Best Constellations of January: Night Sky Map for 2025
Enjoy the night sky this January by spotting Canis Major, Orion, Taurus, Gemini, and other beautiful star patterns! With the free Sky Tonight app, finding them is easy — it only takes three taps. Read this article to learn about all the must-see January constellations, the best times to view them, and more.
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January night sky map
Here is a January sky map that shows the stars and constellations, assuming you’re looking at the sky at 9 p.m. in the Northern Hemisphere and at 10 p.m. in the Southern Hemisphere (where darkness falls later).
View of the southern sky at 9:00 p.m. as seen from New York, USA, for mid-January.
In this article, we’ll talk about the most prominent constellations that are best seen in January. Remember, constellations stay visible for more than just one month, so some of them may also appear in December or February guides.
Below, you’ll see latitude ranges where each constellation can be observed. To quickly check if a constellation is visible from your exact location, use the Sky Tonight app.
Canis Major
Visible between: 60°N and 90°S
Brightest star: Sirius (mag -1.46)
Brightest deep-sky object: Little Beehive Cluster (M41, mag 4.5)
Canis Major represents the “greater dog” following the hunter Orion in Greek mythology. The constellation is depicted as a dog standing on its hind legs, chasing a hare, represented by the constellation Lepus.
Canis Major features Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, glowing high above the southern horizon in January-February. Around 9 p.m., the constellation is already at a comfortable viewing height. Nearby, you’ll find Canis Minor with the star Procyon (mag 0.4).
In addition to Sirius, Canis Major has several other bright stars (Beta, Delta, and Epsilon Canis Majoris). Inside the quadrangle they form lies the Little Beehive Cluster, which looks stunning through binoculars or a small telescope.
In Greek mythology, Orion was a great hunter who died tragically, either by Artemis's arrow or the sting of the giant scorpion. The gods placed Orion, his dogs, and the animals he hunted in the heavens, and put Scorpius on the opposite side of the sky, ensuring the two would never meet again.
Orion dominates the skies in January. When the darkness falls, see the constellation above the southern horizon. The three stars forming Orion’s Belt (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka) are equally bright and lined up in a straight row. Near them is the Orion Sword — its middle “star” is actually the Orion Nebula, where new stars and planets are being born.
Orion’s seven brightest stars shine through light pollution, making it one of the easiest constellations to spot, even in a city.
Auriga isn’t precisely connected to any Greek or Roman myth. The most popular interpretation is that it represents Erichthonius, a legendary Athenian king. Raised by Athena, he learned to tame horses and became the first to harness four in a chariot.
You’ll find Auriga near Orion. Its brightest star, Capella, marks the top of the Winter Hexagon (an asterism visible on long winter nights). Auriga has an irregular shape, and the Milky Way runs through it — a perfect opportunity for binocular viewing.
The Greeks saw Taurus as Zeus in disguise. Zeus, smitten with Europa, lured her by appearing as a majestic white bull. When she climbed onto its back, the bull carried her across the sea to Crete, where Zeus revealed his true form and made her his mistress.
The zodiac constellation Taurus sits west of Auriga and is known for the fiery red star Aldebaran and the gorgeous Pleiades cluster. In mythology, this bull charges Orion, who defends himself with a club and shield. The Pleiades include over 300 stars; you can often see 6 or 7 of them with the naked eye.
Another major star cluster in Taurus is the Hyades. Aldebaran appears among the Hyades but isn’t actually part of the cluster: the star is 65 light-years from the Earth, while the Hyades are 132 light-years away. In this constellation, you’ll also find the Crab Nebula (M1), a remnant of a supernova observed in 1054.
Gemini
Visible between: 90°N and 60°S
Brightest star: Pollux (mag 1.14)
Brightest deep-sky object: M35 (mag 5.1)
In Greek mythology, the constellation represents the immortal Pollux and the mortal Castor, twin sons of Queen Leda of Sparta and two fathers – the human king Tyndareus and the mighty Zeus. When Castor died in a battle, Pollux begged his father Zeus to give Castor immortality. So now they shine together eternally.
Look north to find Gemini, another zodiac constellation. Two bright stars attract attention first of all: Pollux (the lower star, part of the Winter Hexagon) and Castor. Under dark skies, you can trace the entire constellation with your eyes.
Perseus, a legendary Greek hero, is famous for slaying the Gorgon Medusa and rescuing Andromeda. He decapitated Medusa while she slept to avoid her deadly gaze. On his way back to Greece, he saved Andromeda, an Ethiopian princess, from a sea monster and took her as his bride.
Perseus lies near the zenith in the early evening hours and is famed for star clusters and the variable star Algol. The constellation’s shape resembles an upside-down slingshot. Its upper boundary points toward Cassiopeia, which is visible all year round in the Northern Hemisphere.
Bonus: The Winter Hexagon
The Winter Hexagon, or the Winter Circle, is a large asterism comprising six first-magnitude stars from different constellations (all of them mentioned in this article). You can spot Capella (Auriga), Aldebaran (Taurus), Rigel (Orion), Sirius (Canis Major), Procyon (Canis Minor), and Pollux (Gemini) forming a giant hexagon in the sky. It’s visible from December to mid-April — winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Winter Hexagon is a large circular star pattern visible in the Northern Hemisphere’s winter sky and in the Southern Hemisphere’s summer sky, where it’s called the Summer Hexagon. In the Southern Hemisphere, it can be extended to include the bright star Canopus.
The simplest way to locate any constellation or star is by using the free Sky Tonight app. If you’d rather go old-school, try star-hopping: our handy infographic shows how to find 15 famous stars using the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt. After trying this classic method, confirm your discoveries with the interactive sky map in Sky Tonight — it works offline, so you can test your skills wherever you are!
Learn how to identify the most famous stars: Polaris, Sirius, Arcturus, and many others. Familiarize yourself with the night sky using this infographic!
January skies feature iconic constellations like Orion, Canis Major (with dazzling Sirius), and Taurus with the striking Pleiades. Look for the Winter Hexagon to guide you across multiple constellations at once. Enjoy the night sky!
In this article, we’ll tell you about 9 star clusters and 1 galaxy that will be favorably positioned for observation in January. We organized the objects in our list by their apparent magnitude, from faintest to brightest. Southern Hemisphere observers, get prepared — most of the objects we’re discussing here are visible from your latitudes! Use the Sky Tonight astronomy app to locate any of them in the sky.
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10. NGC 2403
NGC 2403 — a spiral galaxy that looks very similar to the famous Triangulum Galaxy.
How to observe: The NGC 2403 galaxy is unobservable to the naked eye, but you can see it through large binoculars or a small telescope. It will look like an elongated fuzzy patch in the sky, located not far from the north celestial pole.
Description: NGC 2403 is an intermediate spiral galaxy discovered by William Herschel in 1788. It is a member of the M81 Group of galaxies. NGC 2403 is about 50,000 light-years in diameter.
9. Heart-shaped Cluster
Heart-shaped Cluster (M50) — an open star cluster located near Sirius in the sky.
How to observe: You can try to spot M50 with 10x50 binoculars, but it will most likely appear rather fuzzy. It’s better to use large binoculars or a small telescope to observe this star cluster. M50 is easy to find because of its proximity to Sirius in Canis Major (the brightest star in the night sky).
Description: M50 is an open star cluster first observed by Giovanni Cassini around 1710 and then independently discovered by Charles Messier in 1772. It is around 140 million years old and occupies an area about half the size of the Full Moon in the sky.
8. Golden Earring Cluster
Golden Earring Cluster (NGC 2547) — an open cluster with young, hot, blue stars.
How to observe: The NGC 2547 cluster is too faint to be seen with the naked eye, so use a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to view it.
Description: NGC 2547 is an open cluster discovered by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1751. Astronomers estimate that this star cluster is about 20-30 million years old.
7. IC 2395
IC 2395 — a very young open cluster of the southern sky.
How to observe: IC 2395 is too faint to be seen with the naked eye if the sky is not perfectly dark. So use binoculars or a small telescope for its observation.
Description: IC 2395 is an open star cluster possibly discovered by French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille. It contains about 45 stars and is between 6 and 18 million years old.
6. Little Beehive Cluster
Little Beehive Cluster (M41) — a southern star cluster reminiscent of the famous Beehive Cluster in the Northern Hemisphere.
How to observe: The Little Beehive Cluster is visible through 10x50 binoculars or a small telescope. You can find it near Sirius in Canis Major — the brightest star in the sky.
Description: Messier 41 is an open star cluster discovered by Italian astronomer Giovanni Batista Hodierna sometime before 1654. The cluster is approximately 25 light-years in diameter; it occupies an area about the size of the Full Moon in the sky and contains about 100 stars. It is estimated to be 190 million years old and might disintegrate in 300 million years.
5. M47
M47 — an open cluster that can be found near Sirius.
How to observe: Messier 47 is visible through 10x50 binoculars or a small telescope; under a perfectly dark sky, you can even try to see it with the naked eye. Look for it near Sirius in Canis Major.
Description: The M47 open cluster was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna sometime before 1654. The cluster is about 14 light-years in diameter, and its apparent size is roughly the same as that of the Full Moon. M47 is approximately 78 million years old and contains about 500 stars.
4. Southern Beehive Cluster
Southern Beehive Cluster (NGC 2516) — a bright open cluster near the False Cross asterism.
How to observe: The NGC 2516 star cluster is relatively bright, so you can spot it with the naked eye as a hazy patch in the sky. Still, it’s better to use binoculars or a small telescope to observe it. You can find NGC 2516 at a distance of 3° from the magnitude 1.9 star Avior (Epsilon Carinae), which is one of the stars in the False Cross asterism.
Description: NGC 2516 is an open star cluster discovered by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in 1751-1752. It’s sometimes called the Southern Beehive because of its resemblance to the M44 cluster. NGC 2516 has an apparent diameter similar to that of the Full Moon. Its age is estimated to be between 110 and 135 million years.
3. The Beehive Cluster
Beehive Cluster (M44) — one of the nearest open clusters to Earth and one of the brightest Messier objects.
How to observe: The Beehive Cluster is bright enough to be spotted with the naked eye under dark skies — it will look like a blurry patch of light. Still, 10x50 binoculars or a small telescope are preferable. This object is quite easy to find: it’s positioned halfway between the bright star Regulus in Leo and the stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini.
Description: M44 is an open cluster that has been known since ancient times. It was first observed telescopically by Galileo Galilei in 1609. The cluster is about 600 million years old; it contains roughly 1,000 stars and covers an area of about three Full Moons in the sky. You can learn more about the Beehive Cluster from our dedicated article.
2. NGC 2451
NGC 2451 — not one but two open star clusters (NGC 2451 A and NGC 2451 B).
Alternative names: Stinging Scorpion Cluster, Cr 161
Apparent size: 45'
Apparent magnitude: 2.8
Constellation: Puppis
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: The NGC 2451 star cluster is bright enough to be visible with the naked eye, but it’s better to use binoculars for its observation. You’ll find it at a distance of 4° from the magnitude 2.2 star Naos (also known as Zeta Puppis).
Description: NGC 2451 is an open cluster probably discovered by Giovanni Battista Hodierna before 1654. It is one of the brightest open clusters, which covers an area about 1.5 times the size of the Full Moon in the sky. In 1996, astronomers confirmed that NGC 2451 was actually two open clusters that lie along the same line of sight.
1. Omicron Velorum Cluster
Omicron Velorum Cluster (IC 2391) — a bright and large open cluster near the False Cross asterism.
How to observe: The Omicron Velorum Cluster is visible to the naked eye, but it’s best to view it through binoculars. You can use the False Cross asterism as a guide — the cluster will be positioned to the west of the asterism.
Description: IC 2391 is an open cluster that may have been first described by Persian astronomer Al Sufi around 964. It contains about 30 stars and is about 50 million years old. The cluster occupies an area almost twice the size of the Full Moon in the sky.
How to find deep-sky objects?
You can easily find any deep-sky object using the Sky Tonight app. Here’s how:
Launch the app and tap the magnifier icon at the lower part of the screen;
In the Search field, enter the object’s name or designation — for instance, “Beehive Cluster”, “M44”, or “NGC 2632”;
Find the object in the search results and tap the blue target icon next to its name (if the object wasn’t found, tap the button below the Search field to continue searching in the remote database);
The app will show the object’s current location in the sky;
Point your device at the sky and follow the white arrow to find the object.
To make finding deep-sky objects even easier, you can customize their display on the sky map. Tap the Menu icon (☰) at the bottom of the main screen, go to Settings, and open the Sky section. Here, you can adjust the DSO Visibility setting to suit your preferences. With the Basic mode selected, deep-sky objects won’t be highlighted on the sky map. In the Advanced mode, the brightest deep-sky objects will be circled. In the Pro mode, all deep-sky objects will be highlighted and marked with different icons depending on their type.
Bottom line
For this article, we’ve picked out 9 bright star clusters and 1 galaxy that will be positioned favorably for observation in January. Most of these objects are visible through binoculars and some — even to the naked eye. Try to see as many of them as you can! If you like deep-sky objects, you can also challenge yourself by taking our fun quiz called “Guess the Nebula”.
Guide to February's Best Constellations in the Night Sky
Learn about the brightest constellations of February and their stars! 8 beautiful star patterns are waiting for you to find them. Easily locate the constellations with the free astronomy app Sky Tonight and never feel lost in the night sky again!
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List of constellations visible in February
Below are the constellations best observed during February evenings (around 9 p.m. local time) from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Many of these overlap with the constellations visible in January, but you’ll also notice a few newcomers in the night sky.
Having trouble locating constellations in the sky? Don’t worry! Download the free Sky Tonight app for an interactive sky map tailored to your location. It will show you exactly where to look for each constellation.
What constellations are out tonight?
