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Constellations

Constellation Links Deep Sky Objects, Bright Stars alpha Transit
Andromeda CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: M31 sp, M32 ell, M110;
stars: Alpheratz, Mirach, Almach		 
23 Sep
Antlia CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 2997;
stars: DUN 78 double		 
27 Feb
Apus CD, PAS, RDS globular clusters: NGC 6101;
stars: D Aps double		 
(4 May)
Aquarius CD, PAS, RDS, JBK asterism: M73; globular clusters: M2, M72; stars: Sadalsuud a, Sadalmelik b, Sadachbia g. 
23 Aug
Aquila CD, PAS, RDS, JBK nebulae: NGC 6781 planetary; open clusters: NGC 6709; stars: Altair a, Alshain, Tarazed + h Aql 
20 Jul
Ara CD, PAS, RDS open clusters: NGC 6193;
globular clusters: NGC 6397.		 
14 Jun
Aries CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 772;
stars: Hamal a, Sheratan b, Mesartim g.		 
23 Oct
Auriga CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M36, M37, M38;
stars: Capella a, Menkalinan b, Elnath.		 
10 Dec
circumpolar
Bootes CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: NGC 5466;
stars: Arcturus a, Nekkar, Seginus.		 
26 Apr
Caelum CD, PAS, RDS deep sky: few objects, NGC 1679;
stars: none brighter tan 4th magnitude.		 
1 Dec
Camelopardalis CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: NGC 1052;
galaxies: NGC 2403.		 
4 Dec
circumpolar
Cancer CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M44 (Beehive), M67;
stars: Acubens, Altarf.		 
4 Feb
Canes Venatici CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M3;
galaxies: M51 (Whirlpool), M63, M94, M106;
stars: Cor Caroli, Chara.		 
5 Apr
Canis Major CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M41;
stars: Sirius a, Mirzam, Muliphein.		 
2 Jan
Canis Minor CD, PAS, RDS, JBK stars: Procyon a, Gomeisa
(no deep sky objects of interest)		 
15 Jan
Capricornus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M30 (NGC 7099);
stars: Algedi double double, Dabih, Nashira.		 
26 Jul
Carina CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: NGC 2516, NGC 3532; ne: NGC 3372;
stars: Canopus a, Miaplacidus, ..., Avior		 
27 Dec
Cassiopeia CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M52, M103;
stars: Shedar, Caph, g Cas.		 
1 Oct
Centaurus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 5128 active;
globular clusters: Omega cen (largest gc);
stars: Rigil Kentaurus a, Agena/Hadar.		 
2 May
Cepheus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK stars: Alderamin, Alfirk, Alrai 
11 Aug
Cetus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK stars: Menkar, Diphda, Kaffaljidhma, g (tight binary with planet), Mira. 
6 Nov
Chamaeleon CD, PAS, RDS nebulae: NGC 3195 planetary;
stars: d Cha double.		 
25 Jan
Circinus CD, PAS, RDS open clusters: NGC 5715, NGC 5823;
stars: a and g Cir doubles.		 
3 May
Columba CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 1808;
stars: Phaet a optical bin, Wezn.		 
16 Dec
Coma Berenices CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: M64, M85, M100, NGC 4254;
globular clusters: M53;
stars: a Com (Diadem) dbl; b Com.		 
9 Apr
Corona Australis CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: NGC 6541;
stars: Alfecca Meridiana, k CoA double.		 
9 Jul
Corona Borealis CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: Corona Borealis galaxy cluster;
stars: Alphekka, Nusakan, g CoB double.		 
16 May
Corvus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 4038-9 Antennae;
stars: Alchiba, b Crv (Kraz), Gienah, Algorab.		 
24 Mar
Crater CD, PAS, RDS, JBK deep sky: no Messier objects;
stars: Alkes a.		 
7 Mar
Crux CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: NGC 4609, NGC 4755;
stars: Acrux, Mimosa, Gacrux		 
29 Mar
Cygnus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK stars: Deneb, Albireo, Sadr; Numerous binocular binaries, including two showcase doubles, and several deep sky objects. 
1 Aug
Delphinus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: NGC 6934:
stars: a Sualocin, b Rotanev (*).		 
31 Jul
Dorado CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: LMC 
29 Nov
Draco CD, PAS, RDS, JBK nebulae: NGC 6543 planetary;
stars: Thuban, Rastaban, Eltanin.		 
23 Apr
Equuleus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK stars: Kitalpha. 
10 Aug
Eridanus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 1232 spiral, 1300 BS;
stars: Achernar, Cursa, Zaurak.		 
16 Oct
Fornax CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 1316 and Fornax cluster;
stars: Fornacis.		 
9 Nov
Gemini CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M35 (2168), NGC 2129;
nebulae: Eskimo planetary nebula;
stars: Castor double, Pollux, Alhena, Wasat.		 
14 Jan
Grus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 7213 spiral;
stars: Al Nair.		 
23 Aug
Hercules CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M13 spectacular, M92, NGC 6205;
stars: Rasalgethi a double, Kornephoros		 
10 Jun
Horologium CD, PAS, RDS no deep sky objects of interest;
stars: R Hor Mira variable		 
24 Nov
Hydra CD, PAS, RDS, JBK nebulae: NGC 3242 planetary; open clusters: M48;
globular clusters: M68; galaxies: M83		 
15 Feb
Hydrus CD, PAS, RDS no deep sky objects of interest;
stars: HJ 3475 double		 
21 Oct
Indus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK no deep sky objects of interest;
stars: a, d, q Ind binaries		 
31 Jul
Lacerta CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: NGC 7209, NGC 7243;
stars: a Lac		 
29 Aug
