Today’s post is not a regular HomeboyAstronomy.Com article. Instead I proudly present a great tip from Aaron Scott. I received this email from Aaron and instead of keeping it as a secret between me and Aaron, I would like to share Aaron’s tip for finding the North Star, also called Polaris. Check out my article for finding the Polaris. It is just one way to find it. Here is another way to find the North Star, a tip from Aaron Scott. I have received Aaron’s permission for publishing his tip and email.Hello!

Hello Marko,

I noticed that during certain times of the year, the Big Dipper is not viewable at certain times of night, and so one would not easily be able to find the North star. However, knowing precisely where the North Star is when viewed from my driveway, I began to see if there were other means of directing the eye to it.

I think I found one…

You find Orion (a very notable constellation). I can’t remember if it is the bottom or top, but if you draw an imaginary line from either both of the two feet or the two shoulders/hands and contine outward, you will come to another set of star that are about the same distance apart, and much brighter than the surrounding stars. This will form a sort of parallel set of lines, then, something like the long lines of a rectangle. Lo and behold, if you extend those lines a bit further (not in a precisely straight line, but a roughly straight one), you will come to another pair of stars about as wide apart as the feet (or shoulders/hands) of Orion. So now you have a “channel” of sorts–parallel lines–extending from Orion toward some point…. Well, it just so happens that if you take those lines on out, that “path” will pass right over the North Star.

Very simply, If I remember right, it’s about 2.5 the length of the distance between from Orion’s feet (or hands) to the next set of stars. From that latter point, just measure 2.5 times that initial distance, and you’ll be pretty much right over the North Star.

Do you know other ways that are easy?

Yours,

Aaron Scott

I did a simulation of the night sky above Colorado based on Aaron’s instructions. I was not 100% what Aaron did mean, so I replied Aaron’s email with a picture of my simulation and further questions. In few hours I received the following reply from Aaron.

Marko,

Again, using the attachment you sent to me, draw a line from Betelgeuse to Mars, and then from Mars to the star to the left of Capella, then extend it onward across the sky. Consider that the left side of a “boulevard” across the heaven. Then, to do the right side of this “boulevard,” start with the star that is the other shoulder of Orion (the star to the right of Betelgeuse in the map). From that star, draw a line to the star that is under Capella and to the right of Mars. From there, extend the line to Capella and onward. Thus, you have two roughly parallel lines crossing the sky (they do not come to a point as on your map). The North Star is either somewhere within these lines or pretty close, at least according to my eye. Roughly, the North Star is about twice the distance from Betelgeuse to the that star to the left of Capella.

So you would use that rough measurement AND, if necessary, look for the brightest star in the portion of the sky (which I would presume would be the North Star, since it is the brightest star I can see in my neck of the woods.) I’m thinking that even if Mars moves, on might be able to “fake it” be just drawing the right side of the boulevard and then estimating the left side.

By the way, I live in northeast Florida (USA), about 30 miles west of Jacksonville, Florida.

Have a great night!

Yours,

Aaron Scott

Based on Aaron’s reply I did a new simulation in which observer is located in Jacksonville in Florida. See the pictures on left side. Notice that simulations programs have certain amount of errors, so in real life those lines can be closer to Polaris. As you can see in the pictures, Aaron’s idea works. The only problem with that method is that Mars moves because it is a planet. If you look at the second picture, you see that Mars has changed place and therefore the lines are now more apart. This second picture is from a simulation 15 days later. The first picture is a simulation from last night. Aaron’s idea works right now, but might not be good some other day because Mars moves. Anyhow, the most important thing is to find the object you are looking for, no matter which method you use.

Thank you Aaron for sharing your tip! If anyone has more tips on finding the North Star or other stars, constellations, nebulae or any other night sky objects, please leave your tips into comments or send me email. If you wish to publish your tips or if you you would like to write articles in HomeboyAstronomy.Com, please read more about contributing to HomeboyAstronomy.Com or contact me.