Minor and
The Little Dipper
Ursa Minor, also called The Little Bear and known by many as the Little Dipper, mirrors the larger and more familiar Ursa Major in miniature, creating a cosmic connection between the two that has been depicted in legends and mythology across various cultures.
At the constellation’s outermost point lies Polaris, the North Star, which has served as a trusted beacon of the north for many early travelers.
This star’s fixed position directly above the North Pole makes it a celestial pivot around which the northern sky seems to rotate.
Finding Ursa Minor
- Locate the Big Dipper in the northern sky. It is more prominent and easier to find than Ursa Minor.
- Look at the “bowl” of the Big Dipper. The two stars at the end of the bowl, opposite the handle, are called Dubhe and Merak. These are the pointer stars.
- Draw an imaginary line through these pointer stars and extend it outward about five times the distance between Dubhe and Merak. This line points almost directly to Polaris, the North Star, which is the brightest star in Ursa Minor.
- Identify Polaris: Polaris is at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper. Once you find Polaris, you have found Ursa Minor.
Cassiopeia
Another recognizable constellation is Cassiopeia. Its unmistakable “W ” or “M” shape, depending on your perspective, represents the mythical queen sitting on her throne.
It’s a useful constellation to identify because of its year-round visibility in the Northern Hemisphere.
Cassiopeia is opposite the Big Dipper and rotates around Polaris, the North Star, making it useful for orientation throughout the year.
Finding Cassiopeia in the night sky is relatively straightforward due to its distinctive shape and prominent stars.
Finding Cassiopeia
- Face North: Cassiopeia is located in the northern sky, making it visible for most of the year in the northern hemisphere.
- Look for the Big Dipper: A helpful way to find Cassiopeia is to first locate the Big Dipper. Both constellations rotate around Polaris, the North Star, in opposite parts of the sky.
- Find Polaris: Using the Big Dipper, locate Polaris. Extend an imaginary line through the two outer stars (pointer stars) of the Big Dipper’s bowl (Merak and Dubhe) directly away from the Big Dipper’s handle. Polaris is the bright star Merak and Dubhe are pointing to.
- Locate Cassiopeia: Once you have found Polaris, look directly opposite the Big Dipper across Polaris. Cassiopeia is often on the opposite side of Polaris from the Big Dipper, forming a rough “W” or “M” shape in the sky, depending on its orientation and your perspective.
Cygnus The Northern Cross
Cygnus soars across the Milky Way with outstretched wings, forming the pattern known as the Northern Cross.
It’s centered by Deneb, one of the sky’s brightest stars, which marks the tail of the celestial swan and serves as one vertex of the Summer Triangle asterism.
It is best viewed in the summer and early fall as it flies along the Milky Way. Here is how you can find it.
Finding Cygnus
- Locate the Summer Triangle: Start by finding the Summer Triangle, an asterism formed by three bright stars from three different constellations: Deneb in Cygnus, Vega in Lyra, and Altair in Aquila. These stars are very bright and easy to spot in the summer sky.
- Identify Deneb: Of the three stars in the Summer Triangle, Deneb is the one furthest north and is also the tail of Cygnus. Deneb is one of the brightest stars in the night sky, making it relatively easy to spot.
- Trace the Cross: From Deneb, trace a line through the constellation to form the long stem of the Northern Cross. The cross runs along the body of the swan, with Deneb at the tail and a line of stars representing the swan’s neck stretching out from the opposite end.
- Recognize the Wings: Look for the shorter crossbar, which represents Cygnus’s wings. This crossbar intersects the stem close to the middle. The star at the intersection is called Sadr (Gamma Cygni).
The Great Hunter Orion
No discussion of constellations would be complete without the most famous constellation, Orion, the hunter.
Orion’s Belt, a line of three bright stars, makes Orion one of the most easily recognized constellations. The constellation also hosts some stellar extremes, with the constellation’s brightest star, Betelgeuse, a red supergiant, and its opposite, Rigel, a blue-white supergiant.
