THE

NIGHT SKY
MONTH BY MONTH
WILL GATER with GILES SPARROW

Content previously published in UNIVERSE

 2011 EDITION
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CONTENTS
LOOKING UP July
Overviews 68
Looking into Space 8 Highlights 70
Northern Latitudes 72
Looking at Stars 10 Southern Latitudes 74

The Changing Sky 12 August

Overviews 76
Getting Started 14 Highlights 78
Northern Latitudes 80
Southern Latitudes 82
MONTHLY SKY GUIDES
September
Using the Sky Guides 18 Overviews 84
Highlights 86
January Northern Latitudes 88
Overviews 20 Southern Latitudes 90
Highlights 22
Northern Latitudes 24 October
Southern Latitudes 26 Overviews 92
Highlights 94
February Northern Latitudes 96
Overviews 28 Southern Latitudes 98
Highlights 30
Northern Latitudes 32 November
Southern Latitudes 34 Overviews 100
Highlights 102
March Northern Latitudes 104
Overviews 36 Southern Latitudes 106
Highlights 38
Northern Latitudes 40 December
Southern Latitudes 42 Overviews 108
Highlights 110
April Northern Latitudes 112
Overviews 44 Southern Latitudes 114
Highlights 46
Northern Latitudes 48
Southern Latitudes 50 ALMANAC
May 2021–2022 116
Overviews 52
Highlights 54 2023–2024 118
Northern Latitudes 56
Southern Latitudes 58 2025–2026 120

June 2027–2028 122

Overviews 60
Highlights 62 2029 124
Northern Latitudes 64
Southern Latitudes 66 Glossary 125
Index 126
Acknowledgments 128

CONTRIBUTORS

Will Gater is an astronomy journalist and author. He has written
for several of the UK’s top astronomy and science magazines and
promotes both of these subjects with frequent appearances on
television and radio. His blog and website can be found at www.
willgater.com. Will is also the author of The Practical Astronomer,
published by DK Publishing.
Giles Sparrow is a writer specializing in astronomy and space science.
He has degrees in astronomy and science communication and has
worked for 15 years as an editor and author. An avid follower of the
unfolding story of space exploration, he has written on space technology
and the history of spaceflight in a wide range of books, including DK
Publishing’s bestselling Universe.
LOOKING UP
By watching the night skies and observing
stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies,
stargazers can start to understand the
vast Universe and all it encompasses.
Astronomers picture the night sky as
a starry sphere around Earth—“the
celestial sphere”—which allows them
to find their way around it and track
the movements of night-sky objects
as the Earth rotates.

Leonid meteor shower

Shooting stars, here seen over Joshua Tree National Park in the
USA, light up the sky. Eagerly anticipated every year, the Leonid
meteor shower originates in the constellation Leo and annually
peaks around November 17.
8 L OO K I NG U P

LOOKING INTO SPACE The Andromeda Galaxy lies NGC 147

2.5 million light-years away NGC 185
from Earth, in the Milky Way

The Earth is a part of a much greater Universe than Andromeda I

our eyes alone reveal to us. Knowing our place within The stellar neighborhood
lies in the Orion Arm of the
Andromeda II
Andromeda III
it helps us understand what we are seeing. Milky Way, around 26,000
light-years from its center Triangulum Galaxy

THE SCALE OF THE UNIVERSE Galactic

nucleus
The Universe we live in is immense,
extending far beyond the farthest edge of our
Solar System. On a clear night, many stars are
visible to the naked eye, and sometimes the
faint glowing band of the Milky Way galaxy
can be seen. From a very dark site, the
Andromeda Galaxy, a staggering 2.5 million
light-years away, is also visible. It is one of
the most distant deep-sky objects that is
visible to the naked eye. A telescope or a pair
of binoculars allows us to see objects that are
even farther away, such as other galaxies,
nebulae, or star clusters in our galaxy, the
Milky Way. However, there is much more to
Alpha
be seen, and amateur astronomers can see Centauri
only a small fraction of it.

Sun

Sirius
5,000 light-years

THE MILKY WAY

The Milky Way galaxy is a disk
Orbit of Neptune of gas, dust, and stars with a
bulging nucleus. It can be seen
as a faint band of light stretching
Asteroid belt across the sky on a clear night.
The Sun is just one of the 200–
400 billion stars that the Milky
Sun Way contains.
Earth
5 light-years

THE STELLAR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Earth Beyond the edge of the Solar System, we leave the sphere of
the Sun’s influence and move out into the stellar neighborhood.
There are 106 stars within 20 light-years of the Sun, of which the
closest is Proxima Centauri. A member of the Alpha (α) Centauri
1 light-hour star system in the constellation Centaurus, Proxima Centauri sits
4.2 light-years away.

THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The planets, moons, dwarf planets, comets, and
asteroids that orbit the Sun are known as the
The Moon 0.5 light-seconds Solar System. The most distant planet from the
moves around
Earth in a slightly Sun is the gas giant Neptune, located an average
THE EARTH AND MOON of 2,794 million miles (4,497 million km) away
elliptical orbit
The Moon is the nearest celestial body to Earth, from the Sun.
sitting 238,900 miles (384,400km) away. Light
takes just over a second to reach Earth from
the Moon.
 L OOK IN G IN T O S P A C E 9

THE LOCAL GROUP OF GALAXIES THE LOCAL SUPERCLUSTER

The Milky Way is a part of a much larger gathering of The Local Group is itself a part of a larger group, formed
around 40 galaxies that exist in the nearby Universe. by thousands of galaxies. Known as the Virgo Supercluster,
These are known collectively as the Local Group. Some this swarm of galaxies is 100 million light-years wide. This
of the Local Group galaxies can be seen easily in the supercluster nestles in vast interconnected filaments of
night sky, such as the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, and other superclusters, which stretch across the Universe.
the Triangulum Galaxy, M33.

Ursa Minor dwarf galaxy

The Milky Way

250,000 light-years

Leo A

10 million light-years

MEASURING DISTANCE
Because the Universe is such a large place,
the units of distance we use in everyday life,
such as miles or kilometers, are not very
helpful in communicating the vast distances
between stars and galaxies. Instead,
astronomers use units called light-years to
mark the vast distances between the stars
and galaxies. One light-year is equal to the
distance that a ray of light travels over the
course of one year. The speed of light is an
incredible 186,000 miles (300,000km) per
second, so one light-year is a huge distance.
As the distances (see below) between the
galaxies and even nearby stars are so great,
light takes a long time to travel across space.
When we see the light from an object like a
star, it may have taken decades, centuries, or
millions of years to reach us. Essentially, we
are peering back in time because we see the
object as it was when that light left it, not
what it looks like “now.” So for an object like
the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million
light-years away, we are seeing it as it was
Peering into the depths
2.5 million years ago. In contrast, the Sun’s
The objects we see in the night sky are not all at the same
light takes just 8.5 minutes to reach earth. In distance from us. We can see everything from meteors shooting
the chart below, the first division represents through our atmosphere to distant stars in our own galaxy.
6,200 miles (10,000km). Each further division
marks a 10x increase in scale.

DISTANCE FROM THE CENTER OF EARTH

Earth:
Moon: Venus: Sun: Saturn: Kuiper Belt: Oort Nearest star 1,000-light- Center of the Andromeda Virgo Nearest Edge of the
radius
238,900 26 million 93 million 745 million approx 5.5 Cloud: (Proxima year sphere: Milky Way: Galaxy: Cluster: quasar: visible Universe:
3,963 miles
miles miles miles (149.6 miles (1.2 billion miles approx 1 Centauri): 90% of naked-eye 28,000 2.5 million 52 million 1 billion 47 billion light-years
(6,378 km)
(384,400 km) (42 million km) million km) billion km) (9 billion km) light-year 4.2 light-years stars are within light-years light-years light-years light-years 276 billion trillion
1,000 light- miles (445 billion
years of Earth trillion km)

0 6,200 miles 620,000 miles 62 million miles 6.2 billion miles 6.2 x 1011 miles 62 trillion miles 6.2 x 1015 miles 6.2 x 1017 miles 6.2 x 1019 miles 6.2 x 1021 miles
(10,000 km) (106 km) (108 km) (1010 km) (1012 km) (1014 km) (1016 km) (1018 km) (1020 km) (1022 km)
10 L OO K I NG U P

LOOKING AT STARS
When we look at the sky on a clear night we are greeted
by countless stars. Stargazers use several methods to
navigate their way around the magnificent night sky.
THE CELESTIAL SPHERE
The coordinate system of latitude and
longitude helps us locate an object on the
Earth’s surface. This system is based around
a simple imaginary grid, where latitude—the
horizontal lines on the grid—is measured
north or south from the equator. Longitude,
the vertical grid lines, is measured east or
west from a point known as the prime
meridian—a circle running through the North
and South Poles and Greenwich in England.
Similarly, astronomers project an imaginary
sphere, also known as the celestial sphere,
onto the sky. It has its own grid lines: the
prime meridian, known as the “celestial
OUR VIEW OF THE CELESTIAL SPHERE
Your view of the night sky depends on where you
are on Earth’s surface. If you are located in the
Southern Hemisphere, you see a different portion
of the celestial sphere to someone who is
observing the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere.
However, from the equator you can view the
meridian,” and the equator, known as the entire celestial sphere over the course of a year.
“celestial equator.” Instead of latitude,
Limited view
astronomers use declination, which is Your location on Earth
measured in degrees and minutes, while determines the part of
longitude becomes right ascension, or RA, the celestial sphere that
and is measured in hours and minutes. you can see.
These coordinates help astronomers to
locate celestial objects in space.
Earth’s axis
of spin
Earth’s axis is Line perpendicular to ecliptic plane
tilted at 23.5° (plane of Earth’s orbit around the Sun)
Celestial sphere

North Celestial Pole lies directly

above Earth’s North Pole Stars appear to be fixed
on the sphere, which
moves in the opposite
direction to Earth’s spin

Earth’s spin

Autumnal equinox
(first point of Libra)

Earth’s North Pole

Earth’s equator
The Sun and planets are not
fixed on the celestial sphere, Earth
but move around on, or close
to, the circular path known
as the ecliptic

Celestial equator—a circle on

the celestial sphere concentric
with Earth’s equator
Vernal or spring equinox
(first point of Aries), one
of the two points of
intersection between
celestial and ecliptic
Defining positions
To create a coordinate system where objects can
be located on the night sky, astronomers imagine
that Earth is embedded in an imaginary South Celestial Pole lies
“celestial” sphere (as shown here). Sun’s motion below Earth’s South Pole

MEASURING SIZES
When observing the night sky for the first time
it can be tricky to gauge how big a constellation
or an object is by just looking at a star chart.
However, there are some easy ways to
measure apparent sizes on the sky. Held at
arm’s length against the background of the sky,
the hands and fingers can act as convenient
measuring scales. For example, an index finger
covers the Moon, which is only half a degree
Handspan Finger joints
A fully outstretched A side-on fingertip
hand held at arm’s is about 3° wide;
length spans about the second joint is
22° of the sky. 4°, the third joint 6°.
STARHOPPING
To navigate around the night sky using a
star chart, you can use a method known
as starhopping. This is a technique used by
experts and beginners alike, and can come
in handy when you are trying to find faint
telescopic targets that may not be visible to
the naked eye. The basic method is to first
check a star chart (see pp.16-114) that shows
the object you are trying to find, as well as
any bright stars nearby. Then, start by finding
a star or pattern of stars in the sky that you
START AT URSA MAJOR (THE BIG DIPPER)
Alkaid Mizar
Alioth
Phad
L OOK IN G A T S T A R S 11
across, while the width of an outstretched
hand is roughly 22º across. Distances between ANGULAR DISTANCES
objects on the night sky are measured in units OBJECT OR DISTANCE APPROXIMATE
called degrees. For example, the Andromeda ANGULAR SIZE
Galaxy, or M31, appears roughly 3° across on
Distance from the pointers in the Big Dipper 28º
the sky. A degree can be broken down into to Polaris
60 arcminutes (with the symbol ‘), and
each arcminute can be broken down into Distance between the Crux pointers 6º
60 arcseconds (with the symbol “). These Distance between pointers in the Big Dipper 5º
units are sometimes written
in slightly different ways Your little finger at arm’s length 1º
and you might see them
The Moon (average size) 31’
as minutes of arc, arcmin,
seconds of arc, or arsec. The Sun (average size) 32’
These smaller units are
Distance between Jupiter and Ganymede 6’
often encountered when (the brightest of its main moons)
Finger width 1 degree dealing with the separation
One finger at arm’s 90 degrees between double stars or the Resolution of the naked eye (this means the 3’ 25”
length will cover ability of your eye to split two objects that
the Moon, which is 360 degrees size of a nebula or cluster. are as close together as this)
less than 1° across.
UNDERSTANDING CELESTIAL
recognize and can easily locate. Once you COORDINATES
find one recognizable star, you can then To understand right ascension and declination
hop to another, possibly fainter star nearby, you need to know the reference points from
continuing to other stars until you eventually which they are measured. The “zero” point
find your target. This is a great way to learn for declination lies on a line on the celestial
your way around the night sky, and is also sphere called the celestial equator. You can
handy when you use a pair of binoculars or think of it simply as Earth’s equator projected
a telescope. A more detailed printed chart onto the imaginary celestial sphere. Objects
from planetarium software will help you above the celestial equator, toward the North
find objects when you are starhopping using Celestial Pole, have a positive declination, and
a telescope, such as faint galaxies. those below, toward the South Celestial Pole
have negative declination. For right ascension,
the zero mark is a line called the “celestial
meridian” marked at the moment where
URSA MINOR the Sun crosses the celestial equator.
Pherkad
Polaris (The
Kochab Celestial meridian,
North Star)
the line of 0° right
North ascension
Celestial Pole
Star position
Megrez 45°
Celestial
Dubhe equator
Stellar signposts Declination angle Angle of right
Arguably the most well-known 45° above celestial ascension
“starhop” is the one that helps you equator (1 hour)
Merak find the “pole star” Polaris, which
sits in Ursa Minor. Use the pointer
stars of the Big Dipper asterism,
Merak and Dubhe, in Ursa Major. A star's position
To find an object on the celestial sphere we need to know
its RA and declination (see left). The star in the diagram above
has a right ascension of 1 hour and a declination of +45°.
12 L OO K I NG U P

THE CHANGING SKY

The night sky changes over time, revealing a panorama North
celestial
Motion at the
north pole
of celestial objects. Understanding the sky’s movement pole
At the north pole,
the stars circle in
helps us predict what will be visible and when. a counterclockwise
motion around a point
w
above you. At the south
pole, they move in the
DAILY SKY MOVEMENTS opposite direction.
S N
The stars seem to move across the sky as the shorter than a solar day, at 23 hours 56 minutes E
night progresses. This is caused by Earth’s and 4 seconds. This means a star will rise Circumpolar area Motion at
rotation on its axis. Once every 24 hours, four minutes earlier each night. The difference mid-latitudes
Earth completes one rotation on its axis relative between solar and sidereal days occurs If you are observing
to the Sun. This is known as a mean solar day. because Earth has moved a little in its orbit from mid-latitudes, you
will see the stars rise in
Astronomers also measure the time taken for around the Sun. The motion of the stars across w the east and set in the
one rotation of Earth relative to the stars. This the sky, over the course of an evening, depends west. Stars that never
is known as a sidereal day, and is slightly on your location on Earth’s surface (see right). set are known as
S N “circumpolar.”
E

Moving constellation
Because of a 4-minute
difference between the length
of a sidereal and a solar day,
the constellations move
westward a little from
one night to the next.
APRIL 1, 8PM APRIL 8, 8PM APRIL 15, 8PM
Motion at the
equator
If you are standing at
the equator, the stars
w
will rise straight up
from the east, pass
overhead, and then
S N
E move straight down
to set in the west.

YEARLY SKY MOVEMENTS

Not only do the stars move across the sky Direction of the Point of the Northern
during the course of a single night, they Virgo Sun’s movement Hemisphere’s autumnal equinox
Sun
also shift slowly around the sky over the Scorpius
Libra
Earth’s rotation on its axis
course of a year. This means that at one Ophiuchus
time of the year, a constellation or a region
of the sky may be visible when it is dark,
say at midnight, while at another time it Leo
is hidden behind the Sun. This is because
Earth moves around the Sun, so it
Cancer
appears as if the Sun moves against
Gemini
the background night sky.
Earth’s
Earth at Northern equator
Hemisphere’s winter
solstice (December 21/22) Sun
Aries
Earth at
Northern Taurus
Hemisphere’s
summer Celestial
solstice equator
(June 21)
Hemisphere
visible from
equator at Earth’s
midnight on axis
the winter
solstice Capricornus Ecliptic
Sagittarius Point of the Northern
Hemisphere visible Aquarius Hemisphere’s vernal equinox Pisces
Earth’s orbit from equator at
midnight on the
summer solstice
June and December skies Zodiac
If you were on the equator at midnight in June you would As the Sun appears to move against the background stars
see exactly the opposite half of the celestial sphere over the year it passes through several constellations.
from the one you would see at midnight in December. This band of constellations is known as the zodiac.
 T H E C H A N G IN G S K Y 13

ECLIPSES
As the Moon orbits Earth, it occasionally
blocks the Sun’s light. The Moon’s shadow
is cast onto Earth and anyone within the
shadow will see a solar eclipse. Standing
in the darker part of the Moon’s shadow, the
umbra, you will see a total solar eclipse with
the Sun completely covered by the Moon.
If you are in the outer, lighter shadow, known
as the penumbra, you will see a partial solar
eclipse with only a portion of the Sun
obscured by the Moon’s disk. If the Moon
is too far away it cannot completely cover
the Sun and an annular solar eclipse is seen
from Earth. Similarly, if the Moon’s orbit
takes it into the shadow cast into space Total lunar eclipse
by Earth, a lunar eclipse occurs. Eclipses During a total lunar eclipse,
require certain precise alignments of the the Moon can often be tinted
a wonderful copper-red colou.
Sun, Earth, and Moon, which is why an
This is the highlight of one of
eclipse does not occur every time there the greatest spectacles that
is a full Moon or a new Moon. can be seen in the night sky.

A slight darkening of
Penumbra Penumbra (outer, the moon occurs in the
Moon (outer, lighter Area of Earth lighter shadow) light outer shadow
Earth
shadow) totality

Sunlight Sunlight

The Moon is
Umbra (inner, Area of partial Umbra (inner, darkest within Full Moon
darker shadow) eclipse darker shadow) the umbra
Solar eclipse Lunar eclipse
Observers in the Moon’s umbral shadow see the Sun totally covered by During a lunar eclipse, the Moon enters the Earth’s lighter shadow, the
the Moon. Those in the penumbra region only see a partial eclipse— penumbra. It then enters the darker region, or umbra, where it typically
where the Moon partly obscures the Sun’s disk. goes deep red. Finally, it moves out into the penumbra again.

PLANETARY MOTIONS
Most of the planets can be seen “superior planets.” They can stray Superior
conjunction
in the night sky with nothing more far from the Sun in the sky and can
than the naked eye. The planets be seen late at night. As most of
Mercury and Venus are termed the the planets orbit in roughly the same
“inferior planets” because they go plane as they go around the Sun Planet
around the Sun in orbits that are closer they can all be found relatively close
to the Sun than Earth’s orbit. Because of to the line of the ecliptic (the path Sun
Greatest western
their proximity to the Sun, they are of the Sun on the sky). For more on elongation
Greatest eastern
typically seen low in the sky before their locations in the night sky, see the elongation Inferior conjunction
sunrise and after sunset. Mars and planet locator charts in the Monthly Sky
the planets beyond it are called Guides section of this book (pp.20–115). Angle of elongation
Earth

INFERIOR ORBIT

Conjunction

Sun

Earth

Opposition
(closest to Earth) Planet

SUPERIOR ORBIT

Mercury and Venus Planetary positions

Many of the planets can be seen very easily with the naked eye. These diagrams show several key positions in the orbits of the planets.
In this photograph, the planets Mercury and Venus sit near each Inferior planets are best seen near greatest elongation, while superior
other in the sky after sunset—a striking sight. planets are generally best viewed around opposition.
14 L OO K I NG U P
GETTING STARTED
Many of the night sky’s finest sights can be seen with the
naked eye, but telescopes and binoculars allow us to see
farther and explore celestial objects in more detail.
PLANNING AHEAD
Preparation is the key to an enjoyable night’s
astronomy under the stars. Start by thinking
what you want to look at and the equipment
you will need to see it. For example, if you are
BINOCULARS
Loved by beginners and experts alike,
binoculars are a simple, generally inexpensive
way to explore the night sky. A good pair
of binoculars is capable of showing a huge
variety of objects on any given night. With
even a small pair the rich star fields of the
Milky Way, glittering open star clusters, and
the Moon’s rugged surface are all wonderful
sights. Binoculars come in many different
Focus wheel Eyepiece
Light path
Prism
Objective
lens
Compact binoculars
These “roof-prism” binoculars use a design
where light passes through a group of close
prisms, making them more compact.
using equipment that requires batteries, make
CHECKLIST
sure they are charged and ready. Additionally,
take a good star chart with you (see pp.16–114), • Warm clothes
so that you know the location of the objects • Gloves
you want to observe. Also, think about what • Red light flashlight
to wear when observing. The clearest nights • Notepad and pen
can often be the coldest, so it is crucial to wear • Any equipment (telescopes, binoculars, etc)
warm clothes such as a windproof jacket as well • Compass
as waterproof trousers, a warm hat, and stout • Star chart
shoes. If you are traveling out to a remote • Warm drink
location, make sure to tell someone where you • Blanket or foldable chair
are going. Remembering these basic things will
Red light torch
ensure your observing goes smoothly. To preserve your night vision, a
red light torch is crucial. This
Viewing location can be bought or easily made by
The location from which you observe is as important covering a regular flashlight with a
as the equipment you use. Ideally, head toward red candy wrapper, secured by
a dark sky site, away from sources of light pollution, an elastic band.
such as streetlamps and houses.
sizes and are defined by two numbers
that can often be found marked on their
sides. The first number is the number of
times the binoculars can magnify a view,
and the second number is the size of the
main (or objective) lens in millimeters. For
example, binoculars that magnify 10x with
50mm diameter lenses are said to be a
“ten by fifty” pair of binoculars.
Eyepiece
Prism
Light
path
Objective
lens
Standard binoculars Large binoculars
“Porro-prism” binoculars with a folded light path Large binoculars can provide stunning views
are popular with astronomers because their of celestial objects; however, they require
typically larger lenses result in brighter images. tripods because they can be hard to hold steady.
 G E T T IN G S T A R T E D 15

TELESCOPES RECORDING WHAT YOU SEE

Designed to collect light from celestial objects,
telescopes also magnify the view and allow us
to see objects in more detail. A telescope’s
crucial specification is its aperture—the size
of its main mirror or lens—which is usually
measured in millimeters or inches. The larger
the main mirror or lens, the more light it will be
able to gather. A typical small telescope has an
aperture of 4–6 in (10–15 cm). Telescopes can be
Eyepiece
Telescope tube
Equatorial assembly
mount
held on different types of mounts. These must
be sturdy enough to provide a firm, stable
platform for the optics and allow the telescope
to aim accurately. Equatorial mounts are capable
of aligning to the rotation axis of the night sky for
simplified tracking. More compact in comparison
to equatorial mounts, altitude-azimuth mounts
work by moving around 360° (in azimuth) and
up and down (in altitude).
Finderscope
Eyepiece
Altitude-azimuth Telescope tube
mount assembly
There are many ways to record the things
you observe when studying the night sky.
The simplest is to make a sketch of what you
see with the naked eye or through the eyepiece
of a telescope or binoculars. Make sure to
use a good quality pencil and an artist’s sketch
pad. To sketch clusters, nebulae, and other
deep-sky objects, the best way to begin is
to draw the brighter stars first.
Another popular method, although a little
more tricky to master, is astrophotography.
This involves connecting a camera to your
telescope to take pictures. However you record
your observations, be sure to note down the
observing conditions, the time and date, your
name and location, details of the equipment
used, and the name of the object observed.

Slow motion
control

Main mirror
Tripod located inside
tube

Newtonian reflector Dobsonian

This simple design, consisting of a tube on a The Dobsonian reflector uses a simple altitude-azimuth
mount and tripod, is ideal for a beginner. The mount. Tending to have larger apertures for their price,
eyepiece is located at the top of the tube and Dobsonians are excellent deep-sky telescopes.
extends from the side.

