http://online.chabotcollege.edu/shildreth/astronomy/stars.html
Chabot College - Introduction to Astronomy - Scott Hildreth
Constellations and Stars for the On-campus Quiz
Note that many of these images are linked on the wonderful constellation image pages of Naoyuki Kurita, copyright 2006, available at http://www.ne.jp/asahi/stellar/scenes/english/seiza.htm. Additional help on stars, constellations, and planets can be found online at many sites. Check out STARDATE (from the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas) and Skymaps, by Kym Thalassoudis.
Winter Skies
Constellations Brightest Stars Study Hints
Orion
Betelgeuse & Rigel Set your sky chart for 9 PM mid-February to see these stars high in the sky, near the meridian line.
Start by finding Orion, and note the pattern of bright stars makes up what is known as the "winter football" or "winter diamond."
Canis Major (Large Dog)
Sirius
Canis Minor (Small Dog)
Procyon
Gemini (the Twins)
Pollux & Castor
Auriga
Capella
Taurus the Bull
Aldebaran
Chabot College - Introduction to Astronomy Constellations and Stars - Scott Hildreth
Spring Skies Constellations Brightest Stars Study Hints
Leo the Lion
Regulus Set your sky chart for 9 PM mid-May to see these stars high in the sky, near the meridian line.
Cancer the Crab
(no bright stars to identify) Ursa Major Dubhe & Merak the pointer stars
Ursa Minor (Little Dipper)
Polaris Also, Pherkad and Kochab
Bootes
Arcturus Corona Borealis Alphecca (Gemma) Not labeled on the star locator, but if you click on the link to the left, you'll see the Corona Borealis constellation, and Alphekka is the brightest star in that group.
Virgo the Maiden
Spica
Corvus the Crow
(no bright stars to identify)
Chabot College - Introduction to Astronomy Constellations and Stars - Scott Hildreth
Summer Skies
Constellations Brightest Stars to Know Study Hints
Lyra the Lyre
Vega
These three make up the summer triangle!
Set your sky chart for 9 PM mid-August to see most of these stars high in the sky, near the meridian line. Scorpius and Sagittarius are low in the south.
Cygnus the Swan
Deneb
Aquila the Eagle
Altair
Scorpius
Antares & Shaula
(Shaula is not on the star wheel, but is easily found as the brightest star at the end of the Scorpion's tail.)
Sagittarius the Archer
(no bright stars to identify)
Hercules
(no bright stars to identify)
Chabot College - Introduction to Astronomy Constellations and Stars - Scott Hildreth
Autumn Skies
Constellations Brightest Stars Study Hints
Pegasus the Flying Horse Alpheratz (not labeled on the star locator, but visible in this image and in Andromeda Set your sky chart for 9 PM mid-November to see these stars high in the sky, near the meridian line.
Andromeda the Daughter
(M31, the Andromeda Galaxy, is visible in the image as a bright and fuzzy patch)
Cassiopeia the Queen
Schedar and Caph Cepheus the King (no bright stars required to identify for the quiz)
Perseus the Hero
(no bright stars to identify) Perseus does arc towards the Pleiades star cluster!
Pisces the Fish
(no bright stars to identify) Aries the Ram Hamal
Others: Capricorn
Back to Chabot College's Home Page
Questions/Comments? email me!