Locate the Big Dipper in the sky. Depending on your location and the time of year, the Big Dipper may be higher or lower relative to the horizon. The Big Dipper is the highest during the time between late winter and the beginning of summer. As summer progresses, the Big Dipper gets lower in the sky. The Big Dipper consists of seven stars; three stars make up the handle of the dipper, and four stars make up the dipper. Follow a straight imaginary line extending out from the two stars that form the outside edge of the dipper, and you will find Polaris.
Notice the stars connected to Polaris. Polaris is the star on the end of the Little Dipper's handle. The Little Dipper consists of three stars as the handle and four stars as the dipper.
Extend the imaginary line further (still using the two stars on the ladle of the Big Dipper as your base). After you have extended the line through Polaris, further extend it about the same distance in the same direction. There, you will find Cassiopeia. This constellation consists of five stars that resemble a flattened "W" or "M."