Finding the big dipper?

Question

At what time of night and where in the sky should I look for the big dipper in central Illinois?

Answer 1

At the latitude of central Illinois, the Big Dipper is circumpolar. That means it never sets but circles around the North Star. At this time of the year, it starts out the evening upside down and is almost directly overhead. As the night progresses, it becomes right side up and is low in the northern sky.

Answer 2

It's up all night, every night, all year long.  Look north.  

It rotates as the night progresses, so sometimes it's upside down, sometimes it's right side up, and sometimes it's sideways.  

The easiest way to find it is that the Little Dipper "pours" into the Big Dipper, but since the Little Dipper is usually a lot harder to see you can also try finding it by realizing that it lies between the Little Dipper and Cassiopiea.  It's bright enough and easily recognizable enough that you'll find it with no problem.  

Happy Skies!  :-)

Answer 3

Look north - the Big Dipper should very easy to find even in a big city.  It is visible all night, all year long.

Answer 4

The big dipper is visible any where in the northern hemisphere, any time during the night because it is oriented so close to due north. Best time is probably after 10 PM. To find it, simply look north. A picture might be helpful. If you know what a big soup ladle looks like, look for something similar.

Answer 5

If you are in northern hemisphere mid latitudes (say from latitude 30 to 60 -- Texas to southern Alaska) at 11 pm it will be high in the northwest sky.

Answer 6

when I fly in