Stargazing
Atmospheric Problems

Credit: SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center,
ORBIMAGE
Sky Map Help

The main part of each image shows the positions of the objects which are visible in the sky at that time. This includes stars, the Moon, and planets.
It is difficult to draw the whole sky in one go on a flat piece of paper or on the computer screen. This is because the sky is not flat. It is more like a big dome over the observer.
The Whole Sky at Midnight
The Whole Sky at 10pm
The Whole Sky at 8pm
The Whole Sky at 6pm
The Horizon at Midnight
The horizon around the UK at midnight. Each image shows half the sky. These images are updated each day. Look at them over a few days to see how things change.
Use the images to plan your stargazing. Choose a direction you want to look in (for example, west) and look at the image of the night sky. When you are stargazing, look in the same direction and try to find some of the same star patterns in the sky. You could also look for a planet! Remember to look up at the sky, as well as near to the horizon.
The Horizon at 10pm
The horizon around the UK at 10 PM. Each image shows half the sky. These images are updated each day. Look at them over a few days to see how things change.
Use the images to plan your stargazing. Choose a direction you want to look in (for example, west) and look at the image of the night sky. When you are stargazing, look in the same direction and try to find some of the same star patterns in the sky. You could also look for a planet! Remember to look up at the sky, as well as near to the horizon.
The Horizon at 8pm
The horizon around the UK at 8 PM. Each image shows half the sky. These images are updated each day. Look at them over a few days to see how things change.
Use the images to plan your stargazing. Choose a direction you want to look in (for example, west) and look at the image of the night sky. When you are stargazing, look in the same direction and try to find some of the same star patterns in the sky. You could also look for a planet! Remember to look up at the sky, as well as near to the horizon.