Orion
When you look above the southern horizon in the Northern Hemisphere (or northern direction in the Southern Hemisphere) on a February evening, you will notice Orion, the Hunter. It is one of the most famous winter constellations, known for its three bright stars that line up to form Orion’s Belt. This makes Orion easy to spot in the night sky.
In Greek mythology, Orion was a great hunter who died tragically, either by Artemis's arrow or the sting of the giant scorpion. The gods placed Orion, his dogs, and the animals he hunted in the heavens, and put Scorpius on the opposite side of the sky, ensuring the two would never meet again.
For stargazers with binoculars, late February is a great time to focus on Orion. On February 27, the New Moon will mean minimal light pollution, creating an ideal backdrop for stargazing. Look overhead for the Broken Heart Cluster (NGC 2281), best seen with binoculars. Below Orion's Belt lies Orion’s Sword, where are located amazing deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula — visible without binoculars under dark skies — and the Lost Jewel of Orion (NGC 1980).
Want to learn more about the star clusters and galaxies you can see this month? Check out our guide to deep-sky objects in February.
Canis Major and Canis Minor
Every hunter needs companions, so Orion is followed by two celestial dogs: Canis Major and Canis Minor (Latin for Greater Dog and Lesser Dog).
Canis Major is easy to identify because of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. In the Northern Hemisphere, Sirius appears low on the horizon, causing it to twinkle in many colors (green, orange, white, and others). This striking twinkling has even led some people to mistake it for a UFO. On a clear, cold winter night in the northern latitudes, Sirius puts on a beautiful show.
Canis Major represents the “greater dog” following the hunter Orion in Greek mythology. The constellation is depicted as a dog standing on its hind legs, chasing a hare, represented by the constellation Lepus.
Canis Minor is less noticeable and much smaller. Its brightest star is Procyon, which shines at magnitude 0.3. That makes Procyon the eighth-brightest star in the night sky. It is also one of the closest stars to Earth. Another noteworthy star in Canis Minor is Gomeisa, which has a scorching temperature of about 11,500°K. Because of this extreme heat, some people call Canis Minor the “Hot Dog”.
Lepus
Of course, a hunter and his dogs are chasing a prey. On the celestial dome, their prey is Lepus, the Hare, another constellation best seen in February. It is small and dim — its brightest star, Arneb, has an apparent magnitude of 2.6.
Unlike many other constellations, Lepus isn’t linked to a specific myth. However, it is often shown as a hare being chased by the mythical hunter Orion and his hunting dogs, represented by Canis Major and Canis Minor. The Greek astronomer Ptolemy first cataloged Lepus in the 2nd century.
Finally, Monoceros, the Unicorn, completes the picture. It lies between two large constellations, Orion and Hydra. Monoceros is quite faint, with only a few fourth-magnitude stars, making it hard to see with the naked eye. It is also a relatively modern constellation created by a Dutch cartographer in the 17th century to fill an empty space.
Don’t worry, Monoceros — we’ve all had to fill an awkward gap at some point!
Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Lepus, and Monoceros belong to the Orion Family, which lie opposite the Hercules Family in the night sky.
Apart from Orion, another prominent constellation you can see in February is Taurus, the Bull, which belongs to the zodiac family. Taurus resembles a two-pronged fork, with a bright V-shaped pattern at its center. This “V” is formed by the Hyades star cluster, marking the Bull’s face. Within it shines fiery red Aldebaran, the Bull’s eye, often mistaken for Mars due to its vivid color.
Taurus also contains the famous Pleiades star cluster, which looks like a tiny dipper. On February 6, 2025, observers between 100° and 150° longitude can watch the Moon pass in front of the Pleiades, partially obscuring them from view. Be sure to have your binoculars ready for this event!
In February 2025, the second-brightest planet — Jupiter — will appear near the Bull’s “V.” It’s like Taurus is hosting a “celestial party” this month! To learn more about the visible planets, check out our article on the night sky in February.
The Greeks saw Taurus as Zeus in disguise. Zeus, smitten with Europa, lured her by appearing as a majestic white bull. When she climbed onto its back, the bull carried her across the sea to Crete, where Zeus revealed his true form and made her his mistress.
Next to Taurus lies Gemini, another zodiac constellation. In Latin, “Gemini” means “twins,” referring to the Greek mythological brothers Castor and Pollux, whose names were given to the constellation’s two brightest stars. Although these stars are called “twins,” they look differently: Pollux is brighter and has a golden hue, while Castor appears slightly dimmer and white. Still, they lie close together in the sky, which has led observers throughout history to view them as brother stars.
During February 2025, look for bright Mars in Gemini. It just reached its peak brightness and remains a prominent red point visible all night long.
In Greek mythology, the constellation represents the immortal Pollux and the mortal Castor, twin sons of Queen Leda of Sparta and two fathers – the human king Tyndareus and the mighty Zeus. When Castor died in a battle, Pollux begged his father Zeus to give Castor immortality. So now they shine together eternally.
Finally, Auriga, the Charioteer, is a popular constellation among stargazers. It hosts the bright star Capella, the sixth-brightest star in the sky. In reality, Capella is a system of four stars located about 40 light-years away. Two of these stars — each roughly 10 times bigger than our Sun — orbit one another at about the same distance Venus orbits our Sun.
Near Capella, you’ll see a pair of stars known as the Kids, often imagined as the baby goats carried by the Charioteer. Auriga has an irregular shape, and the Milky Way passes through it, offering a fantastic view through binoculars.
Auriga isn’t precisely connected to any Greek or Roman myth. The most popular interpretation is that it represents Erichthonius, a legendary Athenian king. Raised by Athena, he learned to tame horses and became the first to harness four in a chariot.
Look to the other side: Circumpolar constellations
Why do we only look at the southern sky for the Northern Hemisphere and the northern sky for the Southern Hemisphere? The thing is, the opposite side of the sky is dominated by constellations that are visible all year round. Their positions shift with the seasons, but they never dip below the horizon. These are known as the circumpolar constellations.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the circumpolar constellations are Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and Draco.
Circumpolar constellations of the Northern Hemisphere are located above the northern horizon.
The February night sky offers eight fantastic constellations for you to explore. You can look for Orion and its two loyal dogs chasing a celestial hare or spot the bright star cluster in Taurus. Not sure where to start? Download the free Sky Tonight app and let it be your night sky guide.
February is also a perfect month to view a number of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. These include the Large Magellanic Cloud, the Hand Cluster, and the Cigar Galaxy. Read our guide to learn more!
Navigating the Winter Hexagon: a Quick Tour Of The Round-Shaped Asterism
In this article, we will explore the Winter Hexagon: the way to find it, the stars that comprise it, its deep-sky objects, and other fascinating features associated with this stellar sight.
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The Winter Hexagon: basic facts
The Winter Hexagon – also known as the Winter Circle, Great Hexagon, and the Winter Football – is a large asterism, not a constellation. The stars in the Winter Hexagon are parts of six different constellations: it includes Rigel from Orion, Aldebaran from Taurus, Capella from Auriga, Pollux from Gemini, Procyon from Canis Minor, and Sirius from Canis Major. The apparent distance between Sirius and Capella – the two opposite vertices of the Hexagon – covers about 1/3 of the sky. The ecliptic also crosses the shape, so the Moon passes through it every month.
When to see the Winter Hexagon?
The Winter Hexagon graces the night sky during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere (summer months in the Southern Hemisphere), typically from December to mid-April. It is best observed during late evening hours, reaching its highest point in the sky around midnight.
How to find the Winter Hexagon?
To trace the Winter Hexagon, follow these easy steps:
Find Rigel: draw a line at a 90° angle from Orion’s Belt and extend it to the south. This line will point to Rigel, the brightest star in the constellation Orion.
Find Aldebaran: draw a line through Orion's Belt stars and stretch it to the north to find Aldebaran in Taurus.
Find Capella: this star, the brightest in the constellation Auriga, is to the north of Aldebaran.
Find Pollux: continue moving counterclockwise to find Pollux in Gemini.
Find Procyon and Sirius: now, complete the circle by moving further in the same direction, and you’ll see Procyon from Canis Minor and Sirius from Canis Major.
Learn how to easily find famous star patterns and constellations in the night sky. Discover interesting facts about each of the constellations.
Orion’s Belt can serve as a waymark to many objects in the night sky.
To check if you identified all the stars correctly, open the Sky Tonight app and go to the search window. Start typing the “Winter Hexagon” in the search bar, and once the corresponding result appears, tap the blue target icon next to it. The app will show you the Winter Hexagon’s location in your sky. Point your device up, and the map on the screen will match your sky.
Winter Hexagon stars
Fun fact: all the stars comprising the Winter Hexagon are the most prominent in their constellations. In the following list, they are sorted by brightness.
Sirius
Other names: Dog Star, α Canis Majoris (α CMa), HD 48915, HR 2491, HIP 32349
Type: star system
Magnitude: -1.4
Name’s meaning: “glowing” (Latin)
Description: Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky. In the constellation Canis Major, it marks the neck of a celestial dog. In fact, it is not a single star but a binary star system composed of Sirius A, the biggest and the brightest of the two stars, and Sirius B, which is known as “the Pup”. To the naked eye, Sirius often appears to be twinkling with red, white, and blue hues when near the horizon, probably due to the atmospheric turbulences.
Capella
Other names: α Aurigae (α Aur), 13 Aurigae, HD 34029, HR 1708, HIP 24608
Type: star system
Magnitude: 0.1
Name’s meaning: “little goat” (Latin)
Description: Capella is the 6th-brightest star in the night sky and the 3rd-brightest in the Northern celestial hemisphere, after Arcturus and Vega. It marks the left shoulder of Auriga the Charioteer. To the naked eye, Capella looks like a single rich-yellow star, but in reality, it is a complex system consisting of four stars. These stars are organized into two pairs: Capella Aa plus Capella Ab (yellow giants), and Capella H plus Capella L (red dwarfs).
Rigel
Other names: β Orionis (β Ori), HR 1713, HIP 24436
Type: blue supergiant
Magnitude: 0.2
Name’s meaning: “left foot or leg” (Arabic)
Description: Rigel is the 7th-brightest star in the night sky. In the constellation Orion, it marks the left leg of Orion the Hunter. It is the most massive component and namesake of a star system, which includes at least four components. To the naked-eye observer, it looks like a single blue-white star.
Procyon
Other names: α Canis Minoris (α CMi), 10 Canis Minoris, HD 61421, HR 2943, HIP 37279
Type: star system
Magnitude: 0.4
Name’s meaning: “before the dog” (Ancient Greek)
Description: Procyon is the 8th-brightest star in the night sky. In the constellation Canis Minor, it is one of the two main stars. Procyon is a binary star system that includes two stars – Procyon A (main-sequence star) and Procyon B (white dwarf). To the naked eye, it appears like a star with a faint yellow hue.
Explore the evolution of stars: from the vastness of stellar nurseries to the death throes of supernovae and the enigmatic allure of black holes.
Aldebaran
Other names: α Tauri (α Tau), 87 Tauri, HD 29139, HR 1457, HIP 21421
Type: giant star
Magnitude: 0.9
Name’s meaning: “the follower” (Arabic)
Description: Aldebaran is the 14th-brightest star in the night sky, known for its red color. In the constellation Taurus, it marks the eye of the Bull. The star appears to be a part of the Hyades star cluster, but in fact, they are about 150 light-years from each other.
What’s bigger: lunar distance, astronomical unit, or light-year? How are these units used? Check out our infographic to find these out!
Pollux
Other names: β Geminorum (β Gem), 78 Geminorum, HD 62509, HIP 37826, HR 2990
Type: giant star
Magnitude: 1.2
Name’s origin: Pollux (Greek myth character)
Description: Pollux is the 17th-brightest star in the night sky. In the constellation Gemini, the star marks the head of Polydeuces (or Pollux in Latin) – one of the twin brothers born from Queen Leda and Zeus. In the night sky, Pollux gives off a yellow-orange glow.
Winter Hexagon deep-sky objects
Since the Winter Hexagon encircles so many constellations, it provides an excellent vantage point for observing deep-sky objects. Here are the targets you can find in the Winter Circle with the naked eye. While they may not appear as detailed or vibrant as when observed with a telescope, they can still be discerned as faint smudges of light.
The Pleiades and Hyades are the two bright deep-sky objects in the constellation Taurus. The Orion Nebula, as you might guess, can be found in the constellation Orion. The Barnard’s Loop takes the form of a large arc centered approximately on the Orion Nebula.
Located within the constellation Taurus, the Pleiades (M45) is a famous open star cluster visible to the naked eye (mag 1.2). It appears as a small group of stars resembling a tiny dipper. By the way, just outside the Winter Circle, you can also find the Hyades – another open star cluster visible to the naked eye (mag 0.5), named after the five half-sisters of the mythical Pleiades (the two space objects, however, are not related).
Orion Nebula
Located in the constellation Orion, the Orion Nebula (M42) is a bright emission nebula that can be seen as a fuzzy patch of light below Orion's Belt. Its visual magnitude is 4.0. It is one of the most famous and easily observable deep-sky objects.
Barnard’s Loop
A large emission nebula surrounding much of Orion's Belt, Barnard's Loop (mag 5.0) is challenging to observe with the naked eye due to its faintness; it’s best seen in long-exposure photographs. However, under dark skies and with averted vision, it may be visible as a subtle arc of nebulosity.
Please note that while these objects can be spotted with the naked eye, they may appear more impressive when observed with binoculars or a telescope. Additionally, find the dark skies away from light pollution to get a better picture.
More features of the Winter Hexagon
Apart from its bright stars and deep-sky objects, the Winter Hexagon offers additional features that add to its allure.
Winter Triangle inside the Winter Circle
In the center of the Winter Triangle lies the small and faint constellation Monoceros.
