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Winter Triangle connecting Betelgeuse, Sirius and Procyon among the surrounding winter constellations

Northern Hemisphere Constellations of the Winter Sky

While northern hemisphere observers can see dozens of constellations at different times of the year, seven are traditionally associated with the winter sky: Orion, Perseus, Taurus, Canis Major, Cetus, Eridanus, and Gemini. In addition, several …

Hyades star cluster in Taurus with bright Aldebaran in the foreground

Interesting Facts About the Hyades

James Miller

The Hyades is the closest open star cluster to Earth and one of the easiest star clusters to see with the naked eye. Located in the constellation Taurus, its brightest visible stars form a broad …

Thor's Helmet nebula NGC 2359 in Canis Major

Deep-Sky Objects in Canis Major

James Miller

Canis Major is the 43rd largest of the 88 recognized constellations, but it has the distinction of containing the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius. This nearby binary star system lies just 8.6 light-years …

Deep-Sky Objects: Omega Centauri

James Miller

In the second century, Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) situated in the constellation of Centaurus was described by Ptolemy in his astronomical treatise called Almagest as “a star on a horse’s back”. By 1826, however, Scottish …

Messier 52 star cluster and Bubble Nebula NGC 7635 in Cassiopeia

Deep-Sky Objects in Cassiopeia

James Miller

Cassiopeia is one of the most recognizable constellations in the northern sky, thanks to the distinctive W-shaped pattern formed by five of its brightest stars. Covering 598 square degrees, it is the 25th-largest of the …

Deep-Sky Objects in Sagittarius

James Miller

Sagittarius is the 15th largest of the 88 recognized constellations and the 5th largest of the zodiac constellations, covering 867 square degrees of the southern sky. Its brightest star is Kaus Australis (Epsilon Sagittarii), a …

Deep-Sky Objects in Scorpius

James Miller

Scorpius is the 33rd largest of the 88 recognized constellations and the 9th largest of the zodiac constellations, covering 497 square degrees of the southern sky. Its brightest star is Antares (Alpha Scorpii), a red …

Deep-Sky Objects in Libra

James Miller

Libra is the 29th biggest of the 88 recognized constellations, and the 7th largest of the zodiacal constellations, taking up an area of 538 square degrees of the southern sky. It is also the only …

Deep-Sky Objects in Virgo

James Miller

Virgo is the second-largest of the 88 recognized constellations and the largest of the zodiac constellations, covering about 1,294 square degrees of sky. Its brightest star is Spica (Alpha Virginis), a multiple-star system with a …

Deep-Sky Objects in Leo

James Miller

Leo is the 12th biggest of the 88 recognized constellations, and the 3rd biggest zodiacal constellations, taking up an area of 947 square degrees of the northern celestial hemisphere. The brightest star in Leo is …