OBSERVING WITH THE NAKED EYE

Focus adjustment
An astro image of the North America Nebula
knob There is a wealth of things to see in the night
Astrophotographers create stunning images of the night sky, with
sky using nothing more than the naked eye.
Eyepiece the help of sensitive cameras mounted on telescopes. They stack
For example, meteor showers are best seen by together many individual exposures to create a final detailed image.
Telescope tube sitting back on a chair and just watching the sky.
assembly Similarly, no equipment is needed to marvel at
the great expanse of the Milky Way galaxy, or
the many stars within it, from a dark sky site. Focus and zoom
Altitude-azimuth To get the most spectacular naked-eye views adjustment
mount of the night sky you must head away from
light-polluted towns and cities.
Tripod with Camera body
eyepiece
holder Camera lens

Mount Tripod head

adjustment
handle

Adjustment
handle

What you can see

Refractor Many celestial objects are visible to the naked eye, Digital SLR
Refractor telescopes have a classic telescope design, their including the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, meteors, These cameras are used by astroimagers because they can be
lenses collect light and produce an image in the eyepiece. noctilucent clouds, and the aurorae (shown above). attached to telescopes and their shutters can be left open
They are good for observing a range of celestial objects. to gather the faint light from celestial objects.
MONTHLY
SKY GUIDES
During the course of a year, our view of the
night sky changes from month to month as
Earth orbits the Sun. Some constellations
are always in the sky, while others appear
and disappear over different regions. The
following monthly sky guides help you
recognize patterns and track changes in
the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

The aurorae
The Northern and Southern lights, or the aurorae, occur in high
latitudes of both hemispheres, such as Wapusk National Park in
Canada, as seen here. They cause spectacular displays that often
last for hours and end with a ribbonlike rippling effect.
18 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES

USING THE SKY GUIDES

This month-by-month guide features charts that show the whole
night sky as it appears from different locations. These pages
explain how to get the most from the information in the charts.
PEGASUS

MONTHLY OVERVIEWS
For each month of the year, a double-page These pages also feature planet-locator Uranus and Neptune
spread outlines the different celestial charts, which show the band of sky that
PISCES The magnified insets of the main
chart show Uranus and Neptune,
phenomena in the sky. These include bright lies on either side of the ecliptic, where the 29
28
27
26 the two outermost planets, as
25
stars, constellations, deep-sky objects, and planets appear. These charts should be used 24
23 they move relatively slowly
22
meteor showers. The constellation box on in conjunction with the information supplied in 21
through our sky.
AQUARIUS
these pages discusses a key constellation the following highlights pages, whole-sky
in detail, pointing out its bright stars. charts, and the Almanac.
20 M O NTH L Y S K Y GUIDES: O VER VIEWS J AN U AR Y 21

MIDNIGHT 9 PM The time of night

Each month JANUARY SOUTHERN LATITUDES (local time) when
has its own In January skies, all eyes are firmly fixed on AU R I G A
THE STARS
If you are observing the skies from
southern latitudes this month, you
Auriga is low in the north on clear
January evenings and the rich
Milky Way star fields of Carina and
sparkling stars, you will find the
Tarantula Nebula, which appears
to the naked eye as a glowing patch
and its star fields and clusters can
be seen with binoculars or a small
telescope. If you are located around
this area of sky lies
on the meridian (an
the striking constellation Orion, the Hunter. The Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m. will find the bright star Canopus in Centaurus, which are home to many the size of the full Moon. Do not latitude 20°S, the star cluster M41,

overview Milky Way is another spectacular sight to

behold this month. If you are in the Southern
21 Alpha (α) Aurigae,
or Capella, 0.1
Aurigae Aur December–February the constellation Carina sitting high
in the sky, while Sirius is almost
interesting celestial sights, are
sitting low in the southeast.
forget the Small Magellanic Cloud
in Tucana either—it lies to the
near Sirius, will be directly above
you. Under good conditions, M41

pages Hemisphere, look high in the sky for the

The constellation Auriga, the
Charioteer, can easily be spotted LYNX
7h
6h
overhead. Orion’s brightest stars,
Rigel and Betelgeuse, are also high SIGHTS OF INTEREST
southwestern horizon this month, can be seen with the naked eye. Capella
—50° imaginary line that
Large Magellanic Cloud. within the band of the Milky up. Aldebaran, the brightest star in It is not just observers in the

runs north to south)

δ
ξ CANIS MAJOR
Way between the constellations 50º 9
PERSEUS
the constellation Taurus, shines with northern latitudes who enjoy a good
Perseus and Gemini. Its brightest Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
ψ1 AURIGA a red-orange tint lower in the north. view of the constellation Orion. The
star is the magnitude 0.1
NORTHERN LATITUDES Capella. There are several π
Capella
α
ε NGC
The star Capella in the constellation Orion Nebula is ideally placed high
43 Alpha (α) Canis Majoris, Canis Majoris
or Sirius, -1.4
CMa January–February
β
interesting open ψ ψ
7
2
η
1664
in the sky, even if you are observing 7h 6h

Declination
40º
ζ
THE STARS south of the chain of three stars that clusters in Auriga λ
from southern latitudes. The Large Sitting at the heels of Orion, Canis
—40°
NGC 2281
–10º MONOCEROS
63 ν τ μ
When viewing in January, you will makes up Orion’s belt. This nebula is that make ideal UU
υ
4
Magellanic Cloud in the constellation Major, the Greater Dog, is home to θ ORION
θ
Castor
M38 CANIS
targets for
2
NGC 1907
the brightest star of the entire night MAJOR μ
immediately notice the brightest easily visible through binoculars from M36 AE IC 405
ι Dorado can be seen with binoculars γ
binoculars or a
Castor
sky—Sirius, Alpha (α) Canis Majoris. α

coordinates
GEMINI χ Sirius

TAURUS
16 NGC
30º
ι
star in the sky, Sirius, in the northern latitudes and can be seen small telescope. RT
κ
M37 on January evenings. Among its Sirius is a brilliant white star with
2360
ν3 2 β
Pollux Alnath –20º π LEPUS
constellation Canis Major. Visible with the naked eye as a hazy patch. β Tau a magnitude of -1.4. Canis Major 15
M41
2
from midnorthern latitudes, Sirius The open star clusters M36, M37, TAURUS
represents one of the two UW NGC
ο2 ο1 ξ ξ
1

GEMINI
The Milky Way τ
Pleiades
2362
hunting dogs of Orion, the
25 Pollux
twinkles above the southern horizon. and M38 in Auriga are also worth δ
27
ω
This view of the Milky Way shows the regions Hunter, which sits nearby. σ Adhara
Directly above you is the yellowish a look with binoculars. named. At the peak of the shower, the trails of meteors appear to come, toward the constellations Crux, the Southern –30º η ε

—30°
It is home to two fine open ζ
star Capella in Auriga. you may be able to spot as many is quite low in the northeastern Cross, and Carina, the Keel. clusters, NGC 2362 and M41. κ λ
23
ARIES
Ecliptic
COLUMBA
Meanwhile, in the northeast lies METEOR SHOWERS as 100 meteors an hour, but they sky, even at midnight.
26
PUPPIS

25
The text
MIDNIGHT 9 P.M.
a familiar asterism, the Big Dipper. In The Quadrantid meteor shower kicks appear relatively faint. The meteor
MIDNIGHT
the northwest, look for the faint band off around January 3–4 every year. shower is best observed from
URANUS
of the Milky Way passing through These meteors seem to originate rural or light pollution–free areas. PEGASUS

highlights LEO
into Perseus and Cassiopeia. from a point near the handle of The peak lasts only a few hours
3 A.M.
Arcturus
6 P.M.
Aldebaran
Celestial equator
GEMINI
21
the Big Dipper in the constellation and their radiant, the point in NEPTUNE
Capella Capella
27
SIGHTS OF INTEREST Ursa Major. This area was once the sky from which
ARIES
Hyades —20° PISCES
the most 24
If you are exploring the constellation occupied by the now-obsolete 29 28 27
26
PISCES

27
25
10° Orion, you will see the Orion Nebula, constellation Quadrans, after
TAURUS
24
23

CANCER
22 29
M42, a bright deep-sky object lying which the meteor shower is
Bellatrix
21
Regulus
28
Castor 20 PISCES 27

prominent 29
Castor
Betelgeuse
3 P.M. 26

The time when an 28

6 A.M.
TAURUSTAURUS 25
24
23
25 Pollux25 GEMINI
Pollux GEMINI Pleiades Pleiades 22

Procyon
21
23 23

stars,
26 ARIES ARIES AQUARIUS

area of the sky is

26

—10°
25 25

2821
NOON 9 A.M.
Arcturus Arcturus LEO LEO Aldebaran Aldebaran 27
0° 27 27 21
23
deep-sky
Hyades Hyades 24PISCES PISCES
29
24

visible: evening sky

27 27

OPHIUCHUS
10° 10° 10° 10°
Regulus CANCER
Regulus CANCER Bellatrix Bellatrix
Mira
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse 29 29

VIRGO Procyon Procyon

28 28

objects, and
AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS

(from sunset to
28 28 27 27
0° 0° 23 23 0° 0°
29
Rigel
29
OPHIUCHUS
OPHIUCHUS 26 26

— 0°
VIRGO Mira Mira
VIRGO
29
meteor
Rigel 25 25 25 25
–10° Rigel

midnight) or
–10° –10° 29 29 –10° –10°
Spica 28 28 21
Spica
Spica 24 21
24
23 22 23
22

showers
22 22 28 28

morning sky (from

27 27
–20° –20° E V E N I N G S K Y 28 21 28 21
–20° –20°
23 26
23
24 29 24 24 24 23 22 23 22 22 26 26

22
26 22 21
29 21
27
24 22

E V E N I N G
24 22 POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
Antares

S K Y — -10°
Antares

midnight to sunrise)
–30° 21 21 LIBRA LIBRA FomalhautFomalhaut CAPRICORNUS
CAPRICORNUS –30°
–20° –30°
SCORPIUS SCORPIUS
This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s –30°
SAGITTARIUS
SAGITTARIUS 23 24 24
in January from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on January 15. Mercury is shown

26 –40°
Shaula
29
Shaula
K
Y
represented by colored dots, while the number
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets
when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
For specific dates, refer to the Almanac. –40°
–40° S –40°

24 22 G Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune

–30°
–50°
–50°
21 M
O
R
N
I N
Antares
LIBRA EXAMPLES
Venus Jupiter Uranus
–50°
–50°

Key to The inner planets (above)

The main body of the
21 Jupiter’s position on 24 Jupiter’s position on January 15, 2024. The arrow indicates
January 15, 2021 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).

SCORPIUS
SAGITTARIUS planet-locator chart
Shaula
planet-locator chart shows the
–40°

Earth’s axis six planets closest to the Sun.

Planet-locator charts (right) of rotation
Capella

The bands along the top and

These charts–50°
show the position of the planets bottom of the chart indicate
Castor
TAURUS
25 Pollux GEMINI Pleiades
23
26 25
ARIES

LEO

at 10pm local standard time on the 15th day in local time when that area
Arcturus Aldebaran

Ecliptic
27 21

Celestial equator
Hyades 24 PISCES
10° 27 10°
Regulus CANCER Betelgeuse
Bellatrix 29
28
Procyon
28 27 AQUARIUS
0° 23 0°
29

of the month. Each planet is represented by of sky is highest in the sky.

OPHIUCHUS Mira 26
VIRGO

Position of a
Rigel 25 25
–10° 29 –10°
28 21

Celestial
Spica 24
23
22 22 28
27 28 21

a colored dot, and the number inside each However, the local sunset
–20° –20°
23 24 24 23 22 26
26 22
29 21

planet shown by
24 22
Antares
21 LIBRA Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS

equator
–30° –30°

SAGITTARIUS SCORPIUS
Shaula

dot refers to a particular year. Each chart and sunrise times will affect
–40° –40°

–50°
The planet-locator chart shows –50°
colored dot
shows the planets’ positions in relation Celestial a portion of the celestial sphere the darkness of the sky and the
to the 13 constellations along the ecliptic. sphere on either side of the ecliptic visibility of the planets.

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS 22 MO NT H L Y S K Y G UI D E S : H I G H L I G H T S JANUARY 23

The monthly highlights pages detail a JANUARY JANUARY

Northern and
observation times star magnitudes
Date Standard Daylight-saving
-1 0 1 2 3 and above

NORTHERN LATITUDES SOUTHERN LATITUDES

time time

southern latitudes
December 15 Midnight 1 am

selection of the best objects to look for

January 1 11 pm Midnight
January 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north looking north
are covered
February 1 9 pm 10 pm
February 15 8 pm 9 pm

in the night sky, such as galaxies, clusters,

The pair of star clusters NGC 884 and NGC The bright star Castor, Alpha (α) Geminorum,
Zenith Zenith
869 are known together as the Double Cluster. in Gemini, is an interesting target if observed

separately
20°N 40°S
They lie in Perseus, in the northwest in through a telescope. Appearing as a single star
January skies, and are a truly wonderful sight to the naked eye, Castor is actually a multiple

and double stars. Each month has four charts,

through binoculars or a small telescope. TAURUS
AURIGA star system composed of six stars, three
ERIDANUS CANIS
The constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, 40ºN GEMINI
Ecl
ipt
20ºS MAJOR of which can be observed with a small
ic
is well placed for observation in January. In the Castor telescope. Also on show are the open clusters
east, the double star of Alcor and Mizar in Ursa M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga, the Charioteer.
Text highlights the
Pollux Rigel Sirius
Capella PUPPIS

which show the skies looking north and south

PERSEUS
Major, the Great Bear, can be spotted through In the west, the prominent “V” shape of
60ºN MONOCEROS
0º
a small telescope. Capella, in the constellation ARIES ORION the Hyades star cluster in Taurus is a fine

most prominent
CANCER Betelgeuse
Auriga, is almost overhead. sight to the naked eye or through binoculars.

TAURUS Aldebaran Procyon

from both northern and southern latitudes

PISCES CETUS HYDRA

celestial objects
CASSIOPEIA URSA CANCER
Polaris MAJOR
ANDROMEDA
URSA Regulus GEMINI
MINOR Big Dipper Pollux Ecl
LEO ARIES AURIGA ipt
ic

(see p.19). The colored lines indicate the

CEPHEUS Castor

Capella Horizon 40ºS Regulus

Alcor Mizar
PISCES

Photographs show
PEGASUS
Horiz
on 20 PERSEUS
DRACO ºN

region of the sky that is visible from the given

Deneb LEO
BOÖTES Horizon 40ºN Horizon 20ºS
The Double Cluster The Hyades
Both NGC 884 and NGC 869 can be seen through binoculars or
a small telescope as two fuzzy patches made of many stars,
sparkling against the rich star fields of the Milky Way galaxy.
W
ES
T CYGNUS Vega Horiz
on 6
0ºN
EA
ST
W
ES
T ANDROMEDA
CASSIOPEIA

Big Dipper
URSA
MAJOR
EA
ST
The “V” of the Hyades star cluster is an unmistakable sight; its
members form the head of Taurus, the Bull. The bright orange-red
star nearby, Aldebaran, is not actually a part of the cluster.
some of the most
latitude. The text discusses objects that are interesting
HERCULES
Horizon 0º

looking south looking south

well placed for observation in the region of

The constellation Orion, the Hunter, is a
magnificent sight to behold with the naked
eye. Particularly striking is the color difference
Zenith
60°N
Zenith
0°
The constellations Vela, Carina, and the long and
winding Eridanus are all on show at this time
of the year. The planetary nebula NGC 3132
features to
between Orion’s two brightest stars, the
orange-red Alpha (α) Orionis, Betelgeuse,
Capella
ORION
in Vela is an interesting object when seen
through a telescope. While you are observing observe
sky shown on the chart. There are also tips
Rigel
and the blue-white Beta (β) Orionis, Rigel. 40ºN Sirius the eastern part of the sky, be sure to look for
20ºS
MONOCEROS
A telescope or a pair of binoculars will reveal AURIGA PERSEUS
CANIS
the globular cluster NGC 3201. The open star
the stunning Orion Nebula, M42, which sits in Castor MAJOR cluster NGC 2547, also in Vela, is a good target
Orion’s sword. The variable star Mira in Cetus for binoculars. Use a small telescope to bring

on how to locate the objects, some of which

Pollux Propus TAURUS

Sky charts show

GEMINI 20ºN 40ºS
and the open cluster M35 in Gemini are also ERIDANUS into focus the scattered open cluster M47
well placed for observation. ORION Aldebaran
PUPPIS in the constellation Puppis, the Stern.
ARIES Canopus
LEO

positions of the
CANCER Regor
Betelgeuse

are illustrated with photographs. To hone in

tic Procyon PICTOR
ip
PISCES
l
Ec

MONOCEROS
CETUS

stars looking
Rigel VELA Achernar
Sirius CARINA
Regulus Mira PHOENIX CETUS

on objects in the sky, you can cross-reference

HYDRA
CANIS ERIDANUS
PUPPIS HYDRA
MAJOR

north and south

CENTAURUS
on 60ºN
Horiz TUCANA
OCTANS AQUARIUS
0º CRUX
izon
Hor

these charts with the detailed sky charts on

β Centauri GRUS Fomalhaut
Horizon 40ºN Horizon 20ºS
M35 in Gemini Hor NGC 2547
izon
The open cluster M35 sits near the star Propus in Gemini. While EA
Canopus
EA 40º α Centauri The gorgeous magnitude 4.7 star cluster NGC 2547 sits very
T ST S PAVO ST
a small telescope will show the cluster clearly, a larger telescope ST Horiz CARINA PHOENIX ES WE close to the star Regor, Gamma (γ) Velorum, in the constellation
on 20 VELA PICTOR W
will also show the fainter cluster NGC 2158 sitting nearby. ºN Vela. It is a fine sight through binoculars or a small telescope.
ARA

the following pages.

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67
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T OG S2 LSEPUS OEM38 PICTOR
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T
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there are two whole-sky charts for every month. These
HO ELUM FO U S S

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48
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S
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67
ERICAE M X FO CAELU PY T
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charts show the position of the stars at 10pm local time

W
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W

A
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N
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Southern Hemispheres. They project the half of the celestial
M Rige Cl A ARTOR M 46

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48
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on the horizon. To use the whole-sky charts, first use the
LEPUS

R
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LY

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M
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world map (bottom right) to find the colored latitude line
x N A
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M
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O
Miz

CE
51

RSIFT
ES
M

C
M
ES
39
RIF observation times
M64

T stars near the T chart’s edge YG PH N N N TIC

I

R
PE C A NA

OT
EUS February 1 9 pm 10 pm LA M101DIP
M52

LYR NU
VE
TM3

CE Polaris BIG
De LY Dene Standard
M53

RT
Date Daylight-saving
O
HE

closeRto S ar
A

appear A the bM horizon. A

T
ne z B
De
M92
DRACON O R T H i 1
ne U R SA
N

b 2 M92
M 5 time time February 15 8 pm 9 pm b

9M3
S

Vega Ve ga MINOR
M CY CE
TE
S
O

PH
CY and 9crosses
GN
A

ES
EUS
CY Color-coded lines ES
deep-sky objects O5O1
TM3

US
M13 star magnitudes points of reference ar
M13 UL ES
M29M
DRACO Miz BM
ES December 15 Midnight 1 am
N

G L H E R C
S
R

G E R C U T
E

H NUS M H T H DiffuseMidnight
39
O

N O O 1 2
R

Observation times
H H
CYUS
T

JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES

-1 BO 11 pmT
CY
T

Variable Globular Open Planetary T

BO
W
W
are used29 to identify GNthe
T

GN M101 R
T

M5 M5 0 3 4 5 Galaxy
January cluster
1 Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic E
M2 DRACO
US
1
N

DRACO
O
M10
star cluster nebula nebula
R
S
S

7 RIF
S

7 N
LOOK
9 T

I N G N O RHT H
T

E
O

US
A

LYR
11 pm Each chart shows the sky as it appears at 10pm
De
A

O pm
ne A
January 15 10
S
horizon and zenith for
b M92
R

Vega

H H
E

RIF N9 pm
CY S

T
T

M13

T HERCULES E
W T
24

GN OT
T US
February 1 10 pm
local standard time mid month. However, this
BO
R
T

R
M29 M57
DRACO
N

E each of the three latitude Den

S
O

LYR O
A

S O
R

H H
T

T
NA S N
W
A February 15 8 pm 9 pm
T A
R
eb N view can also be seen at other times of the
E
N O VReT H N S M9 2 O A I
S O

projectionsLYon each monthly NORTH O AI T NA N

LY g a R L O R L LYR NORTH RO AIS
CO RE L
RA RA CO RE C RE
A M92
Vega BO
M92
BO -sky objectsBOS ES points of reference month, as well as one hour later when local

JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES

whole-sky chart. starVemagnitudes
ga CY Vega M92
deep
E M 13
HERCULES
M13

GN H E R C U L T
MO NTH LY S KY GUID ES : S KY GUI D ES

M57

OO daylight saving time is in use. These times range

13 13
HEMRCULES
M
US HERCULESM
T

observation times

M Variable RACO
DGalaxy Globular Open Diffuse B
Planetary
N

-1 9 0
2 1M57 2 3 5
4 7 5 Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
Date Standard Daylight-saving
S

M5
cluster cluster nebula nebula from midnight in the middle of the previous
time time
star NORTH
O

7
A

December 15 Midnight 1 am
R

H H
January 1 11 pm Midnight

month to 8pm in the middle of the next month.

LOOK
ING NORTH
T

January 15 10 pm 11 pm

Wstar magnitudes deep-sky objects

observation times observation times T February 1 9 pm 10 pm

E
points of reference February 15 8 pm
R
9 pm
24

S-1
Date Date
Standard Standard
Daylight-saving Daylight-saving
O
T 0 1 2 3 4 5 O R TVariable
N H
star
N O RGalaxy
TH Globular
cluster
Open
N Ocluster H
| December
NORTHERN
R TJANUARY nebula
Horizons LATITUDES
N S20°N
60°N 40°N
1Oam I
Diffuse
nebula
Planetary
time time time time A
Zeniths N
60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
LYR 15 Midnight
December 15 Midnight 1 am R LA
A star magnitudes

1M9
2
deep-sky objects
CO RMidnight
E points of reference

BO 11 pm
-1January 21 January
11Variable
pm 1 Midnight 11
Openpm

Star magnitude L O O K I N LNOOORKTI HN G Vega 0 3 4 5 Galaxy Globular Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
cluster cluster nebula nebula

NORTH
star
24

G January 15 10 January
pm 15 11 pm 10 pm
M 13
60°N
This panel shows the approximate magnitudes of the
24

CULE1S
HERFebruary February 1 10 pm 9 pm
9 pm 10 pm
40°N
stars plotted on the whole-sky chart. In astronomy,
M5
7 February 15 February 15 9 pm
8 pm 8 pm 9 pm
20°N
the brighter a star the lower its “magnitude” value; 0°

NUARY | NORTHERN
Y | NORTHERN LATITUDES
LATITUDES
bright objects may even have a negative value.
NORTH
observation times
Date Standard
time
Daylight-saving
time
20°S
40°S

s deep-sky objects deep-sky objects points of reference points of reference December 15 Midnight 1 am

5 2 Variable
3 4 5 Galaxy Open Globular
Variable Globular Galaxy Diffuse Open Planetary Diffuse Planetary
20°N 60°N
Horizons
60°N 40°N Zeniths40°N 60°N
20°N Zeniths
40°N 60°N Ecliptic
20°N 40°N 20°N January 1
Ecliptic 11 pm Lines
Midnightof latitude
star star cluster cluster clusternebula cluster nebula nebula Horizons
nebula
LOOK
IN G NORTH January 15 10 pm Use
11 pmthis map to find the colored latitude line
Deep-sky objects Points of reference February 1 9 pm that
10 pmis closest to your location. This is the color
This panel displays the symbols for deep-sky objects, To help you remember which horizon line or zenith markerFebruary 15 8 pm of9 pm
the line you need to find on the sky charts (see
including galaxies, clusters, and nebulae shown on the applies to your location, this bar shows the different colors above). Note that a 10° difference in latitude

NUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES

whole-sky charts. that correspond to the different latitudes. has little effect on the stars that can be seen.

tudes deep-sky objects points of reference

20 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

JANUARY
In January skies, all eyes are firmly fixed on au r i g a
the striking constellation Orion, the Hunter. The Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

Milky Way is another spectacular sight to 21 Alpha (α) Aurigae, Aurigae Aur December–February
or Capella, 0.1
behold this month. If you are in the Southern
The constellation Auriga, the
Hemisphere, look high in the sky for the Charioteer, can easily be spotted LYNX
7h
6h

Large Magellanic Cloud. within the band of the Milky

Way between the constellations 50º
δ
ξ
9
PERSEUS

Perseus and Gemini. Its brightest

ψ1 AURIGA
star is the magnitude 0.1
northern latitudes Capella. There are several π
Capella
α
ε NGC
β
interesting open
1664
2
40º ψ7 ψ η ζ
THE STARS south of the chain of three stars that clusters in Auriga NGC 2281 λ
63 ν τ μ
When viewing in January, you will makes up Orion’s belt. This nebula is that make ideal UU
υ
4
θ M38
targets for
2
NGC 1907
immediately notice the brightest easily visible through binoculars from Castor
M36 AE IC 405
ι
binoculars or a 30º
GEMINI χ 16
star in the sky, Sirius, in the northern latitudes and can be seen small telescope. RT
κ
M37
Alnath
Pollux
constellation Canis Major. Visible with the naked eye as a hazy patch. β Tau

from midnorthern latitudes, Sirius The open star clusters M36, M37, TAURUS

twinkles above the southern horizon.
Directly above you is the yellowish
star Capella in Auriga.
Meanwhile, in the northeast lies
a familiar asterism, the Big Dipper. In
the northwest, look for the faint band
of the Milky Way passing through
into Perseus and Cassiopeia.
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
If you are exploring the constellation
Orion, you will see the Orion Nebula,
M42, a bright deep-sky object lying
and M38 in Auriga are also worth
a look with binoculars.
METEOR SHOWERS
The Quadrantid meteor shower kicks
off around January 3–4 every year.
These meteors seem to originate
from a point near the handle of
the Big Dipper in the constellation
Ursa Major. This area was once
occupied by the now-obsolete
constellation Quadrans, after
which the meteor shower is
named. At the peak of the shower, the trails of meteors appear to come,
you may be able to spot as many is quite low in the northeastern
as 100 meteors an hour, but they sky, even at midnight.
appear relatively faint. The meteor
MIDNIGHT
shower is best observed from
rural or light pollution–free areas.
The peak lasts only a few hours
3 A.M.
and their radiant, the point in
the sky from which
6 A.M.

