Equatorial constellations are the 15 constellations that intersect the celestial equator. These are among the most universally recognizable constellations in the sky, visible from most places on Earth. They culminate highest when seen from locations near the equator.| www.constellation-guide.com
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
Delphinus is one of the smallest northern constellations. Recognizable for its distinctive quadrilateral shape, the constellation is home to the Blue Flash Nebula (NGC 6905) and the globular clusters NGC 6934 and NGC 7006.| 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
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
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
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
Aquarius is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Representing the Water Bearer, the constellation is home to the yellow supergiants Sadalsuud and Sadalmelik and the famous Helix Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Asterisms are defined as patterns formed by stars of one or more constellations. These star patterns are commonly recognized by observers across the world and once served as a basis for the modern 88 constellations.| 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
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
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
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
The nearest stars to the Sun include some of the brightest stars in the sky, but the majority of the 100 nearest stars are faint red dwarfs, like our nearest neighbour Proxima Centauri.| Star Facts
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
Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is the largest constellation in the northern sky. It is home to the Big Dipper asterism, formed by its seven brightest stars, and to many well-known deep sky objects.| 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
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
Messier 97 (M97), also known as the Owl Nebula, is a famous planetary nebula located in Ursa Major constellation. The nebula lies at a distance of 2,030 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 9.9. It has the designation NGC 3587 in the New General Catalogue. Messier 97 occupies an area 3.4… Read More »Messier 97: Owl Nebula| 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