Nearby, one can find the Orion Nebula, which is a birthing place for new stars, and Canis Major with Sirius, the “dog star,” the brightest star in the night sky. Orion is also home to the Orionids Meteor shower, which happens in the late fall part of the year. I have provided the current dates.
Finding Orion
- Look to the South: Begin by facing generally southward if you are in the Northern Hemisphere. Orion will rise in the east and set in the west, and during the winter months, it will climb high in the sky to the south.
- Identify the Belt: Orion’s Belt is the easiest part of the constellation to spot. Look for three bright stars close together in an almost straight line. These three stars—Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka—are roughly in the middle of the constellation and are very evenly spaced.
- Find the Shoulders and Feet: Once you’ve located the Belt, find the brighter stars that form the rest of Orion. Betelgeuse, a reddish star, marks Orion’s right shoulder, and Bellatrix marks his left shoulder. Rigel, a very bright blue-white star, is at his left knee, and Saiph is at his right knee.
- Trace the Outline: From the Belt, you can trace lines to form the outline of Orion’s body. Imagine a rectangle where the Belt forms the middle, the shoulders are at the top corners, and the knees are at the bottom corners. Orion’s head is just above the shoulders, marked by a fainter star.
- Look for the Sword: Hanging from Orion’s Belt is a line of fainter stars known as Orion’s Sword. One of these “stars” is actually the Orion Nebula (M42), a beautiful and easily observable area of gas and dust where new stars are being born, visible with binoculars or a small telescope.
In the Southern Hemisphere
The southern hemisphere’s family of constellations provides its own unique and marvelous view of the cosmos. Among them are the Crux, better known as the Southern Cross, and Centaurus, which houses the closest star system to our Sun, and Carina, the keel of the ship in the old southern constellation of Argo Navis.
Crux the Southern Cross
Crux, commonly referred to as the Southern Cross, is arguably the most recognized constellation in the southern sky.
It’s not only prominently featured on several national flags but is also crucial for navigation, as it points towards the South Celestial Pole.
Its four brightest stars form a distinct asterism that resembles a Latin cross, making it relatively easy to identify.
Finding Crux
- Look South: To find Crux, start by facing south if you are in the southern hemisphere. It’s closer to the horizon the further north you are and can even be visible as far north as 25 degrees latitude under good conditions.
- Identify the Constellation: The Crux is relatively small and distinctive, made up of four main stars that form a compact cross. The longer axis of the cross points roughly toward the south celestial pole.
- Use Pointer Stars: The two bright stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri, are located near Crux and are often referred to as the “Pointer Stars” because they point directly to the Southern Cross. Alpha Centauri is the third brightest star in the night sky, and Beta Centauri is also very bright, making them easy to spot.
- Trace the Cross: Look for the four bright stars that make up Crux. The two stars that form the cross’s vertical axis (when it is upright) are Acrux at the bottom and Gacrux at the top. The crossbar is formed by two less bright stars, Mimosa and Delta Crucis.
- Observe Seasonal Changes: Depending on the time of year, Crux can appear at different angles or even upside down. During Southern Hemisphere autumn and winter (March through September), it appears upright in the early evening.
Centaurus and
the Closest Star System
Centaurus is a sprawling constellation wrapped around the Southern Cross. Within its boundaries lies Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our Solar System.
Alpha Centauri is approximately 4.37 light-years from Earth and is actually a triple star system consisting of Alpha Centauri A, Alpha Centauri B, and the faint red dwarf, Proxima Centauri.
Finding Centaurus
- Location and Visibility: Centaurus is primarily a southern constellation and is best seen from southern latitudes. It can be partially visible as far north as about 25 degrees north latitude but appears very low on the horizon.
- Start with the Southern Cross: Locate Crux (the Southern Cross), which is a useful starting point since Centaurus wraps around it. Crux is easier to identify with its distinctive cross shape.
- Identify the Pointer Stars: Next, find Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri, which are also known as the Southern Pointers. These bright stars point towards the Southern Cross and are part of the Centaurus constellation.
- Visualize the Centaur: Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri form the front hooves of the mythical centaur that Centaurus represents. From these stars, trace lines through the body of the constellation. Centaurus spans a large area of the sky, and its shape can be imagined as a centaur in a dynamic pose with legs extended and one arm reaching forward.