If you take Sirius and Procyon (which form the bottom left side of the Winter Hexagon) and connect them with Betelgeuse (which lies close to the center of the round-shaped asterism), you’ll get the star pattern known as the Winter Triangle, or the Great Southern Triangle. You might’ve also heard about its summer counterpart, which is visible all year round, despite the name.
The Heavenly G
The Heavenly G includes both Castor and Pollux, as well as Betelgeuse, which is glowing in the middle of the Winter Hexagon.
The Heavenly G asterism features basically the same stars as the Winter Hexagon; Castor and Betelgeuse are the only new elements. To trace the “G” shape in the sky, follow the path of eight bright stars. Start with Aldebaran and go up to Capella in Auriga, then pass through Castor and Pollux in Gemini. Next, continue to Procyon and Sirius in Canis Minor and Canis Major, respectively. From Sirius, go to Rigel, and finally, make the last stop at Betelgeuse in Orion.
Milky Way splashed over the Winter Hexagon
Although the core part of the Milky Way – the Galactic Center – is located in the constellation Sagittarius, the Winter Hexagon also has part of the celestial river running through its center.
As you look upon the Winter Hexagon on a dark and clear moonless night, you may notice a faint band of light arching across the asterism. This is the Milky Way, our home galaxy. If you've ever dreamed of seeing it, get away from the city lights and gaze into the Winter Circle.
The Winter Circle: round-up
The Winter Hexagon is not a constellation, but a group of noticeable stars that happen to form a circular pattern. It spans six constellations and features their brightest stars – Rigel, Aldebaran, Capella, Pollux, Procyon, and Sirius – and, therefore, can be easily traced out in the night sky.
8 Must-See March Constellations & Their Brightest Stars
Are you ready for a challenge? The best constellations in March may not be the easiest to spot, but with a little effort, you can find them all. For extra help, try the free Star Walk 2 app. With just three taps, you can locate any celestial object. Read on to learn which constellations to look for in March, the best times to see them, and more.
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March night sky map
Before you start, look at this map of the night sky for March.
Below is a map of the night sky as seen from mid-northern latitudes in mid-March 2025 at around 9 p.m. local time. The center of the map shows the sky directly overhead, and the circle along the edge is the horizon. The sky looks similar at 10:00 p.m. at the beginning of March and at 8:00 p.m. at the end.
Map of the sky for the Northern Hemisphere as seen around 9 p.m. local time in mid-March 2025.
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, here is a map for mid-southern latitudes in mid-March 2025, also at about 9 p.m. local time. The same details apply.
Map of the sky for the Southern Hemisphere as seen around 9 p.m. local time in mid-March 2025.
March evenings offer a great chance to see constellations that are often overlooked at other times of the year.
Among all the constellations, these 8 are easiest to spot around 9 p.m. local time in March:
Cancer, Canis Minor, Carina, Lynx, Puppis, Pyxis, Vela, and Volans.
Note that some of the constellations listed may not be visible from your location. Later in the article, we'll give the latitudes from which they are visible.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, look above the southern horizon to find these constellations. In the Southern Hemisphere, face north to spot them.
Some constellations are circumpolar, meaning they remain visible above the horizon all year round. In the Northern Hemisphere, circumpolar constellations like Ursa Major and Cassiopeia are always found in the northern sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, constellations such as Centaurus and Crux are permanently visible in the southern sky.
Sometimes, simple directions like "look north" are not clear enough. The free Star Walk 2 app makes it easy. It shows you an interactive sky map for your location and tells you exactly where each constellation is.
(Plus, the app has very cool graphics.)
Now, let’s look at each constellation in more detail. We have rated them with stars:
☆☆☆ means the constellation is very bright and easy to see.
☆☆ means that the constellation is moderately bright and can be seen with some effort.
☆ means you might need the app to help you find it.
Cancer is one of the 12 zodiac constellations. Its name is Latin for "crab," representing the giant crab that attacked Heracles while he fought the many-headed Lernaean Hydra. And yes, in the Star Walk 2 app, it does look more like a giant lobster! There’s no special reason behind it — since constellation shapes aren't officially standardized, we decided to spice things up a bit.
This constellation forms a Y-shaped pattern made of five stars, with Altarf (mag 3.5) as its brightest member. Given its faintness, the best time to observe Cancer is around New Moon — which falls on March 29, 2025.
While Cancer is the dimmest zodiac constellation, it boasts one of the brightest open star clusters in the sky — the Beehive Cluster (M44). It holds around 1,000 stars and appears as a small, hazy patch to the naked eye under dark skies.
Canis Minor is a small but notable constellation in the northern sky. Its Latin name means “the smaller dog” or “lesser dog.” It’s home to Procyon (Alpha Canis Minoris), the 8th-brightest star in the entire sky. Procyon is also one of the six stars forming the well-known Winter Circle asterism.
This "Little Dog" is the companion constellation to Canis Major, the "Greater Dog," which houses Sirius — the brightest star in the sky. Sirius is often called the Dog Star, while Procyon is the Little Dog Star.
Carina is a southern constellation, and the brightest remnant of the legendary Argo Navis, an obsolete constellation representing the mythological ship of Jason and the Argonauts. In the 18th century, the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille split Argo Navis into three constellations: Puppis (the stern), Carina (the keel), and Vela (the sails).
Carina contains Canopus (mag -0.7), the second-brightest star in the sky after Sirius. It is also home to the Eta Carinae Nebula, a vast star-forming region housing one of the most massive stars ever found.
Lynx is a faint northern constellation named not for its shape, but because you need lynx-like eyesight to see it. Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius introduced it in the 17th century to fill the gap between Ursa Major and Auriga.
Its brightest star, Alpha Lyncis (mag 3.1), stands out among its faint zigzagging pattern. The best time to see it is in February and March. Lynx also hosts NGC 2419, the “Intergalactic Wanderer,” a globular cluster so distant it was once thought to drift outside the Milky Way.
Puppis is a southern constellation that was also once part of a much larger constellation, Argo Navis. Puppis is its largest part and the 20th largest in the sky, so you can imagine just how much territory Argo once occupied.
Its brightest star, Naos (mag 2.2), is a scorching blue supergiant over 1,000 light-years away. Puppis also boasts several stunning open star clusters, including M46, M47, and M93, best seen in February and March.
Pyxis is a small, faint southern constellation whose name means "the mariner's compass" in Latin. It is located close to the stars that formed the old constellation Argo Navis.
Its brightest star, Alpha Pyxidis (mag 3.7), is a blue giant about 850 light-years away. The constellation also hosts NGC 2818, one of the very few planetary nebulae in our galaxy located within an open star cluster.
Vela, meaning "the sails" in Latin, is another part of the massive Argo Navis. Its brightest star, Gamma Velorum, is a spectacular Wolf-Rayet star.WR stars are extremely massive and are among the hottest stars in the universe.
Vela also contains the Vela Supernova Remnant, the remains of a star that exploded about 11,000 years ago — one of the closest known supernovae to Earth!
Volans, meaning "the flying fish," is a small but intriguing southern constellation. It was introduced in the 16th-century by Dutch navigators, inspired by real flying fish that leap out of the ocean to escape predators.
Its brightest star, Beta Volantis (mag 3.8), is a yellow giant located about 108 light-years away. The constellation also features NGC 2442, a distorted spiral galaxy shaped by past gravitational interactions.
How to find constellations in the night sky?
You don’t need to be an expert to find even the faintest constellations — just get an astronomy app! One of the best ones is the free Star Walk 2 app. Just launch the app and point your device at the sky — the app will show you an interactive sky map for your location. Star Walk 2 also features 3D models of constellations that allow you to explore how the constellations truly look in space.
If the skies are clear and light pollution is not an issue, you can find some of the most prominent constellations without someone’s help. Check out our infographic “Famous Constellations Everyone Can Find” and try to locate the 7 most prominent constellations by yourself!
Learn how to easily find famous star patterns and constellations in the night sky. Discover interesting facts about each of the constellations.
Constellations visible in March: bottom line
March is a great time to see constellations that are not always easy to spot. With a little effort, you can find them all. To make it even easier, use the free Star Walk 2 app to locate any constellation quickly. Enjoy your stargazing!
March is a special month for deep-sky enthusiasts as it marks the start of galaxy season: from March to May, many of the night sky’s most spectacular galaxies become well-positioned for observation. While galaxies take center stage, several nebulae and bright star clusters are also visible this month. In this article, we’ll explore 14 stunning deep-sky objects you can observe in March, all of which can be easily located using the Sky Tonight astronomy app.
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Galaxies to see in March
Galaxies are immense collections of stars, gas, and dust bound by gravity. A few are visible as faint smudges to the naked eye, while telescopes reveal more structure under dark skies. They often appear as dim, elongated patches, requiring larger apertures or long exposures to resolve details. Astrophotography can capture their stunning spiral arms and core regions, though dark skies and careful tracking are essential.
NGC 2903
NGC 2903 — a barred spiral galaxy that bears a close resemblance to our Milky Way.
How to observe: In 10x50 binoculars, NGC 2903 will appear as a tiny smudge. A four- to six-inch telescope can help you see more details.
Description: NGC 2903 is an isolated barred spiral galaxy discovered by William Herschel in 1784. Some astronomers consider it “the best galaxy that’s not in Messier’s list”.
NGC 2403
NGC 2403 — a spiral galaxy that looks very similar to the famous Triangulum Galaxy.
How to observe: NGC 2403 is bright enough to be seen with large binoculars. A small telescope can help you see the galaxy’s spiral structure.
Description: NGC 2403 is an intermediate spiral galaxy discovered by William Herschel in 1788. Visually, it bears a similarity to the Triangulum Galaxy (M33).
Cigar Galaxy
Cigar Galaxy (M82) — a spiral galaxy with a distinctive cigar-like shape.
How to observe: M82 might be challenging to spot with binoculars, but it’s still possible. It will look like a tiny smudge of light (with a brighter smudge, the M81 galaxy, nearby). It’s better to use an 8-inch telescope to observe the Cigar Galaxy.
Description: M82 is a spiral galaxy discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774. It’s a so-called starburst galaxy that creates stars at a rate tens or even hundreds of times faster than normal galaxies.
Pinwheel Galaxy
Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) — a large spiral galaxy that is about twice the diameter of the Milky Way.
How to observe: Under dark skies, you can easily observe the Pinwheel Galaxy with 10x50 binoculars. Some astronomers even say this galaxy is easier to find with binoculars than with a telescope.
Description: M101 is a spiral galaxy discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781. It is quite a large galaxy (almost two times larger than our Milky Way), which contains around a trillion stars.
Bode’s Galaxy
Bode’s Galaxy (M81) — large and bright spiral galaxy located close to the Milky Way.
How to observe: M81 is bright enough to be seen with a pair of binoculars. A minimum of an 8-inch telescope is required to see the galaxy’s structure.
Description: M81 is a spiral galaxy discovered by Johann Elert Bode in 1774. Because of its large size and relatively high brightness, Bode’s Galaxy became a popular target among amateur astronomers.
Nebulae to see in March
Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust where new stars form. Visually, most of them appear as faint, grayish patches in telescopes. Long-exposure astrophotography reveals their vivid colors and intricate details, making them some of the most spectacular deep-sky targets.
How to observe: With binoculars, only the brightest portions of the nebula might be detectable from an exceptionally dark location, but even then, it is barely visible. A high-quality telescope with a nebula filter is necessary to make out its structure.
Description: The Jellyfish Nebula is a galactic supernova remnant (SNR) first captured by German astronomer Max Wolf in 1892 and then independently discovered by American astronomer Edvard Barnard. It may be the remains of a supernova that occurred around 30,000 years ago.
Owl Nebula
Owl Nebula (M97) — a classic round-shaped planetary nebula with unique “owl’s eyes”.
How to observe: Because of its small size and faint magnitude, the Owl Nebula is extremely difficult to spot with binoculars. You should use at least a three- or four-inch telescope to observe it.
Description: M97 is a planetary nebula discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781. It is known as the Owl Nebula because of its most famous feature — a pair of dark “eyes” that seem to be peering at the observer.
How to observe: The nebula is too faint for handheld optics. A telescope (at least 6–8 inches in aperture) will reveal the nebula’s structure.
Description: The Statue of Liberty Nebula is an emission nebula discovered in 1834 by English astronomer John Herschel. It is part of the larger Carina Nebula complex, one of the most active star-forming regions in the Milky Way.
Rosette Nebula
Rosette Nebula — a vast emission nebula in the constellation Monoceros, shaped like a rose (or a human skull).
Alternative names: NGC 2237, Caldwell 49, The Skull
Apparent size: 1.3°
Apparent magnitude: 9.0
Constellation: Monoceros
Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
How to observe: With binoculars, you can easily spot the star cluster within the nebula. A small telescope under dark skies will reveal a faint, hazy cloud of gas.
Description: The Rosette Nebula is a large emission nebula discovered by English astronomer John Flamsteed. Interestingly, he first observed the open star cluster at its center, NGC 2244, while the surrounding nebula itself was not identified until much later.
Alternative names: IC 2944, Lambda Centauri Nebula, C 100, RCW 62, Ced 118
Apparent size: 40′ × 20′
Apparent magnitude: 4.5
Constellation: Centaurus
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: With binoculars, you may spot the bright open star cluster IC 2948 embedded within the nebula, though the nebula itself remains elusive. A wide-field telescope and nebula filters can enhance contrast, making the glowing gas more visible. Larger telescopes will also reveal Bok globules – small dark patches of dense dust scattered throughout the nebula.
Description: The Running Chicken Nebula is an emission nebula first cataloged by Danish astronomer John Louis Emil Dreyer in 1888.
Star clusters to see in March
Star clusters are groups of stars that share a common origin. Open clusters are bright and easily visible to the naked eye, while globular clusters appear as hazy balls in small telescopes. They are among the best beginner-friendly astrophotography targets, requiring short exposures and being resilient to light pollution.