25 Pol

NOON 9 A.M.
Arcturus LEO
27
10° 27
Regulus CANCER

28
0°
29
OPHIUCHUS
VIRGO

–10° 29
Spica

22
27
–20°
23 24 24
26 29
24 22
Antares
–30° 21 LIBRA
SAGITTARIUS SCORPIUS
Shaula Y
K
–40° S
G
I N
N
–50° R
O
M
 JANUARY 21

southern latitudes
THE STARS
If you are observing the skies from
southern latitudes this month, you
will find the bright star Canopus in
the constellation Carina sitting high
in the sky, while Sirius is almost
overhead. Orion’s brightest stars,
Rigel and Betelgeuse, are also high
up. Aldebaran, the brightest star in
the constellation Taurus, shines with
a red-orange tint lower in the north.
The star Capella in the constellation
Auriga is low in the north on clear
January evenings and the rich
Milky Way star fields of Carina and
Centaurus, which are home to many
interesting celestial sights, are
sitting low in the southeast.
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
It is not just observers in the
northern latitudes who enjoy a good
view of the constellation Orion. The
Orion Nebula is ideally placed high
in the sky, even if you are observing
sparkling stars, you will find the
Tarantula Nebula, which appears
to the naked eye as a glowing patch
the size of the full Moon. Do not
forget the Small Magellanic Cloud
in Tucana either—it lies to the
southwestern horizon this month,
canis major
Size ranking Brightest star
43 Alpha (α) Canis Majoris, Canis Majoris
or Sirius, -1.4
and its star fields and clusters can
be seen with binoculars or a small
telescope. If you are located around
latitude 20°S, the star cluster M41,
near Sirius, will be directly above
you. Under good conditions, M41
can be seen with the naked eye.
Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
CMa January–February
7h 6h

from southern latitudes. The Large Sitting at the heels of Orion, Canis –10º MONOCEROS

Magellanic Cloud in the constellation Major, the Greater Dog, is home to θ ORION
CANIS
the brightest star of the entire night MAJOR μ
Dorado can be seen with binoculars γ α
sky—Sirius, Alpha (α) Canis Majoris. NGC
ι
Sirius

on January evenings. Among its Sirius is a brilliant white star with

2360
ν3 2 β
–20º π LEPUS
a magnitude of -1.4. Canis Major 15
M41
2
represents one of the two UW NGC
ο 2
ο 1
ξ ξ
1

The Milky Way hunting dogs of Orion, the τ 2362

δ
27
ω
This view of the Milky Way shows the regions Hunter, which sits nearby. σ Adhara
η ε
toward the constellations Crux, the Southern It is home to two fine open
–30º
ζ
Cross, and Carina, the Keel. clusters, NGC 2362 and M41. κ λ
COLUMBA
PUPPIS
MIDNIGHT 9 P.M.

URANUS
PEGASUS
6 P.M.
GEMINI NEPTUNE
Capella Capella
ARIES
29 28 27 PISCES
26 25
24
TAURUS 23
22 29
21 28
Castor Castor
20 PISCES 27
26
3 P.M.
TAURUSTAURUS 25
24
23
llux25 GEMINI
Pollux GEMINI Pleiades Pleiades 22
21
23 23
26 26 25 25
ARIES ARIES AQUARIUS

Aldebaran Aldebaran
21 21
Hyades Hyades 24 24PISCES PISCES
10° 10°
Bellatrix Bellatrix 29 29
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
28 28
Procyon Procyon
27 27 AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS
23 23 0° 0°
Mira Mira 26 26

Rigel Rigel 25 25 25 25
–10° –10°
28 28 21 21
24 24
23 22 23
22 28 28
E V E N I N G S K Y 28 21 28 21
–20° –20°
23 22 23 22 22 26 26
22 21
21
positions of the planets
FomalhautFomalhaut CAPRICORNUS
CAPRICORNUS –30°
This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s –30°
in January from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on January 15. Mercury is shown
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac. –40°
–40°

Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune

Venus Jupiter Uranus –50°

–50°
EXAMPLES
21 Jupiter’s position on 24 Jupiter’s position on January 15, 2024. The arrow indicates
January 15, 2021 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
22 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

JANUARY observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

December 15 Midnight 1 am
January 1 11 pm Midnight
January 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north February 1 9 pm 10 pm
February 15 8 pm 9 pm
The pair of star clusters NGC 884 and NGC
Zenith
869 are known together as the Double Cluster. 20°N
They lie in Perseus, in the northwest in
January skies, and are a truly wonderful sight
through binoculars or a small telescope. TAURUS
AURIGA

The constellation Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, 40ºN GEMINI

Ecl
ipt
ic
is well placed for observation in January. In the Castor
east, the double star of Alcor and Mizar in Ursa Capella
Pollux
PERSEUS
Major, the Great Bear, can be spotted through
60ºN
a small telescope. Capella, in the constellation ARIES
CANCER
Auriga, is almost overhead.

PISCES
CASSIOPEIA URSA
Polaris MAJOR
ANDROMEDA
URSA Regulus
MINOR Big Dipper
LEO
CEPHEUS

Alcor Mizar
PEGASUS
Horiz
on 20
DRACO ºN

Deneb
BOÖTES Horizon 40ºN
The Double Cluster
Both NGC 884 and NGC 869 can be seen through binoculars or W
a small telescope as two fuzzy patches made of many stars, ES 0 ºN ST
T CYGNUS on 6 EA
Vega Horiz
sparkling against the rich star fields of the Milky Way galaxy.
HERCULES

looking south
The constellation Orion, the Hunter, is a
magnificent sight to behold with the naked Zenith
60°N
eye. Particularly striking is the color difference
between Orion’s two brightest stars, the
Capella
orange-red Alpha (α) Orionis, Betelgeuse,
and the blue-white Beta (β) Orionis, Rigel. 40ºN
A telescope or a pair of binoculars will reveal AURIGA PERSEUS

the stunning Orion Nebula, M42, which sits in Castor

Orion’s sword. The variable star Mira in Cetus Propus
Pollux GEMINI 20ºN TAURUS
and the open cluster M35 in Gemini are also
well placed for observation. ORION Aldebaran
ARIES
LEO
CANCER
Betelgeuse
tic Procyon
ip
PISCES
l
Ec

MONOCEROS
CETUS
Sirius Rigel
Regulus Mira
HYDRA
CANIS ERIDANUS
PUPPIS
MAJOR

on 60ºN
Horiz

Horizon 40ºN
M35 in Gemini
The open cluster M35 sits near the star Propus in Gemini. While EA
Canopus
T
a small telescope will show the cluster clearly, a larger telescope ST Horiz CARINA PHOENIX ES
on 20 VELA PICTOR W
will also show the fainter cluster NGC 2158 sitting nearby. ºN
 JANUARY 23

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
JANUARY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The bright star Castor, Alpha (α) Geminorum,
Zenith
40°S
in Gemini, is an interesting target if observed
through a telescope. Appearing as a single star
to the naked eye, Castor is actually a multiple
star system composed of six stars, three
ERIDANUS CANIS
20ºS MAJOR of which can be observed with a small
telescope. Also on show are the open clusters
Rigel Sirius M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga, the Charioteer.
PUPPIS
In the west, the prominent “V” shape of
MONOCEROS
0º
ORION the Hyades star cluster in Taurus is a fine
Betelgeuse
sight to the naked eye or through binoculars.

TAURUS Aldebaran Procyon

CETUS HYDRA

CANCER

GEMINI
Pollux Ecl
ARIES AURIGA ipt
ic
Castor

Capella Horizon 40ºS Regulus

PISCES
PERSEUS

LEO
Horizon 20ºS The Hyades
W URSA The “V” of the Hyades star cluster is an unmistakable sight; its
ES CASSIOPEIA MAJOR ST members form the head of Taurus, the Bull. The bright orange-red
T ANDROMEDA EA
Big Dipper star nearby, Aldebaran, is not actually a part of the cluster.
Horizon 0º

looking south
The constellations Vela, Carina, and the long and
Zenith winding Eridanus are all on show at this time
0°
of the year. The planetary nebula NGC 3132
ORION
in Vela is an interesting object when seen
Rigel through a telescope. While you are observing
Sirius the eastern part of the sky, be sure to look for
20ºS
MONOCEROS
CANIS
the globular cluster NGC 3201. The open star
MAJOR cluster NGC 2547, also in Vela, is a good target
for binoculars. Use a small telescope to bring
40ºS ERIDANUS into focus the scattered open cluster M47
PUPPIS in the constellation Puppis, the Stern.
Canopus

Regor
PICTOR

VELA Achernar
CARINA
PHOENIX CETUS
HYDRA
CENTAURUS
TUCANA
OCTANS AQUARIUS
0º CRUX
izon
Hor β Centauri GRUS Fomalhaut
Horizon 20ºS
Hor NGC 2547
izon
EA 40º α Centauri The gorgeous magnitude 4.7 star cluster NGC 2547 sits very
S T
S PAVO ST close to the star Regor, Gamma (γ) Velorum, in the constellation
WE
Vela. It is a fine sight through binoculars or a small telescope.
ARA
 PE

OR
M EO

X
RS

U N
IN

S LY
E

L
PE
GA

TRIA
PIS CES
SU

M87
AN

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M333

EAST
S

C8 ella
WEST

CA NG 69
1

LEO
DR

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C8
SS
M3

84 AURIGA
OM

I OP C A SA R
4
UL

ME
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OR
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M1

RE A
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A

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M81N M

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U

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IN
S LY
E

L
PE

ES

4
GA

M6
N TIC

I
C A NA
SU

M87
LA M5
AN

2 NG
VE
M

EAST
C
S

C Polaris
WEST

31

ER CA NG 869

3
DR

M5
TA S
C8
84
SI
OM

OP C AM U R SA SA R
E E U R A JO

S
I LOPA
ED

A RDALIS MINOR

CE
M1
CE

RE A
03
A

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BE COM
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3
S

M
ar
M Miz M
51
ES
39

4
M6
N TIC

I
ER
LA M5 1 PP
M10 DI C A NA
VE
2
CE Polaris BI
G

3
RT E

M5
A D TH
en
eb U R SA
MINOR
C C EPH S
YG
N EU TE
O5O1

TM3
US S ar
M2 M
DRACO Miz BM
N

S
9 3
O

A
R

E
H CY H
T

W GN M10
1 T
E U R
S SR O
T IFT N
D en LYR
eb A M92
Vega
C YG M 13 E S
N HERCULES OT
US
BO

T
M2 M5
DRACO
N

S
9 7
O

A
R

E
H H
T

W T
E R
S O
T NA N
LYR NORTH RO AIS
A M92 CO RE L
Vega BO
M 13
HERCULES
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

M5
7
observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
December 15 Midnight 1 am
January 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH January 15 10 pm 11 pm
February 1 9 pm 10 pm
February 15 8 pm 9 pm
JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
24
 S
M3 A DE
5 AURIGA EI
PL

CAN
M1

M
C

SE
67
ES

ER

XT
SC

Cas

Po
PI
aran

AN
Pr
tor
DES

llu
Aldeb

S
x
M38 HYA S US

cy
N

on
M36ORIO
SEUAUR

CA
ECLIP PER T
M37
WEST

TIC

Reg
Bete

NI

LE

EAST
HY

u
lgeu

S
se S

O
M

D
ARIES

R
ra

O
DE

lus
M
A N

I
M3 A
N 5 ellatrix

Mi
O O AURIGBA EI
R CE PL

CAN
RO
M1

M
S

C
S

SE
67
E

EMR

XT
48
SC
TU

PI S
aran S

AN
Pr
M5
0 Aldeb DE CE

S
M42 HYA US

cy
U R

on

CA
M TA
ORIOelN
Rig
WEST

46 Bete

NI

EAST
HY
lgeu

S
M4 se

D
7 ius Sir

R
ra

M
A N

AN
Bellatrix

Mi
N C US

TL
M9
O ANI OC
MR N
3 DA

IA
A JO S E R O
R M4S1
ERI X
NA

M
S

48
PY FO
OR

XIS
M5 LEPUS TU
0 CE
PT

M42
L

Adhara
CU

M Rigel
S

46
M4
7 Sirius

AN
US

TL
M9 PU MCANIS N
3 DA
T

IA
PPA
ERI

S
ISJO
S

R M41 AX

O
E

VE COLUMBA M N

U
OR
W

T PY LA CAELU F
H XIS
LEPUS IUM H
E OG T
A R OL U
S Adhara HO O
T Canopus
S
X
PICTOR E NI
CAR DORADO M HO
INA ULU P
PU RETIC
T

PPI
S

S
S

O
E

VE UMBA M

U
W

COLLMC
T LA CAELU
H G IUM H
E LO T
A RO U
S HO O
T Canopus
S
SOUTH
PICTOR DORADO STAR MOTION
CAR M
INA ULU
RETIC
North

LMC
sunrise and sunset on 15th january

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
JANUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
J A NUA R Y N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
25
 HY

R
M A JO
US

NIS
3

CA
M9

LEPUS
41
M
LEP

M46

us
RA
Siri 47
M
US

CAN HYD
8

I S M A JO R
M4

Rig

S
el

AN
CET
Mi

ER

XT
M42 0
D M5
AN
US
ra

SE
US
OS yon
A MONOCER Pro
c
PIS

U
T

RU Bellatrix 67
EC

EAST
S M
CE

us
WEST

LIP
Betelgeuse R ul
PEG

TIC
INO g

O
S

CANIS M Re

LE
HYAD
CE R
AS U

ES ORION
CAN
S

AR Aldebaran
I ES M4
4
M1

OR
PLEIA
TR DES
I M35 lux
AN Pol

IN
G

M
M
33 U LU M37 tor
Cas

O
M

LE
INI
PE M38 M36 GEM
R SEU
A S
N AU R I G A
DR
O M3
M
M

4
31

ED X
A Capella LYN

R
JO
A
CA M
SA
NG
S SI C8 NG
UR
69 C8
O

T
84
PE
N

S
IA M1
O

A
03
R

E
H H
T

W T
E R
S O
T N
CA MELO
PARDALIS
1
M8
DRACO
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
December 15 Midnight 1 am
January 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH January 15 10 pm 11 pm
February 1 9 pm 10 pm
February 15 8 pm 9 pm
JANUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
26
 Ad

YD
C

AN
har BA N

S
Rig
a

M4
NA
CE
I S M A JO R

8
DA

RA
COLUM I

HYD
CAN

US
M
ER

FO
47

C
Siri

RA
us

M46
LEP
S

RA
PY
PU

XI

TE
PP

RIU

R
IS UM

M
CAEL

41

AN
LEPUS

QU

TL
M9

I
CA

3
A NIS

R
M

CO
US
Canopu
WEST

AJsOR

HY

EAST
U

TTO
Ad

AX

RV
P
har BA N

DR
L
a A

N
CE

U
A
COLUM ID

S
O

CU
ER

S
DORAD

FO

C
VE
t

LA
au

RA
PY
PU CA
alhS

XI

TE
mIU

PP R IN A

R
IS UM
AFoR

CAEL
M

AN
PICTOR IX
QU

GI U EN

TL
I
O
A

A LO PH
nar

R
LMC RETICULUM HORO er

CO
WEST

Ach
US

EAST
TO
N

RV
LP

U
RI IS

U
T

S
VOL O
A
S ISC

NCan
S opus US
SC
VE DORAD
t

HYDR 04
AU P

LA M E N SA
au

C1
CA NG
alh

RIN
A
m

SMC
Fo

Ga CR
NG cr ux UX
C PICTOR M X
51
39
CHAMAELEON IU NI US
Acru MUS
L U M O LOG A OE
CE x CA LMC R E T I C U HO R nar
ArN PH GR
N Bec TUC che A
US

TA rux
N
RI IS

UR
T

VOL
A OCTANS
S ISC

US
Had NS US
ar HYDR
T

04
AU P

M E N SA

S
C1
S

NG

O
E

APUS

U
W

T Ga
Rig
C il SMC
H NG cruL RUKent H
E C x UP X auru
s U S T
A 51 US CHAMAELEON U
S 39
Acru MUS IND US O
CET x CA NA GR S
N Mim CIRC TUCA
osa
TA INUS PAVO
UR TRIANG
ULU M
I U
US AUSTRA M
LE OCTANS
Had C OP
ar
T

S
OS
S

ARA R

O
E

APUS IC

U
M
W

T Rig
il K
H LU ent H
E aur
us US T
A PU
S U
S IND O
T S
CIRC SOUTH
INUS
TRIANG PAVO STAR MOTION
ULU
AUSTRA M
LE
North
ARA

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
JANUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
J A NUA R Y S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
27
28 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

FEBRUARY
To get your bearings this month, look out gemini
for the bright stars Castor and Pollux in Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

Gemini from northern latitudes. If you are 30 Beta (β) Geminorum, 1.15 Geminorum Gem January–February
Alpha (α) Geminorum, 1.6
observing from the Southern Hemisphere, LYNX
6h
You can find the 8h

the constellations Carina, Puppis, and

7h

constellation Gemini,
Vela can be seen high in the sky. the Twins, by looking
for its two brightest Castor
ο
αρ
θ
30º
τ
stars, Beta (β) and χ σ
β ι AURIGA
Alpha (α) Pollux

northern latitudes Geminorum,

φ
κ
υ
GEMINI ε M35

known to Ecliptic δ μ η 1
ζ
THE STARS constellations Taurus, Auriga, astronomers as Castor 20º
NGC 2392 ν TAURUS

If you are observing the sky from Perseus, and the W-shaped and Pollux. Castor is an 81
ORION
λ γ
interesting multiple star. Alhena
midnorthern latitudes, you will find Cassiopeia are also on show
You will also find the 38 ξ 30

the constellation Gemini almost this month. In the eastern sky, open cluster M35 near 10º

overhead. South of Gemini lies the the constellation Leo, the Lion, the feet of the twins. CANCER
Betelgeuse
CANIS
sparkling Winter Triangle formed is visible, while the familiar shape Procyon MINOR

by the bright stars Sirius in Canis of the Big Dipper asterism sits MONOCEROS

Major, Betelgeuse in Orion, and nearby in the northeast.

Procyon in Canis Minor. The four
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
Close to the feet of Gemini, the
Twins, you will find M35, a large
open star cluster that can be easily
spotted with a pair of binoculars.
The Winter Triangle
In the northern winter night sky, look out for the
stars of the Winter Triangle asterism—Sirius
(center bottom), the orange-red Betelgeuse (top),
and Procyon (top left).
The wonderful Beehive Cluster, also of binoculars, look out for the star
known as M44 or Praesepe, is a cluster NGC 2244. It is also an
great sight through a small telescope. interesting target for a small
It lies in the nearby constellation telescope and sits between the
Cancer and appears wider than stars Betelgeuse and Procyon.
the full Moon. Meanwhile, you will
find the Milky Way running through
the constellation Monoceros, home
to many open star clusters. If you
3 A.M.
are observing with a pair

NOON

20° 6 A.M.
9 A.M.
Arcturus
LEO
27 2
Regulus
10°
Altair

28
0°
29
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO

29
–10° CAPRICORNUS
29 22 22
Spica
21 21 28 22
–20° 26 24 29
24 27
LIBRA
21
22 Antares
–30°

SAGITTARIUS Shaula

–40° Y
K
S
SCORPIUS G
I N
N
R
O
M
 FEBRUARY 29

southern latitudes
THE STARS Magellanic Clouds. Meanwhile,
puppis
If you are observing from southern Leo, the Lion, is steadily rising
latitudes, you will find two stellar in the northeast. Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
beacons shining away high in the 20 Zeta (ζ) Puppis, Puppis Pup January–February
sky. These are the two brightest SIGHTS OF INTEREST or Naos, 2.2
9h 7h
stars in the night sky—Sirius and The regions in and around the The constellation Puppis, the MONOCEROS
–10º
Canopus. Two stunning constellations, Milky Way should be explored, as Stern, is home to the open ORION
19
Crux, the Southern Cross, and they contain many star clusters, star clusters M46 and M47, M47
Sirius
20
Centaurus, the Centaur, are also such as M46, M47, NGC 2451, which can be seen with a pair M46
CANIS
MAJOR
visible. A little way above them, and NGC 2477, which can be found of binoculars. Puppis sits –20º
16
LEPUS
in the night sky just north of 11
you will find the deceptive False in Puppis. Also seek out the star the bright star Canopus and ξ
M93

ο
Cross, sometimes mistaken for clusters IC 2391 and IC 2395 in is wedged between the NGC 1 Adhara
PYXIS
Vela and NGC 2516 in Carina.
3
the true Southern Cross. The
2571
constellations Vela, Carina, -30º
6h
and Canis Major.
k
False Cross is formed by four NGC 2439

stars in Vela and Carina. NGC 2451

π

At this time of year, the two NGC

2546 NGC 2477 COLUMBA
–40º
main stars of Gemini, Castor and Naos PUPPIS
σ
L2 ν
Pollux, can be found sitting in the L1

north. The constellations Orion and The South Celestial Pole

VELA
Find the South Celestial Pole by intersecting two V

Taurus are also visible. In the south, imaginary lines: one, an extension of the long –50º
PICTOR

you will still find the Large and Small axis of Crux, and the other at right angles CARINA Canopus
to the line joining Alpha and Beta Centauri.
9 P.M.

