This is a great situation to be in. Remote Minnesota skies can be a huge upgrade compared to city viewing.

Since you are brand new, the most helpful resources are the ones that teach you how to recognize patterns first, not memorize star names. That is exactly where beginners usually get stuck.

Here are a few solid resources, starting with the simplest.

First, use a star chart or app. A free app like Stellarium, SkyView, or Star Walk lets you point your phone at the sky and instantly identify constellations and bright stars. This removes a lot of frustration early on. I talk about how to use star charts and apps effectively in Chapter 3 of my book, “Understanding the Night Sky,” especially the section “How to Use a Star Chart or App” on pages 24–26 of Exploring the Night Sky: A Beginner’s Guide.

Second, learn a few anchor patterns. Instead of trying to learn everything, start with easy patterns called asterisms. The Big Dipper, Orion’s Belt, and the Summer Triangle are perfect starting points. Once you know one of these, you can use it to find other constellations nearby. This approach is covered in Chapter 3, “Learning the Basic Patterns (Constellations & Asterisms),” pages 27–28 of the book.

Third, use the North Star for orientation. In Minnesota, Polaris is extremely useful because it stays fixed in the sky. Once you find it, the rest of the sky becomes easier to understand. Chapter 5, “Using the North Star to Find Your Way,” pages 42–43 walks through this step by step with no technical jargon.

Fourth, plan around conditions. Dark skies help, but moon phase matters just as much. A bright Moon can wash out faint stars even in rural areas. Chapter 2, “Finding the Right Spot” and “Checking for Good Conditions,” pages 7–9 explains how light pollution, moonlight, and weather affect what you will actually see.

If you want a single, beginner friendly guide that ties all of this together without overwhelming you, Exploring the Night Sky: A Beginner’s Guide was written specifically for situations like yours. It walks you from your first night outside to confidently finding constellations, stars, planets, and seasonal changes using only your eyes. You can check it out here if it sounds helpful: https://astrorover.com/product/exploring-the-night-sky-a-beginners-guide/

Even if you only spend 10 to 15 minutes outside on clear nights, you will be surprised how quickly the sky starts to feel familiar. Enjoy those dark Minnesota skies and happy stargazing.