The Keystone is a trapezoid-shaped asterism formed by four relatively bright stars in the constellation Hercules: Pi, Eta, Zeta and Epsilon Herculis. It outlines the torso of Hercules.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Dolphin Galaxy is a pair of colliding disk galaxies located approximately 401 million light years away in the northern constellation Draco. With an apparent magnitude of 14.3, the interacting galaxies are a challenging target for amateur telescopes. They are listed as NGC 6670 in the New General Catalogue. The interacting galaxy pair was nicknamed… Read More »Dolphin Galaxy (NGC 6670)| Constellation Guide
The Footprint Nebula (Minkowski’s Footprint) is a bipolar protoplanetary nebula located approximately 8,000 light-years away in the northern constellation of Cygnus. It has an apparent magnitude of 11.7 and an apparent size of 8 by 16 arcseconds. It is catalogued as Minkowski 92 (M1-92). The protoplanetary nebula has a prominent pair of onion-shaped lobes extending… Read More »Footprint Nebula (M1-92)| Constellation Guide
The Fetus Nebula is a planetary nebula located approximately 2,800 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus. With an apparent magnitude of 12.0 and an apparent size of 1.4 by 1.1 arcminutes, it can be spotted in small telescopes. The nebula is listed as NGC 7008 in the New General Catalogue. The Fetus Nebula has a… Read More »Fetus Nebula (NGC 7008)| Constellation Guide
The Methuselah Nebula (MWP 1) is a large, very old bipolar planetary nebula located approximately 4,500 light-years away in the northern constellation Cygnus (the Swan). With a diameter of 15 light-years, it is one of the largest planetary nebulae known. Planetary nebulae are a very brief final phase in the lives of Sun-like stars. These… Read More »Methuselah Nebula (MWP 1)| Constellation Guide
The Cheeseburger Nebula is a planetary nebula located approximately 6,000 light-years away in the northern constellation of Cygnus. It has an apparent size of 0.590 by 0.378 arcminutes and an apparent magnitude of 15.33. It has the designation NGC 7026 in the New General Catalogue. NGC 7026 formed when an evolved star reached the late… Read More »Cheeseburger Nebula (NGC 7026)| Constellation Guide
The Flying Bat Nebula (Sh2-129) is a large H II region located approximately 2,300 light years away in the northern constellation Cepheus (the King). The faint emission nebula has an apparent size of 140 arcminutes and appears near Alderamin (Alpha Cephei) and the better-known Elephant’s Trunk Nebula (IC 1396). The large region of atomic hydrogen… Read More »Flying Bat and Giant Squid Nebulae| Constellation Guide
The Shark Nebula (or Dark Shark nebula) is a star-forming nebula located approximately 650 light years away in the northern constellation Cepheus (the King). The cloud of interstellar gas and dust appears silhouetted against a rich star field and is part of a larger star-forming region called the Cepheus Flare. It is listed as LDN… Read More »Shark Nebula (LDN 1235)| Constellation Guide
The Chinese Dragon Nebula is a star-forming region located approximately 5,000 light years away in the constellation Sagittarius (the Archer). It is part of the larger H II region Simeis 188. The nebula is listed as NGC 6559 in the New General Catalogue. Composed of both emission and reflection regions, the stellar nursery is only… Read More »Chinese Dragon Nebula (NGC 6559)| Constellation Guide
Hercules A is a bright radio source located over 2 billion light-years away in the constellation Hercules. It is one of the brightest radio galaxies in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Dark Horse Nebula is a large dark nebula complex located in the constellation Ophiuchus. Stretching across an area of 10 degrees, it is one of the most prominent groups of dark nebulae in the night sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Constellation Guide: Facts, Myths and Stories about the 88 Constellations, Brightest Stars, Asterisms, and Deep Sky Objects.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Little Ghost Nebula (NGC 6369) is a planetary nebula located between 2,000 and 5,000 light years away in the equatorial constellation of Ophiuchus. It is one of the best-known ghost-like nebulae in the sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Blue Horsehead Nebula (IC 4592) is a reflection nebula located approximately 400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. It is illuminated by the multiple star system Nu Scorpii.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443, Sharpless 248) is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Gemini. It lies at an approximate distance of 5,000 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 12.| www.constellation-guide.com
Hubble’s Variable Nebula (NGC 2261) is a variable nebula located approximately 2,500 light-years away in the constellation Monoceros. It is illuminated by the young variable star R Monocerotis.| www.constellation-guide.com
Serpens is a large constellation in the northern sky. It represents the snake. It is divided into Serpens Caput (the serpent's head) and Serpens Cauda (the serpent's tail) by the constellation Ophiuchus.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Splinter Galaxy (NGC 5907) is a spiral galaxy located at an approximate distance of 46.5 million light-years in the constellation Draco. It is also known as the Knife Edge Galaxy.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Starfish Galaxy (NGC 6240) is an irregular galaxy located 351.9 million light years away in the constellation Ophiuchus. It is a remnant of the merger of three smaller galaxies.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104, NGC 4594), is a peculiar galaxy located 31.1 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo, near the border with Corvus. It can be spotted in binoculars and small telescopes.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) is a grand design spiral galaxy located 20.9 million light years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It is one of the brightest and largest spiral galaxies in the sky. It appears in the region of the Big Dipper.