Become an expert stargazer—in one week

This April, to celebrate Earth Day, we’ll be your guide to learning all about the natural world. Starting today, we’ll spend the next four weeks spotting stars and constellations, gazing at the clouds above our heads, discovering the different types of trees in our neighborhoods, and studying the rocks lying at our feet.

Our first lesson is about the night sky. On clear nights, you can see the moon and planets, and some stars, even through the light pollution of a big city. Let’s learn how to identify some of the best-known stars and constellations.

Tip: Stick your arm straight out and use your hand as a ruler to navigate the night sky. Here are some measurements to keep handy: From side to side, your pinkie is about one degree. The width of your fist is about 10 degrees, and your thumb to pinkie fully extended is about 25 degrees. These figures will help us move from one constellation or star to find the next.

We’ll start with a very famous shape in the sky. The Big Dipper is a well-known ladle-shaped group of stars in the northern hemisphere. It's a great starting point for navigating the night sky because it can help you hop from one constellation to the next.

Did you know the Big Dipper isn’t technically a constellation? That term officially refers to the 88 sections of the night sky designated by the International Astronomical Union where groups of stars are found. Rather than calling it a constellation, groups of stars like the Big Dipper can be more accurately called asterisms.

Now practice finding the Big Dipper yourself.

How did you do?

Seven bright stars make up the Big Dipper ladle. You’ll want to keep four of them in mind for our lessons later this week, including Merak and Dubhe, the two stars that sit on the bowl’s outer edge. They’re known as the pointer stars. Also look for Megrez, the dot that joins the handle and bowl, and Alkaid, the star on the handle’s end. 

Want to experience more wonder? National Geographic's Wonder List features playful prompts and activities that turn everyday moments into wonder-filled discoveries—for families, anywhere, every day.