Look up! Star Hopping

Have you ever wished you could escape the noise of everyday life, if only for a few minutes? Sometimes, all it takes to calm the daily storms is simply to get lost in the universe—quite literally—and take a trek amongst the stars. As big as it is, the night sky offers sparkling reminders to slow down.

The stars have long impacted humanity, guiding farmers through their planting seasons and navigating travelers. Centuries ago, in fact, our ancestors also believed the stars held influence over their destinies. (Yes, astronomy and astrology were once married. More on that relationship in a future column!)

In the present day, stargazing is simply a hobby for many of us, and instead of searching the sky to help guide our actions, we seek clear skies so we can see the stars and mysteries hidden within them. Over the next few months, step into your backyard on a clear night, and think of it like a treasure hunt: Instead of digging, you just look up.

The Big Dipper, Polaris and Ursa Major

Many are familiar with the Big Dipper, as it’s visible year-round. It spins around the north pole throughout the year, so the two stars forming the front of its cup always point to Polaris—the north star—which helps travelers find north. You might hear amateur astronomers like me use the phrase “star hopping.” That’s what we call the process of using stars to help your eyes navigate the map of the sky. Here’s how it works.

First, find the familiar cup and handle that make up the Big Dipper. Now, focus on the two stars that form the front of the cup—the part farthest from the handle—and draw an imaginary line through these two stars, then extend it north. The next brightest star the imaginary line meets is Polaris, the north star. That’s north. Congratulations, you just star hopped!  

You can also use this process to locate Little Dipper, the “mini me” of the Big Dipper. Polaris serves as the star at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle.

Technically, the Big Dipper is not a constellation on its own but what astronomers call an asterism—a recognizable but “unofficial” pattern of shapes. It is part of a constellation known as Ursa Major (Great Bear). From Polaris, hop back down south to the cup, which is actually the bear’s body. See the four stars that make up the cup? They each form a starting point for the rest of the bear. The string of stars that extend to form the Big Dipper’s handle are the bear’s tail, while the lines of stars that extend from each of the remaining three stars of the cup become the front and back legs and head. With a little imagination, we can see the shapes that inspired the constellations’ names.

Some constellations and asterisms can be seen despite the city’s light pollution. But traveling to darker areas just outside of town provides a glittery sky filled with wonders. Binoculars and telescopes help—they can reveal deeper wonders hidden in the stars’ patterns—but it’s just as enchanting to find these patterns with the naked eye.

Destinations and Locations

If you feel like spending more time stargazing, Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a great spot. It’s nearby, yet far enough away to reduce the impact of city lights. Check the website for closing times, as gates close early. I can attest that the refuge provides a great opportunity for an evening picnic while the sun is still up, followed by clear, star-filled skies ripe for stargazing after sunset.