Orientation: Early winter evenings, look toward the southeast horizon.

Viewing cue: Find the three bright stars in a short straight line (Orion’s Belt), then trace outward.

Orientation: Spring nights, high in the northern sky.

Viewing cue: Start with the Big Dipper shape and use its outer bowl stars to point toward Polaris.

Orientation: Autumn evenings, northeast to north, opposite the Big Dipper.

Viewing cue: Look for a clear “W” pattern of five stars before adding nearby fainter points.

Orientation: Summer nights overhead along the Milky Way band.

Viewing cue: Locate bright Deneb, then follow the long cross shape down toward Albireo.

Orientation: Low southern horizon on warm summer evenings.

Viewing cue: Spot red Antares first, then trace the curved tail downward toward the horizon.

Orientation: Visible from late spring through early fall, high after dusk.

Viewing cue: Connect Vega, Deneb, and Altair; use the triangle to navigate nearby constellations.