- Locate Other Key Stars: After identifying the front hooves, look for Hadar (Beta Centauri) and Rigil Kentaurus (Alpha Centauri), which are among the brightest stars in the sky. The constellation’s outline extends from these stars to form the legs, body, and head of the centaur.
- Use a Star Map or App: Because Centaurus is a large and sprawling constellation, a star map can help identify its full shape and its relation to neighboring constellations.
Carina the Keel of the Ship
Once part of the larger Argo Navis constellation, Carina represents the keel of the legendary ship. Within Carina, observers can gaze upon the Carina Nebula, a deep-space object where massive stars are born
Carina’s most luminous star, Canopus, is the second-brightest star in the night sky and serves as an important navigational star due to its brightness and location close to the South Celestial Pole.
Finding Carina
- Location and Visibility: Carina is a southern constellation, best visible from southern latitudes. It remains low on the horizon or below it entirely for observers north of about 20 degrees north latitude.
- Identify Key Stars: Start by locating Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. From Sirius look south east for the 2nd brightest star which is Canopus and is part of the Carina constellation. It serves as a good anchor point for finding the rest of Carina.
- Visualize the Keel: Carina represents the keel of a ship. After locating Canopus, visualize the shape of a ship’s keel extending north and east from Canopus.
- Use the Southern Cross for Orientation: If you can identify the Southern Cross (Crux), you can find Carina more easily. Carina lies southeast of Crux. Move from the Southern Cross towards Canopus, and you will cross through Carina.
- Look for the Diamond Cross: Another helpful asterism within Carina is the Diamond Cross, which is less prominent than the Southern Cross but can help identify the outline of Carina. The Diamond Cross is located just to the northwest of Canopus.
Best Practices
when Stargazing
Here are some pointers I use when planning a night of stargazing and searching for the constellations.
- 1. When possible, select a night on or near the new moon phase. It’s the best time for stargazing as the sky is much darker without the moon’s illumination.
- 2. Select a location away from city lights with the least amount of light pollution possible. The backyard is perfect if it’s the most practical. Filters can greatly help reduce light pollution when necessary.
- 3. Learn which constellations change with the seasons and latitude. This will help you understand which to look for in your northern or southern skies.
Telescopes
and Binoculars
When taking in the awesomeness of the constellations, I would suggest using your unaided eye.
The constellation’s field of view is so wide any type of device will narrow it, making it difficult to see everything in its entirety. But many constellations host deep-sky objects and wonders within, so having some gear to focus on specific celestial objects will make the perfect blend.
Binoculars are great for beginners, offering portability and ease of use for close-up views of the stars and planets.
If you’re looking for more detail, especially in deep-sky treasures, a quality telescope is required. A significant add-on would be the capability to track celestial movements, giving a stable and clear view of the nighttime canvas.
Apps and Tools
for Starwalks
In this era of technology, star maps and apps have become invaluable for stargazers. They serve as digital celestial guides, helping to easily identify constellations and planets. I use the Stellarium app on my mobile phone, making it extremely easy to use and assist with identifying any celestial target. Interactive constellation maps will help you learn about the sky as observed from a specific location and time of the year.
Seasonal Constellations
Seasonal constellations fill our skies at different times of the year, offering a changing display of the cosmos. We can expect new celestial views throughout the year.
Winter Constellations
In the heart of winter, the night sky offers some of the most brilliant constellations.
Among them, Orion the Hunter is arguably the most recognizable, with its prominent Belt made up of three linear stars. Bordering Orion are the Hyades and Pleiades, two-star clusters that twinkle in the Taurus constellation.
The Hyades, shaped like a V, marks the head of the celestial bull, while the Pleiades—sometimes called the Seven Sisters—glimmer as a compact cluster of stars that have fascinated astronomers for centuries.
Summer Sky Wonders
Summer months are a perfect time to gaze into the Milky Way as it stretches across the sky, providing a backdrop for prominent summer constellations.
