i need help identifying stars in the sky?

This is the Pleiades star cluster. This star cluster is 450 light years away.

I have my doubts about the Pleiades being the culprit, especially if you live somewhere with a lot o light pollution. It looks more like an arrow to me. This may be a stupid question, but I see that you mentioned the big dipper... are you familiar with the little dipper? For me, the little dipper is more recognizable than the other constellations, with the exception of Orion. You could be new to watching the skies for all I know, but I'm only assuming now.

You do live in North America, correct?

Do you or anyone you know have a smart phone such as an iPhone or something running Google Android? I have a G1 and the app Google Sky is great. It helped me identify a star I would have thought was a UFO had I not known better. You point your phone at any star and it will tell you what that star is, as well as name the constellation it is a part of. If you don't have access to a phone like this, check out Google Sky on your computer. Even better if you have a laptop you can take outdoors.

The software mentioned by the other answerers is GREAT, particularly Celstia which allows you to "fly" through the solar system and beyond. It includes detailed models of the ISS and other objects in space. When I was a kid, I was limited to a constellations book and a flashlight. This is fun, too, but today's technology is wicked in comparison.

Either way, I'm sure SOME peoples considered what you're seeing to be a constellation. As for being a currently accepted constellation, I don't know. If you find out, be sure to tell us, eh?

Either the Pleiades (or seven sisters) or you mean the constellation Ursa Minor, which also looks like a small copy like the big dipper Ursa Major.

The Pleiades are a star cluster, that are also in reality very close to each other. They are just 440 light-years away.

What you are seeing is probably the Pleiades star cluster. They really are quite close to each other.

Not much to go on - but I'll take a guess that you're looking at the Pleiades star cluster.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleiades_(star_cluste...

you're finding on the three stars that kind the belt interior the constellation Orion. image a guy donning the belt and retaining a club above his head - his "hand" is the purple extensive Betelgeuse. His foot is the blue extensive Rigel.

I would guess Pleiades-You can use the free download stellarium,just put in your location and it will show you the Planets and stars real time.

Wally

You can get free planetarium software to help you.

A good one to try is Celestia:

http://www.shatters.net/celestia/