Intro

Summer is the perfect time to go stargazing! Here are some helpful tips for finding the major constellations on your next camping trip.

TIME TO READ

4 minutesFinding Lyra – The LyreFinding Cygnus – The SwanFinding Aquila – The EagleFinding Boötes – The HerdsmanFinding Corona Borealis – The Northern CrownFinding Hercules – The HeroFinding Scorpius – The ScorpionFinding Ursa Major – The Big BearFinding Ursa Minor – The Little BearFinding Lyra – The LyreThe star Vega in the constellation Lyra.

Vega is the brightest star in the summer sky, so it’s a great starting point to orient yourself amongst the constellations. After dusk, look straight up and slightly to the east. See that bright, yellowish star? That’s Vega in the constellation Lyra. Lyra is one of the three constellations that make up the summer triangle (see image below), and it makes up the top right corner of the triangle.

The summer triangle.Finding Cygnus – The SwanThe star Deneb in the constellation Cygnus.

Now look to the bottom left of Lyra. You should see another bright star (Deneb), as well as fainter stars making up the faint shape of a cross. This is Cygnus, and it makes up the top left corner of the summer triangle.

Finding Aquila – The EagleThe star Altair in the constellation Aquila.

Now look to the bottom right of Lyra. Do you see another bright star? This is Altair in the constellation Aquila, and it makes up the bottom point of the summer triangle.

Finding Boötes – The HerdsmanThe star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes.

Now let’s orient ourselves to the other side of the sky. Look for a reddish star to the south, somewhat close to the horizon. A lot of people mistake this star for Mars, but it’s actually the Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. This will be our next point of orientation! Boötes looks a little bit like the constellation Orion (one of the primary winter constellations), and it’s made up of bright stars that are easy to find even with light pollution.

Finding Corona Borealis – The Northern CrownThe constellation Corona Borealis.

Look to the left of Boötes. You may have to squint hard to find it in a bright area, but you should see a ring of stars making up a half circle. This is Corona Borealis!

Finding Hercules – The HeroThe constellation Hercules.

Look to the top left of Corona Borealis (almost straight up in the sky) for a group of stars that make up a large square. This is Hercules, and it sits between Corona Borealis and Lyra!

Finding Scorpius – The ScorpionThe star Antares in the constellation Scorpius.

Scorpius is a constellation that sits very low to the horizon. Personally, I only ever see it when I go camping, because it never rises high enough above the trees and hills to see it near my house. When you’re out in an open area, look directly to the south, and you’ll see a bright red star (also often mistaken for Mars!) within a curling, claw-like constellation. This is the star Antares in the constellation Scorpius, which, in my opinion, is one of the few constellations that actually looks like what it’s supposed to be—a scorpion’s tail. This is also where you’ll find the starting point of the Milky Way if you’re far enough away from light pollution!

Finding Ursa Major – The Big BearThe constellation Ursa Major.

Also known as the Big Dipper, Ursa Major is one of the best-known constellations in the world! In the summer, you can find it to the north, and the shape is easy to find. The tricky thing is finding the Little Dipper, or Ursa Minor! Read on to find out how.

Finding Ursa Minor – The Little BearHow to find Ursa Minor from Ursa Major.

The Little Dipper (home to the North Star) is harder to find than the Big Dipper because it’s made up of fainter stars. An easy way to find it is to start at the open mouth of the Big Dipper, and find the brightest star above it and slightly to the right. That’s the North Star, also known as Polaris, and it makes up the tip of the Little Dipper’s handle.

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the major summer constellations, you can constellation-hop! Find Serpens just below Corona Borealis, Draco to the right of Lyra, and more! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if you want to know more. Happy stargazing!

Book: Constellation Finder by Dorcas S. Miller App: Google Sky Map