6 P.M.
MIDNIGHT URANUS

Capella
Capella
ARIES
3 P.M. 29 28 27
26 25
24
TAURUS 23
22
21

Castor Castor
Pollux Pollux
GEMINI GEMINI 23
Pleiades Pleiades
23
26 26 ARIES ARIES
25 25 25
25 21 20° 20°
21
Aldebaran
2727 27
TAURUS
Aldebaran
TAURUS 24
Hyades Hyades 24
ulus 29 29PISCES PISCES 10° 10°
CANCER CANCER Bellatrix Bellatrix
Procyon Procyon 28 28
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse 25 25
28 28
27 27
23 26 23 26 0° 0°
23 26 26
23
Mira Mira 25 25 26
28 28 26
Rigel Rigel
27 27
–10° –10°
22 22
24 24

E V E N I N G S K Y
–20° –20°
PEGASUS
AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS
positions of the planets
–30° –30°
Fomalhaut Fomalhaut
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
February from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on February 15. Mercury is shown
PISCES
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac. –40° –40°
29
28
27
26
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune 25
24
23 –50° –50°
Venus Jupiter Uranus 22
21
EXAMPLES
Jupiter’s position on Jupiter’s position on February 15, 2025. The arrow indicates AQUARIUS
22 25
February 15, 2022 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
NEPTUNE
30 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

FEBRUARY observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

January 15 Midnight 1 am
February 1 11 pm Midnight
February 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north March 1 9 pm 10 pm
March 15 8 pm 9 pm
In February, the three prominent open clusters in
Zenith
the northwest M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga 20°N
are a must-see. Through a telescope, each
cluster appears like grains of sugar scattered GEMINI Pollux
against the black sky; a pair of binoculars show Castor
the clusters as gray smudges. 40ºN
Other objects to be spotted with binoculars
are the galaxy M81 in Ursa Major, the Great
AURIGA
Bear, and the line of stars known as Kemble’s
Aldebaran 60ºN LEO
Cascade in Camelopardalis, the Giraffe, which Capella
lies close to Cassiopeia and Perseus.
TAURUS
PERSEUS
tic

Big Dipper
Eclip

URSA
MAJOR
URSA
CETUS MINOR
CASSIOPEIA
ARIES ANDROMEDA γ
CEPHEUS
DRACO BOÖTES

PISCES Horiz
on 20
ºN

Arcturus
Horizon 40ºN
Kemble’s Cascade
Sitting close to the halfway point between the bright star W PEGASUS
Deneb
ES ST
Capella, in Auriga, and Gamma (γ) Cassiopeiae, Kemble’s T CYGNUS Vega on 60ºN EA
Cascade is best observed with a pair of binoculars. Horiz
HERCULES

looking south
The open cluster M41 lies just south of the
bright star Sirius in Canis Major, the Greater Dog. Zenith
60°N
It is worth a look if you are enjoying the more
obvious sights of Orion nearby. M41 is clearly
visible through binoculars or a small telescope. URSA
MAJOR Capella
To the east, the cluster NGC 2244 in 40ºN
AURIGA
Monoceros, the Unicorn, is good through
binoculars and small telescopes. Also worth Castor
Pollux
finding is M1 in Taurus in the west. A large GEMINI
telescope reveals its elliptical shape, while the 20ºN
biggest telescopes reveal even more details. CANCER
LEO
Aldebaran
Procyon
TAURUS
Regulus Betelgeuse
ic ORION
t
lip
Ec

MONOCEROS
HYDRA
Sirius
CANIS
Rigel
MAJOR
VIRGO
ERIDANUS
Horizon 60ºN
CETUS
PUPPIS

Horizon 40ºN
M1 in Taurus
Also called the Crab Nebula, M1 is a supernova remnant that was VELA
EA Canopus T
formed by the explosion of a massive star. About 6,500 light-years ST ES
W
from Earth, it appears as a faintly glowing patch in the sky. PICTOR
CARINA
Horizon 20ºN
 FEBRUARY 31

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
FEBRUARY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
In the constellation Cancer, the Crab, look out
Zenith
40°S
for the wonderful star cluster M44, also known
as the Beehive Cluster or Praesepe. Easy
PUPPIS to locate, it sits at the very center of the
constellation, close to the stars Gamma (γ) and
CANIS
MAJOR 20ºS Delta (δ) Cancri. M44 appears as a misty patch
to the naked eye from a dark sky location. Also
Sirius on show, and best seen with a telescope, are
MONOCEROS the interesting spiral galaxies M65 and M66
0º
Rigel HYDRA in Leo, the Lion. These galaxies appear as
Procyon elliptical smudges through a telescope.
ERIDANUS Betelgeuse CANCER

ORION 𝛅
𝛄 Regulus Eclip
GEMINI tic
Aldebaran Pollux

Castor
TAURUS LEO

AURIGA
VIRGO

CETUS Horiz
Capella on 4
0ºS
PERSEUS
ARIES Horizon 20ºS
M44 in Cancer
W Big Dipper
URSA Appearing as a glittering collection of stars, the magnitude 3.7
ES MAJOR ST open cluster M44 is a beautiful sight through binoculars. It is
T on 0
º EA
Horiz an ideal target for amateur deep-sky astrophotographers.
Polaris

looking south
This is a good time to observe and admire
Zenith the rich star fields of the Milky Way stretching
0°
across the southern skies. To scan these stars,
MONOCEROS
you only need your eyes or a pair of binoculars.
Look out for the Milky Way running through the
20ºS Sirius ORION constellations Crux, Centaurus, Musca, and
CANIS
Carina in the east. Be sure to observe the
MAJOR Coalsack Nebula, a distinctive dark patch close
PUPPIS Rigel
to the stars of Crux, the Southern Cross. This
40ºS
dark nebula is a cloud of dust and gas about
600 light-years away.
HYDRA
VELA Canopus

PICTOR ERIDANUS
CARINA

CENTAURUS
CRUX

Achernar Horiz CETUS

VIRGO β Centauri on 0º
Spica OCTANS
α Centauri PHOENIX
TUCANA
Horizon 20ºS IC 2602
PAVO
Ecl

EA This magnitude 1.9 open cluster lying in the constellation Carina

ipt

ST LUPUS ST is known to astronomers as the Southern Pleiades. It is visible

WE
ic

S
n 40º
ARA GRUS Horizo to the naked eye, but binoculars show it twinkling away.
 Ca AU
pe
l
R IG
la
I

A
VE ANES
TIC
NA

RS
O A

C
R

U J
P L EIA

M38

OR
M EO

A
TR
PIS CE

ES
M

M3
IN
M
IA

EAST
BE OMA
NIC
34
WEST

NARIE

U
DE S

PE
G

4
LU ER

3
M6
SE
S

RE

M5
X PP
R

M DI

C
US LYN

us
S
M AU 81 IG

tur
E
M
S

33 Ca
pe RIG EB

V E A N E S 51

OT

Arc
lla A TH

M
CA

I
TIC

BO
r
iza
NG M E LOP
M
C

NA
884
ARDA
RS
O A

LIS

C
R
NG
C8
69 U J
A
TR

M3
M
IA

EAST
34

10
WEST

M1
R
N

U M 03
Polaris
INO
M
PE
G

LU 31
SE ER
AM PP
R

M DI
US U R S 81

us
S
M CA IG

tur
TE
33 M
EB

51
S

Arc
SIO TH

S OO
M
CA
PE

AN

r
P

iza
ENIAGC M
GA

A NA B
E
DR

LOP

M
88 4 ARDA CO
SU

ED DRA

LI
LIS

RERO
M

N GC
S

A COO
8 69 M52
CEPH B
M1 EUS 10
1
M 03
Polaris
R
INO
M
31 LA
CE AM
CA RTA URS
S S IO
AN

PE 13
IA
DR

2 M
M9

A NA

T
CO

E IS
N EG

S
ED DRA

RERO
M

ES

L
O AS

A
P

A
UL COO H
M52
R

H M39
RC
T

W CEPH
EUS HE B RT
E O
S
US

Deneb
T N
CYG NUS LYRA
a
Veg
L AC 13
E RT M9
2 M

T
A M29
N

S
ES
O

A
UL
R

E
H M39 H
RC
T

W T
E HE R
S Deneb O
T N
NORTH LYRA
CYG NUS
a
Veg
M29
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
January 15 Midnight 1 am
February 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH February 15 10 pm 11 pm
March 1 9 pm 10 pm
March 15 8 pm 9 pm
FEBRUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
32
 Pollux
M35

US
ES

T
I NI

Mira
an
M GEM M1 e bar YAD

CE
Ald H

LE
44

O
ECLIPTIC

36
M

37
Re

M
gu CA

S
ix

M8
lus NC

7
ER Castor IGA latr
M6 Bel

RU
7

M
U
AURgeuse ON

10
WEST

el

VI R
ORI

EAST
Pollux Bet 35 TA
M
M1

GO
US
ira

Procyon I ES
T
ran
M

M G MRIN
INEO eba AD
S M Ald HY

LE
SE 44 CANI

O
S CE

CR
XT
U

A
TE AN ROS 2
R S HY ECLIPTIC MONOCE M4 l AN
Re
DR
A CA Ri
ge D I
gu
N x

CO
lus CE
MR48 tri ER
M6 B ella

RV
7 e

M
M50

U
eus ON

10
WEST

elg

S
ORI

EAST
Best S
u PU
M47 Siri LE
Procyon
M46
AX

R
SE INO
CANIS M
S

CR
XT
U RN

A
TE AN ROS M41 2
S HY MONOCE
AN FO

R M93 M4 l
D

ge
DR
A Ri I
a

CO
AN M48 Adhar B A ER

RV
TL M50
LUM

U
IA CO

S
PYX IS PUPPIS S
us PU
M47 Siri
M46
AX

LE LUM
E
CA
T

S
S N

O
E FOR

M41 JOR

U
W

T M93 IS MA
H CAN H
E ra T
A Adha BA U
S AN pus UM O
T TL Cano DO
IA V PUPPIS COLICTOR RA S
PYEXLIA P D O
S
CARINA UM
EL
CA
T

S
S

O
E

U
VOLAN
S
W

T
H H
E T
A U
S pus O
T Cano R O
VELA TO R AD S
SOUTH PIC DO
CARINA STAR MOTION

North

VOLANS
sunrise and sunset on 15th february

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
FEBRUARY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
F E BRUA R Y N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
33
 A
C

L EP
Mira

Sirius IC
U S PT
M46 LI
M47 EC
Ri
CET

S
ge
ER

AN

D
l

AN
US

O
48
I

M50
PISC

XT
M

RG
M
US
42

RA

SE

VI
YD
ES

H
B ell MO

87
atrix NO CEROS

M
y on
Proc

EAST
B

M53
etelg
WEST

euse
HY O R M6
7
U AD RI
ON CANI S MI NO
TA

s
AR

RU ES ulu

4
R g

M6
S CE Re O
CAN
A
I ES

l de LE

ES
EN M A
ba
ra

IC
n

ER CO
M1
M44
PL
TR

EIA B
DE
IAN

S M35
x
GU

Pollu R
GEM NO
INI Castor
MI
LU

LEO
M37
M

AT S
M3

I
IC
N NE
6
M3
8 C

A
AU LYNX VE
RIG
A
Cap
OR
M

e lla
RS
PE
34

EU AJ
S AM
URS
r
R iza

T
C PE
N

AM M

S
DIP
O

A
EL BIG
OP
R

E
H A H
T

W R DA T
E L IS R
S M81 O
T N
D R AC O
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
January 15 Midnight 1 am
February 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH February 15 10 pm 11 pm
March 1 9 pm 10 pm
March 15 8 pm 9 pm
FEBRUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
34
 Adh
ara

PY

CRA

S
X
IS

TE
S

O GO
AN

VIR pica
C
TL
TU

OR
IA
U
CE

VU
A
BA

S
M ID

AX
M93 41 U

N
M OL ER

R
C

S
R

HY
N
PIS

JO

D
A
P UP UM FO

PU

A IS
Cpus
o L

RA
WEST

EAST
Can M AE

LE

M1
ra C

04
Adha

PY

CRA

VI R
M

X
VEL
A

Sp
IS

TE
83 CARINA
S

GO
AN

ica
C
TL
DO
TU

S
DORA

OR
IA
U
CE

VU
A
BA

S
MM ID

AX
NG VOLANS LU
LU

N
C RETICU
CO ER
CE 51
39
Ga S R
cru
x PU PPI M FO
NT U
EL
WEST

AU LMCanopus
C

EAST
R CA
R

US
Mi
M
TO

M mo VEL
A
P

83 sa C Ac CARINA IU
RU rux R OG r
UL

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MPEI CNTSOA ADO HO
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R T RA
R

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M
TO

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SC Ac OCTANS IU
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UL

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S
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M E N SA S H ON he

O
M
SCS T
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A
SCA U A Ac

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W

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IX

H Rig
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Had GR H
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A en CHA EN
S
tau MAELEON
HO U
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rus
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ANG SMC S
AU S U L U M PAVO
CI T RA 4
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LU
RC AR NG C 10 S
PU IN U A NDU
I
S S OCTANS
N
T

APUS

S
S

OR A

O
M
E

A AN

U
TUC US
W

T GR
H H
E T
A U
S O
T S
SOUTH
PAVO
STAR MOTION
AR S
A INDU
North

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
FEBRUARY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
F E BRUA R Y S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
35
36 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

MARCH
As the nights grow shorter in the Northern cancer
Hemisphere, the bright winter constellations Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

move toward the west. In the Southern 31 Beta (β) Cancri, 3.5 Cancri Cnc February–March

Hemisphere, however, the nights are 10h

9h 8h

You will notice that there

getting longer, bringing many fine celestial are no very bright stars
LYNX

objects into view. located in the constellation

Castor

Cancer, the Crab. However,

ι Pollux
that does not mean you
should not pay attention GEMINI
northern latitudes to it. At its heart is one of CANCER
20º γ
the finest open clusters M44

δ
THE STARS Sextans, Crater, and Hydra. The in the entire night sky,
Eclipti
c
ζ

Look north on March evenings and most notable star in this part of M44, which is also known Regulus

you will see the “Sickle” asterism, the sky is Alphard, lying in the as Praesepe, as well as α
M67
LEO
the Beehive Cluster.
10º

which makes up the head of Leo, constellation Hydra. Appropriately, β CANIS

MINOR
the Lion. To its right is the less Alphard means “the solitary one.” Procyon

conspicuous constellation Cancer. Sitting high in the northeast is HYDRA

Below this region are the rather the reassuringly familiar shape out for the bright star Sirius
0º

faint and sparse constellations
of the Big Dipper asterism, with
its handle arching down toward the
bright star Arcturus in Boötes.
A little way away and closer to the
horizon lies the star Spica in
the constellation Virgo. Also look
The Sickle of Leo
The asterism known as the “Sickle,” made from
the stars of the head of Leo, is a useful celestial
signpost for navigating March’s night skies.
SEXTANS MONOCEROS
shining in the constellation
Canis Major near the from streetlights and other sources
southwestern horizon. of light pollution, M81 can be
spotted through a pair of binoculars.
SIGHTS OF INTEREST Farther south, look out for the
If you are observing with a small well-placed Beehive Cluster, or
telescope this month, be sure to M44, in the constellation Cancer.
look out for the magnificent spiral
galaxy M81 in the northern part
of the constellation Ursa Major. MIDNIGHT
On a clear March evening away

3 A.M.

20° 9 A.M.

6 A.M. Arcturus

10°
Altair

28

0° 29
AQUARIUS OPHIUCHUS VIRGO
22 24
26 29
–10° 23
24 21
22
24 27 Spica
27 21
22 SAGITTARIUS
–20° 21
PEGASUS
22

Fomalhaut
CAPRICORNUS Antares
–30° LIBRA
SCORPIUS
PISCES Shaula

29
28
27
26
25 Y
24 K
23
22 S
21
G
AQUARIUS I N
N
R
O
NEPTUNE M
 MA R C H 37

southern latitudes
THE STARS Orion is gradually sinking out of IC 2602. Its brightest member, 4 degrees north of the Southern
If you are observing the night sky view, so make the most of it before the star Theta (θ) Carinae, can Pleiades is a glowing region
from southern latitudes, your eyes it disappears. Leo is very much still actually be seen with the naked eye. NGC 3372, visible to the naked eye.
will undoubtedly be drawn to visible and can be found sitting high If you focus your binoculars on the Also known as the Carina Nebula,
the constellations sitting in the in the northern part of the sky. Not cluster, you can see about 24 it is beautiful when observed
southeast, centered around Crux far away from Leo, a little lower in other sparkling stars. Around through a small telescope.
and Centaurus. From midlatitudes, the northwest, are the brightest
you can see Alphard, the brightest stars of the constellation Gemini,
vela
star in the constellation Hydra, sitting Castor and Pollux.
almost right above you. Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, Spica, the brightest SIGHTS OF INTEREST 32 Gamma Velorum, 1.8 Velorum Vel February–April
star in Virgo, twinkles away in the You can see a great deal with a
east, with the blazing Canopus in good pair of binoculars this month, The constellation Vela, the ANTLIA PYXIS
Carina taking center stage in the including a lovely open cluster Sails, was once part of a
southwest sky. The constellation known as the Southern Pleiades, larger constellation called Argo
ψ
Navis, the Ship. Vela can be –40º NGC 3132
λ
The False Cross found in the night sky near NGC 3201 VELA
PUPPIS
Formed by four stars in the constellations Carina the other parts of the ship, γ
and Vela, the False Cross asterism resembles notably the constellations μ IC 2395
the constellation Crux, the Southern Cross, Carina, the Keel, and –50º
NGC 3228
NGC 2547
ο
but is somewhat larger. Puppis, the Stern. CENTAURUS φ κ IC 2391
δ
IC 2488

8h

CRUX
9h PICTOR
6 P.M. CARINA
VOLANS
10h
9 P.M. Acrux 11h

3 P.M.

MIDNIGHT Capella
Capella

NOON

GEMINIGEMINI
Castor Castor 30° 30°
Pollux Pollux
Pleiades Pleiades
26 23 23 25 21
26 25 21 ARIES ARIES
CANCERCANCER 25 25 20° 20°
LEO LEO 27 27 28 PISCES
PISCES
27 AldebaranAldebaranTAURUS
TAURUS 24 28
27 24
Hyades Hyades 29 23 23
29
24 24 25 25 10° 10°
Regulus Regulus Bellatrix Bellatrix 28 28
BetelgeuseBetelgeuse
28 23 26 2325 26 25
Procyon Procyon 27 27 0°
26 26 0°
Mira Mira

Rigel Rigel
–10° –10°

E N I N G S K Y
E V –20° –20°

positions of the planets

–30° –30°
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
March from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on March 15. Mercury is shown when
represented by colored dots, while the number it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets specific dates, refer to the Almanac. ARIES
29 28 27
26 25
24
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune 23
TAURUS 22
21
Venus Jupiter Uranus
EXAMPLES
21 Jupiter’s position on 27 Jupiter’s position on March 15, 2027. The arrow indicates
March 15, 2021 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
URANUS
38 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

MARCH observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

February 15 Midnight 1 am
March 1 11 pm Midnight
March 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north April 1 9 pm 10 pm
April 15 8 pm 9 pm
This month, look out for three beautiful star
Zenith
clusters in Taurus in the southwest: the 20°N
Pleiades, M45, and the Hyades (see p.23).
The Pleiades is arguably the finest open LEO

cluster in the northern skies. Although visible

GEMINI
to the naked eye, it looks wonderful through 40ºN
Pollux
all sorts of equipment—from binoculars to
Castor
small, high-quality refractor telescopes. Other
objects to spot in the vicinity are the open URSA
60ºN MAJOR
clusters NGC 1664 and NGC 1857 in Auriga,
which are worth a look with a small telescope. AURIGA Big Dipper

Capella
URSA Arcturus
Ecliptic

MINOR BOÖTES
Polaris
Aldebaran PERSEUS

CEPHEUS DRACO
TAURUS HERCULES SERPENS
N
on 20º CAPUT
Horiz
CASSIOPEIA
ARIES
Horizon 40ºN Vega
The Pleiades
Also known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades is a beautiful star W Deneb
cluster visible to the naked eye. It is a much-loved target of both ES CYGNUS ST
T Hori
zon 6 ANDROMEDA EA
astrophotographers and astronomers observing with binoculars. 0ºN

looking south
Coma Berenices, Berenice‘s Hair, is a
constellation located between Leo and Boötes Zenith
60°N
in the west, and binoculars or a small telescope
will reveal the scattered open star cluster known
URSA
as Melotte 111, which lies within it. With a MAJOR
magnitude of 2.7, Melotte 111 is visible to 40ºN
the naked eye from a dark sky site.
Other objects to look out for from northern
Castor
skies include the three galaxies in Leo: M65, Pollux
M66, and NGC 3628, as well as the double Algieba 20ºN
Ecliptic GEMINI
star Algieba, Gamma (γ) Leonis. LEO

CANCER
Regulus
BOÖTES
Procyon
MONOCEROS
Arcturus
Aldebaran
HYDRA Betelgeuse

ORION
VIRGO Horizon 60ºN Sirius
Spica

PUPPIS CANIS Rigel

MAJOR

VELA Horizon 40ºN ERIDANUS

Melotte 111
Also known as the Coma Star Cluster, Melotte 111 is an open EA
LIBRA CENTAURUS
T
cluster containing around 45 separate stars. It is a fine sight ST
Canopus ES
CRUX W
through a small refractor telescope or a pair of binoculars. 20ºN
CARINA Horizon
 MA R C H 39

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
MARCH
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The galaxy M104 is an interesting target for
Zenith
40°S
deep-sky observers using a telescope. It sits
in Virgo, the Virgin, which lies to the east in the
southern skies. Also known as the Sombrero
Galaxy, M104 is famous for a distinctive lane of
PUPPIS 20ºS dust that sits across its faintly glowing form. A
relatively large telescope can show the dark
lane clearly, but even a modest telescope
CANIS HYDRA
MAJOR reveals the galaxy’s elliptical shape. Also in
0º
Sirius Virgo is the spiral galaxy M61; however, its
low magnitude (9.7) makes it difficult to spot.
MONOCEROS Procyon Regulus Ecliptic

LEO Spica
VIRGO
Rigel CANCER
Betelgeuse
Pollux
GEMINI
Castor

ORION URSA
Horizon 40ºS MAJOR

Arcturus
Aldebaran
AURIGA BOÖTES
Horizon 20ºS Big Dipper
The Sombrero Galaxy
Capella M104 is a good target if you have a large-aperture telescope.
W
ES TAURUS ST This stunning image from the Hubble Space Telescope shows
T DRACO EA
the prominent dust lane in great detail.
Horizon 0º

looking south
The globular cluster Omega (ω) Centauri is
Zenith a must-see object for astronomers. A large
0°
telescope shows many of its stars, while
binoculars show the cluster as a bright patch of
light. In the west, the open cluster NGC 4755,
20ºS the Jewel Box, in Crux, is a nice target for small
telescopes and binoculars. Another western
HYDRA
MONOCEROS
target is NGC 3372, or the Eta (η) Carinae
Nebula, a little farther in Carina. NGC 3372 is
40ºS PUPPIS
Sirius
visible to the naked eye against the Milky Way,
CANIS
with a dark lane of dust running through it.
VELA
MAJOR

Spica CENTAURUS ORION

VIRGO CARINA
Canopus
CRUX Rigel
PICTOR
Ecliptic

β Centauri
LIBRA α Centauri
LUPUS
Horizon 0º
ERIDANUS
OCTANS

ARA
SCORPIUS Achernar
Horizon 20ºS Omega (ω) Centauri
EA Antares PAVO Lying 17,000 light-years away, Omega (ω) Centauri or NGC 5139
ST ST is the largest globular cluster in the Milky Way. At magnitude 3.7,
WE
TUCANA PHOENIX it is visible to the naked eye in the constellation Centaurus.
Horizon 40ºS
 M
36

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38
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51
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M81

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36

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M
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C
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M

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RD
33

H
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URSA M
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57
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86
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A M10

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H
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T

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S A ERTA O
T S N
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S S IOP
M3 EIA ga
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9
M2
CEPHEUS A

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LYR 57
N

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T

W M T
E ED R
S A O
T S N
N O R TM39 Dene
b NU
H CYG
LACER
TA
9
M2
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
February 15 Midnight 1 am
March 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH March 15 10 pm 11 pm
April 1 9 pm 10 pm
April 15 8 pm 9 pm
MARCH | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
40
 x

N
tri
lla
IO

Be
OR
M44
NI se
MI eu
GE

M
LEO
elg

US
e t

87
B

M1

5
Reg R
u

BE
lus E r

DA

VI
M3
LE CANC sto

ML5IB
R
RE
M
O
RI
G Ca

S
A

M
42

E
O A

A
M M67

RA
x yon M

64
IN OR

M
CO NIC
WEST

lu

U R JO
x
Proc

l
R l N

EAST
N

53
tri
OR Po

ge
ECLIPTIC MI

M ES
lla
Ri
IS IO

Be
CAN O S OR
ER
Sp M44 OC
ic
a MON NI se
S
MI eu

M
LEO GE 50 elg
US

M t

87
e
PU
M B
N

SEXT
10 AN S
LE
4 Reg
u lus ER48
DA

LIB
CANC M

VI
s

R
RI

G riu 42
E

47

RA
O CR M67 M Si M
yon OR
WEST

Proc
l

AT N

EAST
ER
ge

ECLIPTIC MI
41
Ri

M46 I S M
CAN S OR
HYDRA
E RO AJ
M CO M
83Sp RV OC S
ic U MON 3 NI
a
S

S M9 CA a
50 ar
M A dh
PU

M SEXT
10 ANS PYXIS
LE

4 M48
s
BA

47
riu
Si
M

CR M
AT
LU

ER ANTLIA
M46 41 CO
IS M OR
N HYDRA P AJ
M
G
C
CO P UP M
RV S
T

83 51 U 3 NI

S
39 S
S

M9
CE

O
CA ara
E

NT h

U
AU Ad
W

T R US PYXIS s
H pu H
E VELA A no T
A Ca U
BA

S CA RIN O
M

T S
LU

Ga ANTLIA
cru
x CR CO
P IS
N UX
UP
G P
C
T

51

S
39
S

CE

O
E

NT
VOLANS

U
AU
W

T R US s
H pu H
E VELA no T
A Ca U
S O
T S
Ga
cru
SOUTH
x CR INA STAR MOTION
UX CAR
North

VOLANS

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
MARCH | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
M A RC H N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
41
 M4
8 S TIC
MO

