Why do starmaps have the time on them?

Question

Thanks! Also why do they have north/south on?

Answer 1

The night sky will appear differently to you in different years, at different times of the year, and different times of the night.

The stars appear to move across the sky each night, just as the sun does during the day, rising in the east and setting in the west.

The planets move about the sky along a path called the ecliptic, and are seen in different positions against the background of stars. Planets will be shown only on starmaps that are showing "current" conditions.

In addition, from month to month you will see a different part of the night sky, as the earth moves around the sun. The stars you see in the night sky in November are hidden from view by the sun in May.

And of course, over the eons, the "fixed" stars are changing their positions in the sky.

Answer 2

The stars are in different places in the night sky depending on where in the world you are and what time it is, which is why they have the compass and time on the starmaps. The Earth is constantly moving so we are moving and at different places at different times you will see different stars, so you use the direction and time to find out where you need to be and when to see that particular map of stars.