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How Asterisms works
A short guide to playing, learning pattern names, and moving around the example sky.
Learn patterns
Find the stars that make a pattern.
- Tap a star, then tap another star to try a connection. Correct lines stay; an incorrect pair does not reveal the whole answer.
- Hints become more direct as you use them. Learn mode also has an optional shape Guide and Assist.
- Learn shows a pattern's name. Reference adds a separate shape diagram. Mystery hides the name until you solve it. Recall gives one hint in a denser star field.
- Moving the chart changes the view. A drag or pinch does not select a star.
Learn
A few useful words, once the shape makes sense.
- A constellation is one of 88 official regions that divide the sky.
- An asterism is a recognizable star pattern that is not itself one of those official regions. It may sit inside one or span several.
- Apparent magnitude describes how bright an object looks from Earth. Smaller numbers mean brighter-looking objects.
- Star cards put a short description first and keep catalogue fields in technical details.
Explore
Use the example sky to look around and identify catalogue objects.
- Drag with one finger or a mouse to pan; pinch on a phone or use a wheel to zoom.
- Search for a supported star, pattern, the Moon, or one of the seven planets. Tap a star or choose a result to open its details.
- Explore currently uses an example observer at 35° N, 0° E, UTC. It does not claim to show the sky above your location.
Guided sky
Star-hopping means using one recognizable landmark to find another.
- A journey can highlight catalogue stars and patterns while keeping the sky visible.
- Try the Big Dipper to Polaris, Orion toward Sirius, or the Summer Triangle. A southern-sky comparison is also available.
- Journey progress is saved in this browser and can be resumed or restarted.