King Cobra Cluster
King Cobra Cluster (M67) — one of the oldest open clusters in the Milky Way.
Alternative names: M67, NGC 2682, Golden Eye Cluster
Apparent size: 22.8′
Apparent magnitude: 6.1
Constellation: Cancer
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: You can spot M67 with 10x50 binoculars — it will look like an elongated patch of light. Small telescopes will help you see the cluster's brightest stars.
Description: M67 is an open star cluster discovered by Johann Gottfried Koehler in 1779. It contains over 500 stars and is estimated to be between 3.2 and 5 billion years old. Only a few Milky Way star clusters are older than M67.
M46
M46 — an open cluster with a planetary nebula inside (most likely unrelated to the cluster).
How to observe: The Messier 46 cluster is easy to see with binoculars. Near M46, you can also spot another open cluster, M47 (mag 4.4); the two clusters fit well in a binocular field of view. Also, if you have a telescope, you can try to see the planetary nebula NGC 2438 (mag 10.8) within M46!
Description: M46 is an open star cluster discovered by Charles Messier in 1771. The cluster contains about 500 stars and is thought to be 251 million years old.
M48
M48 — a bright open cluster and an easy target for beginner astrophotographers.
How to observe: Under good atmospheric conditions, the M48 cluster is visible to the naked eye. Almost any binoculars will show you several dozen of its stars.
Description: M48 is an open star cluster discovered by Charles Messier in 1771. The cluster contains about 80 stars and is estimated to be around 500 million years old.
The Beehive Cluster
Beehive Cluster (M44) — one of the nearest open clusters to Earth and one of the brightest Messier objects.
How to observe: Under dark skies, the Beehive Cluster is luminous enough to be observed with the unaided eye, appearing as a fuzzy patch of light. However, we recommend using 10x50 binoculars or a small telescope to see the cluster more clearly.
Description: M44 is an open star cluster first observed through a telescope by Galileo Galilei in 1609. The cluster is about 600 million years old and contains around 1,000 stars.
March deep-sky objects: Bottom line
In March, you can see multiple deep-sky objects, including the Owl Nebula, Bode’s Galaxy, and Beehive Cluster. Many of them can be observed through binoculars, and some are visible even to the naked eye. Use the astronomy app Sky Tonight to locate any of these objects in the night sky. If you like deep-sky objects, take our fun quiz, where you'll need to guess a nebula's name by its photo!
Astronomers are weird people and they often name things according to their strange ideas. Let’s see how weird you are – try to guess a nebula’s name from its picture!
Best deep-sky objects by month: year-ahead calendar
Deep-sky wonders aren’t limited to March. Discover what the universe has to offer each month with our guides to deep-sky objects:
Messier marathon: the challenge for deep-sky enthusiasts
March marks the start of the famous Messier Marathon, an exciting challenge where observers around the world attempt to spot all 110 objects in the Messier catalog in a single night. Read our article about this event to learn more about how to participate and maximize your chances of success.
April Night Sky: 8 Constellations & Their Brightest Stars
From famous Ursa Major to giant Hydra, the April night sky offers a star pattern for everyone! In this guide, we’ve picked 8 constellations that are best seen this month. Choose to stick with the brightest, most recognizable ones — or challenge yourself with the harder-to-spot constellations. To make your stargazing easier, use the free Star Walk 2 app and find any constellation in the sky. Let’s get started!
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Constellations best seen in April
To see the constellations listed below, look at the sky at about 9 p.m. local time. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, gaze above the southern horizon. In the Southern Hemisphere, face north. The free astronomy app Star Walk 2 will help you easily locate any constellation or star in your sky.
Note that constellations are listed according to the brightness — from the brightest to the faintest:
☆☆☆ means the constellation is very bright and easy to see.
☆☆ means that the constellation is moderately bright and can be seen with some effort.
☆ means you might need the app to help you find it.
Leo is one of the 12 zodiac constellations. It was first cataloged in the 2nd century by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy, along with the other zodiac constellations. Its name means “Lion” in Latin, and it’s often associated with the Nemean Lion, slain by Heracles during the first of his twelve labors.
Leo is the 12th largest and one of the most prominent constellations in the night sky. It can be seen from nearly anywhere on Earth except Antarctica. It’s easy to spot thanks to its distinctive shape: six naked-eye stars form an asterism called "The Sickle," which looks like a backward question mark. The brightest star in Leo, Regulus, sits at the base of this shape.
Ursa Major is the third-largest constellation in the sky and the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. Its Latin name means "Greater Bear," referring to its smaller neighbor, Ursa Minor — the "Lesser Bear." Ursa Major features the Big Dipper, an asterism made up of seven bright stars and one of the most recognizable star patterns in the Northern Hemisphere.
The constellation was cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. In Greek mythology, it’s linked to Callisto, a nymph transformed into a bear by Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus.
Ursa Major is a favorite among stargazers. In the Northern Hemisphere, it never dips below the horizon, making it visible year-round. It also hosts several notable stars and deep-sky objects, including the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101), Bode’s Galaxy, the Cigar Galaxy, and the Owl Nebula.
Don’t miss your chance to spot the largest of all 88 constellations — Hydra! Often depicted as a water snake, Hydra stretches across the celestial equator. It was also cataloged by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Hydra is so long that the entire “snake” doesn’t fully rise until after midnight.
Even though Hydra is huge, it doesn’t have many bright stars. Its brightest star is orange-colored Alphard — the only star in Hydra easily visible to the naked eye even from light-polluted areas.
Hydra also has some interesting deep-sky objects. One of them is M48, an open star cluster near the edge of the constellation. It’s bright enough to see with the naked eye if the sky is dark and clear — but using binoculars will give you a better view.
Riding on the back of Hydra, there’s a small and faint constellation called Crater. Its name means “the cup” in Latin, and it was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century.
Crater is the 53rd largest constellation and doesn’t have any bright stars. Most of its stars are dimmer than 4th magnitude, which makes them hard to see in cities or other places with lots of light. To spot the Cup in the sky, it’s best to go somewhere with dark, clear skies away from city lights.
Leo Minor is a constellation that’s easy to locate but not easy to see. It sits between two well-known constellations — Ursa Major and Leo — but doesn’t contain any bright stars of its own. It’s also quite small, ranked 64th out of the 88 constellations, which makes its faint, triangular shape tricky to spot in the night sky.
The constellation was named by Johannes Hevelius in the late 1600s, along with several other star patterns that filled previously blank areas of the sky map. In Latin, Leo Minor means “the smaller lion”, created as a counterpart to the larger and more prominent constellation Leo.
Chamaeleon is a small constellation — the 79th largest — and can only be seen from the Southern Hemisphere. Like 11 other southern constellations, it was introduced in the late 1500s by Dutch navigators Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman.
All the stars in Chamaeleon are fairly dim, with none brighter than 4th magnitude. Its four brightest stars form a compact diamond shape, located about 10 degrees from the south celestial pole and roughly 15 degrees south of Acrux, the brightest star in the Southern Cross.
The stars in the constellation Antlia are so faint that the constellation wasn’t created until the 18th century. French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille focused on the previously uncharted, dark regions of the sky. To fill in the gaps between existing constellations, he introduced Antlia along with 13 other constellations. Nicolas named these new constellations after scientific instruments of his time. Antlia was named after the air pump, a device invented in the 1600s.
Antlia ranks as the 62nd largest constellation, but its brightest star is only magnitude 4.2 — barely visible without binoculars. A few stars in Antlia are known to have exoplanets, but they’re too dim to see with the naked eye. The constellation also contains many galaxies, though most are so distant and faint that amateur astronomers would struggle to find them.
Sextans is the 47th largest constellation and represents the sextant — an old astronomical instrument once used to measure star positions. It was also named by astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the 1600s, who was filling in a dim region of the sky between the brighter constellations Leo and Hydra.
The stars in Sextans are very faint, making the constellation appear as a dark, “empty” patch near Leo. While many galaxies are located in Sextans, only one is brighter than the 10th magnitude, so most are too faint to be seen with amateur equipment.
April night sky map
Take a look at the sky map for April evenings to better understand how the constellations will be positioned. The center of the map shows the sky directly overhead, and the circle along the edge is the horizon.
Map of the night sky as seen from mid-northern and mid-southern latitudes in mid-April 2025 at around 9 p.m. local time.
While some constellations rise and hide below the horizon, other constellations never set. They’re called circumpolar — for the Northern Hemisphere, you can see them in the north. The circumpolar constellations of the Southern Hemisphere are located in the south.
Constellations visible in April: bottom line
April is a great time to spot well-known constellations like Ursa Major and Leo, along with fainter but interesting ones such as Hydra and Leo Minor. With the Star Walk 2 app, you can easily find any constellation in your sky at any time. Happy stargazing!
Galaxy Season is in full swing, and we’re excited to share some new deep-sky targets for you to observe and photograph. In April, galaxies take center stage, but we’ve also included a few stunning nebulae and star clusters to round out your skywatching experience. All of these objects are well-positioned this month and easy to locate using the Sky Tonight astronomy app.
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Galaxies visible in April
Galaxies are huge groups of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. You can see a few of them just by looking up at night, but most appear as fuzzy patches. Using binoculars or a telescope helps you see them better. If you want to capture their beautiful spiral shapes and bright centers, you'll need dark skies, a camera, and some patience — but the results are amazing!
Needle Galaxy
Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565) — a giant spiral galaxy that looks thin due to its edge-on orientation.
How to observe: The Needle Galaxy is a challenging object to spot with binoculars. Through a small telescope, it appears as a thin nebulous line with a hint of a central bulge.
Description: NGC 4565 is an edge-on spiral galaxy that lies close to the North Galactic Pole. It is nicknamed the Needle Galaxy because, through a telescope, it looks as thin and sharp as a needle.
Markarian's Chain
Markarian's Chain — a number of galaxies that lie along a curved line when viewed from Earth.
How to observe: The bright members of the Markarian's Chain are visible through small telescopes. Large telescopes are required to view the fainter galaxies.
Description: Markarian's Chain is a stretch of galaxies located in the Virgo Cluster. It was named after the Soviet astrophysicist Benjamin Markarian, who discovered the galaxies' common motion in the early 1960s. The brightest part of the Markarian's Chain consists of nine galaxies, including the giant galaxies M84 and M86, as well as NGC 4435 and NGC 4438, known as Markarian’s Eyes.
Leo Triplet
Leo Triplet — a group of spiral galaxies that are gravitationally interacting with each other.
How to observe: With 10x50 binoculars, you will most likely only be able to see two of the three galaxies in the Triplet — M65 and M66. They will appear as hazy smudges. You may try to spot the third galaxy, NGC 3628, with averted vision, but It won’t be an easy task. To see the whole Leo Triplet in one field of view, you’ll require at least a small 4-inch telescope.
Description: The Leo Triplet consists of three spiral galaxies: M65, M66, and NGC 3628 (also known as the Hamburger Galaxy). When seen from the Earth, the galaxies are tilted at different angles: NGC 3628 appears edge-on, while M65 and M66 are inclined enough to reveal their spiral arms. All three galaxies gravitationally interact with each other.
Whirlpool Galaxy
Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) — a grand-design spiral galaxy accompanied by a dwarf galaxy.
How to observe: In large binoculars, the Whirlpool Galaxy appears as a small nebulous spot. With an amateur telescope, the galaxy’s impressive spiral structure reveals itself.
Description: M51 is a “grand-design” spiral galaxy — in other words, a galaxy with prominent and well-defined spiral arms. The arms serve as “star factories”, compressing hydrogen gas to create new star clusters. Some astronomers believe that the Whirlpool Galaxy's arms are so prominent because of the influence of its companion galaxy, NGC 5195.
Cat's Eye Galaxy
Cat's Eye Galaxy (M94) — a spiral galaxy with two ring structures in its disk.
Alternative names: M94, NGC 4736, Crocodile Eye Galaxy
Apparent size: 11.2′ × 9.1′ (0.4 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 8.2
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
How to observe: On a clear night, the Cat’s Eye Galaxy can be spotted with binoculars — but only as a small patch of light. Even with small telescopes, this object is discernible as a galaxy.
Description: M94 is a spiral galaxy with two ring structures. The galaxy’s inner ring is the site of strong star formation activity. Also, there is very little or no dark matter present in M94, and astronomers still don’t know why.
Sombrero Galaxy
Sombrero Galaxy (M104) — a peculiar galaxy that looks like a broad-brimmed Mexican hat.
How to observe: You can see the Sombrero Galaxy even through small binoculars — it will look like a small oval smudge of light. If you want to get the best view of its hat-like shape, you should use at least a 10- or 12-inch telescope.
Description: The Sombrero Galaxy is a peculiar galaxy of unclear classification, slightly bigger in size than the Milky Way. Its unusually large central bulge and a prominent dust lane in the outer disk attract the attention of both amateur and professional astronomers.
Pinwheel Galaxy
Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) — a large spiral galaxy that is about twice the diameter of the Milky Way.
How to observe: Under dark skies, you can see the Pinwheel Galaxy with 10x50 binoculars. However, because of the galaxy’s low surface brightness, it’s better to use a small telescope for its observation.
Description: M101 is a large spiral galaxy, almost two times larger than our Milky Way. It contains 11 nebulae bright enough to have their own NGC designations — more than any other galaxy.
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83) — one of the brightest barred spiral galaxies in the sky.
How to observe: Under dark skies, the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy is visible with 7x50 or 10x50 binoculars as a patch of light with a bright center. A small telescope will help you see its spiral structure.
Description: M83 is a barred spiral galaxy, one of the closest and brightest in the sky. In the past 100 years, six supernovae were observed in this galaxy, and almost 300 supernova remnants (leftovers from exploded stars) have been found within it.