Leo CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: M65 sp, M66 sp, M95, M96, M105 ell;
stars: Regulus a multiple, Denebola b, Ageiba g binary, Zosma		 
22 Feb
Leo Minor CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 3344, NGC 3395-3396 interacting;
stars: b Lmi		 
27 Feb
Lepus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M79, NGC 1904;
stars: Arneb a, Nihal b.		 
14 Dec
Libra CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: NGC 5897 faint;
stars: Zubenelgenubi a, Zubeneschamali b.		 
5 May
Lupus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 5643;
open clusters: NGC 5822;
stars: Kakkab a, b Lup		 
2 May
Lynx CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 2683 edge-on 
10 Feb
Lyra CD, PAS, RDS, JBK Packed with interesting objects, very fine binocular binaries and two significant variables, as well as the best planetary nebula in the heavens; globular clusters: M56; nebulae: Ring Nebula M57; stars: Vega a, Sheliak b, Sulafat g. 
1 Jul
Mensa CD, PAS, RDS open clusters: NGC 1711 in LMC;
galaxies: (part of ) LMC.		 
24 Dec
Microscopium CD, PAS, RDS no deep sky objects of interest. 
3 Aug
Monoceros CD, PAS, RDS nebulae: Rosette nebula;
open clusters: M50, NGC 2215;
stars: b triple.		 
16 Jan
Musca CD, PAS, RDS globular clusters: NGC 4372, NGC 4833;
open clusters: NGC 4463;
stars: b Muscae double.		 
31 Mar
Norma CD, PAS, RDS open clusters: NGC 5925, NGC 6067, NGC 6087;
nebulae: Sp 1 planetary.		 
26 May
Octans CD, PAS, RDS no deep sky objects of interest;
stars: Polaris australis s.		 
7 Aug
Ophiuchus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M9, M10, M12, M14, M19, M62;
stars: Rasalhague a, Cebalrai b, Barnard's.		 
15 Jun
Orion CD, PAS, RDS, JBK, R.J.Maddalena nebulae: M42, M43, M78, Horsehead;
stars: Betelgeuse a, Rigel b, Bellatrix, Mintaka.		 20 Dec; poem
Pavo CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 6744 barred spiral;
globular clusters: NGC 6752;
stars: Peacock a.		 
28 Jul
Pegasus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 7331 spiral, NGC 7332;
globular clusters: M15;
stars: Markab, Scheat, Algenib, Enif.		 
7 Sep
Perseus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M34, NGC 869+884 double;
stars: Mirphak a, Algol b, h Per double.		 
12 Nov
Phoenix CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 55 faint (in Sculptor);
stars: Ankaa a, b Phe triple.		 
28 Sep
Pictor CD, PAS, RDS stars: Kapteyn's star. 
2 Jan
Pisces CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: M74 spiral, NGC 628;
nebulae: M17 Swan;
stars: Alrescha, z Psc binary.		 
22 Oct
Piscis Austrinus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: NGC 7172 edge-on spiral;
stars: Fomalhaut a; b PsA double.		 
5 Sep
Puppis CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: NGC 2477;
open clusters: M46 (NGC 2437), M47 (NGC 2422), M93; stars: Naos z.		 
22 Jan
Pyxis CD, PAS, RDS open clusters: NGC 2627. 
31 Jan
Reticulum CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 1313, NGC 1559 face-on Seyfert. 
24 Nov
Sagitta CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M71 (NGC 6838);
stars: Sham a, z Sge multiple.		 
17 Jul
Sagittarius CD, PAS, RDS,
HAS, JBK		 globular clusters: M22 (NGC 6656);
nebulae: M8 Lagoon, M17 Swan, M20 Trifid;
open clusters: M23 (NGC 6494);
stars: Rukbat (knee), Arkab (tendon) double.		 
13 Jul
Scorpius CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: M4, M80; nebulae: Bear Claw;
open clusters: M6 (Butterfly), M7; stars: Antares, Graffias b double.		 
29 May
Sculptor CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 55 edge-on spiral, NGC 253 spiral. 
6 Oct
Scutum CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: M11 Wild Duck (compact), M26, NGC 6664; stars: d Scuti double. 
30 Jun
Serpens CD, PAS, RDS, JBK, HAS globular clusters: M5 spectacular;
open clusters: M16 in Eagle nebula;
stars: Unukalhai; q Serpentis double.		 
18 May
Sextans CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 3115 edge-on;
stars: g Sextantis double+1.		 
22 Feb
Taurus CD, PAS, RDS, JBK nebulae: M1 SN remnant, NGC 1514 pn;
open clusters: M45 Pleaides, Hyades;
stars: Aldebaran a, Elnath b, Alcyone h, Ain.		 
30 Nov
Telescopium CD, PAS, RDS, JBK globular clusters: NGC 6584. 
28 Jun
Triangulum CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: M33 Pinwheel/Triangulum, large faint face-on spiral; NGC 598; stars: Mothallah a, b Tri, 6 or i Tri colored double. 
20 Oct
Triangulum Australe CD, PAS, RDS open clusters: NGC 6025; stars: Atria. 
3 Jun
Tucana CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 292 SMC; globular clusters: NGC104 - 47 Tuc; stars: b Tuc binary. 
26 Aug
Ursa Major CD, PAS, RDS, JBK;
moving group 		galaxies: M81 Bode spiral, M82 Cigar irreg, M101 Pinwheel, M108, M109, NGC 3079 sp, NGC 3631 face-on; planetary nebulae: M97 Owl; stars: Dubhe a, Merak b, Phad g, Megrez d, Alioth e, Mizar z, Alkaid h; M40 double. 
8 Mar
Ursa Minor CD, PAS, RDS, JBK stars: Polaris a Cepheid double, Kochab b, Pherkad g, Yildun d. 
7 Nov
Vela CD, PAS, RDS, JBK open clusters: NGC 2547, IC 2391, IC 2395, Pismis 4; stars: Regor g double, Alsuhail l var. 
23 Jan
Virgo CD, PAS, RDS, JBK galaxies: M49 ell, M58 sp, M59, M60 ell, M61 sp, M84, M86, M87, M89 ell, M90 sp, M104 Sombrero; stars: Spica a, Zavijah b, Porrima g dbl, Auva d, Vindemiatrix e, Zaniah h. 
13 Apr
Volans CD, PAS, RDS galaxies: NGC 2434, NGC 2442 Bs; stars: g Volantis dbl. 
5 Feb
Vulpecula CD, PAS, RDS, JBK nebulae: M27 Dumbbell planetary; open clusters: NGC 6940; stars: Anser a dbl. 
14 Jul

