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
Hydra is the largest constellation in the sky. Located in the southern celestial hemisphere, the constellation contains the open cluster Messier 48, the Porpoise Galaxy (NGC 2936), and the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83).| www.constellation-guide.com
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
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
Ara is a small constellation in the southern sky. It represents the altar. It contains the open clusters NGC 6193 and the Ara Cluster, the planetary nebula known as the Stingray Nebula, and the pre-planetary Water Lily Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Lupus (the Wolf) is a southern constellation located between Scorpius and Centaurus. It hosts the historic supernova remnant SN 1006, the globular clusters NGC 5824 and NGC 5986, and the Retina Nebula (IC 4406).| www.constellation-guide.com
Crux is the smallest and most distinctive constellation in the southern sky. Recognizable for the Southern Cross, formed by its brightest stars, it is home to the dark Coalsack Nebula and the Jewel Box Cluster (NGC 4755).| www.constellation-guide.com
Kornephoros, Beta Herculis (β Her), is a luminous yellow giant located 139 light years away in the constellation Hercules. Shining at magnitude 2.81, it is the brightest star in the constellation.| Star Facts
The Turtle Nebula (NGC 6210) is a planetary nebula located approximately 5,400 light-years away in the northern constellation Hercules. It has an apparent magnitude of 9.30.| 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
Centaurus is a large constellation located in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is home to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to Earth, the bright galaxy Centaurus A, and the globular cluster Omega Centauri.| www.constellation-guide.com
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
Lyra is a small constellation in the northern sky. It represents the lyre of Orpheus. The constellation is home to Vega, the second brightest northern star, and the Ring Nebula (M57), a famous planetary nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Vulpecula is a faint constellation in the northern sky. It represents the little fox. The constellation is home to the red giant Anser, the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), and as asterism known as the Coathanger.| www.constellation-guide.com
The list of all the named stars (stars with names that have been formally approved by the IAU), with name origins and etymologies explained.| Star Facts
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
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
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
Charles Messier’s Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters (Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d’Étoiles) is an astronomical catalogue of 110 bright deep sky objects that may be mistaken for comets. Even though it was compiled for the purpose of helping observers distinguish between permanent and transient objects in the night sky, the Messier catalogue… Read More »Messier Catalogue| Messier Objects