[troypiggo (Troy)]

I'm trying to learn more about finding objects without relying on computers/GOTO etc. I have printed out the Mag 7 star atlas from the sticky in this forum. I can read the charts in terms of RA and degrees, happy with that.

What I'm having trouble with is working out where the object is going to be in the sky in RA depending on the time of night and the time of year. Must be missing some trick or something.

I am familiar enough now with constellations and bright stars that I can get my bearings from other objects I suppose, but would still like to know the answer to the above question.

Also, do you have any tips on roughly visualising degrees etc? Seem to remember a guide about your fist at arm's length is so many degrees, thumb might be something else.