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Southern Pleiades (IC 2602, Caldwell 102) is a bright, large open star cluster located 486 light-years away in the constellation Carina. It is one of the brightest star clusters in the night sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Canis Minor is a small constellation in the northern sky. It represents the smaller dog following Orion. It is home to Procyon, one of the brightest stars in the sky, and Luyten's Star, one of the nearest stars to Earth.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Cone Nebula is a famous H II region located 2,700 light-years away in the constellation Monoceros, the Unicorn. It is part of the larger star-forming region NGC 2264, along with the Christmas Tree Cluster and the Fox Fur Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Hyades (Caldwell 41, Melotte 25) is a bright, large open cluster located 153 light-years away in the constellation Taurus. It is the nearest open star cluster to the Sun. It marks the head of the celestial Bull.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Rosette Nebula is a vast emission nebula associated with an open cluster in Monoceros constellation. It lies at a distance of 5,200 light years. It is a popular target for visual astronomy and astrophotography.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174) is an emission nebula located 6,400 light-years away in the constellation Orion. The nebula is an H II region, a stellar nursery composed of ionized hydrogen gas in which new stars are forming.| www.constellation-guide.com
Corvus, the Crow, is a small constellation in the southern sky. It represents the sacred bird of Apollo. The constellation is home to the navigational star Gienah and the famous Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039).| www.constellation-guide.com
Robin’s Egg Nebula (NGC 1360) is a planetary nebula located in the southern constellation Fornax (the Furnace). It was discovered by the American astronomer Lewis Swift in 1859.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Spirograph Nebula (IC 418) is a planetary nebula located about 3,600 light years away in the constellation Lepus, just under Orion's feet. It was named for its elaborate pattern of shells and filaments that surround the bright central nebulosity.| www.constellation-guide.com
Circinus is a small, faint constellation located in the southern sky. It represents the draughtsman's compass. The constellation is home to the Circinus Galaxy, the X-ray source Circinus X-1, and the planetary nebula NGC 5315.| www.constellation-guide.com
Antlia is a small, faint constellation in the southern sky. It represents the Air Pump. It is home to the Antlia Dwarf Galaxy (PGC 29194), the Antlia Cluster of galaxies, and the interacting galaxies catalogued as IC 2545.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Little Dipper is an asterism formed by seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. It has historically played an important role in navigation because it includes Polaris, the North Star.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Northern Cross is a prominent asterism formed by the brightest stars in the constellation Cygnus. It appears in a rich Milky Way field and outlines the body of the celestial Swan.| www.constellation-guide.com
Cepheus is a large constellation in the northern sky. It represents King Cepheus in Greek mythology. It is home to the large stars VV Cephei and the Garnet Star (Mu Cephei), the Wizard Nebula and the Fireworks Galaxy.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Cave Nebula (Sh2-155, Caldwell 9) is an emission nebula located approximately 2,400 light-years away in the northern constellation Cepheus. With an apparent magnitude of 7.7, it can be observed in medium telescopes.| www.constellation-guide.com
Kepler’s Supernova (SN 1604) is the remnant of a supernova first observed in October 1604. The supernova occurred in the Milky Way galaxy, less than 20,000 light-years from the Sun. It peaked at magnitude -2.25 to -2.5 and could even be seen in daytime.| www.constellation-guide.com
Mensa is a small, faint constellation in the far southern sky. It was named after Table Mountain (Mons Mensae) in South Africa. It contains a part of the Large Magellanic Cloud.| www.constellation-guide.com
Dorado is a small, faint constellation located in the far southern sky. It represents the dolphinfish or swordfish. The constellation contains most of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way.| www.constellation-guide.com
Constellation names, like the names of stars, come from a variety of sources and each has a different meaning. Old constellations' names usually come from Greek mythology, while the star constellations that were created more recently mostly have names of scientific instruments and exotic animals.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Atoms for Peace Galaxy (NGC 7252) is a peculiar galaxy located 220 million light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. It is the product of a collision between two gas-rich spiral galaxies that has been going on for about a billion years.| www.constellation-guide.com
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
The Eskimo Nebula is a bipolar planetary nebula located in Gemini constellation. It is sometimes also known as the Clown Face Nebula. The nebula has the designation NGC 2392 in the New General Catalogue.| www.constellation-guide.com
Gemini (the Twins) is one of the northern zodiac constellations. It is home to the bright stars Pollux and Castor, the open cluster Messier 35, the planetary nebula known as the Medusa Nebula, and the supernova remnant IC 443 (the Jellyfish Nebula).| www.constellation-guide.com
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
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
The Coalsack Nebula is one of the best known dark nebulae in the sky, located in the constellation Crux.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Little Sombrero Galaxy (Caldwell 43, NGC 7814) is a spiral galaxy located approximately 40 million light years away in the constellation Pegasus. It can be observed in medium-sized telescopes.| 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 Triangulum Galaxy, also known as Messier 33 (M33) or NGC 598, is a famous spiral galaxy located in Triangulum constellation.| www.constellation-guide.com
