How to Use the Sky Wheel To find a constellation in the sky using the Star Wheel, follow these steps: What date and time of night? Rotate the Star Wheel in the Star Holder until your desired time of night lines up with the desired date. Which horizon is the constellation closest to? Find the constellation on the Star Wheel and note which horizon it is closest to. How do I make it right-side up? Orient the Star Holder so that the horizon the constellation is near is at the bottom. This will allow that part of the sky to look right-side up to you. For example, if your constellation is closest to the northern horizon, flip the Star Holder upside down so that you are reading northern horizon at the bottom of the oval. How high is the constellation in the sky? Is the constellation closer to the zenith (center of the map) or closer to the horizon? What shape is the constellation? Memorize the pattern of stars in the constellation. Can I see the constellation in the sky? Find it!

Uncle Al's Sky Wheels were created by the LHS Hands-On Universe project.

Such a map of the sky which is adjustable for any time and any day is known as a planisphere. Here are some online... Planispheres and Starcharts online

• SEDS list of Web-based Planetariums -- http://www.sed s.org/billa/astrosoftware.html#www

• Skymaps.com -- http://www.skymaps.com • Stig's Sky Calendar & Planisphere -- http://www.skycalendar.com/ • Dome of the Sky -- http://domeofthesky.com/foyer.html

UNCLE AL’S

HANDS-ON UNIVERSE

SKY WHEELS

Southern Horizon

Northern Horizon

Eastern Horizon W

este

rn H

oriz

on

UncleAl’sStarWheelsarebasedonLHSSkyChallengerscreatedbyBuddWentzandavailablethroughLHSMuseumStore(510)642-1016http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/pass/ast110&111&121.html

©2000bytheRegentsoftheUniversityofCalifornia

1.Alignyourdateandtime,andthenlookupatthesky2.Locatetheconstellationyouwanttofindonthemap.3.Rotateyourmapsothehorizontheconstellationisclosesttoisatthebottom.4.Thestarpositionsintheskyshouldmatchthoseonthewheel!

InstructionsforUsingUncleAl’sStarWheels5

5

5

5

5

55

5

5

5

5

55

6a

m5

am

4a

m

3am

2a m

1a m12 11p m

10p m

9p

m

8p

m

7p

m6

pm

CO

MA

BE

RN

ICE

S

CO

RV

US

URSA MINOR

CA

SSIOP

EIA

UR

SAM

AJO

RANDROMEDA

PISC

ES

AU

RIG

A

SAGITTARIUS

LYRA

isU n c le

A l 'sC O O R D IN AT E G R ID S TA R W H E E L . C u t o u t th is c irc le a lo n g th e d

sUncleAl'sCOORDINATEGRIDSTARWHEEL.Cutoutthiscirclealongthedash

5 10 1515

2025

510

15

152025510

15

1520

255

1015

1520 25

OC

TO

BE

R

DECEMBER JANUARY

MA

RC

H

AP

RIL

JUNE JULY

SEP

TE

MB

ER

Step 1: Print out all pages. Paste them onto a file folder or anyother sturdy piece of paper or cardboard.

Step 2: Cut along all the black dashed lines on the Star Wheeland Star Holder printouts. On the "Star Holder" removethe interior of the oval shape and the cardboard abovethe hour labels..

Step 3: On the "Star Holder" fold the cardboard along thedotted line.

Step 4: Tape or staple the edges together forming a pocket.

Step 5: Take your printed and trimmed star-wheel,and place it inside your newly made STAR HOLDER.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING UNCLE AL’S STAR WHEELS

Uncle Al's HOU Sky Wheels are based on LHS Sky Challengers created by Budd Wentz and available through LHS Museum Store.510-642-1016 http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/pass/ast110&111&121.html

80°

70°

60°

12

3

4

56 7

8

6

10

11

1213

14

1516

19 181720

0

23

2221