Barnard’s Star (Gliese 699) is a red dwarf located only 5.96 light-years away in the constellation Ophiuchus. It is the fourth nearest individual star to Earth, after the three components of the Alpha Centauri system.| Star Facts
Scheat, Beta Pegasi (β Peg) is a red giant star located at a distance of 196 light years from Earth in the constellation Pegasus. It is one of the stars of the Great Square of Pegasus.| Star Facts
The Great Square of Pegasus is an asterism formed by three bright stars in Pegasus constellation – Markab, Scheat and Algenib – and Alpheratz in Andromeda.| www.constellation-guide.com
Alnitak, Zeta Orionis (ζ Ori), is a triple star system located at a distance of 1,260 light years. It forms Orion's Belt with Alnilam and Mintaka.| Star Facts
The Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) is an emission nebula located 1,350 light years away in the constellation Orion. It is illuminated by the supergiant Alnitak, the easternmost star of Orion's Belt.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Coalsack Nebula is one of the best known dark nebulae in the sky, located in the constellation Crux.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Coathanger is an asterism located in the northern constellation Vulpecula (the Fox). With an apparent magnitude of 3.6 and an apparent size of 60 arcminutes, it is visible to the unaided eye.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Leo Triplet, or the M66 Group, is a group of interacting spiral galaxies located in the northern constellation Leo. The group consists of the galaxies Messier 65, Messier 66 and NGC 3628, also known as the Hamburger Galaxy. The Leo Triplet lies at an approximate distance of 35 million light years from Earth. The… Read More »Leo Triplet| Messier Objects
Learn about the 88 modern constellations, their names, history, how to identify them, why we see different constellations at different times of year, and other fun facts.| www.constellation-guide.com
Piscis Austrinus is a small constellation in the southern sky. It represents the Southern Fish. It is home to Fomalhaut, one of the brightest stars in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Denebola, Beta Leonis (β Leo), is a white main sequence star located at a distance of 35.9 light years from Earth in the constellation Leo. It marks the Lion's tail.| Star Facts
Acrux, Alpha Crucis (α Cru), is a multiple star system located at a distance of 320 ly from Earth in the constellation Crux. It is the brightest star of the Southern Cross.| Star Facts
Draco is one of the largest northern constellations. It represents the dragon Ladon in Greek mythology. The constellation is home to the Cat's Eye Nebula (NGC 6543), the Spindle Galaxy (M102), and the Tadpole Galaxy (Arp 188).| www.constellation-guide.com
Cygnus, the Swan, is one of the largest northern constellations. Recognizable for the Northern Cross, it is home to the bright supergiant Deneb, the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) and the Gamma Cygni Nebula (IC 1318).| www.constellation-guide.com
Enif, Epsilon Pegasi (ε Peg) is an orange supergiant star located at distance of 690 light years from Earth in the constellation Pegasus.| Star Facts
Messier 80 (M80) is a globular cluster located in the southern constellation Scorpius. The cluster has an apparent magnitude of 7.87 and lies at a distance of 32,600 light years from Earth. It has the designation NGC 6093 in the New General Catalogue. Messier 80 has an apparent diameter of 10 arc minutes, corresponding to… Read More »Messier 80| Messier Objects
Messier 6 (M6), also known as the Butterfly Cluster, is a bright open cluster located in the southern constellation Scorpius. It lies in the direction of the galactic centre, at an approximate distance of 1,600 light years from Earth. Messier 6 was named the Butterfly Cluster by the American astronomer Robert Burnham, who described it… Read More »Messier 6: Butterfly Cluster| Messier Objects
Messier 4 (M4) is a bright globular cluster located in the southern constellation Scorpius. It lies at an approximate distance of 7,200 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 5.9. The cluster has the designation NGC 6121 in the New General Catalogue. M4 was discovered by the Swiss astronomer and mathematician Jean-Philippe Loys… Read More »Messier 4| Messier Objects
The Lobster Nebula (War and Peace Nebula, NGC 6357) is a large emission nebula located approximately 5,900 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. It hosts some of the most massive stars in the Milky Way galaxy| www.constellation-guide.com
