The North Star, also called Polaris, is often used by campers to find their way back when they get lost. You can spot it for fun while observing the starry sky, relying on the position of the various constellations. Since most of these systems are visible in the northern sector of the sky, you first need to figure out which direction north is. If you don't have a compass, you can use nature's cues to figure out whether or not you are facing the right direction.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Constellations
Step 1. Use the reference stars of the Big Dipper
You can easily spot Polaris using this constellation; the Big Dipper contains "indicator" stars that can be used to find the polar one.
- To start, find the Big Dipper. This constellation is made up of seven stars and is found in the northern sky; during the spring and summer months it occupies a rather high position, while in autumn and winter it approaches the horizon.
- It owes its name to the shape represented by the seven stars and which resembles a chariot; four stars define a trapezoid, the actual chariot, while the remaining ones line up like a slightly bent pole.
- Once identified, you can use it as a reference and locate the North Star; observe the two bright stars that form the side of the chariot and which are located at the farthest point from the tip of the shaft: these are the "indicator stars". At this point, he draws an imaginary line that joins them and extends this line by four or five times its size; by doing so, you should somehow reach a very bright star, which is Polaris.
Step 2. Find the tip of the Ursa Minor tail
This constellation is also composed of the North Star which is right on the tip; if you can locate the Little Bear, you can find Polaris effortlessly.
- You can use the position of the Big Dipper to find that of the Ursa Minor; once you have identified the first one, move your gaze slightly higher, the Ursa Minor appears as the mirror image of the Major one. It is also composed of seven stars, four of which form a trapezoid at the base (the body of the bear) and three form the tail; the last star of the tail is precisely the polar one.
- If you live in the city, you have some difficulty seeing this constellation, you should therefore find another method.
Step 3. Trust the arrow found in the constellation of Cassiopeia
The most common reference points for finding the North Star are Ursa Major and Minor; however, if the latter is quite low in the sky, you cannot see it easily. Luckily, you can always find your way around thanks to Cassiopeia.
- It is a constellation composed of five stars that form an "M" or a "W"; it is found in the northern sky and in the early hours of the night it looks like an "M". After midnight its shape is more like a "W"; during the months of February and March, it is much more likely to look like a "W".
- The three stars that form the central portion of the letter can be used as references to locate Polaris. Look for the portion that resembles an arrow and follow its direction; by doing so, you should sooner or later meet a bright star which is Polaris.
Method 2 of 3: with Technology
Step 1. Use your smartphone to find the North Star
There are many applications that work much like a telescope; you just have to indicate your position or let the device's geolocation system recognize it and point the mobile phone towards the sky. The application is basically an interactive map that identifies the stars and constellations. Some of these programs provide tools that highlight constellations so that you can better recognize the stars.
- SkyGuide is an application available for iPhone. It is able to detect your position and time; afterwards, you have to turn your phone towards the sky to view the map that identifies the various constellations and stars.
- Android devices can use an application called Stellarium Mobile; it works just like SkyGuide, but has a slightly higher resolution. You can see the stars and constellations better through your phone when you use Stellarium.
Step 2. Purchase a celestial atlas
It has been on sale for a long time and is a good solution if you believe that using a smartphone to observe the sky kills the poetry of the moment. You should always carry an atlas with you when hiking at night, in case your cell phone battery runs out. It is basically a book that presents different maps of the starry sky based on the region and the time of year. You can use the diagrams and tables to find the North Star on any specific night.
- Each celestial atlas is slightly different; at the back of the book you can usually find the information and legend that allow you to interpret the symbols used for the constellations. For example, small stars could be represented by points, larger ones (like Polaris) by larger red points.
- An atlas provides a map, similar to that of a city, that guides you through the starry sky every night of the year. Choose the specific one for the region and the time of year in which you are, and rely on its indications; carry a flashlight with you every time you gaze at the stars so you can consult the map when you need it.
- Practice using the atlas before camping. It may take some practice before you learn how to properly consult this tool. Use it a lot; if you need to locate the North Star quickly, you must be well prepared.
Step 3. Plan ahead with your computer
You can use computer applications to find out what the sky will look like on a given night; that way, you can be ready and have a rough idea of where to find Polaris.
- In addition to smartphone applications, Stellarium also offers a computer version that you can download to find the North Star; is available for Linux, Mac and Windows operating systems. The background should be the night sky adapted to the region and the time of year you are in; in this way, you can understand what the firmament looks like on a given night and find Polaris. When you are outdoors you will know exactly where to look.
- If you have a Mac computer, you can use PhotoPills - a photography application. You can use it if you plan to take pictures of the starry sky. It relies on your geographic location and time of year to simulate the galactic equator; it comes in the form of a map that you can later use to locate Polaris.
Method 3 of 3: Find North
Step 1. Find the north direction using two sticks
If you do not know which cardinal point you are facing, it is difficult to find the constellations and consequently the North Star. By learning to find the north, you can locate the stars more easily; for this, you need two sticks.
- First, get two sticks, making sure one is slightly larger than the other.
- Plant them in the ground upright. The larger one must be a little further ahead than the short one.
- Lie down in front of them. Line up one eye with the end of the two sticks and wait for a star to appear along this line of sight.
- Gaze at it for a few minutes and wait for it to move; if it moves up, it means that you are facing east; if it moves down, you are facing west. If the star moves to the right, you are looking south, and if it moves to the left, your gaze is looking north.
Step 2. Create a shadow with the sticks
If it is daylight, you can still be able to see the North Star; however, you cannot rely on constellations, as they are practically invisible in the daytime. You can, however, cast some shadow with the sticks and locate the north.
- Plant a stick in the ground; take a stone or other object and place it on the ground at the very end of the shadow.
- Wait about an hour; the shadow moves by becoming shorter or longer. Put another stick at the end of this new shadow; standing perpendicular to the shade, you are sure to look north.
Step 3. Pay attention to the distribution of the moss
If you are in a region where this vegetation grows, you can use it to find the north. Look for moss growing on vertical structures, such as trees; since it needs a humid environment, it typically grows on the north side of such structures, where it receives less sun.
Advice
- Make sure all the stars on the Big Dipper are visible before looking for Polaris.
- Remember that the sun rises in the east, sets in the west and that the north is always to the right of the west; therefore, whenever you see the sunset and you turn to its right, you turn to the north.
Warnings
- If you are in the southern hemisphere or near the equator, you have great difficulty finding the North Star.
- If you see a single star and you are near sunset or sunrise, know that it could be the planet Venus, also called "morning star" or "evening star", depending on the time of year.
