Re: How to recognise the stars

Dear Gemma,
You are right---it really is very difficult indeed in a large city such as London to recognise main stars---on many nights you are lucky to see 2-3 dozen!

As a rule, planets appear not to twinkle and are never seen in the northern half of the sky. You will see them as you look in a southerly, not northerly direction. At the moment, Saturn and Jupiter are visible in the East about dawn---you might try bank Holiday morning---not too much traffic, and fewer lights on!

Your best bet is to go into one of the great parks or heaths---with a parental escort of course, for safety's sake. Try also a visit to the Planetarium in Baker Street---the show takes you around the night sky as seen from London, and may help you.

If you have found Ursa Major, then follow the two front stars of the Plough up towards the zenith, and you might see the Pole Star itself and Ursa Minor, then crossing over you should see a constellation looking like an M or W depending on whether it is high or low in the sky. This is Cassiopeia.

"Below" Ursa Major, especially in April/May at midnight, you should see a sickle like constellation---this is Leo's head.

Try for one constellation identification each month until you know some of the main ones---and then you will feel more at home. If you have the chance to visit a relative outside London you will have a beautiful surprise and much of your work will fall into place.

Once you have done this, you might find the monthly Night Sky chart in the Daily Telegraph newspaper will help you with the planets.

Also, turn your new telescope to the Moon---it is a wonderful experience.

The British Astronomical Association of Burlington House, Piccadilly, WI is home to the Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS)---you might like to contact the BAA and enquire about them---membership costs about £2 per year and they are fighting against excessive light pollution. You are quite right---the night sky is a vital piece of cultural heritage which we should not be losing!

[A couple of additional notes. Be diligent in looking for Polaris, the Pole Star. It really is a faint star and probably will take some time to find. Although written for inhabitants of London, the above advice applies equally well to any major (and some smaller) US or Western European city. In addition to the Campaign for Dark Skies, there is also the International Dark-sky Association. Moderator] -- Michael Martin-Smith