Image via Wikipedia

Ever stand outside at night just to look at the stars?  They are very beautiful and you can see many shapes if you look hard enough.  Here is a short little guide to help you learn about what exactly you are looking at.

Ursa Major-The Great Bear

If you can find the Big Dipper, you have found the Great Bear.  The handle is the bears tail.  You can use your imagination to figure out the rest.

Image via Wikipedia

Ursa Minor-The Little Bear

This is found with the Little Dipper.  The handle is also the tail.

Orion-The Hunter

If you look for three bright stars all in a line you will find Orion’s belt.  The two north stars are his shoulders.  This is easier to find during the winter.

Image via Wikipedia

Canis Major-The Great Dog

This is one of Orion’s hunting dogs.  Once you have found Orion look in a straight line to the left or south until you find a very bright star, this is the dog’s nose.  Look a little further and you will find a triangle of stars that make up his rear end. 

Image via Wikipedia

Delphinus-The Dolphin

The stars that make the Dolphin are very faint.  But if you look you will find four stars in a sideways square and one to the lower right to make a dolphin shape.

Image via Wikipedia

Pegasus-The Winged Horse

This is easiest to see from July through January and is at it’s best in October.  If you find a square of stars, that is the body, you need to use your imagination to see the rest of this beautiful creatures body.

So, the next time your standing outside take a closer look.  You may be surprised at what you see. 

Image via Wikipedia