• Orion

  Best viewing: Winter evenings, high in the southern sky.

  Orientation: Find the three-star belt, then trace outward to the bright corner stars.

• Ursa Major (Big Dipper)

  Best viewing: Spring nights in the northern sky.

  Orientation: Use the two outer bowl stars to point directly toward Polaris.

• Cassiopeia

  Best viewing: Autumn evenings, circling high in the north.

  Orientation: Look for a clear “W” shape opposite the Big Dipper around Polaris.

• Scorpius

  Best viewing: Summer nights, low in the southern horizon.

  Orientation: Start at reddish Antares, then follow the curved tail toward the stinger stars.

• Summer Triangle

  Best viewing: Warm-season evenings overhead after twilight.

  Orientation: Connect Vega, Deneb, and Altair to map a large, easy triangle.

• Pleiades (Seven Sisters)

  Best viewing: Late autumn through winter, rising in the east.

  Orientation: Spot the tiny misty cluster near Taurus; binoculars reveal many more points.

Learning is easier together—bring these patterns to the next club meetup and compare what you found.