{"id":2901,"date":"2026-06-01T01:28:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T00:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.popastro.com\/main_spa1\/youngstargazers\/?page_id=2901"},"modified":"2026-11-01T18:49:16","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T18:49:16","slug":"whats-up","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.popastro.com\/youngstargazers\/whats-up\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Up for November 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The clocks have gone back, dark evenings are upon us and the stars are just crying out to be observed, if you can avoid the fireworks at the beginning of the month. But which star is which? When you are a beginner, there\u2019s a lot to learn in a short time. But you don\u2019t have to go it alone \u2013 we\u2019re here to help. This page will get you started. Even so, the only way you can really do it is to go out and see for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, the usual Health and Safety warning. It can get pretty cold out there, so put your coat on. This is not your mother talking, it just makes sense. The more comfortable you are, the better you will enjoy stargazing. Who cares if it\u2019s an anorak \u2013 no one can see you. And a bobble hat helps, too. Go mad. Wear two. A hoodie? That\u2019s up to you, as long as the hood doesn\u2019t actually cover your eyes when you look up\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will need a star map, and you will need to know how it works. This may seem obvious, but there is a knack to understanding these things. Here is our map for this month:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Map based on Cartes du Ciel<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrong way round?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now don\u2019t write in and tell us that we have the points of the compass all wrong. This is a map of the sky, so you have to hold it over your head. When you do this, east and west will be the right way round. How you hold your computer above your head is up to you! Better use a tablet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It shows the whole sky, so the scale is quite small. Normally you turn to see different parts of it, so to see the view looking north, for example, hold the map upside down with north at the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The map shows the sky in the middle of the month at about 8 pm, at the start of the month at 9 pm, or by the end of the month at 7 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TIP<\/strong> If you aren\u2019t sure of the direction of north from your location, click here for a page on Getting Your Bearings<\/a>.<\/small><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Making sense of the stars<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One constellation or star group that many people recognise straight away is the Plough. This is low down in the north at the moment, so turn the map upside down and you will  see the seven-star pattern in the north-west. OK, it might not look much like one of those spiky things you see in fields being towed around by a Massey Ferguson, but these names were given a long time ago, long before Massey met Ferguson. So think of it as a saucepan instead. Once you have found this, you will get an idea of the scale of the map compared with the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next turn round so you\u2019re facing south and look over your head for the three stars marked Deneb, Vega and Altair. Vega is also one of the brightest stars in the sky. Altair has two fainter stars on either side of it, though in a poor sky you may only see the upper one. These three stars, Deneb, Vega and Altair are called the Summer Triangle, even though they are still visible well into autumn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have found the Summer Triangle, you can now start to look for some constellations. There\u2019s Cygnus, the Swan<\/a>, also known as the Northern Cross. It is a large cross-shape with Deneb at the top, marking the tail of the swan which flies down the Milky Way with outstretched wings. Fair point. You live in Neasden or Newcastle and can\u2019t see this Milky Way which is shown on the map. You\u2019ll just have to take our word for it that it\u2019s there. To find out more about Cygnus, including why it is unsuitable for children, click here<\/a>. One of the best-known stars in Cygnus is Albireo, a fairly faint star marking the head of the Swan, or the foot of the Cross. Midway between Altair and Albireo is a rather cute constellation called Sagitta<\/a>, which means Arrow, along with two neighbours, Vulpecula and Delphinus.  They may be small, but they have a lot going for them, so take a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Map based on Stellarium<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other things to look for<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now look south and try to find a big square of stars (see detailed view above). We are not accepting complaints that it isn\u2019t a perfect square \u2013 give us a break, we have to make the most of the shapes the stars make.  It\u2019s known as the Square of Pegasus, and represents a flying horse. Fortunately for those of us down on Earth, this horse has no rear end\u2026.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Circlet.
The Circlet<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Right below it is another rather cute shape \u2013 a ring of stars known among friends as the Circlet. This isn\u2019t a constellation as it is actually meant to be one of the two fish that make up the constellation Pisces, but it\u2019s one of the best bits of Pisces which is a very, very faint constellation. If Pisces is your \u201csign\u201d, tough. Just shows what a load of bunk astrological star signs are! You might need binoculars to find the Circlet, but it\u2019s worth a look (see picture at right).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upper left star of the Square of Pegasus is shared with the constellation of Andromeda, which is famous for the Andromeda Galaxy. The Square is the ideal starting point for finding this galaxy, which you can see even from town centres under the right conditions, particularly with binoculars. Find out how in our guide to Andromeda and Pegasus<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use the Square of Pegasus as a signpost to find other constellations. Follow the diagonal down to the lower right an equal distance and you come to a faint group of stars known as the Water Jar of Aquarius.  You\u2019ll probably need binoculars to find this in a town sky. It\u2019s easily recognised by its arrow shape, which looks a bit like a fighter plane with swept wings.  Though it\u2019s not the brightest part of Aquarius, it\u2019s a good pattern that helps you to find the other stars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the diagonal the other way takes you to two bright stars which are the main stars of Andromeda. Go one further and you get to Perseus<\/a>, which contains several goodies worth looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the right-hand edge of the Square right down to the horizon and you\u2019ll see the bright star Fomalhaut, in the constellation of the Southern Fish. If you are observing from farther south than the UK, this will be higher in the sky. From even farther north, it is lower still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a map with all the constellation names on it, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And to see a video made under the actual stars from southern England, go to this link:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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