LIP
Bel

AN EC
XT
latr

NO

SE
ix

HYDRA
CE

O
HY

S
R

Spica
ER

Be
AD

Rigel

R
te
AIlDA

M42
ES

E
lg

M46cyo
de N

C
TAU

M47
Pr

04

EAST
AT
eu
WEST

M AN
87
o
ba U

lus
M1

M5
OR

se

u
CR

IN I S Reg
ranS

M50

n
R

IO

GO
OR
US

M67
N

53
M
CA4N S TIC

VIR
8

M
MO

LIP
Bel

CE AN
M45

R EC
XTLEO

us
latr

ur
NO

SE

ct
ix

HYDRA
M

Ar
CE
1
PL

O M44
64
HY

S
R

M
EIA

M
Be
AD

35
GE

3
M
te
DE

Al

M
ES

lg

C INI
de
TAU

Pr

EAST
S

eu
WEST

M AN
Pollu

87
o
ba

x lus
OR

cy
se

M
u
IN I S Reg
ran

on

M
R

IO

36 OR R
US

M M67
LEO MINO
Cas
N

37

53
tor
CAN

M
AU CER
PE

M
LEO

s
tu S
RI

ru
38
I

A TE
RS

ES
GA
TIC

EN A

rc
M

O
S N A 64
EU

E R OM
IC
1

BO
PL

M44
VE M
EIA

C
M
35 G EM NE

3
CA B

M
DE

I NI LYNX 51
S

Pollu M
Ca x
M
p e
36 M lla OR OR
MAJ
Cas NA
37 tor LEO UMRIS r
AU iza 1
M 10
PE

M M

S
RI 38
I

TE
RS

G A IC
AT

T
S PER
ENU

EN

BO
DIP

S
C AM SV
O

BIG

A
NE
R

E
H EL H
CA
T

W O LYNX 51 T
E PA M81 CO M R
S
T Ca
pe
RD
AL DRA N
O
IS
JOR
lla
URSA MA iza
r
1
M 10
M

T
PER
N

DIP

S
C AM
O

BIG

A
R

E
H EL H
T

W O T
E PAR M81 R
S D O
T AL N
IS NORTH
DRACO
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
February 15 Midnight 1 am
March 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH March 15 10 pm 11 pm
April 1 9 pm 10 pm
April 15 8 pm 9 pm
MARCH | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
42
 AN

ra
TLIA

d ha
A

H
US
YD
RA

AN

M
ID

VIR
83
ER

Sirius

M93

CE

GO
N

LIB
CO
BA

M41
TA
PYXIS
WEST

RA
U VELA PIS

EAST
M

RV
US
PUP

OR
U

P
RU L

U
S

AJ
AN

S
LE
s CO

ra
M
TLIA
pu

ha
NG no

M
C Ca

Ad
51 Ga IS

H
39 cr NA N EL
US

YD CARI

LU
ux CA

M8
PU CA

0
RA
AN

M4
X
ID

Mi
m

83
R

An
os
a
ER

DO
NA

TO A

tar
CE
R

N PIC

LIB
OR

es
CRU
D

BA
TA X Acru I
FO

x
WEST

RA
VELA PS

EAST
Rig UH PUP M
il K RUada MUSCA U
en Sr M OL
tau
VOLANS U
pu
LsU C
NO NG rus LMC ICo M
C RECTan
CIR U

M
UM

6
RM 51 Ga CIN

SC 2
39 US NA

O
A cr O GEI L
CARI

LU
ux L A

M8
RP
PU RO C

0
I
S CHAMAELEON SA HO

M4
X

Mi
MEN

US
mo O

An
sa
APUS
OR
NA

AD

tar
ICT R
R

Sh P

es
CRU
au
X Acru US DO
FO

la x R
Rig TR HYD r
il K IANHada a
en r MUSCA
M rn
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tau
ST R L U M VOLANS UL Ac
NO ALE LMC IC
AR us CIR SMC RET M

M
A IU

6
RM CIN

SC 2
US

O
A OG
04 R

U
OL X

S RPI
T CHAMAELEON C 1 SA
NG
PAVO OCTANS
H MEN HO ENI

O US
E APUS O
Sh A PH
au S TE
la T LE
NA RUS
SC TR TUCA HYD
OP IAN a r
rn
IUM AU GULUM he
ST R Ac
ALE
AR
A SMC

S
O
04

U
T C1 X
H
PAVO OCTANS NG E NI
E P HO
A
S TE
T LE
SC SOUTH TU CANA
OP
IUM STAR MOTION

North
INDUS

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
MARCH | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
M A RC H S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
43
44 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

APRIL
Although the nights in the Northern leo
Hemisphere are getting shorter, there is still Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

plenty of time to do some serious sky gazing. 12 Alpha (α) Leonis 1.4, Leonis Leo March–April
Beta (β) Leonis 2.2
In the Southern Hemisphere, there is plenty CANES VENATICI 10h
The constellation Leo, the 11h

to see, including the magnificent arc of the Lion, lies between Cancer
Milky Way sweeping across the sky. and Virgo. It is familiar to LYNX

deep-sky observers, 30
˚ URSA MAJOR LEO MINOR
because it is home to many
μ κ
interesting galaxies. These
northern latitudes include the galaxies M66, 72 54 ζ ε λ
M65, and M96, which are 20˚ 93 δ 60 Algieba γ
THE SICKLE NGC 2903

THE STARS come across the bright star Spica in excellent targets for an 40
amateur telescope. The η
The magnitude -0.1 star Arcturus in Virgo. Not far away from Virgo is Leo, β
θ LEO
tic
constellation’s brightest M65 NGC Eclip
Boötes sits in the west this month and below these two constellations Denebola
M66 3628 M105 α Regulus
star is Regulus, Alpha (α) 10˚ ι
M96 M95 R
ο
ξ
and should be one of your first is a relatively empty patch of sky Leonis, which sits at ρ
31

χ∴ π
signposts. Find it by following the containing the long constellation the bottom of the σ 59
10

curve of Ursa Major’s handle, away Hydra, the Water Snake. famous backward- 58 HYDRA
τ
from its “bowl.” Along this curve, question-mark-like 0
˚
NGC 3521

“Sickle” asterism. VIRGO υ

past Arcturus, you will eventually SIGHTS OF INTEREST 61
87
φ
SEXTANS

If you are using binoculars,

the Coma Star Cluster in the -10
˚
constellation Coma Berenices is a galaxy M81 in Ursa Major CRATER

beautiful object to observe on a clear with a small telescope. With

April night. Look out for the spiral
The Big Dipper
The famous asterism known as the “Big Dipper”
sits high in the sky this month. It is part of the
constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear, and
is sometimes referred to as the Plough.
30° 9 A.M.
a large telescope, you can seek out
the Virgo Cluster, which contains
many faint but interesting galaxies. star Vega, in Lyra, is highest in the
sky. Although this shower does not
METEOR SHOWER create many meteors, they can be
The Lyrid meteor shower is best quite bright and fast; you can
seen from northern latitudes expect to see around 10 meteors
and reaches its peak around over the course of an hour.
April 21–22. The best time to view
it is around dawn, when the bright MIDNIGHT

20°
6 A.M. 3 A.M.
Arcturus

PISCES
10°
28 Altair
23
27 26
24 26
27 25
0°
26 AQUARIUS OPHIUCHUS
25 22 24
VIRGO
24 29
25
–10° 22
23 CAPRICORNUS
22
21 22
21
–20° PEGASUS LIBRA

Antares
Fomalhaut
PISCES
SCORPIUS
SAGITTARIUS Shaula
29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21

AQUARIUS
Y
K
S
NEPTUNE G
N I N
M O R
 A P R IL 45

southern latitudes
THE STARS
As the skies get dark, you will notice
that the constellations scattered along
the arc of the Milky Way come into
view. In the Southern skies, Crux,
also known as the Southern Cross,
and Centaurus, with the bright stars
Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar, or Alpha (α)
and Beta (β) Centauri, are visible.
In the southeast, do not miss
the bright star Antares in Scorpius.
On the opposite side of the sky,
you will see Canopus in Carina.
There is relatively little going on
in the sky overhead—this area is
dominated by the long and winding
constellation Hydra. However, you
will find the bright star Spica in
Virgo high in the east.
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
This time of year is perfect for
observing the dark nebula known
as the Coalsack. You will find it
nestled within the rich, bright star
fields of the Milky Way. It is easily
visible to the naked eye, sitting right
next to Crux, or the Southern Cross.
The Coalsack appears dark, because
it stops the light from the stars
behind it from getting to our eyes.
but binoculars or a small telescope NGC 3372, the Carina Nebula.
will reveal its individual stars. If The real star of the show is the
you are observing with binoculars, stunning globular cluster NGC
make sure you do not miss two 5139, Omega (ω) Centauri, in the
marvelous sights in the nearby constellation Centaurus. A small
constellation Carina—IC 2602, telescope reveals many of its
or the Southern Pleiades, and millions of stars.
crux
Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
88 Acrux 0.8, Becrux, Crucis Cru April–May
or Mimosa, 1.3
Of all the constellations, Crux, the
Southern Cross, is the smallest. VELA
–50º
The whole constellation should fit CENTAURUS
behind your outstretched hand at μ γ CRUX
arm’s length. You can use two of λβ δ

Not far from the Coalsack, you will the bright stars that make up Crux –60º NGC ι
β Centauri 4755 Coal- α
ε
θ1,2
to trace a line in the approximate sack
Acrux ζ
find the wonderful open cluster NGC direction of the South Celestial Pole. η CARINA

4755, the Jewel Box Cluster. It looks

MUSCA
like a hazy star to the naked eye, –70º

The Coalsack 14h

13h 12h
11h

This dark nebula can be seen near Crux,

the Southern Cross, with the naked eye. It 6 P.M. 3 P.M.
is a vast dust cloud that blocks the light from
the stars behind it.
NOON
9 P.M.
Capella Capella

40° 40°

MIDNIGHT
Castor Castor
30° 30°
Pollux Pollux GEMINI
GEMINI Pleiades
Pleiades
23 28 28
23 21
25 25 26 26 21
25 25 23 23
22 22 ARIES
ARIES
29 29 20° 20°
24 24
s LEO LEO 27 27 27 27
Aldebaran
Aldebaran TAURUSTAURUS 23 21
23 21
HyadesHyades 26 26 29 29 29
29
28 10° 10°
Regulus RegulusCANCER
CANCER Betelgeuse BellatrixBellatrix
Betelgeuse 28
GEMINI
28 28 ProcyonProcyon
29 29
ARIES
29 28 27 0° 0°
26 25
24
O TAURUS
23
22 Mira Mira
9 29 21
Rigel Rigel
–10° –10°
Spica Spica

URANUS
–20° –20°

positions of the planets

This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
Y in April from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on April 15. Mercury is shown only
K represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
S inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For the specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
G
I N Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
N
E
V Venus Jupiter Uranus
E
EXAMPLES
21 Jupiter’s position on 28 Jupiter’s position on April 15, 2028. The arrow indicates
April 15, 2021 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
46 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

APRIL observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

March 15 Midnight 1 am
April 1 11 pm Midnight
April 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north May 1 9 pm 10 pm
May 15 8 pm 9 pm
Northern skies in April contain the open
Zenith
cluster NGC 188 in the constellation Cepheus. 20°N
This cluster sits just south of the bright star
Polaris, Alpha (α) Ursae Minoris, and is a nice
Regulus
target for a large telescope.
For observers using binoculars, the open 40ºN
clusters M36, M37, and M38 in the constellation LEO
Auriga are still on show, as is the Double URSA Arcturus
MAJOR
Cluster (see p.22) and the double star Mizar
60ºN Alcor
and Alcor. Also look out for the spiral galaxy CANCER
BOÖTES
Big Dipper Mizar
M81 in the constellation Ursa Major.
Ecliptic Pollux
Castor
URSA
MINOR
HERCULES
Polaris
GEMINI DRACO
CEPHEUS
Capella
AURIGA
Horizon 20ºN
ORION Vega
OPHIUCHUS
Betelgeuse
PERSEUS Deneb
CASSIOPEIA
Aldebaran Horizon 40ºN
M36 in Auriga
CYGNUS
The open cluster M36 is a truly wonderful sight when seen W
through a small telescope. It sits in the middle of Messier’s ES TAURUS ST
T EA
three famous open clusters in Auriga.
ANDROMEDA Horizon 60ºN

looking south
There is a lot to see in April for deep-sky
and galaxy enthusiasts looking south. Virgo has Zenith
60°N
galaxies that can be seen through a telescope,
such as M84, M86, and M87. The globular cluster URSA
MAJOR
M3 in Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs, makes
a good small-telescope target. Canes Venatici 40ºN
can be located between Ursa Major and Boötes BOÖTES
high in the northeast of the April skies. A small
telescope will help show the lovely open cluster
20ºN
M48 in Hydra, the Water Snake. M48 is a loose
LEO
collection of 80 stars southwest of Hydra‘s head. CANCER Castor
Arcturus Pollux
Eclipt
i c
Regulus
VIRGO
GEMINI

HYDRA
SERPENS Spica Procyon
CAPUT
MONOCEROS

LIBRA
Horiz
OPHIUCHUS on 60ºN
CENTAURUS
CANIS
PUPPIS MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN Sirius
The Virgo Galaxy Cluster
LUPUS
Lying in the constellation Virgo, this cluster is thought to EA Antares CRUX VELA
0ºN T
consist of an incredible 2,000 individual galaxies. Several of its ST zon
2 ES
SCORPIUS
β Centauri Hori W
brightest members can be observed using amateur equipment.
α Centauri CARINA
 A P R IL 47

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
APRIL
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
In the west, Leo plays host to many interesting
Zenith
40°S
galaxies that can be seen with relatively modest
amateur equipment. The spiral galaxies M65
and M66 can be spotted with a small telescope,
while M96, M95, and M105 are excellent
20ºS targets for large-aperture telescopes. They are
found clustered around a region at roughly the
HYDRA halfway point between the stars Chertan,
Spica Eclipti
or Theta (θ) Leonis, and Regulus, or Alpha (α)
0º c
PUPPIS
Leonis. M65 and M66 appear as gray smudges
VIRGO
of light through a small telescope.
Regulus Chertan LIBRA
LEO

Procyon Arcturus

CANCER URSA
SERPENS
MAJOR
BOÖTES CAPUT
MONOCEROS Pollux 40ºS
Horizon
OPHIUCHUS
Castor
Big Dipper
Betelgeuse HERCULES
GEMINI Horizon 20ºS
M66 in Leo
ORION
W DRACO The magnitude 8.9 spiral galaxy M66 appears in the bottom
ES ST right of this image as part of the famous trio of galaxies known
T AURIGA EA
URSA as the Leo Triplet, which also includes M65 and NGC 3628.
Horizon 0 MINOR
º

looking south
By far the most impressive sight from
Zenith southern latitudes is the great arc of the
0°
Milky Way galaxy. It stretches all the way
from the magnificent region in the east around
the constellations Scorpius and Sagittarius,
20ºS through Crux, Carina, and Vela down to Puppis
VIRGO Spica
HYDRA
and Canis Major. The bright, magnitude 0.8 star
Acrux, or Alpha (α) Crucis, in Crux is a multiple
𝛄 star that can be resolved by a small telescope.
40ºS
ptic

The galaxy M83 in Hydra is an excellent

Ecli

CENTAURUS large-aperture telescope object.

θ Centauri
LIBRA
CRUX VELA

Acrux PUPPIS
β Centauri
LUPUS MONOCEROS
α Centauri CARINA
CANIS
SCORPIUS Sirius
ARA MAJOR
OPHIUCHUS Horizon 0º
Canopus

OCTANS PICTOR
PAVO

Horizon 20ºS ORION

M83 in Hydra
SAGITTARIUS The spiral galaxy M83 sits in the constellation Hydra. It
EA ERIDANUS Rigel
ST ST can be found in the night sky sitting between the stars
Achernar WE
TUCANA Menkent, or Theta (θ) Centauri, and Gamma (γ) Hydrae.
Horizon 40
ºS
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M E DA N O R T H
M 33
M3
1
RTA
L AC E
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
March 15 Midnight 1 am
April 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH April 15 10 pm 11 pm
May 1 9 pm 10 pm
May 15 8 pm 9 pm
APRIL | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
48
 S
44
M
R

M
OR
CE

M1
12
C

Arc
IN

0
M
M AN

BE

53
M
C

on
64 RE OM

turu
cy

s
N A s

o
IC u

S
O ul

Pr
g
67
ES LE

I IS
Re

C
M

RO

R
IN

M
E
U

50

5
M AN
M

IN
M R SA

E
OC
M87

SER
AJ

G
M

M
OR

3
O
WEST

BO

EAST
ius
LE

PEN
44

OPHI
OT

S
48

M
Sir

E
US R M

M
S

UC
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M1
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12
C

CA
Arc
I
N

0
YD

M
M H 47

BE

HU
n

53
M
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1

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PU

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yo

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M4

OR
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Pr
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ASJ

67
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tar
M
MO
R

ECLIPTIC

es
M
50

M
ISE

SC
M
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80
ONC

Spi
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OR
NA
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M
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4
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WEST

EAST
Ad

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BR

IU
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A R

S
48
Sir

CRATE S M
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An
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PY
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U
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S PU
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P YX T
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SOUTH
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Mimosa A
CRUX N
Had CARI North
ar
Acrux

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
APRIL | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
A PR IL N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
49
 Bet

SE
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XT

Pr N
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M5

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CA

on
VI
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LIP
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Spic

EC

2
CA
CORVUS

M1
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AT
CR

EAST
CH
WEST

M48

M6
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CA E

S
7 R
R

HIU
EN
NC
4
MON

HY

10

E R

RP
M
Bet

Regu

OP
DR

SE

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SE
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M8
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53
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Pr N LEO M

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M5
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W T
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S O
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M81 NORTH
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

R
U R SA M I N O
observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
March 15 Midnight 1 am
April 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH April 15 10 pm 11 pm
May 1 9 pm 10 pm
May 15 8 pm 9 pm
APRIL | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
50
 3
M9

M8
3
IA

IS
HYD
TL

ION
RA

X
AN

OR

41
PY

OR

M
CE

AJ

80
NT

M
AU
R

M
C
US

IS

4
PU

7
M50
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M
M1
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9
0
L
LE

M4
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An
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M
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19
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M4
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NG Ad

s
S VELA S

M2
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3
3
13

EAST
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LIB
P

M
M9
PU

H
RA
M8

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M2
3

1
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S
62 HY crux IA

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CO TL
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DRA

H
AN
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M
41
RP
PY

8
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M
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N
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80
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North

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
APRIL | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
A PR IL S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
51
52 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

MAY
In the Southern Hemisphere, you will be coma berenices
treated to the richness of the constellations Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

Centaurus, Scorpius, and Sagittarius. If you 42 Beta (β) Comae Comae Com April–May
Berenices 4.2 Berenices
are observing from the Northern Hemisphere, 13h 12h

The constellation Coma

you will see more subdued constellations, Berenices, the Hair of Berenices, 14h

such as Hercules and Virgo. is not very prominent in the night

sky. However, it does contain a β
37

γ MELOTTE
41 31 16 14
wonderful binocular target, the NGC 4565 12
111

magnitude 2.7 open cluster 7

northern latitudes
FS
M64 23

Melotte 111 (also known as 20º BOÖTES 35

the Coma Star Cluster), as well Arcturus M53

α M85 LEO
COMA 11
THE STARS curving handle to find your way to as the interesting galaxy M64, BERENICES
36
M91
M88
M100
M98

If you have a small telescope, point Arcturus in the constellation Boötes. or the “Black Eye” Galaxy. M99

it at the middle star in the “handle”
of the Big Dipper asterism in Ursa
Major. This is the star Mizar, which
has a companion star, Alcor, that
can be glimpsed with the naked
eye. A closer inspection of Mizar
with a telescope shows that it is
made up of a pair of stars. Once
again, follow the Big Dipper’s
NOON
50°
40°
30°
10º
To its south, you will see the bright
star Spica in Virgo. This month, the
bright blue-white star Vega rises in
the east in the constellation Lyra, the
Lyre—a celestial sign that summer
is on its way. If you are observing
the night sky from lower northerly
latitudes, you can also glimpse the
constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion,
peeking over the southeastern
horizon, led by the bright orange-red
star Antares.
Finding the Pole star
You can use the stars Alpha (α) and
Beta (β) Ursae Majoris (right) in the
Big Dipper asterism to find the location
of the pole star, Polaris (center top).
VIRGO
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
For galaxy enthusiasts, the May
night sky offers two relatively
bright targets. The first is the
Whirlpool Galaxy, or M51, in Canes
Venatici. The second is the spiral
galaxy M101, which sits to the
north of the Big Dipper’s handle.
METEOR SHOWER
The annual Eta Aquarid meteor
shower peaks this month. Because
the radiant of the shower lies near
the celestial equator, it is not a great
sight from far northerly latitudes.

6 A.M.
ARIES
20° MIDNIGHT
24 3 A.M.
29 28 27
28 23
PISCES
10° 23
Altair
26 27 25
24
24 22 26 22
0° 25
OPHIUCHUS
Mira 22 24

–10° 23
21
22
21

PEGASUS
URANUS AQUARIUS Antares
Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS
PISCES SCORPIUS
SAGITTARIUS Shaula
ARIES 29
28
29 28 27
26 27
25 26
24 25
23 24
TAURUS 22
21 23
22
21

NEPTUNE

Y
M O R N I N G S K
 MA Y 53

southern latitudes
THE STARS eye, whereas a telescope reveals
c e n tau r u s
Sitting high in the southern sky is many of its millions of stars in a tight
the prominent constellation Crux, the ball. If you have a large-aperture Size ranking Brightest stars Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
Southern Cross. If you have a small telescope, turn it toward the fine 9 Alpha (α) Centauri -0.3, Centauri Cen April–June
telescope, be sure to point it at spiral galaxy M83 that sits in the Beta (β) Centauri 0.6

Crux’s brightest star Acrux, Alpha (α) constellation Hydra. The large constellation LIBRA
14h 13h 12h
11h

Crucis, which is actually a double Centaurus, the HYDRA

CORVUS

star made of two blue-white stars. METEOR SHOWER Centaur, sits within the
–30º
rich star fields of the
4
The Milky Way rises high in the Caused by the dust left over 3
1

south this month, with Sagittarius from Comet Halley entering our Milky Way. It is home θ
2 ANTLIA

to what is arguably the CENTAURUS

and Scorpius sitting in the east— atmosphere and vaporizing, the finest globular cluster in
ψ
χ φ ν
a clue that winter is on its way in Eta (η) Aquarid meteor shower
–40º
η μ
the whole night sky—the υ1 NGC

the Southern Hemisphere. peaks every year around May 5–6. magnificent Omega (ω)
5128
υ2
ζ NGC
Centauri, or NGC 5139. LUPUS NGC
You can expect to see roughly 5139
ω 4945
ξ
1
γ
τ
σ
SIGHTS OF INTEREST 30 meteors an hour. The meteors The constellation’s two NGC
5460 ξ
2
δ VELA

brightest stars are Alpha (α) ε

ρ
Whether you are observing with appear to be coming from a point and Beta (β) Centauri, known π
the naked eye or a telescope, it near the star Eta (η) Aquarii, in more familiarly to astronomers CRUX
NGC
3918

is the globular cluster NGC 5139, Aquarius, and tend to be quite as Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar. CIRCINUS (β) centauri
ο1,2
R
Omega (ω) Centauri, you will want fast moving. The farther south The constellation is fully visible (α) centauri
NGC
3766

between the latitudes of

Acrux
λ
to focus on this month. You can see you are, the better view of the
25°N and 90°S. MUSCA
it easily as a hazy star with the naked shower you will get. TRIANGULUM CARINA
AUSTRALE

Spectacular star fields

Looking into the southern night sky in May,
3 P.M.
you cannot miss the bright stars Alpha (α)
and Beta (β) Centauri (left). Nearby, you NOON
will find the constellation Crux (right) 6 P.M.
and the Coalsack Nebula.
50° 50°
Capella Capella

9 P.M. 40° 40°

Castor Castor
Pollux Pollux GEMINIGEMINI 30° 30°
TAURUS
28 TAURUS
26 26
28
MIDNIGHT CANCER
CANCER 23 2327
PleiadesPleiades
21 21 25 27 28
23 2623 26 25 28
29 29
21 21
21 21 20° 20°
25 25 24 24
Arcturus Arcturus LEO LEO 27 27 Aldebaran
Aldebaran
27 27 Hyades Hyades

Regulus Regulus 10° 10°

Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse
28 28
Procyon Procyon Bellatrix Bellatrix
29 29
0° 0°

VIRGO VIRGO
29 29
Rigel Rigel
–10° –10°
Spica Spica

LIBRA LIBRA
positions of the planets

This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
US in May from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on May 15. Mercury is shown only
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
Y
K
S Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
G
I N Venus Jupiter Uranus
N
E EXAMPLES
V Jupiter’s position on May Jupiter’s position on May 15, 2029. The arrow indicates
E 21
15, 2021
29
that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
54 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

MAY observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

April 15 Midnight 1 am
May 1 11 pm Midnight
May 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north June 1 9 pm 10 pm
June 15 8 pm 9 pm
The globular cluster M13 in Hercules is a
Zenith
prominent feature in May. It is located roughly 20°N
a third of the way along a line between the
stars Eta (η) and Zeta (ζ) Herculis. Although
M13 can be seen with binoculars, a telescope
shows it more clearly. Larger aperture 40ºN BOÖTES
telescopes can show a multitude of
the cluster’s stars.
URSA
Another object to look out for is the planetary MAJOR ζ
LEO 60ºN
nebula NGC 6543 in Draco, which is best HERCULES
η
suited to larger telescopes. Big Dipper
DRACO

URSA
Ecliptic

MINOR ψ Draconis
Vega

CANCER

Pollux CYGNUS
Castor CEPHEUS
Deneb
GEMINI Horiz AQUILA
AURIGA CASSIOPEIA o n 20
ºN
Procyon Capella
Altair
Horizon 40ºN
NGC 6543
This magnitude 8.1 nebula, also known as the Cat’s Eye Nebula, W ANDROMEDA N
is best suited for larger telescopes and appears as a bluish disk. ES on 60º ST
T Horiz EA
It is 3,600 light-years away from Earth. PERSEUS PEGASUS

looking south
There are several notable globular clusters worth
observing in May’s night sky. M10 in the east, Zenith
60°N
at the heart of the constellation Ophiuchus, is
visible with binoculars. Just northwest of M10 κ URSA
but also in Ophiuchus lies another cluster, M12, MAJOR

which is a fine sight through a small telescope. 40ºN

Moving up a little, the globular cluster M5
appears over the border in the southern part BOÖTES

of Serpens Caput, the Snake’s Head. Kappa (κ)

20ºN
Boötis is a double star in Boötes, visible Arcturus
through a small telescope. HERCULES
LEO

SERPENS
CAPUT
Ecliptic CANCER
VIRGO
Regulus
Spica
OPHIUCHUS

LIBRA
HYDRA
SERPENS
CAUDA Horiz
Antares on 60ºN
LUPUS
CENTAURUS Horizon 40ºN
M10 in Ophiuchus
SCORPIUS
The magnitude 6.6 globular cluster M10 lies 14,000 light-years EA SAGITTARIUS CRUX
β Centauri T
from Earth, and is a little over 80 light-years in diameter. It is ST
on 2
0ºN ES
α Centauri VELA Horiz W
a wonderful target for a small amateur telescope. ARA
 MA Y 55

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
MAY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
In the east, several star clusters are on view in
Zenith
40°S
the constellation Ophiuchus this month.
Besides the globular clusters M10 and M12,
CENTAURUS there is the magnitude 4.6 open cluster
NGC 6633, roughly the same size as the full
HYDRA 20ºS Moon on the sky. Composed of 30 stars, this
SCORPIUS open cluster is a wonderful sight through a small
Spica telescope. Northwest of NGC 6633 is another
Antares large and scattered open cluster, IC 4665,
0º LIBRA
which lies close to the star Cebalrai, or Beta (β)
VIRGO
Ophiuchi, and is easily visible with binoculars.

