Okay, I know that the 'pointer' stars of the Big Dipper point to the North Star, which I can see clearly on a clear night, but I can't find the Dipper! Where the heck is it? I live on the east coast USA at about 42 degrees North latitude.

Hi Gerry:
If I'm reading my STAR-CALC correctly the big dipper (Ursa Major)
is below the northern horizon until about 11:00PM at your location.
At that time Dubhe; (the top end of the cup) is just becomeing
visable. About 03:00AM the whole of the dipper will be
above the horizon. It will be at it's highest point in
the sky around 08:00AM but by then the sun is also up so you can't see the dipper. Or any other stars for that matter.

If you went outside around 04:00 to 05:00AM you should be able to find
it with no problem.

Hope this helps
Regards Mike b. (AKA Byter)

I've been looking for it at about 11 PM... no wonder why it seemed to have disappeared. I'm working the graveyard shift tonight, I'll be sure to look for it before dawn's early light, and let you know if it really is there. Thanks!

If you can see it, you are very lucky. I haven't seen the big dipper for years and years. Even on a clear night, I may be able to see 10 stars/planets from here. The light pollution is awful.

Catty (who misses both dippers, and all the other lovely constellations)

Thanks, Mike. I ventured out at 3AM local time, and sure enough, half way up in the northern sky, and east of the North star, there it was, the Big Dipper in all its Glory, looking the same as it did in the late 50's when I first peered at it through my 50X telescope. Comforting to know it's still there!
And Catty, how much light you got up there in Washington? It's plenty bad here in the Big City, but at least I can see more than 10 stars!

Thanks for the update GERRY. As you mentioned; it's comforting
to know that it's still there.

If you would like to try STARCALC, here's a link to their download site.

CLICK HERE

It's a little hard to inturpret at first, but after a while you'll get used to it.

Keep checking & if Dipper isn't there pleas let us know.

Mike b (AKA Byter)

Well, I did mention light, but it's also true that we sometimes have clouds at night. However even on a clear night (such as we've had since April, no kidding) I can only see a few stars. I am looking forward to the south pacific, where I should be able to see plenty, including the Southern Cross!

Catty (I miss them, sniff, sniff)