The Cat's Paw Nebula, also known as the Bear Claw Nebula, is an emission nebula in Scorpius. The nebula is about 50 light years across and lies at an approximate distance of 5,500 light years from Earth.| www.constellation-guide.com
Hercules is one of the largest constellations in the sky. Representing the mythical Greek hero, the constellation is home to the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13), the globular cluster Messier 92, and the Hercules Cluster of galaxies.| www.constellation-guide.com
Boötes (the Herdsman or Plowman) is a large northern constellation dominated by a kite-shaped asterism. The constellation is home to Arcturus, the brightest northern star, and the contrasting double star Izar.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Jewel Box Cluster, also known as the Kappa Crucis Cluster or NGC 4755, is a bright open star cluster located in the constellation Crux. The cluster appears near the Southern Cross.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Northern Jewel Box Cluster is a bright open cluster located approximately 5,600 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. It appears in the region of the False Comet asterism and is visible to the unaided eye.| www.constellation-guide.com
Mimosa, Beta Crucis (β Cru), is a multiple star system located at a distance of 280 ly in the constellation Crux. It is one of the stars of the Southern Cross.| Star Facts
Gacrux, Gamma Crucis (γ Cru), is a red giant star located at a distance of 88.6 ly in the constellation Crux. It is one of the stars that form the Southern Cross.| Star Facts
Pegasus is a large constellation in the northern sky. Recognizable for the Great Square of Pegasus, the constellation represents the winged horse in Greek mythology.| www.constellation-guide.com
Kappa Scorpii (κ Sco) is a spectroscopic binary star system located 480 light-years away in the zodiac constellation Scorpius. Traditionally known as Girtab, it appears in the Scorpion’s tail.| Star Facts
Aspidiske, Iota Carinae (ι Car) is a white supergiant star located 690 light years away in the southern constellation Carina. It is one of the four bright stars that form the False Cross.| Star Facts
Alsephina, Delta Velorum Aa (δ Vel Aa), is the primary component in a triple star system located 80.6 ly away in the constellation Vela. It is one of the four stars that form the False Cross.| Star Facts
Messier 1 (M1), also known as the Crab Nebula, Taurus A, or NGC 1952, is an expanding supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula. It is located in the northern constellation Taurus, the Bull. The Crab Nebula has an apparent magnitude of 8.4 and can be seen with binoculars in good viewing conditions. Messier 1 is… Read More »Messier 1: Crab Nebula| Messier Objects
The False Cross is an asterism formed by four bright stars in the constellations Vela and Carina. Located in the far southern sky, the diamond-shaped pattern is often confused for the brighter Southern Cross.| www.constellation-guide.com
Carina is a constellation in the southern sky. It represents the keel of the ship Argo. It is home to Canopus, the second brightest star in the sky, and Eta Carinae, a massive star illuminating the Carina Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Muphrid, Eta Boötis (η Boo) is a yellow subgiant star located 37.2 light-years away in the constellation Boötes (the Herdsman). It forms the Kite with Arcturus and other bright stars of Boötes.| Star Facts
Larawag (ε Sco) is an orange giant star located 63.7 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. It is one of the bright Scorpius stars that form the Fish Hook.| Star Facts
The Horsehead Nebula (B33) is a dark nebula located 1,375 light-years away in the constellation Orion. It is part of one of the nearest massive stellar nurseries to the Sun. It appears in the region of Orion's Belt.| www.constellation-guide.com
Cassiopeia is a prominent constellation in the northern sky. Recognizable for its W shape, the constellation is home to the Heart Nebula, the Soul Nebula, the Pacman Nebula, and the open clusters Messier 52 and Messier 103.| www.constellation-guide.com
Leo is one of the largest constellations in the northern sky. It is home to Regulus, one of the brightest stars in the sky, the nearby red dwarf Wolf 359, and the Leo Triplet of galaxies.| www.constellation-guide.com
Vela is a constellation in the southern sky. It represents the sails of Argo Navis, the mythical ship of Jason and the Argonauts. The constellation contains the Vela Supernova Remnant, the Eight-Burst Nebula, and the Omicron Velorum Cluster| www.constellation-guide.com