General Information

  • Hawaiian Astronomical Society (HAS) site; Peoria Astronomical Society site (PAS); Richard Dibon-Smith's site (RDS); Chris Dolan's site (CD); Legg Middle School site (LMS); Jim Kaler's site (JBK).
  • Chandra X-ray Observatory photo album; Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand pages; The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations site.

Other Topics

  • History: Adler Planetarium page; A.A. Gurshtein, Am. Sci. 85 (1997) 264-273.
  • Mythology: Kathy Bell's pages.
  • Names: Pronunciation page.
  • Zodiac: Chris Dolan's page.
  • Asterisms: C. Kronberg's page.

Books on Constellations

  • G.M. Sesti, The Glorious Constellations, H.N. Abrams 1991.
  • M.E. Bakich, The Cambridge Guide to the Constellations, Cambridge University Press 1995.
  • T. Condos, Star Myths of the Greeks and Romans: A Sourcebook Containing the Constellations of Pseudo-Eratoshenes and the Poetic Astronomy of Hyginus, Phanes 1997.
  • M.D. Heifetz & W. Tirion, A Walk Through the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and Their Legends, Cambridge University Press 1998.
  • Stikky Night Skies: Learn 6 constellations, 4 stars, a planet, a galaxy, and how to navigate at night-in one hour.

Up to astronomy resources; Page by Luca Bombelli <bombelli"at"olemiss.edu>, Modified 17 mar 2007

* Niccolò Cacciatore was the assistant and eventual successor of Giuseppe Piazzi, director of the Palermo Observatory.