Visible are constellations such as Aquila the Eagle, soaring along the Milky Way with its bright star Altair. Or Cygnus the Swan with its star Deneb marking one end of the Northern Cross asterism.
Transitional Spring
and Fall Constellations
Spring and fall are characterized by transitional constellations that form a bridge between the dominant star patterns of winter and summer.
In the spring, we can find Leo the Lion with the bright star Regulus shining from its heart. This period is also an ideal time to catch a glimpse of the “Great Diamond,” consisting of stars from different constellations, including Cor Caroli in Canes Venatici and Denebola in Leo.
In autumn, the Great Square of Pegasus becomes prominent, leading the way to several fainter constellations that encircle it.
Constellations
Across Cultures
When looking up at the cosmos, I see more than points of light. I see tapestries of stories weaved into the stars with the wonder and hope of generations from millennia before.
Tales, lore, and their interpretations are many and vary across cultures. The constellations we recognize today are rooted in traditions and mythologies that have assigned meaning to these celestial patterns.
Mythology
Many of the world’s ancient cultures, like the ancient Greeks, tried to make sense of the wondrous sky through stories we’ve come to know as mythology. These tales provide a window into how these different cultures perceived these same patterns of stars in their own unique way. For example, the Big Dipper—part of the larger Ursa Major—is seen as a plow, a bear, or even a chariot, depending on the cultural backdrop.
The Pleiades, a small and dazzling cluster of stars, have been known by many names, such as the “Seven Sisters” in Greek mythology or the “Matariki” in Maori tradition, signifying the start of the New Year.
The different tales underscore that while the stars themselves are universal, the constellations are a reflection of the varied and independent nature of each ancient culture. By examining the stars, you can gain insight not just into the universe but also the myriad ways humans have sought to understand it.
Other constellations like Taurus the Bull and Leo the Lion also have origins in Greek tales, with Taurus often linked to Zeus and his transformations and Leo representing the Nemean lion defeated by Hercules. Taurus is especially notable for the bright star Aldebaran, marking the bull’s eye.
The Constellations
of the Zodiac
The zodiac constellations are a band of twelve-star formations through which the Sun, Moon, and planets appear to move over the course of a year. Each constellation corresponds to a different time period and has unique characteristics, marking it as a significant aspect of astronomy and astrology.
Navigating the Ecliptic
The ecliptic is the apparent path the Sun follows over the course of a year. It is also the plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun, and the zodiac constellations lie along this celestial highway.
Observing these constellations helps astronomers track the ecliptic. Their position in the sky shifts throughout the year, offering a way to measure the passage of time.
For instance, when the Sun is in Aries, it’s approximately late March through April, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Likewise, when the Sun moves into Libra, we experience the autumnal equinox.
Understanding these movements is key to navigating the skies and the calendar.
Characteristics of
Zodiac Constellations
The most distinguishing feature of the zodiac constellations is their association with specific timeframes throughout the year. Below is a brief overview of each:
- Aries: Symbolizing the ram, Aries is prominent in the spring sky.
- Taurus: Known for its bull shape, Taurus includes the bright star Aldebaran.
- Gemini: Gemini’s twins are easily identified by the stars Castor and Pollux.
- Cancer: Cancer is more subtle but marks the summer solstice.
- Leo: Represented by a lion, Leo contains the bright star Regulus.
- Virgo: This constellation is often associated with the image of a maiden and includes the bright star Spica.
- Libra: Symbolizing scales, Libra is recognized for its balanced star pattern.
- Scorpius: Distinct for its scorpion shape, Scorpius is notable for the bright red star Antares.
- Sagittarius: Often depicted as a centaur with a bow, it points towards the galactic center.
- Capricornus: Resembling a sea goat, Capricornus is prominent in the winter sky.
- Aquarius: The water bearer, Aquarius, is part of the winter zodiac.
Conclusion
Looking into the night sky and seeing familiarity amongst the constellations and asterisms can create a feeling of connection to nature and the universe. Stargazing moments of reflection and wonder can be priceless, whether alone or with friends and family.
Begin with the basics, the easy-to-find constellations, and journey as far as you want. Every constellation is a signpost, a step leading you to the next discovery.
