Navigating the Night: Finding North with the Stars and South with the Moon
One of the best skills we can teach our Scouts is how to navigate without relying on technology—just like the pioneers and explorers of old. But that doesn’t mean we can’t use a little tech to help us learn these skills before heading out into the wild. Today, I want to walk you through how to find North using the constellations and South using the moon. And for this demonstration, I’ll be using an app called SkyView Lite—a fun tool to get started with stargazing.
But remember, the ultimate goal is to pass these skills on to your Scouts, so once you’ve got the hang of it, challenge them to spot the constellations without the app. It’s an awesome campfire activity that blends science, history, and adventure—all wrapped into one starry night.
Finding the North Star (Polaris) Using the Big Dipper
Let’s dive in.
First, I opened up the SkyView Lite app on my phone. If you haven’t used it before, it’s super easy. You just point your phone at the night sky, and it’ll highlight stars, planets, and constellations. It’s a blast and perfect for showing Scouts the basics.
When you’re trying to find True North, your primary target is Polaris, also known as the North Star. It’s part of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor), but here’s the trick—the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) is usually easier to spot first because its stars shine brighter.
The Big Dipper looks like a giant soup ladle—imagine a big bucket with a long handle.
- Locate the Big Dipper in the sky.
- Focus on the outer edge of the “bucket” part.
- Look at the two stars at the edge—these are your “pointer stars.”
- Draw an imaginary line straight out from these two stars.
- Follow that line, and it will lead you directly to Polaris—the bright star at the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper.
It’s that simple! Polaris remains relatively fixed in the night sky and marks True North, no matter the season.
A Quick Compass Check
To double-check my findings, I used an old-school compass. After leveling it out, I aligned it with Polaris, and sure enough, the compass confirmed it—True North. It’s always good to compare the natural world with our tools, especially when teaching Scouts. It reinforces the skill and builds confidence.
Finding South Using the Moon
Now, let’s talk about the moon. This is where things get really fun.
If you’re out on a clear night and the moon is visible—especially a crescent moon—you can use it to find South. Here’s how:
- Look at the crescent moon.
- Identify the two points (or “horns”) of the crescent.
- Draw an imaginary straight line from the tips of the horns down to the horizon.
- Where that line hits the horizon is roughly South.
Keep in mind, this isn’t pinpoint accurate like a compass, but it’s a reliable way to orient yourself in the general direction.
The Lady in the Moon – A Childhood Memory
Here’s a fun side story to share with your Scouts.
When I was about 10 or 11, my dad once asked me, “Do you see the lady in the moon?” I was puzzled. But he explained, “She has no face, bangs that come down over her forehead, and a ponytail that sweeps across her left shoulder. It's a profile picture of her.”
I stared at the moon, squinting, turning my head this way and that—and finally, I saw her.
Ever since, every time there’s a full moon, I look for the “lady” again. It’s a fun, whimsical way to connect with the night sky and perfect for sharing around a campfire. Next time there’s a full moon, challenge your Scouts to find her. You’ll be surprised how many can spot her right away.
Bonus: Other Ways to Navigate at Night
There are even more ways to find your direction when the stars or moon are visible:
- The Stick Method – During the day or night (if shadows are visible), you can use a stick and its shadow to find direction. https://youtu.be/riVnb1TxQf4
- The Watch Method – A classic trick that uses an analog watch and the position of the sun or moon to find North and South. https://youtube.com/shorts/s-TG5Ghqrac
Final Thoughts
Scouting is all about learning practical skills, and nothing feels more empowering than finding your way using just the sky above. Whether it’s spotting Polaris or tracing the crescent moon to find South, these are skills that connect us to the natural world in a way GPS never can.
And don’t forget—“Be Prepared.” Always keep a compass in your first aid kit, just in case.
Now get out there, look up, maybe you will see the "Lady in the Moon" and let’s go Scouting America! 🌌✨