OPHIUCHUS
SERPENS
Arcturus CAPUT
LEO SERPENS
CAUDA
BOÖTES
Regulus Cebalrai

HERCULES
ic t
Eclip

n 40ºS
Horizo
URSA
CANCER MAJOR
Big Dipper
Horizon 20ºS DRACO
M12 in Ophiuchus
W Vega Discovered in 1764 by Charles Messier, M12 is a prime target
ES Pollux ST for a small telescope. It is estimated to be between 16,000
T URSA EA
Horizo MINOR and 18,000 light-years away from Earth.
n 0º

looking south
The beautiful section of the Milky Way around
Zenith Crux, the Southern Cross, including the dark
0°
nebula known as the Coalsack, takes center
VIRGO stage in the south in May. There are several fine
Spica open clusters on view in Carina, many nestled
20ºS among the rich star fields of the Milky Way.
NGC 3532 can be seen with the naked eye, but
LIBRA
binoculars reveal its many twinkling stars well.
The magnitude 4.2 cluster NGC 3114 is an
40ºS
interesting target for a small telescope, while
CENTAURUS HYDRA NGC 2516 is a good target for binoculars.
Antares
ic

OPHIUCHUS
ipt

LUPUS
Ecl

SCORPIUS β Centauri
α Centauri
CRUX

VELA
SERPENS ARA
CARINA
CAUDA
SAGITTARIUS
Avior
Horizon 0º

PAVO PUPPIS
OCTANS
PICTOR
Horizon 20ºS Canopus CANIS NGC 2516
MAJOR
EA
TUCANA The magnitude 3.8 open cluster NGC 2516 sits roughly 3.5 degrees
ST ST away from the star Avior, Epsilon (ε) Carinae. It contains roughly
GRUS
Sirius WE
Achernar 100 stars and can be viewed with just a pair of binoculars.
PHOENIX Horizon 40ºS
 C

Mizar
U
92

RS

A
M

AM 1

UL
M10

A
ITT
A

EC
JO
R THE
57

G
BIG DIPP
ga

LP
ER
M
C

SA
Ve

Po
V AN

VU
CO
ES
Procyon

llu E NA ES DRA S
CANIS

eo
x E

A
OT
CAN

EAST
UL

bir
3

TIC
LE
WEST

USIL
M1

I BO

Al
A
GE

RC
O

QU
R
N M51
CE R

LY

Altair
TA HAIN
M
M

C
HE

27
MIN

as
I
44

R
IN

M
or
Mizar

LP
I

U
92

A
S
OR

SA

DE
M

1 U

UL
M81 M10
LY M AJ N
G

EC

GIT
NX OR THE BIG CY

57

LP
ga
DIPPER

M
29

SA
Ve
Po

VU
l CO R M
D RA MI N O
l ux

eo

EAST
bir
U R SA
WEST

US
M

Al
A
G3E5

R
ne

LY
De

HIN
M

Ca

27
st Polaris
IN

M
or
M

LP
I
1

S
M

DE
CA U
37

M M8
LY ELO 1 39 N
U NX PARD M G
CY
A

RI ALIS EUS
M

G CEPH
36

M A Ca 29
M
OR TA
38 pe
ll
MI N ER
a
U R SA LAC
M

b
35

2 ne
Polaris M5 De
M

PE C AS S I O P E I A
1

RS
CAEUS
M
37

NGC 8 NGC 869

ME 84 39

T
U LO PA
N

S
R DA L I S M103
A

RI EUS
M
O

A
G CEPH
36
R

E
H M A C H
T

W 38 ap
ell TA T
E a
ER R
S LAC US O
T S N
M5
2 GA
M34
PE
A N D R O M E DA
PE
R SEU C AS S I O P E I A M31
S NGC 8 NGC 869
84

T
N

S
M103
TRIANGULUM
O

A
R

E
H H
T

W T
E R
S S O
T SU N
NORTH GA
M34
PE
A N D R O M E DA M31
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

TRIANGULUM
observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
April 15 Midnight 1 am
May 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH May 15 10 pm 11 pm
June 1 9 pm 10 pm
June 15 8 pm 9 pm
MAY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
56
 O
8

BO
M3

HE
COMA ES

LE
M4
IC

R
C RE
N
A BEREN

OT

RO AL

CU

OP
Arcturus

E
IS S

M1
LE

1
HI
M64

S
SE

UC
R
RA

H
M53

D
PE
N

M2
US

6
7
S

HY

M
M6
CA
M87

14
PU

lus
WEST

EAST
M

gu

O
S
8

O
12

BO
Re

M
M M3

HE
LE
M4

10 M5 COMA ES

M1
A

M2
C RE
N
IC

7
A

5
M
N
BEREN XT

1
OT

RO AL

CU

SERP1E6 8
OP

S
Arcturus

E
IS S SE

M1
LE

1
HI

C
M64

M2
S

2
24
VIRGO

SE

UC
R

AU
M

M
RA

H
9 PE
M53 D

21
N

23
DMA

M2
US
S

6
HY
S

CA

M2
M87
XI

8
14

M
PU LIBRA
T

8
WEST

EAST
PY

IC M104
M ECLIPT Spica

S
12

M
M

16
10
A

M1
M n M5

M2
M

7
M TA

5
19 tar R X

18
es 80 TE
CRA SE

M2
M
M
M

2
7
4
A

M VIRGO

24
M
I

6
M 62 US

M
M
9 CORV TL

23

21
Sh SC
M83 AN
S

au OR
la

M2
XI

LIB

8
PI

M
RA

8
US
PY

IC M104
ECLIPT Spica
An
M tar M
19 es 80
LUP R
TE
T

US LA

S
CRA
S

VE

O
E

M
M N

7
A

M 4 O

U
M
W

6
T 62 RM US
H AR A CENTAURUS CORV TL H
AS AN T
E Sh
A au C OR M83 U
S la
T O
PI
US S

ux
Gacr
CIR LUPU Mimosa
T

CIN S Hadar LA

S
S

US Rigil ux VE

O
E

NO Kentaurus
CRUX Acr

U
W

T RM
H AR A CENTAURUS H
E A T
A U
S O
T S
SOUTH
ux STAR MOTION
Gacr

Mimosa
CIR North
CIN Hadar
US Rigil ux
Kentaurus
CRUX Acr

sunrise and sunset on 15th may

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
MAY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
M AY N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
57
 M104
M

VIRGO
12

S
M

HU
UC
HI
5
CO
Re

OP
M
g

RV
ul

U ENS
CR
M6

us

14
US

EAST
HY
WEST

Spica T
7

DA
PU
0
AT

M1

CA RP
SE
DR

TIC CA
E

RA

ECLIP

SE
XT

S
R

M104
A

LE PEN
LIB
AN

M87
O SER
M

VIRGO

ILA
12

S
S
CA
44

HU
NC

ES

AQU
M53
M64 IS

UC
rus AL UL
ER

Arctu RE RC

HI
BO
HE
5
Re
Po

NA

OP
M
COMA BERENICES
CORO
g
ll

ul
ux

M6

L
us

EO

EAST
T
WEST

7
M3 PU

M5
M
I N CA

A
TIC
ECLIP O S

R
LER CANEM ES PEN

LY
O S87VEN
ATICI BOOT SER
M
CA
44

3
M1
LY
NC

M53
IS S
92LE
M64
N

AL
X

rus MU
ER

Arctu RE RC

ga
BO
HE

Ve
Po

UR COMA BERENIM51 NA
CES CORO
ll
ux

LE S A
O M

7
AJ M3

M5
M
IN OR

A
OR

R
CANE ES

LY
M101
S VEN
ATICI Mizar BOOT
3
BIG D O M1
LY

IPPER AC

T
N

DR

S
N

92
O

A
M
R

ga
E
H H
T

Ve
W U T
E RS M51 R
S A O
T M INOR N
AJ URSA M
OR M8
1
M101
Mizar
BIG D O
IPPER AC

T
DR
N

S
O

A
R

E
H H
T

W T
E R
S R
O
T N O R T HURSA MINO N
M8
1
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
April 15 Midnight 1 am
May 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH May 15 10 pm 11 pm
June 1 9 pm 10 pm
June 15 8 pm 9 pm
MAY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
58
 M2
3
M

M1
4

8
M
An
7

M2
1
19
tar

M2
A

M4

4
es
DR

OP

M
H

25
HY

I
M

M
8
U

M2
46

62

8
C
IA

M
TL

6
SC
R

22
HU
S
AN

E
48
JOR

S
80
U

OR
93
S
LU

M1
S
M

M11
6
AT

P
M

M2
M
NGC 5139
PU

XI

AQU
RV

6
S MA

IU

69
CR

Sh

IL
WEST

PY

S
CO

M
S

EAST
au

M1
M9 7
I

A
M83

la

SCU
N
O

T
M
RUS

M1
N

54
CENTAU

M
An

8
NO
CA CERO

A
O

AMU21
19

M2 C S
Rig

USM
tar
RM ux

3 O T
7

7 M M24
A Ken il Gacr RA
M

es

RO R
ta Mimosa D

OP
A A uru
M14

TA s

5
HY

HI
LI
M4

M
S

GM M
Hadar X LA

8
RI

M2
46

62
CRU

8
C
VE IA
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M

M
h

I T 2 55 M
Acrux TL

6
SC
TE AR CIR

22
HU
AN
Ad

A
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OR
93

LU
S
US
A

P
M

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NGC 5139
PU
XI

M
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69
OP INA

Sh
A

IC
PY

S
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WEST

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CAR

au

EAST
7
M MUSC
IS M

la
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N

TRIAN
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M
GULUM R P PI

54

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RO S
ENTAU

AU
NO
CA

AUST

S A
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l
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Gacr

CO ST

PI
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RO R
BA

enta

OGIT
Mimosa
1

A A uru
s S
M

TAM LI
M4

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M
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LU

U CRU VO

55
ra

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O

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ha

TDEU AR CIR Acrux C

Ad

LS A CIN ON
ES US CHAMAELE us
C p

M
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PAV

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S
S

M SA LMC O

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NS R AD

U
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04 ON U
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A US TUC
ANA 04 U
S O
T SOUTH S
STAR MOTION

PHOENIX
I UM North
Achernar LOG
HORO

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
MAY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
M AY S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
59
60 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

JUNE
It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, hercules
and with lighter evenings, the time for Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

observation is reduced. For observers in 5 Beta (β) Herculis, or Herculis Her June–August
Kornephoros, 2.8
the Southern Hemisphere, the dark skies 16h
50
˚
Hercules’ waist is formed by
offer a plethora of celestial sights to look for,
18h 17h
DRACO
four stars that make the 50º

including the constellations in the Milky Way.

CYGNUS
asterism known to 42
τ υ
astronomers as the ι 52
φ
“Keystone.” The stunning σ χ
globular star cluster LYRA
northern latitudes
30
40º M92

M13 lies one-third of Vega η

ρ 69
the way south along M13 BOÖTES
θ π KEY-

THE STARS Scorpius. Look out for the an imaginary line STONE
68

Looking north, Ursa Minor, the Little unmistakable bright star Alpha (α) between the stars 30º 104
ν ε
ζ CORONA
BOREALIS
Eta (η) Herculis and ο ξ
Bear, is clearly visible with Draco, Scorpii, Antares, shining with μ
Zeta (ζ) Herculis. λ
δ
the Dragon, wrapped around it. The an orange-red tint. M13 contains 100
113
β
tip of the bear’s tail is marked by roughly 250,000 20º
109 106
95 HERCULES
NGC 6210

110 γ
the pole star, Polaris. SIGHTS OF INTEREST stars and can be 111
102
CLUSTER
κ

If observing from a site with If you have a small telescope, train easily seen with a 93
Rasalgethi
ABELL 2151

α ω
pair of binoculars.
a clear southern horizon, you will it on M13, the finest globular cluster 60

A small telescope 10º

29

be able to spot the constellation in the northern skies this month. It shows it very well. AQUILA
lies in Hercules, which is high in
NOON SERPENS
the sky at this time. Also look for OPHIUCHUS CAPUT

another globular cluster, M5, which

9 A.M.
sits in the head of the constellation clusters are roughly magnitude 6
50°
Serpens, the Snake. These star and can be seen through binoculars.
If you are an enthusiastic galaxy
observer, use a telescope to reveal
40°
two well-known spiral galaxies,
6 A.M. M51 and M101, sitting near the
handle of the “Big Dipper.”
30°

27 24 28
ARIES
20° 3 A.M.
28 22
28 MIDNIGHT
Aldebaran 22 26 23
29
29 25
Hyades 24
10° 28 PISCES
Altair
27
Bellatrix 22
TAURUS 26
0° 22
25
AQUARIUS
Mira 24
Rigel
–10° 23 21

22
21

PEGASUS
URANUS
Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS
PISCES SAGITTARIUS Sh
29
29 28 27
ARIES 28
27
26 25 26
24 25
23 24
TAURUS 22
21 23
22
21

M
O
R N
NEPTUNE I N
G
S K
Y
 JUNE 61

southern latitudes
THE STARS SIGHTS OF INTEREST
scorpius
June is a wonderful time for There is no shortage of interesting
night-sky observers in the Southern objects to view from southern Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
Hemisphere. The rich star fields of latitudes this month. A good place 33 Alpha (α) Scorpii, or Scorpii Sco June–July
the Milky Way Galaxy stretch right to start is the constellation Scorpius, Antares, 1.0

across the sky from the southwest which contains the stunning open You cannot fail to spot the
to the northeast. Scattered among clusters M6 and M7, both of which constellation Scorpius, which has –10º ψ
ξ
them are the sparkling constellations can be viewed with the naked eye. one of the most recognizable
Sco X-1
Centaurus, the Centaur; Crux, the They sit not far from the Scorpion’s patterns in the night sky. It is home
SERPENS
Southern Cross; as well as Scorpius, tail, and a pair of binoculars shows to many excellent targets for an CAUDA OPHIUCHUS ν β
–20
amateur telescope. However, to Ecliptic
the Scorpion; Carina, the Keel; them very clearly. There is also see the entire constellation in ο
M80 δ
σ
and Sagittarius, the Archer. the open star cluster NGC 6231 the night sky, your location should SAGITTARIUS Antares
22
M4 π
2
LIBRA
τ α 1

High in the south, you will see nearby, lying close to the star Zeta (ζ) be to the south of latitude 13
ρ

the constellation Lupus, while the Scorpii. The magnificent globular 40 degrees north. Scorpius’ M6
NGC
RR
SCORPIUS
LUPUS
ε
distinctive shape of Scorpius will cluster Omega (ω) Centauri in brightest star is the orange-red M7 6383

Antares, Alpha (α) Scorpii. It

Shaula
υ μ2 μ1
help you get your bearings. Its the constellation Centaurus is still is a supergiant star with a
κ λ
NGC
–40º
brightest star is the orange-red on show. It is breathtaking when
2 6124
ι NGC 6322
diameter about 800 times NGC
6231
θ η ζ
Antares. Be sure to scan your seen with a large telescope. that of our own star, the Sun. NGC 6388
NGC
6178
NORMA
eyes across the beautiful star Also in the south, not far away TELESCOPIUM
fields in the constellation Sagittarius, from Centaurus, in the constellation –50º ARA
17h 16h
Crux, you can find the dark Coalsack
18h
especially if you are observing
from a dark sky site. Looking north, Nebula. You can also view the
the constellations Boötes, Hercules, spectacular Jewel Box Cluster
and Ophiuchus are visible. and M83, a spiral galaxy in Hydra. NOON
3 P.M.
Sparkling Scorpius
The distinctive constellation Scorpius is rich
in deep-sky objects to observe, including the 50°
marvelous open clusters M6 and M7, found 50°
near its tail (top left).
6 P.M.

40° 40°

GEMINI
Castor Castor GEMINI
30° 30°
Pollux Pollux 21 21
9 P.M. 24 24
29 29 25 25
26 26
26 26
23 23 20° 20°
MIDNIGHT 26 26
Arcturus Arcturus
LEO LEO 23 23 21
Regulus Regulus27 21
27
25 25
10° 10°
CANCER
CANCER Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse
27 27 Procyon Procyon
28 28

0° 0°
OPHIUCHUS
OPHIUCHUS 29 29
VIRGO VIRGO29 29

–10° –10°

Spica Spica

Antares Antares LIBRA LIBRA positions of the planets

This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
SCORPIUS
SCORPIUS in June from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on June 15. Mercury is shown only
haula Shaula represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For the specific dates, refer to the Almanac.

Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune

Venus Jupiter Uranus

EXAMPLES
Y Jupiter’s position on Saturn’s position on June 15, 2021. The arrow indicates
K 24 21
S June 15, 2024 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
N G
E N I
E V
62 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

JUNE observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

15 May Midnight 1 am
1 June 11 pm Midnight
15 June 10 pm 11 pm
looking north 1 July 9 pm 10 pm
15 July 8 pm 9 pm
One of the finest double stars of the northern
Zenith
skies is on show in the east at this time of 20°N
the year. Albireo, or Beta (β) Cygni, in Cygnus
is a must-see for any beginner due to the ease
with which the stars can be separated. It can Arcturus
HERCULES

be seen through a small telescope, with one BOÖTES 40ºN

of its stars shining gold and the other with a
blue hue. The open cluster M39, also in Cygnus,
is another good small-telescope target, as is the
60ºN
variable star Delta (δ) Cephei that varies between Vega
magnitude 3.5 and 4.4 every 5 days and 9 hours. DRACO
Albireo

Big Dipper
URSA CYGNUS
URSA
MINOR
MAJOR
Deneb
LEO
Polaris
CEPHEUS
δ

Horizon 20ºN
Regulus
Ec

CASSIOPEIA
lip
tic

CANCER AURIGA PERSEUS ANDROMEDA

Castor Capella Horizon 40ºN
Albireo
Pollux PEGASUS
A small telescope shows the striking colour difference of the two W
stars, set against the star fields of the Milky Way in Cygnus. The ES ST
T GEMINI EA
magnitude 3.1 and 5.1 stars lie 380 light-years away from Earth.
Horizon 60ºN

looking south
The constellation Boötes, the Herdsman, is high
in the sky in June. Its brightest star Arcturus, Zenith
60°N
with a magnitude -0.04, is a red giant star that
is an incredible 25 times larger than our Sun.
Also still on view, to the east of Boötes, is DRACO URSA
MAJOR
the globular cluster M13 in Hercules. Low down 40ºN
on the horizon is Scorpius, which contains some Vega
BOÖTES
interesting objects, such as two open clusters,
HERCULES
M6 and M7, and a globular cluster M4. Both M6
and M7 are visible to the naked eye and their 20ºN Arcturus
individual stars can be seen through binoculars.
SERPENS
CAPUT

OPHIUCHUS

SERPENS VIRGO
Altair CAUDA
LEO

LIBRA Spica
Antares
AQUILA
SAGITTARIUS Regulus
Horizo
n 60
ºN
SCORPIUS
tic
lip
Ec LUPUS
Horizon 40ºN
M6 in Scorpius
A magnitude 4.2 open cluster, M6 can be found sitting not HYDRA
EA CAPRICORNUS CENTAURUS
α Centauri T
far from the “sting” in the tail of Scorpius, just north of M7. ST ARA ES
N W
It is also known as the Butterfly Cluster. β Centauri n 20º
Horizo
CRUX
 JUNE 63

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
JUNE
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
While there may be more impressive sights
Zenith
40°S
in the southern part of the June sky, there is
also much to see when looking north, such
LUPUS
as the globular clusters M13 and M92 in the
SCORPIUS constellation Hercules. There are also plenty
Antares
20ºS of interesting clusters to look at in Ophiuchus.
Besides the two globular clusters M10 and
ipt
ic LIBRA SAGITTARIUS M12, and the open cluster NGC 6633, be sure
HYDRA Ecl
to look out for the magnitude 4.2 open cluster
0º OPHIUCHUS
Spica IC 4665. It is composed of a group of 30 stars
SERPENS and is a lovely sight through binoculars.
SERPENS CAUDA
CAPUT
VIRGO
Arcturus

HERCULES

AQUILA
BOÖTES

Altair
Vega
LEO Horiz
on 40ºS
URSA CYGNUS
MAJOR DRACO
Regulus Horizon 20ºS
M13 in Hercules
W
Big Dipper
Deneb The globular cluster M13 in Hercules is a spectacular sight in a
ES º ST large-aperture telescope. A large Dobsonian telescope, for
T on 0 EA
URSA Horiz
MINOR CEPHEUS example, will show it as a ball of thousands of stars.

looking south
If you are looking south in the southern
Zenith hemisphere, you will be met with a rich
0°
variety of objects visible with just the naked
eye, or with binoculars or a small telescope.
LIBRA M22 in the constellation Sagittarius is an
OPHIUCHUS
20ºS impressive magnitude 5.1 globular cluster,
VIRGO while the emission nebula, M8, is a fine
Antares target for binoculars. Meanwhile, Omega (ω)
SERPENS tic
SCORPIUS Spica Centauri, arguably the finest globular cluster
CAUDA lip 40ºS
Ec in the night sky, sits at the heart of Centaurus,
the Centaur.
LUPUS
ARA
α Centauri
SAGITTARIUS HYDRA
AQUILA β Centauri
CRUX CENTAURUS
PAVO
OCTANS
CAPRICORNUS
Horiz
CARINA VELA on 0
º
TUCANA

GRUS Horizon 20ºS M8 in Sagittarius

EA Fomalhaut PICTOR Also called the Lagoon Nebula, M8 can be seen through binoculars
ST ST as a glowing patch. The view through a large telescope is
PHOENIX
Achernar PUPPIS on 40
ºS WE
Canopus Horiz mesmerizing, with several stars nestled in and around the nebula.
ERIDANUS
 US
BO
OT
ES

