To start, locate the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper is a constellation made up of seven stars. The constellation is found in the northern sky. In the spring and summer months, the Big Dipper will be somewhat high in the sky. In the autumn and winter months, it’ll be lower in the sky. [2] X Research source The Big Dipper is given its name because it’s shaped somewhat like a bowl with a handle. Four stars form a trapezoid-like shape, the bowl portion. Stemming off of these four stars are three more stars, forming the shape of a slightly bent handle. [3] X Research source Once you’ve located the Big Dipper, you can use it to find the North Star. To do so, look at the two bright stars that form the side of the bowl farthest away from the handle’s tip. These are the “pointer stars. " Draw an imaginary line connecting the pointer stars. Extend that line five times the distance between the pointer stars. You should eventually reach a somewhat bright star. This is the North Star. Note that you do not actually have to see the North Star with this method. If clouds or trees or mountains are in the way, the North Star is still there near the end of the fifth pointer length. That point is less than three degrees from the North Star and the North Celestial Pole.
You can use the Big Dipper to find the Little Dipper. Once you find the Big Dipper, look away from it as if water was coming out of the “open” part of the dipper. The Little Dipper will appear as a mirror image of the Big Dipper. It is also a constellation made up of seven stars. Four stars form a trapezoid base, and three extend out from this base to form a handle. The last star extending outward is the North Star. [5] X Research source If you live in an urban area, it can be difficult to locate the Little Dipper. It is also difficult to discern on bright moonlit or hazy nights. You may be better off trying another method. [6] X Research source
Cassiopeia is a constellation that consists of five stars. They form an “M” or “W” shape. Cassiopeia is located in the north sky. In earlier hours, the constellation looks more like an “M. " Between midnight and dawn, the constellation looks more like a “W. " In the months of February and March, Cassiopeia is especially likely to appear as a “W. “[8] X Research source The three stars that form the middle portion of the “M” or “W” can be used to roughly locate the North Star. Look at this point as if it were an arrow. Follow the direction of the arrow forward. You should eventually land on a somewhat bright star. This is the North Star. Note that you will have to actually see the North Star for this method to work.
Sky Guide is an application for iPhones. The app can track your location and time. Then, you can hold your phone up to the sky and it will provide you a map. It can identify different constellations and stars. [10] X Research source For an Android, there is an app known as Stellarium Mobile. It works the same as SkyGuide, but with a slightly higher resolution. You can better see stars and constellations through your phone when using Stellarium. [11] X Research source
Every star atlas is slightly different. There’s usually a guide in back that provides information on how constellations are labeled. For example, small stars may be labeled by dots. Major stars, like the North Star, may be marked by large, red dots. A star atlas will provide a map, much like a map of a town or city, guiding you across the night sky on any given night. Select the map for your specific region and time of year and use that map as a guide. Bring a flashlight with you as you go out to stargaze so you can consult the map as needed. Practice using the star atlas before you go camping. It can take a while to get proficient at using a star atlas. Make sure you get lots of practice so, if you need to find the North Star in a pinch, you’re well-prepared to use your atlas. Of course, where a star atlas really proves its worth is if it makes you familiar enough with the night sky that you don’t need the atlas. Learn the characteristics and locations of The Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, Orion, Leo, Pegasus, and Crux. Be able to find directions when the need arises unexpectedly and you’re without your compass, or GPS, or atlas.
In addition to phone applications, Stellarium also provides a desktop application you can download on your computer to locate the North Star. [13] X Research source It’s available for Linux, Mac, and Windows. Your background would be the night sky, adjusted for your region and time of year. It will show you what you can expect the night sky to resemble on a given night, locating the North Star for you. You’ll know where in the sky to look when you go out. [14] X Research source If you have a Mac, PhotoPills is a photography planning application. You can use this if you’re planning on photographing the night sky. Based on your location and the time of year, PhotoPills will simulate the galactic arch for you. This will form a map you can use later to locate the North Star. [15] X Research source
First, find two sticks. One stick should be slightly bigger than the other. Place the sticks in the ground vertically. Place the taller stick slightly ahead of the shorter one. Lie down in front of the sticks. Line up one eye, forming a straight line between your eye and the two sticks. Wait for a star to appear in your line of vision. Stare at the star for a few minutes and wait for it to move. It if it moves up, you’re facing east. If it moves down, you’re facing west. If it moves right, you’re facing south. It if moves left, you’re facing north.
Place a stick in the ground. Take a stone or other object and place it where the end of the stick’s shadow falls. Wait about an hour. The shadow will move, either growing shorter or longer. Place another stick at the end of the new shadow. Then, stand at a perpendicular angle to the shadow. You are now facing north.
