Identifying some stars in the northern and southern skies Beginner Amateur Astronomy Identifying some stars in the northern and southern skies

Objectives Identify Orion and use it to identify a few other bright stars. Identify the Big Dipper (not a constellation, but an asterism) and use it to identify a few other stars. Point out these stars to friends and family.

Southern horizon The most easily recognized constellation is Orion Use it to find Betelgeuse and Rigel (Orion), Sirius (Canis Major), Procyon (Canis Minor), Pollux and Castor (Gemini), Capella (Auriga), Aldebaran (Taurus), Pleides (Taurus)

Northern horizon The Big Dipper (in Ursa Major) is the most easily recognized asterism (it’s not a constellation!) Use it to find The Little Dipper (Ursa Minor), Polaris (Ursa Minor), Cassiopeia, Regulus (Leo), Castor and Pollux (Gemini).