Avior, Epsilon Carinae (ε Car), is a double star located at a distance of 610 light years from Earth in the southern constellation Carina.| Star Facts
Markeb, Kappa Velorum (κ Vel), is a spectroscopic binary star located 570 light years away in the constellation Vela. It is one of the four bright stars that form the False Cross.| Star Facts
Rigel (β Ori) is a blue-whlue-white supergiant star located 848 light-years away in the constellation Orion. It is the most luminous star within 1,000 ly of Earth.| Star Facts
Phact, Alpha Columbae (α Col), is a hot blue B-type star located 261 light-years away in the constellation Columba (the Dove). It is part of a large asterism known as the Egyptian X.| Star Facts
Orion's Sword is one of three major asterisms in the constellation Orion, along with Orion's Belt and Orion's Shield. It is formed by three multiple star systems -- 42 Orionis, Theta Orionis, and Iota Orionis -- and the bright, large Orion Nebula (Messier 42).| www.constellation-guide.com
Canis Major is a constellation in the southern sky. It represents the bigger dog following Orion, the Hunter. The constellation is home to Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy.| www.constellation-guide.com
Nihal (β Lep) is a yellow bright giant star located 160 light-years away in the constellation Lepus. With an apparent magnitude of 2.84, it is the second brightest star in Lepus, after Arneb| Star Facts
Hatysa (ι Ori) is the primary component in a multiple star system located 1,340 light-years away in the constellation Orion. It forms Orion’s Sword with 42 Orionis, Theta Orionis, and the Orion Nebula (M42).| Star Facts
Arneb (α Lep) is an F-type supergiant star located 2,200 light-years away in the constellation Lepus (the Hare). With an apparent magnitude of 2.589, the supernova candidate is the constellation's brightest star.| Star Facts
Bellatrix, Gamma Orionis (γ Ori), is a main sequence star located at a distance of 250 ly in Orion constellation. Also known as the Amazon Star, it marks Orion's left shoulder.| Star Facts
Betelgeuse, Alpha Orionis (α Ori), is a red supergiant star and supernova candidate located 548 light-years away in the constellation Orion. Marking the Hunter's shoulder, it is one of the most recognizable stars in the night sky.| Star Facts
Diphda, Beta Ceti (β Cet), is a giant star located at a distance of 96.3 light years from Earth in the constellation Cetus. Also known as Deneb Kaitos, it marks the tail of Cetus, the Whale.| Star Facts
The Christmas Tree Cluster is a young open cluster located in the constellation Monoceros. It is part of the star-forming region NGC 2264, which also contains the Cone Nebula and the Fox Fur Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Segin (ε Cas) is a blue-white star located at a distance of 410 light years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is the leftmost star of Cassiopeia's W.| Star Facts
Gamma Cassiopeiae (γ Cas) is a spectroscopic binary star located at a distance of 550 light years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is the central star of Cassiopeia's W.| Star Facts
Messier 103 (M103) is an open star cluster located in the northern constellation Cassiopeia. The cluster lies at a distance of 10,000 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 7.4. Its designation in the New General Catalogue is NGC 581. M103 occupies an area 6 arc minutes in apparent size, corresponding to… Read More »Messier 103| Messier Objects
Messier 52 (M52, NGC 7654) is a bright open cluster located in the constellation Cassiopeia. With an apparent magnitude of 6.9, it can be seen in binoculars and small telescopes. The cluster lies 4,600 light years away.| Messier Objects
Virgo is the second largest constellation in the sky. It is home to the Sombrero Galaxy (M104), the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, and Spica, one of the brightest stars in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Ruchbah, Delta Cassiopeiae (δ Cas) is an eclipsing binary star system located at a distance of 99.4 light years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is the bottom left star of Cassiopeia's W.| Star Facts
The W-shaped asterism formed by the five brightest stars of Cassiopeia is one of the most familiar features of the northern night sky. It is used to find the Heart and Soul Nebulae, the Double Cluster, the open clusters M52 and M103, and many other deep sky objects.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Teapot is an asterism formed by the brightest stars of the constellation Sagittarius. It can be used to find many of the bright clusters and nebulae located in Sagittarius.| www.constellation-guide.com
