Constellation Archives | Search Articles

Map showing the brightest first-magnitude stars across the night sky

Star Constellations & Brightest Stars

The night sky’s twenty-two brightest 1st magnitude stars are shown above, while the following table provides information on the 88 recognized constellations, together with details on their location, size, and brightest star.

Diagram illustrating Earth's orbit around the Sun and the twelve traditional zodiac constellations.

The Zodiac: Origins and the Problem with Precession

James Miller

Regardless of what one thinks of astrology as a means to predict the future or to define personality types, it must be stated that modern astronomy has its roots deep in several ancient astrological traditions. …

Star Constellation Facts: Lyra

James Miller

Lyra (“the Lyre”) is one of the smaller constellations, taking up an area of just 286 sq/deg of the northern sky between latitudes +90 and -40 degrees. It does, however, contains the 5th brightest star …

Star Constellation Facts: Cygnus

James Miller

Cygnus is a familiar northern constellation with its brightest star, Deneb, marking the tail of the swan it depicts. This beautiful blue supergiant also forms part of the Summer Triangle, together with Aquila in Altair, …

Star Constellation Facts: Cetus

James Miller

Cetus, the “Sea Monster”, is the fourth biggest constellation taking up 3% of the night sky, and is best observed in winter by observers located between latitudes of +70° and -90°. The constellation contains only …

Star Constellation Facts: Centaurus

James Miller

Centaurus is the ninth largest constellation, and takes up an area of 1,060 square degrees of the southern hemisphere night sky, where it can be seen by any observer located between +25° and -90°of latitude. …

Bootes by Sidney Hall in Urania's Mirror

Star Constellation Facts: Boötes

James Miller

Boötes, representing a “herdsman” or “ploughman”, is a distinctly kite-shaped constellation that can be seen in the night sky by observers located between +90° and -50° of latitude. It is the 13th biggest constellation in …

Star Constellation Facts: Cepheus

James Miller

The constellation Cepheus is named after a mythical king from Greek mythology, who was the husband of Cassiopeia, and the father of Andromeda, both of whom are represented by neighbouring constellations. It is the 27th …

Star Constellation Facts: Monoceros

James Miller

Monoceros (“The Unicorn”) is a faint northern sky constellation that lies on the celestial equator, and can be seen by observers located between +75° and -90° of latitude. It is the 35th largest constellation, but …

Star Constellation Facts: Lepus

James Miller

The name “Lepus” derives from the Latin word for “hare”, and although there are no myths associated with this constellation, it is often depicted on old charts as a hare being chased by the dogs …