How to Read a Seasonal Star Map

Look at the map, and notice the lines connecting the dots. The dots represent stars while the lines joining them indicate the constellations. The ancient peoples long ago associated each region of the sky with a particular god, hero, animal, monster of other object. This is because it is much easier to recognize a grouping of stars than it is to recognize an individual one in the sky. Astronomers recognize 88 constellations that encompass the majority of the sky as seen from here on Earth. The constellations' names will be next to them in large letters on your seasonal star map.

Look at the constellations on the different seasonal star maps, and notice that they change from one season to another. For example, if you were living in Connecticut and look to the south in January at 9 at night, you will see the constellation of Orion the Hunter. When looking in the same direction in July at the same time, you will see Scorpius the Scorpion. This is because in six months time the Earth has completed half of its journey around the sun. You are looking at the heavens from the opposite side of the sun. This is why the constellations appear to change from season to season.

Look to north on the star maps and find Polaris, the North Star. This one star on all seasonal star maps is always in the same spot. The reason is that if you were to draw an imaginary line directly up from Earth̵7;s North Pole into the sky, it would almost hit Polaris. Polaris marks what astronomers call the North Celestial Pole. It is an important spot on the map since, as the Earth rotates on its axis, it makes it seem as if all the stars revolve around Polaris to an observer on Earth. The exact opposite is true since the stars in the heavens are not moving. The observer on Earth moves, which in turn gives him a view of a different part of the sky as the Earth spins.

Look at the size of the dots that represent stars. On most seasonal star maps, the rule is that the larger the dot, the brighter the star. The smaller dots will indicate the less luminous stars. The very brightest stars will have their names next to them in smaller letters than those of the constellations, so as not to confuse you.

Look at the directions on the side of the star map. You will see north, south, east and west, but immediately notice that east and west seem to exist in the wrong places, reversed from where they should be. If you know where north is in relation to where you are, position the map in front of you so its north faces in that direction. You will still see that east and west seem out of whack, but now hold the map up directly over your head so that north on the map matches up with true north. Now you will see that east and west are where they should be. Always remember that when reading the map flat in front of you, east and west are backwards.