Carina Nebula (NGC 3372, Caldwell 92) is a large region of bright and dark nebulosity located 8,500 light-years in the constellation Carina. It hosts Eta Carinae, one of the most massive and luminous stars known.| www.constellation-guide.com
Messier 42 (M42), the famous Orion Nebula, is an emission-reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion, the Hunter. With an apparent magnitude of 4.0, the Orion Nebula is one of the brightest nebulae in the sky and is visible to the naked eye. It lies at a distance of 1,344 light years from Earth and… Read More »Messier 42: Orion Nebula| Messier Objects
Perseus is a large constellation located in the northern sky. Associated with the story of Perseus in Greek mythology, the constellation hosts the radiant of the Perseid meteor shower.| www.constellation-guide.com
Polaris (α UMi), the North Star, is a yellow supergiant located 446 light-years away in the constellation Ursa Minor. The star is part of the Little Dipp| Star Facts
Dubhe, Alpha Ursae Majoris (α UMa) is a spectroscopic binary star in Ursa Major constellation. It is part of the Big Dipper and known as one of the Pointer Stars.| Star Facts
Sagittarius is a large constellation in the southern sky. It is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It contains the Milky Way centre and some of the best known nebulae in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Elnath, Beta Tauri (β Tau), is a blue-white giant star located at a distance of 134 ly from Earth in the constellation Taurus. It was once also known as Gamma Aurigae.| Star Facts
The Southern Cross is a bright, diamond-shaped asterism located in the far southern sky. Formed by the brightest stars of the constellation Crux, the asterism is commonly used to find the south celestial pole.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Winter Triangle, or the Great Southern Triangle, is an asterism formed by the bright stars Betelgeuse in Orion, Procyon in Canis Minor and Sirius in Canis Major constellation.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Winter Hexagon, or the Winter Circle, is a prominent asterism formed by the bright stars Rigel, Aldebaran, Capella, Castor and Pollux, Procyon and Sirius.| www.constellation-guide.com
Regulus, Alpha Leonis (α Leo), is a multiple star system located at a distance of 79.3 ly from Earth in the constellation Leo. It marks the heart of the celestial Lion.| Star Facts
Pollux, Beta Geminorum (β Gem), is an orange giant star located at a distance of 33.78 ly in the constellation Gemini. It is 43 times more luminous than the Sun.| Star Facts
Spica, Alpha Virginis (α Vir), is a blue-white spectroscopic binary star located at a distance of 250 light years from Earth in the constellation Virgo.| Star Facts
Aldebaran, Alpha Tauri (α Tau), is an orange giant star located at a distance of 65.3 ly from Earth in the constellation Taurus. It marks the eye of the Bull.| Star Facts
Phecda, Gamma Ursae Majoris (γ UMa), is the 6th brightest star in the Big Dipper and in the constellation Ursa Major. It lies at a distance of 83.2 ly from Earth.| Star Facts
Merak, Beta Ursae Majoris (β UMa) is a subgiant star in the constellation Ursa Major. It is one of the Pointer Stars and one of the stars of the Big Dipper.| Star Facts
Alpha Centauri (α Cen) is a triple star system located at a distance of 4.37 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It is the nearest star system to the Sun and hosts the nearest extrasolar planets to Earth.| Star Facts
The list of the 300 brightest stars in the night sky, along with the stars' Bayer designations, apparent magnitudes, distances, and spectral types.| Star Facts
Scorpius is a zodiac constellation located in the southern sky. It is home to Antares, one of the brightest stars in the sky, and to the bright open clusters Messier 6 (the Butterfly Cluster) and Messier 7 (Ptolemy's Cluster).| www.constellation-guide.com
Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, is a large constellation near the celestial equator. Representing the healer Asclepius in Greek mythology, the constellation is visible from both hemispheres.| www.constellation-guide.com
Caph, Beta Cassiopeiae (β Cas) is a white giant star located at a distance of 54.7 light years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is the rightmost star of Cassiopeia's W.| Star Facts
Schedar, Alpha Cassiopeiae (α Cas) is an orange giant star located at a distance of 228 light years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is the bottom right star of Cassiopeia’s W.| Star Facts