Nebulae visible in April
Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust where new stars form. Visually, most of them appear as faint, grayish patches in telescopes. Long-exposure astrophotography reveals their vivid colors and intricate details, making them some of the most spectacular deep-sky targets.
Southern Ring Nebula
NGC 3132 is a striking example of a planetary nebula. This expanding cloud of gas, surrounding a dying star, is known to amateur astronomers in the southern hemisphere as the 'Eight-Burst' or the 'Southern Ring' Nebula.
Alternative names: NGC 3132, Caldwell 74, Eight-Burst Nebula
Apparent size: 1′20″ × 43.20″ (0.03 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 10.2
Constellation: Vela
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: The Southern Ring Nebula is best viewed through medium to large amateur telescopes due to its relatively faint magnitude. Under dark skies, it appears as a small, oval-shaped glow with a soft bluish or greenish tint. Higher magnification and aperture will reveal more internal structure.
Description: The Southern Ring Nebula is a planetary nebula discovered in 1835 by English astronomer John Herschel. It gained renewed attention when it was chosen as one of the five celestial targets featured in the James Webb Space Telescope's first official release of science images on July 12, 2022.
Ghost of Jupiter Nebula
Ghost of Jupiter Nebula (NGC 3242) – a planetary nebula named for its shape, which is similar to that of the planet Jupiter.
Alternative names: NGC 3242, Caldwell 59, Eye Nebula
Apparent size: 25.20″ × 37.20″ (0.012 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 8.6
Constellation: Hydra
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: The Ghost of Jupiter Nebula is easily visible through amateur telescopes, where it typically appears bluish-green to most viewers. With larger telescopes, observers can also make out the faint outer halo surrounding the nebula.
Description: The Ghost of Jupiter Nebula is a planetary nebula discovered by William Hershell in 1785. It is a remnant of a dying star: what once was a red giant that shed its outer layers, leaving behind a glowing shell of gas surrounding a hot white dwarf at the core.
Coalsack Nebula
Coalsack Nebula (Caldwell 99) – a dark nebula that stands out as a prominent feature in the southern night sky.
How to observe: The Coalsack Nebula is best observed with binoculars under dark skies in the Southern Hemisphere. You can also try to see it with the naked eye as a prominent dark patch against the rich star fields of the Milky Way near the Southern Cross. Its silhouette is especially striking when viewed from rural or remote areas, far from city lights.
Description: The Coalsack Nebula is a dark nebula – a dense cloud of gas and dust that blocks the light from the stars behind it. The first observation was reported by the Spanish explorer Vicente Yáñez Pinzón in 1499.
Star clusters visible in April
Star clusters are groups of stars that share a common origin. Open clusters look like loose groupings of bright stars; some of them can be seen with the naked eye. Globular clusters appear as hazy balls and require binoculars or a telescope for detailed observation. They are among the best beginner-friendly astrophotography targets, requiring short exposures and being resilient to light pollution.
M3
M3 — a globular cluster and the first Messier object discovered by Charles Messier himself.
How to observe: The M3 cluster is very difficult to see with the naked eye, even with averted vision. However, it's easily visible with 10x50 binoculars.
Description: M3 was the first Messier object to be discovered by Charles Messier himself and is one of the best-studied globular star clusters. The cluster is made up of around 500,000 stars and is estimated to be 11.4 billion years old.
Omega Centauri
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) — largest known globular cluster in our galaxy.
How to observe: To the naked eye, the Omega Centauri star cluster is seen as a hazy “star” (which is why it was included in Ptolemy’s star catalog in 140 AD). With 10x50 binoculars, you will see a lot of stars concentrated in a very small area. With a telescope, you can resolve even more stars.
Description: Omega Centauri is the Milky Way’s largest and most massive globular cluster, estimated to contain 10 million stars. It has been speculated that this cluster is the core of a dwarf galaxy that was disrupted and absorbed by the Milky Way.
Wishing Well Cluster
Wishing Well Cluster (NGC 3532) – an open star cluster resembling a collection of silver coins shimmering at the bottom of a well.
Alternative names: NGC 3532, Caldwell 91, Collinder 238, Melotte 103
Apparent size: 49′59″ (1.5 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 3.0
Constellation: Carina
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: The Wishing Well cluster is easily visible to the naked eye under dark skies and is stunning through binoculars or a small telescope. With its large apparent size and dense population of stars, it's best viewed at low magnification to appreciate the full spread.
Deep-sky object is a term used to describe astronomical objects beyond our Solar System – nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies are the most common types of them. They usually require binoculars or a telescope to observe, though some of them can be faintly seen by the naked eye in the dark night sky.
What is a Messier object?
The best observable deep-sky targets are listed in the Messier catalog. There are 110 Messier objects that include groupings of stars, clouds of gas and dust in our Milky Way, plus galaxies beyond our own that look gorgeous through a telescope. It’s interesting that Charles Messier himself didn’t know he was creating the list of the brightest deep-sky objects. He was a comet hunter and listed all of the objects that shouldn’t be confused with comets. Anyway, curious stargazers now honor Messier and his catalog. There is even a competition called the Messier marathon when astronomers try to find as many Messier objects as possible in one night, testing their observing abilities and the quality of their optics.
Why are some galaxies called NGC?
The other popular reference list is NGC – The New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars. It contains 7,840 objects, so you’ll have the targets to observe for your whole life. The objects of these two catalogs, along with many others, can be found for free in the Sky Tonight app — just write the object’s name in the search field, and you’ll learn its location and get detailed info about it.
What are the most visible deep-sky objects?
If you are an eagle-eyed observer, you can try to find the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Pleiades (M45) even with the naked eye. They are better seen, of course, when the skies aren’t light-polluted. There are more options though, if you take optics.
Explore even more bright deep-sky targets here:
April deep-sky objects: Bottom line
In April, you can observe and photograph some unique-looking galaxies (like the Sombrero Galaxy and the Needle Galaxy), as well as whole groups of galaxies (the Markarian’s Chain and the Leo Triplet). There are a couple of stunning nebulae and bright star clusters, too! Use the astronomy app Sky Tonight to locate deep-sky objects in the night sky. Also, take our fun quiz and try to guess a deep-sky object’s name by its photo!
Astronomers are weird people and they often name things according to their strange ideas. Let’s see how weird you are – try to guess a nebula’s name from its picture!
Best deep-sky objects by month: year-ahead calendar
Deep-sky wonders aren’t limited to April. Discover what the universe has to offer each month with our guides to deep-sky objects:
Formed by three bright stars, the Spring Triangle shines brightly in the sky, offering a perfect opportunity for stargazers to welcome the new season. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced astronomer, using tools like the Sky Tonight app can make it easier to find and track these stars. Read on to discover how to spot this celestial triangle and explore some night sky wonders along the way!
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Spring Triangle: basic facts
Right ascension: 10h09 to 14h17
Declination: +19°06' to -11°15'
Area: 880 sq. deg.
Brightest star: Arcturus
Best visible in: April
The Spring Triangle connects Arcturus from Bootes, Spica from Virgo, and Regulus (or Denebola, for the smaller version) from Leo. The ecliptic crosses this star pattern, so the Moon, the Sun, and the planets frequently visit it.
The Spring Triangle is bigger than its summer counterpart: it’s almost as big across as the Winter Hexagon. Despite its size, it tends to be less well-known.
Is the Spring Triangle a constellation?
No, the Spring Triangle is not a constellation but an asterism – a prominent star pattern that doesn’t belong to the official 88 constellations.
Observing the Spring Triangle
How to find the Spring Triangle?
The Big Dipper is often used to find sky objects and other asterisms.
Start with Arcturus: Arcturus is the brightest star in the Spring Triangle and one of the brightest stars in the sky. To locate it, first find the Big Dipper, an asterism in the constellation Ursa Major. Then, follow the curve of the Big Dipper’s handle. This will guide you directly to Arcturus.
Find Spica: Once you’ve spotted Arcturus, follow a straight line from it to Spica. Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo and is located southeast of Arcturus.
Locate Regulus: The third star in the Spring Triangle is Regulus, located in the constellation Leo. To find it, look westward from Arcturus and Spica. You’ll see the Sickle asterism in Leo, which resembles a backward question mark. Regulus marks the bottom of this shape.
To the east of Regulus, you can spot Denebola, marking the tail of the Lion. While it's not part of the official Spring Triangle, it can be used as an alternative to Regulus in a smaller version of the asterism.
To check if you identified all the stars correctly, open the Sky Tonight app and go to the search window. Start typing “Spring Triangle” in the search bar, and once the corresponding result appears, tap the blue target icon next to it. The app will show you the Spring Triangle’s location in your sky. Point your device up, and the map on the screen will match your sky.
When to see the Spring Triangle?
The Spring Triangle can be found in the sky around the March equinox, making it a harbinger of spring in the Northern Hemisphere – hence its name. It is the easiest to spot in April when it reaches its highest point in the night sky.
Where is the Spring Triangle visible?
It’s visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, but it is especially easy to spot in the Northern Hemisphere during spring months.
Spring Triangle stars
The Spring Triangle is made up of three prominent stars: Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus. Sometimes, Denebola is used instead of Regulus to form a smaller version of the Triangle. In this section, we'll explore the details of each star, including their types, magnitudes, and what makes them stand out in the Spring Triangle. All of them are bright enough to be seen with the naked eye.
Arcturus
Arcturus belongs to the constellation Bootes and marks the head of the celestial Herdsman.
Description: Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Bootes and one of the brightest stars in the night sky. It is a red giant, about 36 light-years away from Earth, and it shines with a reddish-orange hue. Its warm, amber color makes it one of the most recognizable stars in the night sky.
Spica
Spica marks the stalk of wheat held by Demeter, the goddess of agriculture in Greek mythology, which was associated with the constellation Virgo.
Description: Spica is the brightest star in the constellation Virgo and the 15th brightest star in the night sky. It is a binary star system comprising Spica A (a massive blue giant) and Spica B (a blue-white main-sequence star that is much smaller and harder to detect). Spica A emits a bluish-white color, making it appear faintly blue to the naked eye.
Regulus
Regulus belongs to the constellation Leo and marks the heart of the celestial Lion.
Description: Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation Leo. It marks the Lion’s heart and shines with a bluish-white hue. It is actually a multiple-star system, with at least four stars in total. The primary star, Regulus A, is a binary star that consists of the blue main sequence star of the spectral type B8 and a presumed main sequence white dwarf.
Denebola
Denebola belongs to the constellation Leo and marks the tail of the celestial Lion.
Description: Denebola is the second-brightest star in the constellation Leo, which marks the tail of the Lion. It is a main-sequence star, much cooler than our Sun, but still significantly larger. The star emits a pale white color, making it easily distinguishable in the night sky.
Deep-sky objects in the Spring Triangle
The Spring Triangle is a gateway to some notable deep-sky objects. Here, we’ll delve into three remarkable galaxy groups: the Leo Triplet, the Siamese Twins, and the Eyes Galaxies.
Leo Triplet
Each galaxy in the Leo Triplet looks like it belongs to a different type. This is because they are all tilted at different angles from our Earth’s perspective.
The Leo Triplet is a group of three spiral galaxies (M65, M66, and NGC 3628, also called the Hamburger Galaxy) gravitationally interacting with one another. When viewed from Earth, these galaxies are tilted at different angles. NGC 3628 looks like a thin line, while M65 and M66 show their spiral shapes. To view all three galaxies together, you'll need at least a 4-inch telescope. With 10x50 binoculars, you’ll typically be able to spot only M65 and M66, which will appear as faint, blurry patches.
Siamese Twins
The Siamese Twins, also known as the Butterfly Galaxies, are a pair of colliding unbarred spiral galaxies located in the constellation Virgo.
The Siamese Twins refer to two spiral galaxies, NGC 4567 and NGC 4568, that are located close together in the sky and interact gravitationally. These galaxies are in the process of merging with each other. NGC 4567 and NGC 4568 are both located in the constellation Virgo and are around 60 million light-years away from Earth. With binoculars, you might spot the pair as faint, hazy smudges, but the full detail of the galaxies is best seen through a telescope.
Eyes Galaxies
The Eyes Galaxies are a pair of interacting galaxies in the constellation Virgo. The pair are members of the string of galaxies known as Markarian's Chain.
The Eyes Galaxies refer to two spiral galaxies, NGC 4435 and NGC 4438, located close together in the constellation Virgo. NGC 4435 and NGC 4438 are about 50 million light-years away from Earth and are part of the larger Virgo Cluster of galaxies. With binoculars, you can often spot NGC 4435, but NGC 4438 might be too faint to see clearly without a telescope.
These galaxies are often called the “Eyes” because of their appearance – they resemble two bright eyes looking at you from the night sky. Many other deep-sky objects also owe their names to their unusual shape, while with others, the “name-shape” connection might not be that obvious. Can you guess the name of a nebula by its photo? Pass our quiz and see!
Astronomers are weird people and they often name things according to their strange ideas. Let’s see how weird you are – try to guess a nebula’s name from its picture!
Spring Triangle: to sum up
The Spring Triangle is a stellar sight that heralds the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. It consists of the three bright stars – Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus. The Spring Triangle first makes its appearance in the sky around the March equinox and reaches its peak visibility in April. To easily spot this celestial pattern and the deep-sky objects within it, don’t forget to use the Sky Tonight app.
May Night Sky: 7 Constellations & Their Brightest Stars
May brings some interesting constellations into view, as well as their bright stars and stunning deep-sky objects. In this guide, you’ll learn what to look for and when. Use the free Star Walk 2 app to easily find them in your night sky.
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May constellations
The stars and all deep-sky objects stay in a fixed position relative to each other, but their positions in the sky shift overnight.
