Stories in the Sky

Open space not only preserves land for wildlife and people—it also preserves the dark skies above! Discover the stories behind a few of the well-known constellations.

Star Wheel Instructions

1. Cut out the Star Wheel Disk (with all the constellation on it). Be sure to cut around the outside of the circle.
2. Cut out the Star Wheel Sleeve on the outer borders including the blank area at the bottom—be sure to not cut off the blank box at the bottom! Cut out the inner white circle.
3. Fold the bottom white flap of the Star Wheel Sleeve to the back and staple or tape it on both sides where you see the white marks.
4. Insert the Star Wheel Disk into the flap so you can see some of the constellations through the open window of the Star Wheel Sleeve.
5. Set the current date on the star circle by matching it to the time of night on the Star Wheel (times are also included for Daylight Savings Time). Inside the window, the stars that you can see on that date and at that time of night will be displayed. To find what the sky looks like at other times of the year, spin the wheel and match a different date to an evening time.

Thanks to Sky and Telescope Magazine for this wonderful tool!

Parks & Open Space

Angela Borland
aborland@bouldercounty.gov
303-678-6215