Reading the Sky Map

• 1). Find an astronomy website that can generate a sky map by allowing you to enter your unique location data to automatically compute your viewpoint of the sky. Print the sky map out on a piece of paper.
  
  
• 2). Face south to begin reading the sky map. Hold the sky map over your head with its northern horizon behind you and its southern horizon in front of you.
  
  
• 3). Look up at the sky map and read it as you continue to hold the sky map over your head. East will be on your left and west will be on your right.
  
  
• 4). Match the placements of the planets shown on the sky map with the sky. Even though you may not be able to physically see each planet, your sky map shows you the accurate position of each and every planet at any given time.
  
  

Physically Finding the Planets

• 1). Determine whether any planets can be visible when the sky is dark or on the date of your searching.
  
  
• 2). Plot each planet's location over several days or weeks. Weather conditions and clouds may inhibit your ability to clearly see the position of any planet.
  
  
• 3). Go to an open outdoor location after dark and hold the map with the directing you are facing at the bottom. The horizon on the map must match the horizon you see in front of you.
  
  
• 4). Look for constellations on your sky map first and try to identify them in the sky. Constellation identification will serve as a reference before you can start looking for the position of the planets.
  
  
• 5). Match the position of the planets shown on the sky map to where they match up in the sky. A compass can be helpful to ensure that you are facing in the right direction.