Find the constellation Cassiopeia, which has a distinctive "W" shape (although its orientation changes at different times of year as it circles the north celestial pole). On fall evenings, look for Cassiopeia in the northeast, where its tilt makes it look like a "3", and in the winter look high in the north above Polaris, where it is oriented like an "M".
Once you have located Cassiopeia, extend the line made by the two stars of the first segment of the "W" about an equal distance away from them and you will arrive at 4th magnitude iota (ί) Cassiopeiae. Use high magnification to separate the components of this impressive triple star. Then extend the line again, about 1.5 times as far, and you will reach gamma (γ) Camelopardalis, a 4th magnitude star with a 5th magnitude star about 1/2 degree to its south. As shown below, make a sharp left turn (toward the 5th magnitude star) and move about 3 degrees south to reach IC 342. Use low power to try to spot the core of this dim galaxy.
