How to Find Polaris From The Big Dipper

Find the Big Dipper in the northern sky. This is not a constellation unto itself but rather a portion of a much larger star grouping called Ursa Major, the Big Bear. Look for seven bright stars that seem to be of the same luminosity that form the pattern of a ladle. Three stars make up the Dipper̵7;s handle and four stars form the outline of the Dipper̵7;s bowl.

Locate the last two stars at the very end of the bowl of the Big Dipper. These are the two stars known as the ̶0;pointers,̶1; since you will utilize them to point the way to Polaris. Polaris is the very end of the handle of the ̶0;Little Dipper,̶1; which is officially called Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. However, the other six stars in the Little Dipper are quite faint, requiring a clear night for you to see them. Concentrate your efforts on Polaris for the moment.

Trace a straight line from the bottom pointer star upwards through the top one. Continue the line outwards and away from the two pointer stars for about three times the distance your outstretched fist seems to cover when the sky is in the background. This will take you to a star that has about the same brightness as most of those in the Big Dipper. This is Polaris, the North Star.

Notice how during the course of the evening Polaris does not seem to move, although the Big Dipper does. This is due to the rotation of the Earth. As your position changes in relation to the fixed stars in the heavens, the stars seem to move in the sky, except for Polaris, which is ̶0;anchored̶1; at the point over the North Pole. The Big Dipper will move counter-clockwise around Polaris as the evening progresses. Venture outside at three-hour intervals and this will be quite apparent.