Finding the belt and those two stars is enough to pinpoint the constellation. But on clear, dark nights you can see the full constellation looks like a man holding a bow, from which it takes its name. Other defining features are Beta Orionis/Rigel (bottom right) and Alpha Orionis/Betelgeuse (top left). The belt is one of the easiest to spot asterisms, with its three bright stars. It also is one of the best-known constellations.

It’s one of the largest constellations out there and can be seen from around the world as it’s right on the celestial equator. Alternatively, you can download their maps as PDFs and print them for later use.ĪLSO READ: China plans to house astronauts in volcanic caves on the Moon after 2035 Orion, the Hunter Other services like Starmap, which is also available as an iOS app, can turn your smartphone into a constellation reference guide. You can also download their interactive sky map for reference if you don’t have an internet access. The site will create a customized star map based on your location to help get you going. AstroViewer is another good place to start. Google Sky lets you practice from the convenience of your PC. Image credits European Southern Observatory / Flickr.ĭepending on your location and the time of year, different stars will be visible. There are a lot of different resources online which can help you identify the position and shapes of constellations. If you don’t have a veteran stargazer on hand to show you the ropes, a star map can help you locate each constellation. 2 Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, and the North Star.

Look up your star note