ES

PHIN
CAN

S
ULA
o
M57

LEU
Albire
UL

M27
Reg

Vega
92

RC
ES

EC

DEL
M
u

UU
lus

M
HE

LP
51
A
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EQ
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M1
M
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10
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29
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EAST
M67
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M
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b
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ne
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De
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S
4

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GA
M
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LA

PE
M8
A MINOR
1
S
EU
Polaris CEPH
Po

LY
llu

N
x

A
2

ED
M5
Ca

M
st O
GE

or
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IOP AN
M

CAMELOPA C AS S
IN

R DA L I S
I

NGC 869 M103

31
M

T
NGC 884
N

S
O

A
AU
R

RIG Cap

E
H M
37 ella H
T

W A T
E R
S
M3
6 M O
T 38 N
UM
M34
UL
PERSEUS NG
TRIA
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
May 15 Midnight 1 am
June 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH June 15 10 pm 11 pm
July 1 9 pm 10 pm
July 15 8 pm 9 pm
JUNE | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
64
 A

H
E

A
S

s
IC

ER
N

ltai
ru
N

r
C
IS

tu
C

c
TA

U
COR

RE OM
ONA BOREAL

Ar

LE
53
S

EX
BE

A
M
87

S
M
S

QU
V
TE

IL
U
B OO

L
O

M1

SAAG
3
LE

R
64

ITT
M

A
3
WEST

SER

EAST
N
M
S PENS CAP UT

H
ES

A
PE LA
OP
S

S
s
IC
CA HI

ER
N

ltai
ru
N A
UC

r
C

M
M IS

tu
UD

SPEECU CUT
HU C GO

c
TA

11
S COR

RE OM
A 14

U
M ONA BOREAL

Ar
VIRE

LE
53
R
S
EX

M5 B

M
87
S

AQ
M 4

CA
M1 S

26
2 10 AT

UI
M1 TE M C R
0 OO

PRI
LA
B
M

CO
16
M

ER
M S

P
25 17 ica
Sp

RN
IC VU
WEST

SER

EAST
EN
M PENS CAP UT IPT OR
M M ECL
SM 23
OP
C

US
18 9

SC
2C4A HI
M UC

M
22 M
UD HU GO

11
S

M
M A 14

TU
21
R

VI R

55
MM
D
R A

28 M5 Y

M
M8

SA
M1 M1 M80 4

26
2
H ATE
M 9 10

G
M R

CA
54 AMn1ta
0 res
LIBRA 3 C
M8

I TT
M M M M4

PRI
1 6

AR
69 M6
M 6 2
M S

IU

CO
17 M ica

S
25 M 7 IC Sp VU
18 M PT

RN
M 23 Sh
M au ECLI C OR
24 9 la

US
M
22 M

M
21 SCO

C
RA

O TE RPIUS LUPUS

55
T

A
D

U R M LE
S

SS
28 S C Y
E

ST O N MO H
8P M1 M80 13 9

U
M 9 C5
W

OAG
T RA A
NG
IUM
H 54 LIS Anta
res NORMA LIBRA 3 S H

I TT
E M M M4
M8 R U T
A 6 TAU U

AR
S 69 M6
2 CEN O

IU
T M S

S
AR
7 A ru x
Sh
aul G ac
a
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Min
CIRCINUS Rigil urus
Kenta
SCO

C
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T

A
LE

S
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S

SC ar
Had

O
E

ST O N
13 9
OP

U
C5
W

T RA A
NG
IUM
H LIS NORMA US H
E R T
A TAU U
S CEN O
T AR S
A SOUTH x
cru
Ga
STAR MOTION
CIRCINUS osa
Rigil rus
Kentau Mim
North
TRIANGULUM ar
Had
AUSTRALE

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
JUNE | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
J UN E N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
65
 14
3

10

UD NS
M
M

TIC
ECLIP
A
CA RPE
12
M

SE
US

A
CH

air
IL
M26
VI

G M5 I

Alt
U
U

TUM

LEU NUS
R

O H
SEX

M10

M16

AQ
OP
M11
Re TA

EAST
S
WEST

TA
gu N

SE

I
SCU

EQ LPH
LI
lus S

R
LE

IT
P
Sp

BR

M ENS

G
SA
87
O

ica

CAPUT

UU
14

DE
A

Ar
10

UD NS
M

ctu

LA
M

ECLIP
TIC ru U
A
EC
s CA RPE
12

27
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M

M5

M
3
LE SE
VU
US

CU
COR HER

A
ONA BOREALIS
M
CH

air
64
BO o

IL
VI

G OTE M5 I ire

Alt
U
U

US
lb
R

O H
Re

AQ
OP
A
LE LEO
g

EAST
HIN
WEST

ulu

TA
C S
O

CA OM ER 57
s

IT
M3 P

LP
M

N M A ENS M

G
B SA
87
IN

ES ER CAPUT

DE
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VE NIC LY
OR

LA
tu 3
NA ES ru M1 U
EC

M 29
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27
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M
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U
M5
ga
3
LE Ve
VU YG

N
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64
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COR
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M S lb

b
AJ A

ne
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OR

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NE A M
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R A
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OR

NA ICE M1
3
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r

29
TIC

M
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U
ga

T
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N
U B IG DRACO G
N

CY

S
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A
PE M9
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R

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H M H
T

W T

b
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ne
E OR O

De
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T 1
M101
Miza
r
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T
BI DRACO
N

GD

S
IPP
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A
ER

S
R

E
H H

EU
T

W T
E PH R
S CE O
T N
NORTH
U R SA M
INOR
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
May 15 Midnight 1 am
June 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH June 15 10 pm 11 pm
July 1 9 pm 10 pm
July 15 8 pm 9 pm
JUNE | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
66
 M

M8

M2
2
M2
8
M

M6
62

M6
9
S

Sh

4
LUPU

M
7

SA
ul
a

M
RA

M5 AM

GI
55
D
O SC

M9

MR18

U17

CA
TT
C O ST
NS
OR

HY
R

A
RA NA PIU

M80

PR
M2
A

M2
RI
U S

1
LI

M25
S

IC
M24
M1
S

XTA

BR
ATE

9
S

O
M
LI

An
SE
WEST

CR

C
RN

EAST
ta
U 13 9

M83
C5

M2
NOR

re
S

RVU
MA

M8TE

2
s
NG

M2

M
L
8
M

M6

30

PIASQUAR
ES

62
CO

AU
M6

S
CO
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9
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IA

T
M5
RigiU

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AR

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4
PI AU R

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M
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au

SA
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A
la

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GI
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R
55
R
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S

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SC

IN CA
TT
C O ST
XI

OR

HY
SC
Becrux

A
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OP S
PY

IU U LI
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C
WEST

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EAST
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M
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30

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m
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M
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IS

M
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IN NS
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DU TRIANG
ULUM VOLA P
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Fo
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M E N SA M U

m
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NGC 10

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SMC APUS

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X Ach SOUTH Ca
erna HOROLOGIUM
r
STAR MOTION

ER ADO North
IDA UM DOR
NUS RETICUL

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
JUNE | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
J UN E S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
67
68 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

JULY
The northern night skies will continue to ly r a
entice stargazers through the summer. Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

High in the sky is Hercules, home to the 52 Alpha (α) Lyrae, or Lyrae Lyr July–August
Vega, 0.0
magnificent M13. In the southern latitudes, 19h 18h
You can easily find the relatively small
the spectacular constellations Scorpius and constellation Lyra, the Lyre, by locating
CYGNUS

Sagittarius are visible. its brightest star Alpha (a) Lyrae, or

Vega. Vega is one of the three stars of
R LYRA

RR
the famous Summer Triangle asterism. 40º
η
ε 1,2

The planetary nebula M57, or the Vega

northern latitudes Ring Nebula, is also in Lyra and is

θ δ1,2 α
κ
γ ζ1
a much-loved target for amateurs. β
λ M57

THE STARS you can find the Summer Triangle Larger aperture telescopes will show 30º
M56

The constellation Hercules is high asterism, while the constellation the nebula as a small, smoky gray ring.
in the sky this month and it is a Ophiuchus sits in the south. Look for HERCULES

good time to observe its celestial Boötes in the west, with the bright VULPECULA

treasures, such as the globular star Arcturus at its base. Below is

cluster M13. Below M13 lies Virgo and its brightest star Spica. SIGHTS OF INTEREST interesting globular clusters, such
the winding constellation Draco, This is also an ideal time to The globular cluster M13 in as M10 and M12. These clusters
the Dragon. Toward the east, observe the rich region of the sky Hercules is a must-see object are visible with binoculars, while
covered by Scorpius and Sagittarius. this month, as is another globular a telescope will resolve many of
cluster, M5, which can be found their individual stars. If you have
NOON
9 A.M.
in the nearby constellation Serpens. a pair of binoculars, look for
Ophiuchus also has some the open clusters IC 4665 and
NGC 6633, also in Ophiuchus.
URANUS
6 A.M.
GEMINI
Capella
29 28 27
ARIES
40° 26 25
24
23
Castor TAURUS 22
21

30° 3 A.M.
GEMINI TAURUS
22 Pleiades
25 24
27 28 26 ARIES MIDNIGHT
20° 27 21 25
28 24 23
29
Hyades 28 22 PISCES
10° Aldebaran
Betelgeuse Altair
27
Bellatrix 22
26
0° 25

Mira 24
Rigel AQUARIUS
–10° 23
21
22
21
PEGASUS

PISCES Fomalhaut CAPRICORNUS

29
28
27
26
25
24
23
22 SAGITTARIUS
21
M
O
R
Noctilucent clouds N
Look out for these ethereal high-altitude clouds I N
after sunset and before sunrise in June and July. G
They can take on many beautiful forms. NEPTUNE S
K
Y
 JULY 69

southern latitudes
THE STARS SIGHTS OF INTEREST
s a g i t ta r i u s
Sitting high in the southern skies, At this time of year, the
Scorpius is easy to spot this month. constellation Sagittarius offers Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
Nearby are the constellations some exceptional deep-sky objects. 15 Epsilon (ε) Sagittarii, Sagittarii Sgr July–August
Sagittarius and the slightly less The striking globular cluster M22 1.8
20h 19h 18h

prominent Libra. Sagittarius is is visible to the naked eye if you The constellation
AQUARIUS OPHIUCHUS

famous for the “Teapot” asterism have good observing conditions. Sagittarius, the Archer,
CAPRICORNUS
NGC 6818
SERPENS
SCUTUM CAUDA
formed by some of its brightest The Lagoon Nebula, or M8, lying is nestled within a NGC 6822 υ M17

stars, and at this time it sits very above the spout of the “Teapot”, mesmerizingly detailed 56
ρ1 43
NGC
6716 M25
M18
Y M24 M23

high in the sky. When you look is a glowing cloud of gas and a part of the Milky Way. π
ξ1,21,2 21 μ
–20º M75 ECLIPTIC ο ν M21
You can find it by first 11 M20
toward Sagittarius and Scorpius, stunning sight through binoculars. locating the “Teapot” 60 52
ψ Nunki
M22 λ M28
4
M8
ω φ
you are peering toward the center It appears as a misty patch with asterism, which forms the 62 59 τ ζ σ
TEAPOT
X
W
of the Milky Way Galaxy. This whole the star cluster NGC 6530
RR
constellation’s hub, close M55
MILK
DIPPER M54
M69
δ γ Sgr A*
to a notably bright swathe
–30º
region is full of rich and beautiful nestled within it. SAGITTARIUS M70
ε
Kaus
Australis

star fields, which are a joy to
explore using binoculars.
A little lower in the sky are the
bright stars Alpha (α) and Beta
(β) Centauri, also known as Rigil
Kentaurus and Hadar respectively.
Very close to them, you will spot
Other famous deep-sky objects of the Milky Way. A scan of θ1 NGC 6723 η SCORPIUS
Sagittarius with binoculars Shaula
in Sagittarius are visible through or a small telescope will
CORONA
AUSTRALIS
α
a telescope, including the Trifid reveal many rich star clusters –40º
ι β1
Nebula, or M20. However, you can and bright nebulae, such as 2
β TELESCOPIUM
see one particularly bright patch the beautiful Lagoon Nebula.
INDUS
of the Milky Way—M24—with just ARA
NORMA
the naked eye. Beside Sagittarius, –50º

the smallest constellation in the night
sky—Crux, or the Southern Cross.
Scorpius contains the bright open METEOR SHOWER
clusters M6 and M7, which remain When observing in late July, look
high in the sky this month. To the out for the Delta Aquarid meteor
north in the constellation Serpens shower, which peaks on July 29. NOON
Cauda, the Tail of the Serpent, lies If observing from a dark sky site,
the open cluster M16 in the much you should be able to spot around
50°
fainter Eagle Nebula. 20 meteors every hour. 3 P.M. 50°

The galactic hub

If you look toward the constellations Sagittarius 40°
and Scorpius on a clear night in the Southern 40°
Hemisphere, then you are looking in the direction
of the very heart of our galaxy.
6 P.M.
30°
Pollux 30°
Pollux
24
24
Arcturus 21 20°
Arcturus 21 20°
MIDNIGHT 9 P.M. LEO LEO
27 26
29 27 26
Regulus 24 29 25
Regulus 24 25
23 23 23 21
26 23 21 10°
26 CANCER 10°
air CANCER
25 25
28 28 ProcyonProcyon
27 27 0° 0°
OPHIUCHUS
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO VIRGO
29 29
29 29
–10° –10°
Spica Spica

LIBRA LIBRA
positions of the planets
Antares Antares
This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
in July from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on July 15. Mercury is shown only
SCORPIUS
SCORPIUS represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
Shaula Shaula
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.

S Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune

Venus Jupiter Uranus

EXAMPLES
25 Jupiter’s position on 21 Saturn’s position on July 15, 2021. The arrow indicates
July 15, 2025 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).

Y
E V E N I N G S K
70 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

JULY observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

June 15 Midnight 1 am
July 1 11 pm Midnight
July 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north August 1 9 pm 10 pm
August 15 8 pm 9 pm
Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is home to several
Zenith
galaxies that can be seen with amateur 20°N
equipment. M81, or Bode’s Galaxy, appears as
a fuzzy, gray blob through binoculars or a small
telescope. The double star Alcor and Mizar is HERCULES

also worth a look while enjoying the sights of 40ºN

Ursa Major. In the east Cygnus, the Swan, looks Vega
magnificent at this time of the year. The more
BOÖTES CYGNUS
adventurous deep-sky observers should try to
60ºN
hunt down NGC 7000, the North America
Nebula, just southeast of the star Deneb. Arcturus DRACO
Deneb

CEPHEUS
Mizar Alcor
URSA
URSA
MINOR
MAJOR
Big Dipper Polaris

CASSIOPEIA
Horizon 20ºN ANDROMEDA
PEGASUS

PERSEUS
LEO
Horizon 40ºN
Alcor and Mizar
The double star system of Alcor and Mizar is visible to the naked W
Capella
eye. You can find it in the handle of the famous Big Dipper ES PISCES ST
T GEMINI EA
(Plough) asterism in the constellation Ursa Major. AURIGA
Castor
Pollux
Horizon 60ºN

looking south
One prominent marker of the night sky in the
northern summer is the asterism known as Zenith
60°N
the Summer Triangle. The corners of this large
isosceles triangle are formed by the three DRACO

bright stars Altair, Vega, and Deneb.

Epsilon (ε)
Another interesting sight is the multiple Lyrae 40ºN
Deneb
star system, the “Double-Double” (see p.86)
Vega
or Epsilon (ε) Lyrae, in Lyra. Viewing it with HERCULES
binoculars shows a pair of stars, but, closer CYGNUS BOÖTES
20ºN
inspection with a telescope reveals that each
of these stars is a pair of stars itself.
SERPENS
AQUILA CAPUT Arcturus
Altair
OPHIUCHUS

SERPENS
CAUDA LIBRA
PEGASUS

c Antares
Eclipti
VIRGO
AQUARIUS Horizon
6 0ºN
SAGITTARIUS Spica
CAPRICORNUS
SCORPIUS
Horizon 40ºN CENTAURUS
The Summer Triangle
This asterism is a useful navigational aid when finding your ARA HYDRA
EA LUPUS T
way around the summer night sky. Look for dark lanes in the ST Horiz
on 20 ES
ºN W
Milky Way that cut across the triangle through Cygnus and beyond. GRUS α
PAVO
 JULY 71

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
JULY
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The wonderful globular cluster M5 is high
Zenith
40°S
in the sky at this time. It is roughly 25,000
light-years away from Earth, toward the
constellation Serpens Caput. A small telescope
SCORPIUS SAGITTARIUS
brings many of its outer stars into focus. A
Antares 20ºS short hop east over Ophiuchus into Serpens
Cauda you will find the open cluster M16
Ecl
LIBRA SERPENS ipt
ic
surrounded by the much fainter Eagle Nebula.
CAUDA
This cluster can be observed with a pair of
OPHIUCHUS 0º
binoculars. Also look out for Alpha (α) Librae, a
Zubenelgenubi
CAPRICORNUS double star in the constellation Libra, the Scales.

SERPENS AQUILA
CAPUT Altair
Spica

HERCULES
AQUARIUS
Arcturus

BOÖTES Vega CYGNUS

VIRGO

40 ºS Deneb
izon
Hor
DRACO
PEGASUS
Horizon 20ºS
Alpha (α) Librae
W The second brightest star in Libra is called Zubenelgenubi
ES Hor
izon
URSA ST (Arabic for “the Southern claw”). It is a binary star system, and
T 0º MAJOR EA
URSA CEPHEUS a pair of binoculars easily shows its two stars.
MINOR

looking south
The “Teapot” asterism, made of eight stars,
Zenith lies among the stars of the Milky Way in the
0°
constellation Sagittarius. Its stubby spout is
marked by the stars Gamma (γ), Epsilon (ε),
SERPENS OPHIUCHUS and Delta (δ) Sagittarii, while Phi (ϕ), Sigma (σ),
CAUDA
AQUILA 20ºS Zeta (ζ), and Tau (τ) make its handle.
Scattered around the Teapot are some
δ γ Antares interesting binocular and small-telescope
σ φ
tic τ ζ ε SCORPIUS targets, including the bright Lagoon Nebula
lip 40ºS
Ec LIBRA M8, the magnitude 4.6 open cluster M25,
SAGITTARIUS
and the globular cluster M22.
ARA LUPUS
VIRGO
CAPRICORNUS

α Centauri Spica
PAVO

AQUARIUS GRUS β Centauri HYDRA

OCTANS CRUX
CENTAURUS
TUCANA
Fomalhaut Horizon
0º

PHOENIX
Achernar
CARINA
Horizon 20ºS
M22 in Sagittarius
EA VELA A small telescope shows many of M22’s brightest stars. It is the
ST PICTOR ST third-brightest globular cluster in the sky and can be seen with
on 40
ºS WE
ERIDANUS Canopus Horiz just the naked eye in particularly dark and clear skies.
 9

S
A
M3

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C

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M101
M8

GA
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EAST
PE
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HERCULES LY
9
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64

Miz
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33
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M
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03
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4
TR
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T
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M38

S
S
O

A
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SEU
R

E
H AR H
PER
T

W GE T
E MI R
S NI O
T Ca
sto N
r NORTH Capella
AU R I G A
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

M38
observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
June 15 Midnight 1 am
July 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH July 15 10 pm 11 pm
August 1 9 pm 10 pm
August 15 8 pm 9 pm
JULY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
72
 M1
5
M
27
VU
LP
S

SA

DE
EC

G
LE

LP
UL U

IT
A

EQ
O
RC

Al
TA

HI

U
t
HE

U
RG

air
Ve
S

M
M

LE
CY
VI

S
04

ga
A

2
13

U
PU
CE
S M

M1

GN

PE
NI

M
S
C

U
LY
E

57

Al

S
R

RI
R

A
TE A
WEST

bi
NS

EAST
S

us

A Q G AS
E

U
A
ica

re
Q N

M1
IS
ur
BE COM 53

S
U

5
U

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Sp

ct

M
5

UA US
r
R O SLERP

B
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27
A
RV

VU
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LP
CO
S

SA

DE
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P 2
BO

L
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IT
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EQ
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PH
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Al
TA

U
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ta
0

U
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NU

M
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M14 V

S
04

2
M1

U
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PU
S
M1

A
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A
M2 OPHIUC C RA
6

U
SC S

RI
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EAST
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UT

U
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ST
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MS
30

R
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AQ P I S C I N U
83

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UA IS S
M

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C

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P 24 2
PR
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CAU ENM M1 LIB
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M22 M80
0
NU
S SA M28 M19
M1 res US
GIT M21 M14 Anta M4
TAR M1
1
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M5 H US E
5 OPHIUC C RA

AU
SCM5 M26 D
U4T M7 M6 M62

ST
M UMM69 M16 US HY
P

30

P R
IC ECL
IPT
IC M 17 LU

SC INU
83

M 18
M

Shaula
CRAOS M25 M23
M9 RA
T

PRCO M24
LIB
S

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IS S S O
M8
E

ORUM CO
M80

U
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W

T NU AUS ROMN A M28 M19 res US

H S SA TRA M21 Anta M4 H
E IN GIT LIS UR T
A DU TAR
TA U
S S M5
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5
T TE LES
C OPIUM MA C S
M54
M7
ARAM6 M62 NOR
M M69 P US
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RO
SC PAVO Shaula
T

S
S

OP

O
IU
E

M CO

U
W

T AU S R O N A
H TRA H
E IN LIS T
A DU U
S S TE LES O
T C OPIUM MA S
A
SROAU T H NOR
STAR MOTION
PAVO
North

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
JULY | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
J UL Y N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
73
 M

M2

M14 11
10

US

M
M5 M S
12 EN
LE
S S E R P DA
UU
CAU
M

ER O
18 4

25
87

PH
M M2

S
PE IUC M2
M

EQ

RIU
M

HUS 17

15
N

S
9

ir
M

S LA

EAST
M

M
WEST

ta

SU
UI
26

CA Al
TU
LIB

16

UA
M

PU
VI R

AQ
M

GA
T
U
RA

AQ
CO

SC

TT
GO

PE
S
GI

U
M

M
M

I
SA

N
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53
64

M2
M14 H
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11 A
10

Ar
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US
M
BE

ct
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ur M S
BO us M
EN 27
LP
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12

LE
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RO
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HERC
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M
NI

UU
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87

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PE O REA PH
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EQ
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15
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TT
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LYRA

PE
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53
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52 N
MINOR NORTH
S
HEU
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

CEP
observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
June 15 Midnight 1 am
July 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH July 15 10 pm 11 pm
August 1 9 pm 10 pm
August 15 8 pm 9 pm
JULY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
74
 62

M
S

55
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SA
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54
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AQ
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GI
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RV

AU
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UA
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83
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M2
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M
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OUTH
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STAR MOTION
DORADO
RET
North
ICULU
M
s
C anopu

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
JULY | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
J U L Y S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
75
76 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

AUGUST cygnus
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
16 Alpha (α) Cygni, or Cygni Cyg August–September
On a warm August evening, the most Deneb 1.3

prominent feature from northern latitudes ˚

19h 60
22h 20h
21h
The constellation Cygnus, the 60º

is the large Summer Triangle asterism. Swan, is easy to recognize

due to its large “cross” shape. CEPHEUS

From the Southern Hemisphere, the Its brightest star, Deneb, has
LACERTA
33

κ
magnitude 1.3 and marks the NGC 7128
ψ
magnificent center of the Milky Way is swan’s tail. The swan’s head is
50º
π1 NGC 7086
CYGNUS
NGC 6826 ι
π2 θ
still sitting high in the sky. marked by the gorgeous
double star Albireo,
IC 5146 M39 63
59
55
NGC 7026
ω1
α ο1
ο2
NGC 6811

W ρ 57 Deneb
30
δ
Beta (β) Cygni. A small 40º ξ
NGC 7027
NGC 7000
IC 5067

γ
telescope reveals the ν Cyg A

northern latitudes
NGC 6910 NGC 6819 Vega
σ LYRA
two stars—one gold, 72
61
τ
M29
P
22
15
λ
the other tinted blue. υ 47 29 28 NGCη6871 8
ε 17
THE STARS SIGHTS OF INTEREST Binoculars are perfect for 30º
NGC 6992 39
Cyg X-1
χ
ζ φ
Directly overhead is the bright star When observing Cygnus, look exploring Cygnus’s beautiful μ1
NGC
52 6960
41 NGC 6894
β2
star fields and clusters. Albireo
Vega in Lyra, as well as Deneb, which out for the Cygnus Rift. This dark VULPECULA

marks the tail of the constellation
Cygnus. The shape of Cygnus means
it is often called the Northern Cross.
In the south, the rich regions around
Scutum, Scorpius, and Sagittarius
are sinking away.
NOON
lane of dust sits in front of the
background stars and appears
to split the Milky Way into two.
Also look out for the Wild Duck
Cluster, M11, in Scutum. It is
clearly visible through binoculars.
9 A.M.
Capella
METEOR SHOWER
One of the finest meteor showers opportunity to lie back, take in the
of the year, the Perseids peak night sky, and hopefully see some
around August 12. This is a great meteors, too—you should be able
to spot one every minute or so. The
meteors appear to come from
6 A.M. the northern parts of Perseus.
They are typically quite bright
and are best seen after midnight.
PEGASUS
NEPTUNE
3 A.M.