To see the constellations listed below, start looking at about 10 p.m. local time. Their exact positions in the sky vary depending on where you are and what time you’re looking at them.
To easily locate any star or constellation in your sky, use the free astronomy app Star Walk 2.
Remember, constellations in the west will set first, so if you're planning a long stargazing session, it's best to start with the objects near the western horizon. They’ll disappear from view first as the night goes on.
Also, the lower an object is in the sky, the more the Earth’s atmosphere distorts and dims it. That’s why it’s better to observe stars and deep-sky objects while they’re still high above the horizon, where atmospheric distortion is minimized, providing a clearer and brighter view.
Most of these constellations are visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. For your convenience, we provide the range of latitudes where a constellation can be seen.
Note that constellations are listed according to how prominently they appear in the sky — from the brightest to the faintest:
☆☆☆: a constellation is very bright and easy to see.
☆☆: a constellation is moderately bright and can be seen with some effort.
☆: you might need a pair of binoculars to see a constellation.
Regarding deep-sky objects:
👀 means that an object is visible to the naked eye.
🔭 means that an object is visible via a pair of binoculars or a telescope.
Constellation best seen in May: Star Map
Map of the stars and constellations best seen in May 2025. Made with the help of the Star Walk 2 app.
Crux is the smallest of the 88 constellations, covering just 68 square degrees — but despite its size, it’s one of the most recognizable. Its distinctive cross-shaped asterism makes it easy to spot in the night sky.
Crux holds cultural and mythological significance throughout the Southern Hemisphere. It is especially important in Australia and New Zealand, where it is circumpolar — meaning it never sets below the horizon.
Crux features one of the most fascinating deep-sky objects — the Coalsack Nebula. This dark nebula appears as a prominent black patch against the bright backdrop of the southern Milky Way and is easily visible to the naked eye from dark-sky locations in the Southern Hemisphere.
In ancient times, Crux was considered part of Centaurus. Although its stars were marked on early celestial globes, Crux wasn’t recognized as a separate constellation until 1679, when French astronomer Augustin Royer formally separated Crux from Centaurus.
Best deep-sky objects: M87 🔭 (mag 8.6), the Sombrero Galaxy 🔭 (mag 8.0)
Early Greek astronomers linked this constellation to Demeter, the goddess of wheat, agriculture, and autumn. It was first cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century.
Virgo is one of the 12 zodiac constellations and the second-largest constellation in the sky (after Hydra), covering 1,294 square degrees. It’s also the largest of the zodiac constellations.
Because the ecliptic passes through Virgo, you can often spot its brightest star, Spica, shining close to the Moon. In May 2025, this will happen on May 10, when a nearly full Moon will pass just 0°24′ from Spica, a striking blue-white, 1st-magnitude star near Virgo’s center. A lunar occultation of Spica will also be visible from Oceania and southwestern Chile.
Virgo is home to thousands of galaxies. Among the most notable:
M87, the largest galaxy in the Virgo Cluster — its diameter is at least five times that of the Milky Way.
The Sombrero Galaxy, named for its distinctive shape that resembles a sombrero hat.
Best deep-sky objects: Omega Centauri 👀 (mag 3.7), NGC 3766 👀 (mag 5.3), Centaurus A 🔭 (mag 6.8)
In Greek mythology, Centaurus represents a centaur — a creature that is half-human, half-horse. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy.
Centaurus is the 9th largest constellation in the sky, spanning 1,060 square degrees. However, it’s difficult to see from much of the Northern Hemisphere due to its southern position.
Centaurus stands out for its large number of stars visible to the naked eye — it has 281 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5, more than any other constellation. It also hosts two remarkable deep-sky objects:
Omega Centauri, the brightest globular cluster seen from Earth and the largest known in the Milky Way.
Centaurus A, one of the brightest galaxies in the night sky.
The constellation’s two brightest stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri, serve as helpful “pointer stars” for locating the nearby Crux constellation.
Corvus is a small constellation, covering 184 square degrees. Its four main stars — Delta, Gamma, Epsilon, and Beta Corvi — form a distinct quadrilateral asterism known as “Spica’s Spanker” or “the Sail.” Though the individual stars aren't especially bright, they stand out in a relatively dim region of the sky, making the shape easy to recognize. Gamma and Delta Corvi also serve as pointer stars to help locate Spica, the brightest star in Virgo.
While Corvus doesn’t have many bright stars or deep-sky objects, it is notable for hosting the Antennae Galaxies — a spectacular pair of interacting galaxies. These galaxies likely give us an idea of what the future collision between the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy may look like.
Best deep-sky objects: NGC 4833 🔭 (mag 7.8), Spiral Planetary Nebula 🔭 (mag 8.2)
Latin for “the fly, Musca is one of the few constellations that actually resembles its namesake. It was created in the 16th century by Petrus Plancius and is one of 12 constellations he introduced.
Musca ranks as the 77th largest constellation, covering 138 square degrees. Located near Crux, it’s visible year-round from the Southern Hemisphere and lies against the rich backdrop of the Milky Way.
The constellation contains several fairly bright stars, including Alpha Muscae, the brightest, at magnitude 2.7 and Beta Muscae, just over one degree away, with a magnitude of 3.05.
Although Musca contains no Messier objects, it does host a couple of notable deep-sky sights:
The Spiral Planetary Nebula, which resembles the letter S when viewed through a telescope.
NGC 4833, a globular cluster filled with some of the oldest stars in the Milky Way.
Canes Venatici represents the hunting dogs of Boötes, the Herdsman. While ancient astronomer Ptolemy originally included its stars in Ursa Major, it was officially recognized as a separate constellation in 1687 by Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius.
Canes Venatici is a faint constellation that ranks 38th in size, spanning 465 square degrees. While its stars are not especially bright — Cor Caroli, the brightest, shines at magnitude 2.8 — Canes Venatici is home to several fascinating objects. Among them is La Superba (Y Canum Venaticorum), one of the reddest stars visible to the naked eye. Its deep color stands out through binoculars.
The constellation also hosts the famous Whirlpool Galaxy, a face-on spiral galaxy and the first to reveal its spiral structure to observers on Earth. It is beautiful when seen through telescopes and appears dramatic in photographs. And although you can’t see it, one of the most massive known black holes TON 618 — with a mass of 66 billion Suns — also lies in this constellation. So next time you look at Canes Venatici, remember something extreme is lurking in that quiet area of the sky.
Best deep-sky objects: Coma Star Cluster 👀 (mag 1.8), M53 🔭 (mag 7.6)
The Coma Berenices represents the hair of Queen Berenice, the queen of Egypt, who, according to legend, sacrificed her long hair as an offering to the gods. The constellation has been recognized since the Hellenistic period and is the only modern constellation named after a historical figure.
The stars in Coma Berenices aren’t very bright, so you’ll need a dark sky to see them clearly. But the constellation is not hard to find — it lies between Leo, Ursa Major, and Virgo. Covering 386 square degrees, it ranks as the 42nd largest constellation and is rich in interesting deep-sky objects.
One of the best is the Coma Star Cluster, which can look like a faint sparkle in the sky. Its stars form a soft “V” shape when the constellation is rising. If you can’t see it with your eyes, try using binoculars. The cluster is quite large in the sky — about ten times the width of the Full Moon.
Coma Berenices is also the radiant point of a small meteor shower called the Coma Berenicids, which peaks around December 16. The meteors are very fast, zooming through the sky at up to 65 kilometers per second (40 mi/s).
Bonus: Great Diamond asterism
The brightest star in the Great Diamond asterism is Arcturus with an apparent magnitude of -0.05. It is the fourth brightest star in the night sky.
The Great Diamond, also known as the Diamond of Virgo, is a large asterism that can be seen in the evening sky during May from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It’s made up of four bright stars:
Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum), the brightest star in Canes Venatici
Denebola (Beta Leonis), the second-brightest star in Leo
Spica (Alpha Virginis), the brightest star in Virgo
Arcturus (Alpha Boötis), the brightest star in Boötes
The Great Diamond covers a large area of the sky — it’s even bigger than the Big Dipper. Its three stars (Spica, Denebola, and Arcturus) also form a smaller asterism called the Spring Triangle.
Constellations to see during other months
Best constellations from past months
Most constellations are visible for longer than one month. Just because May is the best month for Virgo, it doesn’t mean that it will disappear in June. Most of the nicest objects of one season could be found in the western sky even three months later.
May is a spectacular time for stargazing, with bright constellations visible from both hemispheres. Use this guide and the Star Walk 2 app to make the most of your night sky experience!
May marks the last month of the galaxy season in the Northern Hemisphere — a period when constellations that contain numerous galaxies (such as Virgo, Canes Venatici, and Coma Berenices) are high in the sky. That’s why we’ll focus mostly on galaxies in this article. However, we’ve also included some stunning bright nebulae and star clusters for Southern Hemisphere observers! Wherever you are, you can easily locate any object in the list using the Sky Tonight astronomy app. Let’s get started!
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Galaxies visible in May
Galaxies are huge groups of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. They can be challenging to see and photograph, especially the more distant ones.
Spindle Galaxy
Spindle Galaxy (M102) — a lenticular galaxy that is seen edge-on from Earth.
How to observe: The Spindle Galaxy’s small size and edge-on orientation make it challenging to see even through small telescopes. So, use a large telescope for its observation.
Description: NGC 5866 is a lenticular galaxy, which is an intermediate type between an elliptical and a spiral galaxy. One of the most intriguing features of NGC 5866 is the extended dust disk, which is very rare for lenticular galaxies. Some scientists even think that NGC 5866 is a spiral galaxy that was misclassified due to its edge-on orientation.
St. Catherine's Wheel Galaxy
St. Catherine's Wheel Galaxy (M99) — a slightly asymmetric spiral galaxy.
Alternative names: M99, NGC 4254, Coma Pinwheel Galaxy
Apparent size: 5.4′ × 4.7′ (0.1 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 9.9
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
How to observe: M99 can be seen in small telescopes but will only appear as a dim patch of light with a brighter center. If you want to see the galaxy's spiral structure, use a large telescope.
Description: M99 is a grand-design spiral galaxy located in the Virgo Cluster. It is slightly asymmetric in shape, probably due to interactions with other galaxies. M99 is one of the brighter spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster and is oriented so that its spiral structure is fully visible. This makes it a popular target for both professional and amateur astronomers.
Mirror Galaxy
Mirror Galaxy (M100) — one of the brightest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster.
Alternative names: M100, NGC 4321, Blowdryer Galaxy
Apparent size: 7.4′ × 6.3′ (0.2 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 9.3
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
How to observe: You can spot M100 with 20x80 binoculars or small telescopes — it will appear as a faint, hazy patch of light. Medium-sized telescopes will show you the galaxy’s bright core. Description: M100 is a vivid example of an intermediate grand-design spiral galaxy. It is one of the brightest and largest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, characterized by strong star formation activity.
Whale Galaxy
Whale Galaxy (NGC 4631) — a barred spiral galaxy with a slightly distorted shape.
How to observe: You can try to spot the Whale Galaxy through large binoculars, but it’s better to use a telescope. A medium-sized one will allow you to see the intricate structure of the galaxy, including its central bulge, spiral arms, and the many bright star clusters scattered throughout it.
Description: NGC 4631 is a barred spiral galaxy. It received the nickname “Whale Galaxy” due to its wedge-like shape. The galaxy is approximately the same size as our own Milky Way Galaxy.
Sunflower Galaxy
Sunflower Galaxy (M63) — a spiral galaxy without well-defined arms.
How to observe: It is possible to spot the Sunflower galaxy with binoculars — it will appear as a small, hazy patch of light. A small telescope will reveal it to be a galaxy, but its structure will not be visible.
Description: M63 is a so-called flocculent galaxy — a spiral galaxy without well-defined arms. In 1971, a supernova with a magnitude of 11.8 was observed in one of the galaxy’s arms.
Black Eye Galaxy
Black Eye Galaxy (M64) — a spiral galaxy with a distinctive dark band of dust.
Alternative names: M64, NGC 4826, Sleeping Beauty Galaxy, Evil Eye Galaxy
Apparent size: 10.7′ × 5.1′ (0.3 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 8.5
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
How to observe: You can see the Black Eye Galaxy with 10x50 binoculars or a small telescope — it will appear as a faint, elongated glow. Use a large telescope to see the galaxy's signature dark lane of dust.
Description: M64 is a spiral galaxy. It received its nickname due to a dark band of dust surrounding its bright nucleus. It’s a popular object among amateur astronomers.
M106
M106 — a spiral galaxy roughly as large and bright as the Milky Way.
How to observe: M106 is bright enough to be spotted with 10x50 binoculars as a faint patch of light. Through small telescopes, you will see the galaxy’s brighter center, while large telescopes will reveal its spiral structure.
Description: M106 is an intermediate spiral galaxy. It is one of the largest and brightest nearby galaxies, similar in size and luminosity to the Andromeda Galaxy.
Cat's Eye Galaxy
Cat's Eye Galaxy (M94) — a spiral galaxy with two ring structures in its disk.
Alternative names: M94, NGC 4736, Crocodile Eye Galaxy
Apparent size: 11.2′ × 9.1′ (0.4 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 8.2
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
How to observe: Under exceptionally dark and clear skies, the Cat’s Eye Galaxy is visible through binoculars as a small, dim patch of light. Telescopes will help you see the galaxy’s brighter center and hints of its spiral structure.
Description: M94 is a barred spiral galaxy. It is the brightest member of the M94 group of galaxies in the constellation Canes Venatici, which contains about 20 galaxies. Another Messier object in the group is M64, also known as the Black Eye Galaxy (number 5 on our list).
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83) — one of the brightest barred spiral galaxies in the sky.
How to observe: In areas away from light pollution, you can see the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy through 10x50 binoculars — it will look like a fuzzy patch with a bright center. If you want to see the galaxy’s spiral arms, use a telescope.
