The Chart
This star chart displays the stars and constellations visible in the night sky for Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, and Adelaide during March. The chart is calibrated for approximately 8:30 PM AEDT for these locations, and around 9:30 PM AEST for Perth and Brisbane. For viewers in Darwin and similar locations, the chart remains applicable, though some stars near the southern edge may not be visible, while additional stars might appear towards the north. The chart depicts stars down to a brightness or magnitude limit of 4.5.
To use the chart effectively, orient it so that the direction you are facing (North, South, East, or West) is indicated at the bottom of the map. The center of the chart represents the zenith, the point directly overhead, while the outer circular edge corresponds to the horizon.
The celestial sphere is depicted with cardinal directions (North, East, South, West) marked. Stars are represented by dots of varying sizes, indicating their brightness. Lines connect stars to form constellations, which are labeled. The ecliptic (the Sun's apparent path) and the Milky Way are shown with dashed lines. Planets are marked with a circled 'P' symbol. Deep sky objects like the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) are indicated with dashed circles. Specific celestial features like nebulae (e.g., Orion Nebula, Carina Nebula, Crab Nebula) and star clusters (e.g., Pleiades, Jewel Box) are also labeled.
