North Star

Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
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Just an FYI if you don't know how to locate the North Star, now is a good time of year to learn as you can see both the Big Dipper and Casseiopeia.

While everyone for the most part knows the Big Dipper, you should also know how find Polaris by Casseiopeia as you don't see the Big Dipper in winter. Conversely, as we get into summer, you will not see Casseiopeia.

FYI, Polaris is not the brightest star and you will have difficulty making out the little dipper if you are near city lights.

http://www.onr.navy.mil/Focus/spacesciences/observingsky/constellations3.htm
 
Thanks QB, great for updating my limited sky knowledge, fascinated and stymied by the whole sky thing all at the same time. My heads still spinning from days as a kid staring up at those Planetarium ceilings!
 
I think my settings must be wrong. I saw a white sky and a red line, but no stars! (Then again, up here in the northwest, it is easier to believe in Bigfoot than that there are lights in the sky you jokers call "stars")

-- FLIX
Edited to add:

Findthelittledipper.gif
 
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