Description: M83 is a barred spiral galaxy. It is one of the nearest and most luminous galaxies observable from Earth. Over the last century, six supernovae have been observed in M83 — only a handful of galaxies can boast that many supernovae.
Nebulae visible in May
Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust where stars are born or remnants of dead stars. They can be difficult to see without a telescope, but bright nebulae are visible with binoculars in dark skies. Some very special nebulae can be seen with the naked eye, but they are rare.
NGC 5882
NGC 5882 – a very small and round planetary nebula.
How to observe: NGC 5882 is best observed with a telescope. The nebula can appear blue-green to most observers. The most visible part measures approximately 7 inches across. To get a good view of its circular shell, you'll need an 11-inch telescope at high magnification (250x or more).
Description: NGC 5882 is a planetary nebula discovered by English astronomer John Herschel in 1834.
Iris Nebula
Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) — a blue-colored reflection nebula with a flower-like shape.
How to observe: Despite its relatively low magnitude, the Iris Nebula is invisible to the naked eye or binoculars. It is best seen in dark skies with a moderate to large telescope. The nebula’s distinct blue color is visible under high magnification
Description: The Iris Nebula is a reflection nebula discovered by astronomer William Herschel in 1794. It is illuminated by a magnitude 7.4 star designated HD 200775.
Carina Nebula
Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) — one of the largest diffuse nebulae in our skies.
Alternative names: NGC 3372, Caldwell 92, Eta Carinae Nebula, Great Carina Nebula
Apparent size: 120′ × 120′ (4 x Moon)
Apparent magnitude: 1.0
Constellation: Carina
Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
How to observe: The Carina Nebula is so big and bright that you can see it with the naked eye — it will look like a fuzzy patch. Still, we advise using binoculars — the nebula will look much more impressive.
Description: NGC 3372 is one of the largest nebulae in the sky — four times larger than the Orion Nebula! Near the heart of the nebula lies Eta Carinae — a system of at least two stars, the largest of which is around 100 times as massive as the Sun. Stars of this size are extremely rare!
Star clusters visible in May
Star clusters are groups of stars that are bound together by gravity. They are excellent targets for both amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, as their beauty and structure are easily visible and captureable.
M80
M80 – one of the densest globular clusters in the Milky Way.
How to observe: M80 is a small but relatively bright globular cluster that can be seen with binoculars or a small telescope. M80's dense core makes it one of the most visible and striking globular clusters in the sky.
Description: M80 is a globular cluster discovered by Charles Messier in 1781. It became one of his first discoveries.
M5
M5 – one of the largest and oldest globular clusters in the Milky Way.
How to observe: M5 stands out because it is noticeably elliptical, which is an unusual feature for a globular cluster. The brightest stars in the cluster are around 12th magnitude. M5 is easily visible through binoculars, but a small to medium-sized telescope (approximately 4 inches or larger) will provide a better view.
Description: M5 is a globular cluster discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1702. William Herschel was the first to resolve individual stars in the cluster in 1791, counting roughly 200. Almost 300 years later, the Hubble Space Telescope captured M5 with visible and infrared cameras. The image features over 100,000 stars.
How to observe: M4 is one of the easiest clusters to see: you can find it near the bright star Antares. It can be seen with binoculars, but a small to medium-sized telescope (approximately 4 inches or larger) will provide a clearer view.
Description: M4 is a globular cluster discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. It was the first globular cluster ever to be resolved.
Deep-sky objects: F.A.Q.
What is a deep-sky object?
Deep-sky objects (DSOs) refer to astronomical objects located outside our Solar System. These include galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and other objects that are not part of the Milky Way's stellar system. Unlike stars that appear as points of light, deep-sky objects have more complex structures and can range in size from small and faint to large and bright.
What does the letter M mean?
The letter M refers to the Messier Catalogue, compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. Messier cataloged 110 deep-sky objects (e.g., M4, M5, M80, and M106). As an avid comet hunter, Messier tasked himself with cataloging objects that could be mistaken for comets, so the list primarily includes bright and relatively easy-to-find objects.
What do the letters NGC mean?
NGC stands for the New General Catalogue, a list of deep-sky objects compiled by John Louis Emil Dreyer in 1888. It includes galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and other objects (7,840 in total) visible in the night sky. Each object in the NGC is assigned a unique number (e.g., NGC 7023 – Iris Nebula).
What are the most visible deep-sky objects in May?
In May, some of the brightest deep-sky objects include the Carina Nebula, a massive nebula visible to the naked eye with a magnitude of 1.0. The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, with a magnitude of 7.6, is a striking spiral galaxy that is best viewed through a telescope. M80, a dense globular cluster with an apparent magnitude of 7.8, is an easy target for binoculars.
Explore even more bright deep-sky targets here:
May deep-sky objects: Bottom line
Let’s celebrate the end of galaxy season by observing beautiful galaxies, like the Black Eye Galaxy and the Sunflower Galaxy. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, definitely try to see the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy and Carina Nebula — the latter is visible even with the naked eye! Use the Sky Tonight app to find any deep-sky object from our list in the sky. Also, take our readers’ favorite quiz called “Guess the Nebula”!
Astronomers are weird people and they often name things according to their strange ideas. Let’s see how weird you are – try to guess a nebula’s name from its picture!
Best deep-sky objects by month: year-ahead calendar
Deep-sky wonders aren’t limited to May. Discover what the universe has to offer each month with our guides to deep-sky objects:
Bright Stars & Constellations In the October Night Sky
The October night sky is full of wonders, and we'll help you discover the best of them with this handy stargazing guide! While we’ll focus only on some of the brightest stars and constellations, don’t forget – there’s so much more to discover every night. Use the Visible Tonight feature (the one with the telescope icon) in the Sky Tonight app to see exactly what’s above you, including stars, planets, and even deep-sky objects. Now, let’s dive into what stars and constellations you can spot in both hemispheres this October.
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October constellations
In the northern October sky, you’ll find the constellations Aquarius, Grus, Lacerta, Octans, Pegasus, and Piscis Austrinus. And, of course, circumpolar constellations like Ursa Major and Cassiopeia are always visible – they never sink below the horizon.
Down in the Southern Hemisphere, Aquarius, Piscis Austrinus, Grus, and Octans light up the sky. The southern circumpolar constellations such as Crux and Carina are also in sight.
As well as the constellations that are visible all year round, you can see the autumn constellations in the Northern Hemisphere and the spring constellations in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pegasus is one of the most recognizable constellations this month, thanks to its prominent asterism: the Great Square of Pegasus. Formed by four bright stars – Scheat, Markab, Algenib, and Alpheratz – it looks like a large, tilted square. This square is about 16° across (or about one and a half fists' width if held at arm's length). Pegasus lies just north of the celestial equator, which is why this constellation, together with the Great Square, is visible from almost every part of the world. The only place where it never rises is Antarctica.
The Great Pegasus Square is a large square formed by four bright stars that mark the body of Pegasus.
Just south of Pegasus lies Aquarius, where you can spot a distinctive star pattern known as the Water Jar. This Y-shaped asterism is made up of Eta, Zeta, Pi, and Gamma Aquarii.
The Water Jar is part of the constellation Aquarius and represents the jar of the celestial water bearer, pouring water into a stream of more than 20 stars, ending with Fomalhaut.
Be sure to spot the famous Teapot asterism in Sagittarius. The stars Kaus Media, Kaus Australis, Ascella, and Phi Sagittarii create the pot's body, while Kaus Borealis marks the lid. The tip of the spout is represented by Alnasl, and the handle is formed by Nunki and Tau Sagittarii. Under a dark sky, you might even see the Milky Way's “steam” rising from the spout.
As you look at the Teapot asterism in the constellation Sagittarius, you are gazing toward the center of our Milky Way galaxy, home to the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*.
Though summer in the Northern Hemisphere is fading, you can still catch a glimpse of the Summer Triangle at sunset. It’s formed by Vega in Lyra, Deneb in Cygnus, and Altair in Aquila. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Summer Triangle is harder to see and appears upside down.
The Summer Triangle is a prominent star pattern formed by three bright stars: Vega, Deneb, and Altair. It's best seen during summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but can also be seen in September and October.
This October, be sure to search for Fomalhaut, a white star located only 25 light-years from Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, it's known as the “Autumn Star” because it's only visible there in autumn. It’s the 18th brightest star in the sky with a magnitude of 1.16 and the only bright star in the constellation Piscis Austrinus. Fomalhaut is actually part of a triple star system, though its companions are too faint to see with the naked eye.
Arcturus
Constellation: Boötes
Where to see: both hemispheres
Arcturus, in the constellation Boötes, is a bright orange-red giant star, easily spotted in the northwest sky during October evenings. It is the 4th brightest star in the entire sky and is visible in both hemispheres.
How well do you know bright stars and where they are located? Test your knowledge with our star identification quiz!
Do you know where Polaris and Sirius are located? Test your astronomy knowledge with this quiz! Name all the stars correctly and win a prize!
Capella
Constellation: Auriga
Where to see: both hemispheres
You can find Capella rising in the early evening. It is part of the constellation Auriga and is the 6th brightest star in the night sky.
Aldebaran
Constellation: Taurus
Where to see: both hemispheres
In October, you can also see the red-giant star Aldebaran, the 14th brightest star in the sky, marking the eye of Taurus. Fun fact: in one of the indigenous languages of Mexico, the lunar month corresponding to October is called “Queeto yaao,” or “Aldebaran’s path.”
Sirius
Constellation: Canis Major
Where to see: both hemispheres
If you're up before dawn, you might be able to see Sirius blinking near the horizon. It is the brightest star in the sky. It sparkles particularly brightly in October, when it hangs low in the sky.
Learn the brightest stars, their constellations, distance from the Earth, and best time to see! Check out this infographic.
How to find these stars in the October night sky?
Finding the stars doesn't have to be complicated! You can do it the old-fashioned way by star-hopping, or make it easier by using an astronomy app like Star Walk 2 or Sky Tonight. Just type in the name of the star and the app will guide you to it – or point your device at the sky to identify objects in real time!
Explore the night sky effortlessly with the free astronomy apps Star Walk 2 and Sky Tonight.
Don’t miss out on the beauty of the October night sky! From Sirius twinkling at dawn to Fomalhaut glowing as the northern “Autumn Star,” there’s plenty to enjoy this month. Use the Star Walk 2 or Sky Tonight apps to guide your stargazing and explore even more celestial beauty with our article on October celestial events. Keep your eyes on the skies!
What Constellations Are Visible in November 2024: The Month of Water
As November arrives, a number of constellations belonging to the "Water" region of the sky appear at their best. From sea creatures to celestial rivers, you can easily spot them with the free Star Walk 2 app. In this guide, we'll show you some of the most fascinating November constellations.
Contents
What is a constellation, and how does it differ from an asterism?
Constellations are groups of stars that appear to form a pattern when viewed from the Earth.
Asterisms are bright star patterns that are usually easily recognizable but are not officially registered as constellations.
The easiest way to make sure you're looking at the right constellation is to use Star Walk 2. Just point your device at the sky, and the app's sky map will adjust to match the stars in your exact location. It's that easy!
Locate any constellation in the sky with the help of Star Walk 2.
If you’d like to challenge yourself and learn to locate constellations without the app, check out our infographic. It will help you find constellations using familiar star patterns as guides.
Learn how to easily find famous star patterns and constellations in the night sky. Discover interesting facts about each of the constellations.
Andromeda is associated with water through mythology — the constellation is named after the Ethiopian princess whom the hero Perseus saved from being sacrificed to the sea monster Cetus.
In November, Andromeda rises highest in the sky during the late evening hours, which is convenient for observations. Its brightest star, Alpheratz, marks the head of Andromeda and is also part of the Great Square of Pegasus asterism.
The most notable object within the borders of Andromeda is the Andromeda Galaxy. It is the closest galaxy to our Milky Way and can even be seen with the naked eye in a dark sky.
Brightest deep-sky object: Great Pegasus Cluster (M15) (mag 6.3)
Well-known asterism: Great Square of Pegasus
In Greek mythology, Pegasus is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea, who is also the deity of horses. Because of this unique lineage, Pegasus can be seen as both a flying horse and a seahorse!
In the Southern Hemisphere, Pegasus, the Winged Horse, flies upright, while in the Northern Hemisphere, it appears upside down. The distinctive Great Square that forms its body is the easiest to spot. From the corner of the Great Square, formed by the star Markab, you can trace the neck and head of Pegasus, ending at the star Enif, which marks its nose.
The constellation Cetus was named after the sea monster sent by the god Neptune to devour Andromeda. Cetus was turned to stone when Perseus showed it the head of the gorgon Medusa.
Cetus is the fourth-largest constellation in the sky and one of the oldest. In myths, it is depicted as various creatures, including a sea monster and a whale. Cetus is visible from most locations on Earth, except for the far northern latitudes. In November, it reaches its highest point in the sky.
In Greek mythology, the two fish symbolize the goddess Aphrodite and her son Eros. They are said to have turned into fish to escape the monster Typhon, who was sent by Gaia to defeat them.
The constellation Pisces is best seen in the Northern Hemisphere but can also be spotted in the Southern Hemisphere down to 65°S. The most vivid part of the constellation is the Circlet — a rough oval of 7 stars representing the head of the western fish.
In Babylonian mythology, Aquarius was linked to the god Ea and was often associated with the destructive floods that the Babylonians frequently faced. The ancient Egyptians saw it as representing the god of the Nile. In Greek mythology, Aquarius was identified with Ganymede, a Trojan youth whom Zeus took to Olympus to be the cupbearer for the gods.
