Basics: 2. Finding objects in the sky.

Now that we know about The Celestial Coordinate System we can proceed further in our knowledge building process by learning how to locate stars and planets in the night sky. Basically the stars do not change their positions in the sky. So i feel, as we see the night sky more and more we will get trained automatically to know objects and their positions in the sky. But this will take time, and we need to help now. I found two methods to locate sky objects. Both of them are simple and precise. Lets start discussing about each of them.


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First Method: The Planisphere. 
Answers.com defines planisphere as "A polar projection of half or more of the celestial sphere on a chart equipped with an adjustable overlay to show the stars visible at a particular time and place." 


The planisphere is made up of two flat disks, one on top of the other. The top disk, the horizon, has an oval opening. This open area allows you to see the portion of the sky chosen on the planisphere for a specific time, month, date and latitude. 
The horizon of a planisphere is made for one particular latitude. However, a horizon can also have multiple latitude lines. Planispheres can also have changeable, multiple horizons for different latitudes. Different planispheres are made for different latitudes.(From ehow). 

We can make our own planisphere out of paper. If you simply Google 'Printable Planisphere' you will get various links which provide printable pdf's of planisphere's at different latitudes. Here are a few valid links for the finding 'printable planisphere':

Planisphere for Canada

Planisphere 15° North

Planisphere with instructions

Planisphere for California

Planisphere for Michigan

PLANISPHERE for all Latitudes. from this page

View this video to see how to make a planisphere from the prints.

Also, if you want to learn how to plot and construct a star chart and a planisphere of you own you can use this useful link.

Here's few images showing how i made my planisphere.

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Second Method: Computer Method.
This method uses computer softwares for locating objects in the sky. Various softwares are available which have the capability to show sky objects if correct location and time is set. Here's a list of good softwares available for astronomy:


1. Sky 6 (comes free with Celestron Telescopes)
2. Redshift. 
3. Starry Night (comes free with Orion Telescopes)
4. Cartes Du Ciel
5.  Google Earth. (Easy and free)
6. Stellarium. (Free)

All these softwares are pretty easy to use and give detailed maps of the sky with RA and DEC or ALT AZ coordinates. Seeing those coordinates you can easily aim at the sky and point the telescope if your telescope has setting circles or appropriate markings. Here are a few screenshots of Sky 6, Redshift and Google Earth.

The simplest and most easily available software is Google Earth. Here is a video which demonstrates the usage of Google earth for astronomy. It includes the following steps:


1. Choose your location on Google Earth in 'Earth mode'.
2. Switch to sky mode. The current time (your computer time) view of the sky is shown.
3. By checking the check boxes for various objects in the left side of the window objects can be hidden or viewed.
For more see this video:







MOBILE METHOD:
Google Sky for Android: This is an amazing app for the android. It makes finding objects in the sky very easy and fast. This app is a boon for astronomers. Warning - Using this app from the beginning may handicap you certain astronomical skills, so get to know the sky on your own before using and getting addicted to this highly addictive application. See how it works here: