Compare the view of your nighttime sky to the Magnitude Charts below. This will determine the magnitude of the faintest stars that you can see at your location. For printouts to use during your observation, you can use the magnitude charts included in both the Family Activity Packet and Teacher Activity Packet.
For practice, try the Observation Practice quiz!*
Orion Charts | Leo Charts | Crux Charts
Charts for the Constellation Leo at 40 deg N
The field of view of the first 4 Magnitude Charts below is 100 degrees which is the same in length as 10 closed fists at arm’s length in the direction of Leo. The field of view of the last 4 Magnitude Charts is 50 degrees which is the same in length as 5 closed fists at arm’s length in the direction of Leo.
Select the latitude closest to your location:
50° S | 40° S | 30° S |
20° S | 10° S |
10° N | 20° N | 30° N |
40° N | 50° N |
(Images modified from charts provided by Jan Hollan, of the Global Change Research Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic)