In the northern hemisphere, the galactic center is visible in the southern half of the sky while in the southern hemisphere, it can be positioned directly overhead, particularly in the peak of the “Milky Way Season” around the time of the June Solstice.

It’s possible to measure latitude by comparing your position on Earth with the position of either the sun or the North Star (Polaris). Measurements using the sun are possible on a clear day in the northern or southern hemispheres, when the sun is easy to find.

Using the protractor, measure the smaller angle between the beam and the plumb line. If the sun is directly over the Equator, this is your latitude reading. The angle to measure when using the sun or North Star. Note that the horizon is always 90° to the plumb line.

Sailors and travelers have used Polaris, also known as the North Star, for centuries to locate their position on the surface of the Earth. Polaris is the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Minor, whose seven brightest stars form the Little Dipper.

No. The North Star is Polaris, an actual star. Venus is a planet, and is usually seen near the Sun. It’s sometimes referred to as the morning star, or the evening star, even though it isn’t a star at all.

It’s from March to September in the Northern Hemisphere, and September to March in the Southern Hemisphere, when you will get the most interesting view of the Milky Way.

The Milky Way is only highly visible in the northern hemisphere during February to around September. Take into consideration which phase the moon currently is in. During a full moon you won’t be able to capture any of the Milky Way due to the reflective sun light washing out the night sky.

From Earth, the Milky Way appears as a band because its disk-shaped structure is viewed from within. Galileo Galilei first resolved the band of light into individual stars with his telescope in 1610. Until the early 1920s, most astronomers thought that the Milky Way contained all the stars in the Universe.

13.51 billion years

From November to January: The Galactic Center of the Milky Way is not visible at all. From February to June: The Milky Way is visible in the early morning. From July to August: The Milky Way is visible during the middle of the night. From September to October: The Milky Way is visible in the evening.

But that’s not your concern right now—just get yourself to a dark sky site between August 11 and August 20, 2020 for a great chance to see the Milky Way in all of its glory. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

Generally the dense part of the Milky Way is best viewed when it is as high as possible in the Southern sky. Facing south during April and May the pre-dawn hours are best. From June to early August the best time is near midnight, though the Milky Way will be visible almost all night.

10 of the Best Places in the U.S. to See the Milky Way

• Big Bend National Park, Texas.
• Death Valley National Park, Nevada.
• Clayton Lake State Park, New Mexico.
• Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania.
• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
• Capital Reef National Park, Utah.
• Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
• Big Pine Key, Florida.

In the US Central Nevada, Eastern Utah, Montana, Death Valley California, Breckenridge, Colorado, Hawaii. In short, remote areas far from any light pollution afford the best view. But if you know what to look for and when and where to look you can spot the Milky Way from many places throughout the world.

The 12 Best Places to Stargaze in America

• Big Pine Key | Florida.
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park | New Mexico.
• Rocky Mountain National Park | Colorado.
• Death Valley National Park | California.
• Big Bend National Park | Texas.
• Grand Canyon National Park | Arizona.
• Arches National Park | Utah.

The Milky Way is most visible in the summer months through the northern hemisphere – but that’s the time of year where Alaska experiences the Midnight Sun! Shoulder seasons (late August to early October and March to April) are the time when you can best experience the Milky Way (and possibly the aurora too!).

Even though residents of Barrow, the northernmost town in Alaska, won’t see the sun for 67 days come winter, they enjoy the midnight sun all summer – over 80 days of uninterrupted daylight….Shortest Day of the Year.

The Cosmic Campground, New Mexico It’s THE darkest place in the United States, located in the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. The nearest source of artificial light is more than 40 miles away — making it a “must do” for stargazers.

Denali is a great location for viewing the aurora because we are located at a far northern latitude and because there is very limited light pollution. Dark night skies are valued by people who enjoy stargazing and aurora-viewing as well as by astronomers studying our universe through telescopes.

But here’s the good news: The time is right to get a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Thanks to longer hours of darkness and clear night skies, December through March is usually the best time to observe this elusive natural phenomenon (though you can sometimes see the northern lights starting as early as August).