Aquarius is high overhead in the November sky. This constellation is associated with the Eta-Aquarids, a strong meteor shower that peaks in early May. The meteors of the Eta Aquariids appear to originate from a point in Aquarius. The most recognizable feature of Aquarius is the Y-shaped asterism called the Water Jar.
More challenging constellations
These constellations may be trickier to find because they contain fewer bright stars, but they're still fun to observe. We recommend using the stargazing app Star Walk 2 to help you explore these challenging November "water" constellations.
Piscis Austrinus (The Southern Fish)
Best seen: Southern Hemisphere
Brightest star: Fomalhaut (mag 1.2)
Brightest deep-sky object: NGC 7176 (mag 12)
In Greek mythology, Piscis Austrinus was called the Great Fish and was depicted drinking the water poured by Aquarius. The two fish of the constellation Pisces were believed to be its offspring.
Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish, is best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere but can also be partially seen in the Northern Hemisphere during fall. Although the constellation is small and quite faint, it has one bright jewel — the star Fomalhaut. This blue star, with a magnitude of 1.16, marks the mouth of the fish.
In Greek mythology, Eridanus (or Eridanos) refers to both a legendary river in Northern Europe and the god connected to it. The Eridanus constellation is also associated with the Nile River in Egypt and the Po River in Italy.
Eridanus rises high in the November evening sky for observers in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, it stays lower on the horizon, but parts of this celestial river can still be spotted at northern latitudes. Eridanus represents a river that starts near the constellation Orion and flows up to its brightest star, blue-white Achernar, at the border with Hydrus.
In Greek mythology, the constellation Delphinus represented a dolphin that helped Poseidon find the mermaid Amphitrite, whom he wanted to marry. In gratitude, Poseidon placed the dolphin among the stars.
Although Delphinus is small and doesn't have any particularly bright stars, it is relatively easy to spot. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can be found near the Summer Triangle asterism, positioned along the side formed by Altair and Deneb. In the Southern Hemisphere, Delphinus appears lower in the northern sky.
Capricornus (The Sea Goat)
Best seen: Southern Hemisphere
Brightest star: Deneb Algedi
The constellation Capricornus is depicted as a hybrid creature, part goat and part fish. In Greek mythology, it's sometimes associated with Pan, the god with goat's horns and legs who escaped the monster Typhon by transforming his lower half into a fish's tail and diving into a river.
The constellation Capricornus, the Sea Goat, is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere but can also be spotted lower on the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere during fall. Capricornus is a faint constellation, with only the star Deneb Algedi shining brighter than magnitude 3. To find it, you'll need a dark, clear sky.
Water constellations in the November sky: bottom line
November brings out the water-themed constellations in the night sky! From Pisces in the north to the Southern Fish, Piscis Austrinus, there's plenty for stargazers to enjoy. To make finding these "Water" constellations easier, let the Star Walk 2 app guide you through the celestial sea. Happy stargazing!
Best Winter Constellations: Northern Hemisphere
Seasonal constellations are groups of stars that are best visible in the night sky during specific seasons. In this guide, we have selected the best constellations to watch during summer, autumn, winter, and spring for those observing from the Northern Hemisphere. To learn about the seasonal constellations in the Southern Hemisphere, read our dedicated article.
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Why are different constellations visible during different seasons?
The stars are always up in the sky, but we can only see them at night because the sunlight blocks us from observing them during the day. Without the Sun shining, the winter constellations would be visible in the summer daytime sky (and vice versa).
As the Earth moves along the orbit throughout the year, the position of the Sun on the celestial sphere changes. The location of the Sun in the winter sky is opposite to that in the summer sky. Therefore, on winter nights, we see constellations that are not visible in summer. For example, the Summer Triangle is high above the horizon in summer, while Orion, with his Belt outlined by three stars, can be observed in winter. They are visible from dusk to dawn in their season and stay high above the horizon.
How to find constellations in the sky?
The easiest way to locate a constellation is to use stargazing apps, such as Star Walk and Sky Tonight. For example, the latter has a user-friendly search system, so you can simply type the name of the constellation you want to find into the search box and tap the blue target icon opposite the corresponding result. The app will take you to the main screen and show you the constellation's location on a night sky map. Try tapping the big blue button with the compass icon, or just point your device up, and you will see where the constellation is in the real sky above you.
Some constellations have prominent features that make them easy to find. For example, you can locate Orion by the Orion’s Belt asterism and Canis Major by its brightest star, Sirius (check our quick guide on spotting this and 14 other bright stars in the sky). We’ve compiled the top 7 easiest-to-find constellations in our infographic. With our hints, you will quickly identify them in the sky.
Learn how to identify the most famous stars: Polaris, Sirius, Arcturus, and many others. Familiarize yourself with the night sky using this infographic!
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the best time to observe three of the most well-known constellations – Orion, Canis Major, and Taurus.
Orion
Orion is one of the most recognizable and prominent constellations in the sky, with its distinctive Orion’s Belt asterism making it easy to locate. Besides the three stars forming the Belt (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka), naked-eye observers can also spot Rigel, Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, and Saif – the brightest stars in the constellation that mark out Orion’s body. The constellation also contains many curious deep-sky objects in the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The Orion Nebula (M42) is bright enough to be observed with the unaided eye. The Horsehead Nebula (IC 434), De Mairan’s Nebula (M43), the M78 reflection nebula, and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) can be found with the use of a telescope.
The constellation Orion. It is associated with the hunter Orion. Besides the famous Orion’s Belt, the constellation also features such asterisms as Orion’s Shield, Orion’s Sword, and Orion's Club.
Canis Major is an outstanding constellation because it contains Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. One of the notable deep-sky objects in the constellation is the Little Beehive Cluster (M41), which is visible even with the unaided eye, given the dark sky with no light pollution. The interesting telescope targets are Thor’s Helmet Nebula (NGC 2359) and the two colliding spiral galaxies – NGC 2207 and IC 2163.
The constellation Canis Major. It represents Lealaps, Orion’s hunting dog. It had the magic ability to hunt down any prey.
The V-shaped asterism, dominated by the bright red star Aldebaran, which marks the Bull’s eye, makes Taurus a beautiful and easily identifiable constellation. Taurus holds the famous Pleiades (M45) and Hyades (C 41) star clusters, which are one of the brightest deep-sky objects: they can be spotted even with the naked eye. With the help of a telescope, you can find the Crab Nebula (M1).
The constellation Taurus. It is one of the oldest known constellations. As far back as 15,000 BC, drawings on the walls in the caves of Lascaux depicted Taurus along with the Pleiades star cluster.
The spring sky in the Northern Hemisphere offers a stunning display of celestial wonders, including the zodiac constellations Leo and Virgo, as well as iconic Ursa Major.
Leo
The constellation Leo can be identified by the distinctive "sickle"-shaped star pattern representing the head and shoulders of the Lion. It is formed by the six bright stars: Regulus (the most prominent star in the constellation), η Leonis, Algieba, Adhafera, Rasalas, and Ras Elased Australis. Observers equipped with optical devices will find a bunch of Messier objects (M65, M66, M95, M96, M105) and galaxies (NGC 3370, NGC 3628) within the constellation.
The constellation Leo. In Greek mythology, it was associated with the Nemean Lion. Mortal’s weapons could not damage his fur, so the hero Heracles had to strangle the beast with his bare hands.
Virgo is the second-largest constellation in the sky known for its bright star Spica. It is also notable for being home to many Messier objects, including the Radio Galaxy Virgo A (M87) and the Sombrero Galaxy (M104), which make a good target for a telescope. To get a complete list, open Sky Tonight, find the constellation Virgo, and tap on its name. In the “Info” tab, tap the “+More” button under the picture. You’ll see the list of objects related to the constellation Virgo. Tap on the blue target icon opposite the object to see its position in the sky.
The constellation Virgo. It was associated with Demetra, the goddess of agriculture, or Astrea, the goddess of justice, holding the scales (represented by the constellation Libra) in her hand.
Ursa Major is circumpolar, which means it is visible all year round, but in spring, it climbs the highest in the sky. The Big Dipper is an outstanding feature of the constellation and one of the most recognizable asterisms: you can easily spot it with the naked eye. It is formed by the stars Benetnash (Alkaid), Mizar-Alcor, Alioth, Megrez, Dubhe, Merak, and Phad (Phecda). Ursa Major contains many well-known deep-sky objects. The Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82) can be seen close together through binoculars. The Owl Nebula (M97) and the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) are visible through a telescope.
The constellation Ursa Major. The Big Dipper is often seen as a bear or a hunter pursuing a bear across the sky. Such myths are common in the folklore of cultures around the world, including the Greeks, Romans, Native Americans, and Hindus.
In the Northern Hemisphere, summer is the best time to observe Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila. Their brightest stars – Deneb, Vega, and Altair – make up the Summer Triangle asterism.
Cygnus
The distinctive shape of Cygnus makes it a beautiful and easily recognizable constellation. Naked-eye observers can find the Northern Cross asterism, which marks the swan’s body: Deneb and Albireo are for the tail and head, Fawaris and Aljanah are for the wings, and Sadr shines at the center. You can see Cygnus “flying” over the Milky Way in a dark location. There are also notable deep-sky objects visible through binoculars or a telescope: the North America Nebula (NGC 7000), Veil Nebula (NGC 6960), Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888), and Blinking Planetary (NGC 6826), as well as two Messier objects – M29 and M39 star clusters.
The constellation Cygnus. In Greek mythology, it has been identified with several different legendary swans, as well as with the Stymphalian birds.
The constellation Lyra is the home of the star Vega, the fifth-brightest star in the sky and the third-brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere. Optical devices will reveal the two Messier objects in Lyra: M56 globular cluster and the Ring Nebula (M57).
The constellation Lyra. In ancient Greece, it was associated with the magical lyre of Orpheus, the legendary musician. It was also said to be the first lyre ever made.
The constellation Aquila is placed on the celestial equator. Altair, its main star, is one of the brightest stars in the sky and one of the closest naked-eye stars to the Earth (it lies 17 light-years from us). The star is easily visible in the summer sky. At the tip of the Eagle’s tail, observers with telescopes can find NGC 6751, also known as the Glowing Eye Nebula.
What’s bigger: lunar distance, astronomical unit, or light-year? How are these units used? Check out our infographic to find these out!
The constellation Aquila. According to Greek mythology, it represents the eagle that carried Zeus’ thunderbolts.
The autumn sky over the Northern Hemisphere is dominated by the Greek myth characters: Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pegasus.
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia is known for its "W"-shaped asterism that is formed by the five brightest stars in the constellation: Segin, Ruchbah, Tsih, Schedar, and Caph, all visible to the naked eye. The constellation also contains a wide variety of deep-sky objects. Binoculars will resolve star clusters (M52, M103, NGC 457, NGC 663). Through a telescope, you can see several galaxies (NGC 147, NGC 185, NGC 278) and the Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) – a cloud of space gas named after the character of the eponymous game.
Learn how to easily find famous star patterns and constellations in the night sky. Discover interesting facts about each of the constellations.
The constellation Cassiopeia. It is associated with the queen Cassiopeia, who angered the sea god Poseidon by her boasting and was forced to sacrifice her daughter Andromeda to a sea monster Cetus.
Astronomers often name nebulae after objects or characters they think the nebula resembles. But sometimes, the connection between the nebula’s shape and its name is not obvious. Can you guess the nebula’s name by its photo? Pass our quiz and check!
Astronomers are weird people and they often name things according to their strange ideas. Let’s see how weird you are – try to guess a nebula’s name from its picture!
Pegasus
Pegasus is one of the largest constellations (the 7th out of 88). It is easily recognized by the Great Square of Pegasus asterism in which only three stars – Scheat, Markab, and Algenib – belong to the constellation Pegasus (Alpheratz is a part of the constellation Andromeda). The stars are visible to the naked eye. The best binocular target in the constellation is M15 or the Pegasus Cluster.
Those looking for a more challenging object should try to find the NGC 7814 galaxy. To find the tricky object in the sky, type the galaxy’s name in the Sky Tonight’s search box and tap on the blue target icon. The app will show its location in the night sky, so you can easily point your telescope at it.
The constellation Pegasus. It is depicted as a front part of a winged horse. According to Greek mythology, Pegasus was born from Medusa’s blood when the hero Perseus cut off her head.
Andromeda is located between Cassiopeia and Pegasus. Its brightest star, Alpheratz, marks the upper-left corner of the Great Square asterism that mostly lies in the constellation Pegasus. Andromeda is also known for being home to the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), which is visible to the naked eye in dark skies and is the closest galaxy to our own Milky Way. The other galaxies you can find within the constellation with the help of a telescope are M32, M110, NGC 404, and NGC 891.
The constellation Andromeda. It represents the princess Andromeda chained to a rock and left to be eaten by a sea monster Cetus (don’t worry, the hero Perseus came to save the day and even married Andromeda).
Seasonal constellations are groups of stars that are best visible in the night sky during specific seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila can be observed in summer. Cassiopeia, Pegasus, and Andromeda are best seen in autumn. Orion, Canis Major, and Taurus rule the winter sky. Leo, Virgo, and Ursa Major shine the brightest in spring. Each of these constellations holds good targets for both amateur and seasoned astronomers.
Learn how to easily find famous star patterns and constellations in the night sky. Discover interesting facts about each of the constellations.
Explore the evolution of stars: from the vastness of stellar nurseries to the death throes of supernovae and the enigmatic allure of black holes.
What’s bigger: lunar distance, astronomical unit, or light-year? How are these units used? Check out our infographic to find these out!
Astronomers are weird people and they often name things according to their strange ideas. Let’s see how weird you are – try to guess a nebula’s name from its picture!
Do you know where Polaris and Sirius are located? Test your astronomy knowledge with this quiz! Name all the stars correctly and win a prize!
Learn the brightest stars, their constellations, distance from the Earth, and best time to see! Check out this infographic.
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