Constellation Guides

Our constellation guides are designed for backyard astronomers. Each guide details the best views within that constellation and how to find them.

Crater

Crater is a small, cup-shaped constellation consisting of four stars in the Southern Sky. It is bordered by the constellations of Hydra, Corvus, and Sextans, as well as the Zodiac constellations Leo and Virgo.

Hydrus

Hydrus, the Male Water Snake, is a small, faint and unremarkable constellation in the southern hemisphere. It’s circumpolar, and is therefore visible throughout the year, but is best seen from late October to mid-December.

Corvus

Corvus is a relatively small constellation with a handful of deep sky objects for telescopic observers. Best seen in the spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the south, it’s easily found just to the southwest of Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo.

Leo Minor

Leo Minor is a small, faint constellation in the northern hemisphere, most visible to observers in spring and early summer. The constellation contains mainly dimmer stars, but with the right equipment plenty of interesting deep-sky objects can be seen in the region.

Scutum

A modern constellation, Scutum was invented in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius to honor the Polish king, John III Sobieski. Scutum is best seen from the southern hemisphere, but is visible throughout most of the world from early July to mid-August.

Caelum

One of the 88 modern constellations, Caelum is the 8th smallest in the sky with only four main stars. Its two brightest are barely brighter than magnitude 5, so you will have to seek out dark skies with minimal light pollution to view Caelum. Caelum is difficult to find because of how faint and small it is, so it can be a fun challenge for stargazers!

Lepus

Lepus, the Hare, is one of the original 48 constellations listed by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. While it’s not a particularly large or bright constellation, it’s easily found to the south of Orion and is visible from the northern hemisphere throughout the winter months.

Vulpecula

Vulpecula didn’t even exist until the 17th century, and was only created to fill the gap between Cygnus and Sagitta. Vulpecula is best seen from mid to late summer, but remains visible during the early autumn months.

Lyra

Lyra is one of the original 48 constellations listed in the 2nd century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy, in his great work, the Almagest. According to Greek myth, Lyra represents the lyre invented by Hermes, who took an empty tortoise shell he found on the beach and strung seven strings across it.

Volans

In spring, you can behold the enchanting constellation Volans in the southern cosmic skies. Volans symbolizes a tropical fish with wings that can leap out of water and glide. Volans is an abbreviated version of “Piscis Volans,” an apt Latinized name that signifies a flying fish.

Pavo

Pavo is an intriguing constellation in the expansive southern sky and takes its name from the Latin reference to “peacock.” This constellation first appeared on a 35-cm (14 in) diameter celestial globe produced in 1598 by the highly skilled cartographers Plancius and Jodocus Hondius in Amsterdam.

Ursa Major

Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is a large, clearly visible constellation visible for the entire northern hemisphere, particularly during the spring and summer. For most stargazers in the northern hemisphere, the constellation is circumpolar and can be seen year-round.

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