Alpha Centauri is the nearest star system to the Sun, located at a distance of only 4.37 light years or 1.34 parsecs from Earth. It is the brightest star in Centaurus constellation and the third brightest star in sky.| www.constellation-guide.com
Argo Navis (the Ship Argo) is an obsolete constellation located in the southern sky. It was divided into three smaller constellations – Carina (the Keel), Puppis (the Stern) and Vela (the Sails) in the 18th century.| 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
Pyxis is a small constellation in the southern sky. Created in the 18th century, it represents a mariner's compass.| 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
Pictor is a small, faint constellation located in the far southern sky. It was created in the 18th century. It represents a painter's easel.| www.constellation-guide.com
Monoceros is a relatively faint northern constellation located between Canis Major and Canis Minor. It is home to the famous variable star V838 Monocerotis, the open cluster Messier 50, and the Rosette Nebula.| www.constellation-guide.com
Equuleus is the smallest constellation in the northern sky. It represents a little horse or foal and lies near the larger horse, Pegasus. The constellation is home to the yellow giant Kitalpha and the spiral galaxy NGC 7015.| 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
Columba is a faint constellation located in the southern sky. It represents the dove. The constellation is home to the runaway star Mu Columbae, the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1808, and the globular cluster NGC 1851.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Saturn Nebula (NGC 7009) is a small but bright planetary nebula located 2,000 to 4,000 light years away in the constellation Aquarius. It can be seen in small and medium telescopes.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Ghost of Jupiter (NGC 3242) is a planetary nebula located approximately 4,800 light years away in the constellation Hydra. With an apparent magnitude of 8.60, it can be observed in amateur telescopes.| 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
The Cat’s Eye Nebula is a planetary nebula located 3,300 light-years away in the constellation Draco. Named for its intricate appearance, it was one of the first planetary nebulae to be discovered and is one of the most complex planetary nebulae known.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Blinking Planetary Nebula (NGC 6826, Caldwell 15) is a planetary nebula located approximately 2,000 light-years away in the northern constellation Cygnus. It appears in the region of the Swan's wing.| www.constellation-guide.com
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
The Butterfly Nebula (NGC 6302, Caldwell 69) is a bipolar planetary nebula located approximately 3,400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. It can be observed in amateur telescopes.| www.constellation-guide.com
Southern constellations are the 52 constellations located in the southern celestial hemisphere.| www.constellation-guide.com
Libra is one of the southern zodiac constellations. It is home to Methuselah Star (HD 140283), one of the oldest stars known, the nearby red dwarf Gliese 581, and the barred spiral galaxies NGC 5885 and NGC 5792.| 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
Cetus is a large constellation in the northern sky. It represents the sea monster from the myth of Andromeda. It is home to the variable star Mira, the nearby star Tau Ceti, and the barred spiral galaxy Messier 77.| 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
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
The Fish Hook is an asterism formed by about a dozen bright stars in the zodiac constellation Scorpius. The curved star pattern forms the heart, body, tail, and stinger of the celestial Scorpion.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Prawn Nebula, also known as IC 4628 and Gum 56, is an emission nebula located in the constellation Scorpius. It has an apparent magnitude of 7.31 and lies at a distance of 6,000 light years from Earth.| 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 Caldwell catalogue is a list of 109 bright deep sky objects that can be observed with amateur telescopes. It serves as a supplement to the Messier catalogue and includes deep sky objects in the far southern sky.| 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
The Blue Snowball Nebula (NGC 7662, Caldwell 22) is a bright planetary nebula located approximately 5,730 light-years away in the constellation Andromeda.It is visible in small and medium telescopes.| www.constellation-guide.com
The Porpoise Galaxy (NGC 2936), also known as the Penguin Galaxy, is an irregular galaxy located in the constellation Hydra. It is interacting with the neighbouring elliptical galaxy NGC 2937.| 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
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
Musca is a small constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere. It represents the fly. The constellation is home to the Spiral Planetary Nebula (NGC 5189), the Hourglass Nebula (MyCn 18), and the Dark Doodad 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
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
The list of the 88 modern constellations officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), along with their English names, sizes, quadrants and the latitudes between which they are fully visible.| www.constellation-guide.com
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
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
Centaurus A is a peculiar galaxy located in the southern constellation Centaurus. It is the fifth brightest galaxy in the night sky, the nearest giant galaxy to the Milky Way, and one of the nearest radio galaxies to Earth.| 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
Puppis is a constellation located in the southern hemisphere. Home to many notable stars, it represents the stern of the ship Argo, on which Jason and the Argonauts sailed to get the Golden Fleece.| 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
The Spiral Planetary Nebula (NGC 5189) is a planetary nebula located approximately 1,780 – 3,000 light-years away in the southern constellation Musca (the Fly). It can be seen in small and medium telescopes.| 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