In my experience, there’s almost nothing more magical than stargazing. Spotting constellations only adds to the magic: it’s a galactic treasure hunt and a way to connect with an unfathomable universe. And it just so happens that West Virginia is one of the best states in the U.S. for examining the heavens — our mountains put us close to the sky; our small cities and large rural areas ensure a lack of light pollution in many places. So on the next clear night, step outside and try to spot these famous astronomical marvels.
Orion, Rigel, and Betelgeuse (pronounced “beetle-juice”)
Torsten Bronger/Wikipedia The easiest constellation to spot in the night sky is Orion because of its bright, distinctive, 3-star “belt.” Once you find that, look for two shoulders above the belt and two feet below the belt.
The top left shoulder is a famous red star called “Betelgeuse.” The bottom right foot is a famous blue-white star called Rigel.
Rogelio Bernal Andreo/Wikipedia
The Big Dipper, Ursa Major, The North Star, The Little Dipper, and Ursa Minor
Bonč/Wikipedia
The Big Dipper might be the most well known constellation in the night sky. It’s comprised of 7 bright stars that form the shape of a large scooping spoon or dipper.
IAU and Sky & Telescope Magazine/Wikipedia The “dipper” portion of the constellation forms a saddle on “The Big Bear” constellation, and the two stars that make the far edge of the dipper point in a straight line to the North Star (Polaris).
If you find Polaris, you’ve found the North Pole Star, around which all the other stars in our sky appear — from our vantage point on a spinning earth — to rotate.
Javier Morales/Flickr The North Star is also the end star in the handle of “The Little Dipper” and Ursa Minor.
Cassiopeia
NASA/Wikipedia Cassiopeia is made up of five stars form a slanting W just above the northern horizon.
On this star chart of the Northern Hemisphere, the North Star is in the center.
Roberto Mura/Wikipedia Cassiopeia is directly below the North Star, the Big Dipper is directly above, and Orion is to the far left heading off the chart.
The Moon
Peter Freiman, Cmglee, Gregory H Revera/Wikipedia Of course, if you’re outside at night, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for the moon.
A bright moon will keep you from seeing the stars as clearly, but it’s still an interesting sight in and of itself.
Orion 8/Wikipedia See if you can identify any of the craters visible with the naked eye, or learn a bit about the phases of the moon!
People have been identifying constellations for more than 5.000 years.
Fredrik de Wit/Wikipedia Isn’t it about time you joined the fun?
Oh, and don’t forget about the April Lyrids meteor shower later this month!
Torsten Bronger/Wikipedia
The easiest constellation to spot in the night sky is Orion because of its bright, distinctive, 3-star “belt.” Once you find that, look for two shoulders above the belt and two feet below the belt.
Rogelio Bernal Andreo/Wikipedia
Bonč/Wikipedia
IAU and Sky & Telescope Magazine/Wikipedia
The “dipper” portion of the constellation forms a saddle on “The Big Bear” constellation, and the two stars that make the far edge of the dipper point in a straight line to the North Star (Polaris).
Javier Morales/Flickr
The North Star is also the end star in the handle of “The Little Dipper” and Ursa Minor.
NASA/Wikipedia
Cassiopeia is made up of five stars form a slanting W just above the northern horizon.
Roberto Mura/Wikipedia
Cassiopeia is directly below the North Star, the Big Dipper is directly above, and Orion is to the far left heading off the chart.
Peter Freiman, Cmglee, Gregory H Revera/Wikipedia
Of course, if you’re outside at night, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for the moon.
Orion 8/Wikipedia
See if you can identify any of the craters visible with the naked eye, or learn a bit about the phases of the moon!
Fredrik de Wit/Wikipedia
Isn’t it about time you joined the fun?
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