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Spring Triangle star map showing Arcturus, Spica and Denebola

The Spring Triangle: How to Find It in the Night Sky

The Spring Triangle is a large asterism formed by three bright stars: Arcturus in Boötes, Spica in Virgo and Denebola in Leo. It is especially prominent during spring evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, when its …

Spring constellations of the Northern Hemisphere

Northern Hemisphere Constellations of the Spring Sky

James Miller

The arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere brings a different collection of constellations into prominence during the evening. Apart from circumpolar constellations such as Ursa Major, some of the most recognizable spring constellations include …

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

Northern Hemisphere Constellations of the Winter Sky

James Miller

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 …

The 12 Zodiac Constellations

James Miller

For thousands of years, people have looked toward the same band of sky and recognized the familiar constellations of the zodiac: Aries, Taurus, Gemini and the other star patterns that make up the traditional zodiac. …

Northern Hemisphere Constellations of the Autumn Sky

James Miller

As summer turns to autumn in the northern hemisphere, the changing season brings many changes to the night sky. The Summer Triangle, which has dominated overhead for several months, now begins to sink lower in …

Summer Triangle star map showing Vega, Deneb and Altair

Northern Hemisphere Constellations of the Summer Sky

James Miller

As the Earth makes its annual orbit around the Sun, we are able to see different constellations in the night sky depending upon the season of the year, and our location on the planet. While …

Star Constellation Facts: Corona Borealis

James Miller

Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, is a small but distinctive constellation whose stars form a graceful semicircle resembling a jeweled crown. Unlike many constellations, its shape is easy to recognize, making it a useful landmark …

Star Constellation Facts: Corona Australis

James Miller

Corona Australis (the Southern Crown) is a small, faint constellation in the southern sky, known for its distinctive curved pattern of stars. It is the southern counterpart of Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown), although the …

Star Constellation Facts: Piscis Austrinus

James Miller

Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish, is an ancient constellation best known for containing Fomalhaut, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Although most of its stars are relatively faint, Fomalhaut shines at magnitude …

Star Constellation Facts: Sextans

James Miller

Sextans, the Sextant, is a faint constellation near the celestial equator, located just south of Leo. Unlike ancient constellations associated with mythological figures, Sextans represents an astronomical instrument used to measure the positions of stars. …