Alderamin, Alpha Cephei (α Cep), is a white main sequence star located at a distance of 49.05 light years from Earth in the constellation Cepheus.| Star Facts
Kaus Australis, Epsilon Sagittarii (ε Sgr), is a binary star located at a distance of 143 light years in the constellation Sagittarius. It is the constellation's brightest star.| Star Facts
Kaus Media, Delta Sagittarii (δ Sgr) is an orange giant star located at a distance of 348 light years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius.| Star Facts
Messier 44 (M44), also known as the Beehive Cluster or Praesepe (the Manger), is an open star cluster in the constellation Cancer. Praesepe is a bright, large cluster with an apparent magnitude of 3.7. It lies at a distance of 577 light years from Earth. It has the designation NGC 2632 in the New General… Read More »Messier 44: Beehive Cluster| Messier Objects
Messier 27 (M27), also known as the Dumbbell Nebula, Diabolo Nebula or Apple Core Nebula, is a planetary nebula in Vulpecula. The Dumbbell Nebula is large in size and quite bright, which makes it a popular object among amateur astronomers. It can be seen in binoculars and small telescopes. The nebula covers an area of… Read More »Messier 27: Dumbbell Nebula| Messier Objects
Antares, Alpha Scorpii (α Sco) is a red supergiant and supernova candidate located at a distance of 550 ly from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. It is the brightest star in Scorpius and one of the brightest stars in the sky.| Star Facts
Proxima Centauri, Alpha Centauri C (α Cen C), is a red dwarf star located at a distance of 4.244 light years from Earth in the constellation Centaurus. It is the nearest star to the Sun and hosts the two nearest planets, Proxima b and Proxima c.| Star Facts
Aquila, the Eagle, is a prominent northern constellation located near the celestial equator. It contains the bright Altair and the planetary nebulae NGC 6741 (the Phantom Streak Nebula) and NGC 6751 (the Glowing Eye Nebula).| www.constellation-guide.com
The Summer Triangle is a northern summer asterism formed by the brightest stars in the constellations Lyra, Aquila and Cygnus. It can be used to find some of the best-known nebulae in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Capricornus is a faint constellation in the southern sky. It represents the goat. The constellation is home to the multiple star system Delta Capricorni (Deneb Algedi) and the bright globular cluster Messier 30.| www.constellation-guide.com
Vega (Alpha Lyrae) is a fast-spinning white main sequence star located 25.04 light-years away in the constellation Lyra. Shining at magnitude 0.026, it is the fifth brightest star in the sky. It forms the Summer Triangle with Altair and Deneb.| Star Facts
Algenib, Gamma Pegasi (γ Peg), is a blue-white subgiant star located at a distance of 390 ly from Earth in the constellation Pegasus. It is one of the stars of the Great Square of Pegasus.| Star Facts
Alpheratz, Alpha Andromedae (α And), is a spectroscopic binary star located 97 ly away in Andromeda constellation. It marks the head of the mythical princess.| Star Facts
Messier 31 (M31), better known as the Andromeda Galaxy, is a large spiral galaxy located in the constellation Andromeda. Lying at a distance of 2.54 million light years from Earth, the Andromeda Galaxy is the nearest major galaxy to our own. It is on a collision course with our home galaxy, the Milky Way. Messier… Read More »Messier 31: Andromeda Galaxy| Messier Objects
The Virgo Cluster is the closest large cluster of galaxies to the Milky Way. With over a thousand known members, the cluster spans an area of the sky about 5 by 3 degrees in size. While some of the most prominent members can be seen in smaller instruments, a 6-inch telescope will reveal about 160… Read More »Virgo Cluster| Messier Objects
Altair, Alpha Aquilae (α Aql), is a white main sequence star located 16.73 ly from Earth in the constellation Aquila. It forms the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.| Star Facts
Deneb (α Cyg) is a blue-white supergiant located 2,615 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. The luminous star forms the Summer Triangle with Vega and Altair.| Star Facts
The Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8, NGC 6523) is a large emission nebula located 4,100 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. With an apparent magnitude of 4.6 and an apparent size of 90 by 40 arcminutes, it is the brightest and largest nebula in this region of the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com