|
How to use the interactive Sky Chart. Use the pull-down menus above the star chart to select, in turn, the period of observation (either early or late in the month), the desired month, and the time of the chart to be drawn. Note that the checkbox labelled 'Summer Time?' should have a tick in it if British Summer Time is in effect for the date in question. Clicking the 'DISPLAY CHART' button will then calculate how the sky will look for you. Obviously, if you select a chart showing the sky for the early evening in June, then the Sun will still be up! Finding your way around. Find a place to stargaze, preferably away from the glare of artificial lights. Look south (the Sun sets approximately to your right). By holding the sky chart with north at the top in front of you, the lower half of the map will represent the part of the sky you are facing. Looking north, turn the map upside down, so that south is at the top; again, the lower half of the map will represent the part of the sky you are facing. And so on for other points of the compass. The centre of the chart always represents the point overhead, or the zenith. If you require precise lunar and planetary positions from your U.K. location for any date and time between 2000 and 2008, be sure to visit our solar system page and its interactive planetary data table. |
