Understanding the Night Sky

How to make your own planisphere/sky wheel?

Download the PDF and follow the instructions given below:

Star Wheel

Star Wheel Cover

Material required:

  • The printout of the downloaded pdf.
  • Scission
  • Thin double sided tape

Instructions:

On Sheet I

  • Do not cut along the horizontal dotted line at the bottom of the sheet I
  • Take the Sheet I and cut along the big dashed line along the edge of the months mentioned.
  • Pierce through the central oval part of the sheet and cut along the dashed line inside the oval part.
  • Fold along the dotted horizontal like at the bottom backward.
  • Put thin double sided tape on the extreme edges vertically and peal off the tape cover.
  • Paste the flap backward.

On Sheet II

  • Cut the dashed line along the circle.

Assembly

  • Put the circle in the pocket created in sheet I.

How to use the sky wheel?

To use the sky wheel one needs to follow the instructions mentioned below:

  • Go outside in the open field.
  • Identify the direction north in your horizon and face it.
  • Rotate the inner circle of the star wheel to match the time and date. 
  • Rotate the whole star wheel so that the north direction on the star wheel matches the north direction in your horizon.
  • Flip the star wheel and hold it above your head. Make sure the time and date and the directions matches.
  • Now choose a star in the star wheel and look for the same star in the sky. It will now be easier as you will have a reference position in the sky with respect to the one on star wheel. Similarly you can look at a star in the sky to learn about based on its position in the sky you can find the same star in the star wheel and learn the details.
  • By extension, you can spot the constellations in the sky once identified the bright stars.

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