How to find NGC5985 using Ursa Major

This guide uses bright stars first, then narrows the field for a telescope or binocular finder. Use Ursa Major as the main sky landmark.

Follow the route from one recognizable star to the next until you reach NGC5985.

NGC5985 is only 8° above the horizon, so the view is likely to be poor. No suitable observing time was found during the next two nights.

Begin with Ursa Major, then follow the reference stars toward NGC5985.

Ursa Major

Recognize the characteristic star pattern of Ursa Major before following the route.

Identify Kochab in or near Ursa Major; the chart shows its position relative to the guide.

From Kochab, move about 3.2° toward the southeast until you reach Pherkad.

From Pherkad, move about 4.5° toward the south until you reach HYG 74605.0.

From HYG 74605.0, move about 6.8° toward the south until you reach HYG 75696.0.

From HYG 75696.0, move about 2° toward the southeast until you reach NGC5985. This is the target field.