This chart generates a live location map of the stars, constellations, sun, moon, and planets each time you open it. Use the F5 key to refresh and update the sky map.
ALIGNING This chart is set as though you are looking south. Objects at the bottom of the chart are in front of you, objects at the top of the chart are behind you and those in the center are directly above your head. If you wish to look toward a different direction, west for instance, then the right side of the chart marked W will be the view in front of you, the left side of the chart which is marked E will be behind you and the objects in the middle will be overhead. The center of the map will always represent the portion of the sky that is directly overhead, you can adjust your direction of view for north and east as in the example above.
FINDING OBJECTS Locate a bright star pattern in the sky that is easy to recognize such as Cassiopeia or the Big Dipper. Once you find that pattern on the map, hop to the nearest bright star in the direction of the object you are trying to find. Glancing between
the map and the sky, continue this until you are near the object. Then use star patterns and distance approximations to find the exact location.