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Position of the Moon and North Star from Mississippi in March 1862

-- Evelyn | March 4, 2021

Question:

Hello!

I am currently trying to paint a picture in which a run-away slave is looking up at the night sky, trying to locate the North star. He is escaping from Mississippi in springtime. In my picture, I would like to depict only a waxing crescent moon and the North star.

What I need to know in the interest of accuracy is where, in the scenario I described above, the North star would be in relationship to the moon. To the right? To the left? Above? Below? On the same plane?

In summary, based on the run-away slave being in a Southern state in the U.S. in springtime, where on my canvas should I paint the waxing crescent moon and then where would I accurately place the North star?

Does my question make sense to you?? I hope so! I am sorry to ask in such simple, non-scientific terms, but this is really all I need to know for my purposes. I have tried to find the answer online, but have not located one yet that I can confidently trust is correct.

Thank you very much,

-- Evelyn

Answer:

One option is to use the positions of the Moon and North Star on the early evening of March 6, 1862 from Jackson Mississippi. The Moon would have been in a waxing crescent phase and at 9PM local time would be in the west about 40 degrees above the horizon. The North Star would be to the north at about 40 degrees above the northern horizon. If one is facing north, the Moon would be located to the left.

-- Jeff Mangum

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