As the constellation is circumpolar, it can be studied nearly any time of the year. To find Cassiopeia first locate the Big Dipper (Plough in the UK). Now draw a line from the ‘pointer stars’ (beta and alpha UMa) through the Pole Star. Don't stop there, but continue the line to about the same distance on the other side of the Pole Star. You'll encounter a very wide "W" or "M", depending on the time of year. (For convenience sake, we'll confine ourselves to describing it as a "W".)

The western tip of the W is beta Cas (also known as Caph). Follow this to the next star on the "W", an equally bright star which is alpha Cassiopeiae (Schedar, The Breast). These two are visible in the same field of view: stars.

Note that North is indicated on these charts. Always bear in mind the orientation of circumpolar stars.