How to Read the Stars

Stargazing can be a relaxing hobby. Yet, with more knowledge about the night sky, you can make it a wondrous experience. However, the sheer number of stars can make reading them seem impossible.

If you're unfamiliar with constellations and asterisms, you should try to identify or ‘read' a specific star instead. Then, you'll be able to slowly gain more knowledge about constellations, which will turn your stargazing nights into a more intriguing hobby. 

In this blog, we'll reveal how to read the stars with a chart and where you should start as a beginner.

How Does a Star Chart Work?

A chart is a map that shows the location of stars with dots. These maps may also depict constellations with lines, drawings, or listings, as well as other celestial bodies such as planets.

Since the Earth journeys through space, around our star, the celestial bodies you'll see in the sky change depending on the time period. Therefore, the charts show the night sky as viewed from a particular region at a specific time. To use one, you'll need to use a chart with the same latitude as your location and whose time period matches the time when you go stargazing.

Moreover, charts usually have degrees. You can use these degree measurements to locate the stars on the chart and in real life. Telescopes have degree measurement tools that can help you direct it so that you're viewing the right area of the sky.

Furthermore, charts come in multiple formats, giving you access to quality information on the night sky. For instance, some charts may show you the different brightness of stars, the order of their brightness, and their names.

Nonetheless, the charts are flat, distorting the night sky's appearance around the edges of the map.

How You Can Read the Stars

Now that you understand how a star chart works, let's explore the steps required to use one to identify stars:

1. Find a Map

To begin identifying stars, you'll need to find a map. This chart should correspond with the latitude of the location from where you'll view the sky and when you wish to stargaze.

Here are popular chart formats you can use when reading the stars:

• Website: You may find star maps on websites. Some of these websites even allow you to print them for free, which you can then carry with you while you're stargazing.
• Application: In your application store, you may find free applications that show you a map of the sky in your area.
• Star Atlas: This is a book that contains a collection of star charts. Consider using it to study the night sky as a long-term hobby.
• Planisphere: This chart allows you to view the night sky throughout the year. It has a window you can move around so as to focus on a part of the map that depicts the sky during your specific stargazing period.

Nonetheless, you should consider that the light from a website or application may reduce your ability to see the stars if you need to refer to it often. Conversely, with an atlas or printed map, you can use a red torch to refer to it with minimal effect on your stargazing experience.

2. Study an Asterism

Now that you've chosen the right chart, you should find an asterism, such as Orion's Belt, to study. You should find these groups of stars because they’re recognizable. If you tried to study a specific star or a whole constellation, you might have difficulty finding it. For example, the Orion constellation has at least 7 stars you can spot with no tool and 81 more stars you can see with a telescope.

As you study the asterism, you can draw lines between the stars to help you remember their shape. Then, you'll notice the asterism in the sky more quickly.

3. Go to an Appropriate Location

Once you're familiar with an asterism, you should stargaze in an appropriate location. You'll need to go to an area with a clear sky view and little artificial light.

4. Orient Yourself

After you've arrived at the right stargazing location, you'll need to find the north. You'll then orient your map so that the north marker matches it when you hold it up to the sky.

5. Locate the Asterism

Now that you've oriented yourself, you should try to locate the asterism. You can simply try to find the asterism in the same area where you've seen it in the chart. Alternatively, you can use the degrees noted on the chart.

It should be visible without any tool. However, you can use a telescope to help you see it more clearly or to use its degree feature. In addition, you should refer to your chart using a red light torch if you are still having issues finding your asterism.

6. Star Hop

Finally, you can start hopping from the first asterism. Star hopping means finding other stars in relation to stars you've found. For example, let's consider Orion's belt. After you've located these three stars, you can identify the rest of the constellation. Then, you can find nearby constellations such as Taurus.

What Star Should You Read First?

In the northern hemisphere, you'll notice that the North Star is the easiest celestial body to identify. It's a bright star that's near the distinct Big Dipper asterism. Plus, it's above you, constantly visible throughout the year.

Conclusion

Now you know that how to read the stars requires you to become familiar with star charts. There's a variety of them, from planispheres to applications. So, you can use the one that's more convenient for you to study stars. Then, you can use the information on these stars to locate a few when you're stargazing.

While you can find many of the brightest stars in constellations with no tools, you can use a telescope to locate the star you're trying to read. Then, use the first stars you find to locate other constellations.