PISCES
29
28
27
26
30° 25
Pollux GEMINI TAURUS Pleiades
24
23
28 22
24 21
25 26
22 25 28 24 22 ARIES
20°
26
25 26
Aldebaran 29
23
CANCER Hyades 28
10° PISCES
23 Betelgeuse 27
Procyon Bellatrix
26
22
0°
25
Mira
24
Rigel
–10° 23
AQUARIUS
21
22

GEMINI Fomalhaut

29 28 27 ARIES M
26 25 O
24 R
23
22 N
21 I N
TAURUS
G
Perseid meteors S
The warm nights in August are a great time to K
Y
sit back and watch the Perseid meteor shower
unfold in the night sky above you. URANUS
 AUGUST 77

southern latitudes scutum

Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
THE STARS Austrinus. Between Fomalhaut
84 Alpha (α) Scuti, 3.8 Scuti Sct July–August
When observing from southern and the stars of Scorpius are the
latitudes, you can find Sagittarius, stars of the constellations Grus,
the Archer, lying almost overhead; Tucana, Pavo, and Ara. With clear The constellation Scutum, the Shield, 19h 18h

to its southwest lies Scorpius, the skies, you should have little trouble is relatively small—the fifth smallest of
88 constellations. It is located between AQUILA OPHIUCHUS
Scorpion. Low on the southwest, seeing the Small Magellanic Cloud
the stars of Aquila and Sagittarius, close
the bright stars Alpha (α) and sitting to the west of the star ηβ
to the constellation Serpens Cauda, the M11
R
α ζ
ε
Beta (β) Centauri, also known Achernar in Eridanus. Snake’s Tail, in a wonderfully rich and –10º δ
interesting part of the Milky Way. The Polish
M26
as Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar, are SERPENS

sinking below the horizon, taking SIGHTS OF INTEREST astronomer Johannes Hevelius originally SCUTUM
γ CAUDA

named it “Sobieski's Shield” in 1684,

Centaurus with them.
Low on the horizon between
the stars of Centaurus and Scorpius
is the constellation Lupus, the Wolf.
In the east, the bright star Fomalhaut
lies in the constellation Piscis
With the rich regions of Sagittarius
and Scutum visible high in the sky,
you can take your pick from a superb
selection of binocular and telescope
targets this month. To experience
a real space-walking feel, pick up
in honor of John Sobieski, the king of
Poland at that time.
a pair of binoculars and “wander”
along the Milky Way, from Scutum
to Centaurus.
If you have a telescope, the
Lagoon Nebula makes a wonderful
target in Sagittarius, and with a
wide enough field of view, you
can also glimpse the Trifid Nebula,
M20. Two interesting open clusters,
M6 and M7, are nestled among rich
star fields in Scorpius, and both are
The Lagoon Nebula in Sagittarius
M8, or the Lagoon Nebula (bottom right), can
be seen with just the naked eye and makes
an excellent target for a small telescope. It
appears nestled among the rich star fields
of our galaxy, the Milky Way.
–20º
SAGITTARIUS
visible to the naked eye. The
star field M24 in Sagittarius
makes a great binocular target.
Looking northward, you will find
the planetary nebula M57, or the
Ring Nebula. It is an interesting
target for a small telescope, as
is the larger planetary nebula M27,
or the Dumbbell Nebula, in the
constellation Vulpecula, the Fox.
NOON
40° 40°
3 P.M.

30° 30°

MIDNIGHT
6 P.M.
20° 20°
LEO LEO
9 P.M. Arcturus Arcturus
27 27
27 27 10° 10°
Altair Altair 24 21 24 21Regulus Regulus

23 2323 23
29 28 29 28
29 29 0° 0°
25 25
21 21
OPHIUCHUS
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO VIRGO 22 22
26 26
29 27 29 27
CAPRICORNUS
CAPRICORNUS –10° –10°
21 29 29
Spica Spica
22
21 21

positions of the planets

Antares Antares
This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
in August from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on August 15. Mercury is shown when
SAGITTARIUS
SAGITTARIUS represented by colored dots, while the number it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
Shaula Shaula
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
SCORPIUS
SCORPIUS Venus Jupiter Uranus
EXAMPLES
23 Jupiter’s position on 21 Jupiter’s position on August 15, 2021. The arrow indicates
August 15, 2023 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).

E V
E N
I N G
S K Y
78 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

AUGUST observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

July 15 Midnight 1 am
August 1 11 pm Midnight
August 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north September 1 9 pm 10 pm
September 15 8 pm 9 pm
Northern summer nights are the perfect time
Zenith
to admire the galaxy we live in. In August the 20°N
Milky Way rises up from Auriga and Perseus in
the northeast, stretching all the way across the
sky into Scutum, Scorpius, and Sagittarius in CYGNUS
the southwest. There are many objects nestled 40ºN
in and around the Milky Way that can be spotted
Vega
with binoculars. In addition to the Double
Deneb
Cluster (see p.22), be sure to look out for HERCULES
60ºN
the globular clusters M13 and M92. A large
PEGASUS
telescope will reveal the galaxies M81 and M51. SERPENS
CAPUT DRACO
CEPHEUS

BOÖTES URSA ANDROMEDA

MINOR Polaris

CASSIOPEIA

Arcturus URSA
Big Dipper PISCES
MAJOR
PERSEUS

20ºN
izon
Hor
Capella ARIES itc
li p
Horizon 40ºN Ec
The Milky Way
Binoculars are the ideal way to explore the star fields of the Milky W Hor
Way. The glow of the Milky Way on a dark night is the collective ES izon AURIGA ST
T 60ºN EA
light of billions of the galaxy’s stars. Castor

looking south
There are two must-see objects if you are
looking south in the Northern Hemisphere: Zenith
60°N
M27, or the Dumbbell Nebula, east of Pegasus,
and M57, or the Ring Nebula, south of Cygnus. DRACO
Both these planetary nebulae are enormous
Deneb
shells of gas ejected by Sun-like stars as they 40ºN
die. The Ring Nebula is so named because it
CYGNUS Vega
looks like a smoky gray ring when it is viewed
through a telescope. The Dumbbell Nebula
20ºN
appears as a faint gray bow-tie shape through a
HERCULES
large-aperture telescope.
PEGASUS Altair AQUILA

AQUARIUS
PISCES
SERPENS
CAPRICORNUS CAUDA OPHIUCHUS
SERPENS
tic
Eclip CAPUT

0ºN
Horizon 6 SAGITTARIUS
VIRGO
Antares
Fomalhaut
CETUS LIBRA
Horizon 40ºN
The Dumbbell Nebula
Lying east of Pegasus, the Dumbbell Nebula can be seen as a EA
SCORPIUS
ARA T
fuzzy patch through a small telescope or a pair of binoculars. ST GRUS LUPUS ES
Horiz
on
W
A large telescope reveals its intriguing shape more clearly. 20ºN PAVO
 AUGUST 79

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
AUGUST
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The constellation Cygnus, the Swan, is home
Zenith
40°S
to two open clusters that make good,
small-telescope targets. M29 sits very
close to the star Sadr, Gamma (γ) Cygni.
SAGITTARIUS The magnitude 4.6 cluster M39 can be seen
20ºS sparkling against the stars of the Milky Way. It
CAPRICORNUS
has about 30 stars. Higher in the sky you will
β
find Capricornus, the Sea Goat, which is home
Antares
SERPENS
CAUDA
to the globular cluster M30 and Beta (β)
0º
SCORPIUS AQUARIUS
Capricorni—a double star of magnitude
3.1 that can be seen with binoculars.
OPHIUCHUS AQUILA Altair

LIBRA

Ecli
ptic
SERPENS CYGNUS
CAPUT HERCULES
Sadr
Vega PEGASUS
Deneb
Horizon 40
ºS
VIRGO

CEPHEUS
DRACO ANDROMEDA
Arcturus BOÖTES Horizon 20ºS
M39 in Cygnus
W PISCES The open cluster M39 covers an area of similar size to the full
ES URSA ST Moon and lies 825 light-years away. It is a nice target for
T EA
MINOR
0º binoculars or a small telescope on a clear night.
CASSIOPEIA Horizon

looking south
Sagittarius, the Archer, is now sitting high
Zenith in the south, providing a feast of objects
0°
to observe. M17, the Omega Nebula, is
AQUILA
a good target for a small telescope. It is a
glowing cloud of hydrogen gas that resembles
SERPENS
20ºS CAUDA the Greek capital letter Omega (ω). The open
cluster M23 and the Sagittarius Star Cloud
c
ipti M24 are also ideal binocular objects.
Ecl

CAPRICORNUS SAGITTARIUS OPHIUCHUS

A large telescope is needed to clearly
40ºS
see the magnitude 9 M20, also known
as theTrifid Nebula.
AQUARIUS GRUS Antares
ARA SCORPIUS
Fomalhaut
PAVO

LUPUS
PHOENIX TUCANA
OCTANS α Centauri LIBRA

Achernar β Centauri
CETUS º CRUX
zon 0
Hori VIRGO

Horizon 20ºS CENTAURUS

The Trifid Nebula
Spica The Trifid Nebula is an enormous cloud of gas 7,600 light-years
EA ERIDANUS CARINA HYDRA
ST PICTOR ST from Earth. It lies in the constellation Sagittarius, and at its heart
WE
Canopus is a young cluster of stars that are causing the nebula to glow.
Horizon 4 VELA
0ºS
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T M N
NORTH
LYN
X M3
7
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
July 15 Midnight 1 am
August 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH August 15 10 pm 11 pm
September 1 9 pm 10 pm
September 15 8 pm 9 pm
AUGUST | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
80
 ireo LA

PI
Alb

PE

S
M2 E CU
7 VULP

CE
GA

S
S
M5
DE

U
LP

S
M HI

T
15 NU

M2
U

9
R
S SAG
ITTA

LY
AP
CY

CET
57
GN

M
S

S
AltaUirS GO
WEST

US
LE

EAST
EQ
AQUIL C HU

U
PE
IU 12
UU
VIR
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PI
RC
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PE
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S
M US S SE

A
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7 VUL PEN

CE
4

GA
M1

S
10 BR

S
M5
SER UDA
M
DE
LI

U
CA

A
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S
U M HI
T
15 NU
M11
AR S
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TTA U
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CET
PR M26
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A
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M 16

EAST
EQ ICOR
NU AQUIL M C HU PE
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UU
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4
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SAGITTARIUS A
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W

T IUM TE LES C
H GR H
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A US U
S O
T A S
SOUTH AR
IND U
S STAR MOTION

North
PAVO
sunrise and sunset on 15th august

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
AUGUST | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
A UGUS T N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
81
 SC N

4
UA

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IS
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30

AQ
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28

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AU
M9

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M1
M23

M2
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5
17

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NU
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M1

OR
6
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26

CAP
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CEPHE
R

E
H H
T

W T
E R
S O
T N
URS
A MI
NO R
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
July 15 Midnight 1 am
August 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH August 15 10 pm 11 pm
September 1 9 pm 10 pm
September 15 8 pm 9 pm
AUGUST | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
82
 O

A
S
2

N
U M

RI
M
RN

M4
ECLIPTIC

VI

M1
S
CO

RP
M55

M80

M1
62
US
RN

US
S

6
SME

S
U

s
9

RA
SAGITTARIU

7
M
M6

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Fo
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T DO S
SOUTH
PICTOR VOLANS STAR MOTION

North
Can CARINA
opu
s

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
AUGUST | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
A UGU S T S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
83
84 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

SEPTEMBER pegasus
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
7 Epsilon (ε) Pegasi, Pegasi Peg September–October
The nights are darker now in the Northern or Enif, 2.4

Hemisphere, making it a good time to admire You can easily spot the LACERTA 22h

the constellations along the Milky Way. In the

23h
constellation Pegasus, ANDROMEDA
π
the Winged Horse, especially 0h NGC 7331 CYGNUS

Southern Hemisphere, the region around in late summer and fall in 78

72

β
η

the Northern Hemisphere. ο 32

the Milky Way’s center moves to the west. Its main body is made up of ψ
Scheat
μ
κ
υ τ 56
λ ι
the large asterism known GREAT
SQUARE OF
2

as the Great Square of 20º

PEGASUS 51
1
Pegasus. This square helps
northern latitudes locate the constellation
Algenib
α PEGASUS
9

γ Markab
Andromeda, where you 70
ξ 31 M15

ζ
THE STARS the east. The roughly triangular can find the magnificent 10º ε
Enif

Looking high up in the sky, you constellation Capricornus, the spiral galaxy M31, the θ

will spot the constellation Cepheus, Sea Goat, lies in the south. Andromeda Galaxy. 35
ν EQUULEUS

representing King Cepheus. Delta (δ) 0º

Cephei, a variable star in Cepheus, SIGHTS OF INTEREST AQUARIUS

is a popular target for amateur
astronomers. Its brightness varies
between magnitude 3.5 and 4.4
every 5 days and 9 hours.
Toward the west, the stars of
the Summer Triangle are still visible,
while the constellations Cassiopeia
and Andromeda are visible in
If you are up for a real challenge this
month, try hunting down the North
America Nebula, NGC 7000. It is
hard to detect from light-polluted
skies, but with binoculars, it can be
seen from dark skies, sitting near
9 A.M.
the star Deneb in Cygnus.
If you want to marvel at binoculars. It can be
one of the jewels of the seen near the star Enif, or
night sky, look for the beautiful Epsilon (ε) Pegasi. The open
globular cluster M15 using star cluster M39 in Cygnus is
another deep-sky object worth
6 A.M. observing through binoculars or
a small telescope.

3 A.M.

NOON Capella
MIDNIGHT

Castor
30°
Pollux
GEMINI TAURUS
26 24 Pleiades
25 24 22 ARIES
20° 28
LEO 29
25 26 28 Aldebaran
23
24 Hyades 28
23
CANCER 27 PISCES
10° 22
Regulus Betelgeuse Bellatrix
23 27 Procyon
26 22
0°
Mira 25

Rigel 24
–10°

M O R N I N
–20° G
S K
positions of the planets
Y
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s Foma
–30° September from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on September 15. Mercury is shown
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). 29 ARIES
28 27
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For the specific dates, refer to the Almanac. 26 25
24
23
22
Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune TAURUS 21

Venus Jupiter Uranus

EXAMPLES
25 Jupiter’s position on 22 Saturn’s position on September 15, 2022. The arrow indicates
September 15, 2025 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
URANUS
 S E P T E MB E R 85

southern latitudes
THE STARS constellations, including Pisces, globular cluster M22. The relatively large telescope to
If you are observing from the the Fishes; Cetus, the Whale; and constellation Aquarius, the Water view this nebula. There are two
Southern Hemisphere this month, Eridanus, the River. Carrier, sits almost overhead. You interesting binocular targets in
be sure to enjoy the rich regions can see several deep-sky objects the sky at the moment—the
of Scorpius and Ophiuchus before SIGHTS OF INTEREST there, including the interesting globular cluster M2 in Aquarius,
they sink below the western horizon. This month, be sure to enjoy the planetary nebula NGC 7293, also near the star Beta Aquarii,
Just above them lies a rich region sights of Scorpius, Sagittarius, known as the Helix Nebula. You and another globular cluster
around the heart of the Milky Way and Scutum before they disappear will need dark skies and a M15, in Pegasus.
Galaxy, brimming with star clusters below the horizon. The most
and bright nebulae. spectacular objects to look p i s c i s au s t r i n u s
In contrast, the eastern half for in these constellations include
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
of the sky is relatively empty, M8, the Lagoon Nebula; the open
60 Alpha (α) Piscis Austrini, Piscis PsA September–October
though you can still find several clusters M6 and M7; and the or Fomalhaut, 1.2 Austrini

Also known as the Southern

23h 22h
Fish, Piscis Austrinus is one of the
smaller constellations in the night AQUARIUS
sky and lacks any prominent CAPRICORNUS
deep-sky objects. You can find it ε PISCIS AUSTRINUS
λ
nestled between the constellations –30º
α
Grus, Aquarius, Capricornus, and Fomalhaut
δ
β τ
Sculptor. Its brightest star is the γ μ
ι
υ
blue-white colored Fomalhaut,
which sits at the mouth of the –40º
GRUS MICROSCOPIUM
fish. Fomalhaut lies at a distance
of 25 light-years from Earth.

The Small Magellanic Cloud

Lying in the constellation Tucana in the Southern
Hemisphere, the Small Magellanic Cloud can
be found close to the beautiful globular cluster NOON
47 Tucanae, also known as NGC 104.

3 P.M. 30° 30°

9 P.M.
20° 20°
6 P.M.
Arcturus Arcturus

10° 10°
Altair Altair

21 21
AQUARIUS AQUARIUS
22 27
28 0° 27
28 0°
25 OPHIUCHUS OPHIUCHUS VIRGO VIRGO
23 23
24 28 24 28
24 29 29
25 21 25 21 –10°
CAPRICORNUSCAPRICORNUS –10°
23 22 23 22 27 27
21 21 27 29 27 29
PEGASUS 26 26
21 21 21
21 29 29 –20° –20°

alhaut Fomalhaut Antares Antares

PISCES LIBRA LIBRA –30° –30°

29
28 SAGITTARIUS SAGITTARIUS
Shaula Shaula
27
26
25
24
23
22
21

SCORPIUS SCORPIUS

NEPTUNE
Y
E V E N I N G S K
86 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

August 15 Midnight 1 am
September 1 11 pm Midnight
September 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north October 1 9 pm 10 pm
October 15 8 pm 9 pm
In the northern skies, trace the constellation
Zenith
Draco, the Dragon, weaving between the 20°N
constellations Ursa Minor, Cepheus, and
Hercules. At the tip of the dragon’s tongue
PEGASUS
lies the double star 16 and 17 Draconis, which
can be spotted with just a pair of binoculars. 40ºN
CYGNUS
Nu (ν) Draconis in the dragon’s head is also
an interesting double star in binoculars. Deneb

Sitting a little way above the bright star Vega,

Epsilon (ε) Lyrae 60ºN
the multiple star system Epsilon (ε) Lyrae, ANDROMEDA PISCES
is an excellent target for a telescope. Vega

DRACO CEPHEUS
ν
CASSIOPEIA
16,17
Draconis Polaris ARIES
URSA
HERCULES MINOR
PERSEUS

Horizon 20ºN CETUS

Capella
SERPENS
CAPUT Big Dipper URSA AURIGA TAURUS
BOÖTES MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN
Epsilon (ε) Lyrae
Also known as the “Double-Double”, with binoculars this W
Arcturus itc Aldebaran
ES lip ST
quadruple star appears as a pair, while a small telescope Ec
T GEMINI EA
shows the two stars’ twin components. Castor
Horizon 60ºN Pollux

looking south
In the south the impressive Andromeda Galaxy,
M31, sits in the heart of Andromeda. It is easily Zenith
60°N
visible to the naked eye from a dark sky site.
Binoculars reveal it as a fuzzy ellipse, while a
small telescope shows it more clearly. Deneb
The Coathanger asterism, or Brocchi’s Cluster, ANDROMEDA
40ºN
lies between Cygnus and Aquila in the east, and CYGNUS

is easily visible through binoculars. The double

star Gamma (γ) Equulei, west of the Vega
20ºN
constellation Aquila, sits near the star Enif in
Pegasus and is also a good binocular target.
PEGASUS Enif
Gamma Altair
(γ) Equulei AQUILA HERCULES

ARIES
Ecliptic
AQUARIUS
PISCES

SERPENS
CAPRICORNUS CAUDA
CETUS 0ºN
Horizon 6
Fomalhaut
OPHIUCHUS
GRUS SAGITTARIUS
Horizon 40ºN
The Coathanger
Ten stars make up the famous shape of the Coathanger, south ERIDANUS
EA PHOENIX
SCORPIUS Antares T
of Cygnus. The stars of this open cluster are not near each ST ES
Horiz W
other in space; the shape is a chance alignment. on 20º
N PAVO
TUCANA
 S E P T E MB E R 87

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
SEPTEMBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The globular cluster M15 sits southwest of the
Zenith
40°S
star Enif, Epsilon (ε) Pegasi, in Pegasus. This
dense cluster can be picked out with binoculars,
and a small telescope shows it clearly. M15 is
CAPRICORNUS thought to be 13.2 billion years old. Several
20ºS Fomalhaut deep-sky objects lie in the northeast, in the
constellation Aquarius. The globular cluster
M2 appears as a fuzzy star through binoculars,
AQUARIUS
and the planetary nebula NGC 7293,
SAGITTARIUS 0º
Ec the Helix Nebula, appears as a faint
lip
tic fuzzy disc through a small telescope.
AQUILA Enif
SERPENS CETUS
Altair
CAUDA

PEGASUS

CYGNUS
PISCES
OPHIUCHUS Deneb ANDROMEDA
HERCULES

Vega
40 ºS CEPHEUS
izon CASSIOPEIA
Hor ARIES
Horizon 20ºS
M15 in Pegasus
W DRACO The globular cluster M15 is roughly 175 light-years in
ES Hori PERSEUS ST diameter and 30,000 light-years from Earth. A 150mm
T zon 0º EA
(6in) telescope reveals many of the cluster’s sparkling stars.
Polaris

looking south
The globular cluster 47 Tucanae is a must-see
Zenith target in the September southern skies, lying
0°
to the south of the constellation Tucana. It is
visible to the naked eye as a hazy star, while
Ecliptic a small telescope shows its bright center
20ºS and many of its glittering stars. This cluster is
AQUILA 15,000 light-years away. Other visible targets
AQUARIUS CAPRICORNUS
include the globular clusters M22, NGC 6397,
and M4, in Sagittarius, Ara, and Scorpius
Fomalhaut 40ºS
respectively. The open clusters M6 and M7
GRUS SAGITTARIUS SERPENS
CAUDA
in Scorpius are also visible.

CETUS

PHOENIX
TUCANA
PAVO ARA
Achernar OPHIUCHUS

SCORPIUS
OCTANS Antares
Horizon 0º
ERIDANUS
α Centauri
β Centauri LUPUS

Horizon 20ºS PICTOR CRUX LIBRA

M4 in Scorpius
EA Hori CARINA
The globular cluster M4 is a beautiful sight in the constellation
ST Canopus ST
zon
40 ºS WE Scorpius. Sitting close to the star Antares, Alpha (α) Scorpii,
it is a lovely target for binoculars or a small telescope.
PUPPIS CENTAURUS
VELA
 LUM

31
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S sto
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T Ca N
NORTH
LEO
MINO
R
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
August 15 Midnight 1 am
September 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH September 15 10 pm 11 pm
October 1 9 pm 10 pm
October 15 8 pm 9 pm
SEPTEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
88
 PI

S
SC
ES 27

HU
12
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C
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PE A

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ira
SU

0
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A
PH
SA LA

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M1

M29
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M57
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UL
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Alb

CE
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UL

PE

TU
RP DA

14
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RC
SIN t
WEST

P H S AU

EAST
CYGENLU Al VU C
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HE
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SC LEU UT

US
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12
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16
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A QU A R I U S
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21
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8
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W

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E X CO T
A S U
S LE O
T TE S
SOUTH INDUS
STAR MOTION
TUCAN
A PAVO
North

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
SEPTEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
S E PTE M BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
89
 CE

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22
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10
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AQ
UM

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RP

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TU
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11
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CE
HI

ECL
SC

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UC

CA

AQ
AP

HU

UD

U
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A
S

IL

M2
A
WEST

EAST
Alt EQ
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SA US E

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G ITT SC
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T

W O CEPHEUS M1
03 NG T
E R
S O
T EIA N
IOP
SS
CA
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
August 15 Midnight 1 am
September 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH September 15 10 pm 11 pm
October 1 9 pm 10 pm
October 15 8 pm 9 pm
SEPTEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
90
 CAP

QU
M

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M

8
UT
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CO
SE

10

Mir
6

AR

a
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M2

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SC
OP

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M8

M2

AP
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54

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North
VELA

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
SEPTEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
S E PTE M B E R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
91
92 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S 6h
1h
0h

5h
4h 2h
3h

OCTOBER perseus
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
24 Alpha (α) Persei, Persei Per November–December
In the Northern Hemisphere, the main or Mirphak, 1.8

attractions this month are Pegasus and Perseus, the Hero, sits among the 5h
2h

Andromeda. In the Southern Hemisphere,

4h
beautiful star fields of the Milky CAMELOPARDALIS
3h
NGC

Way Galaxy between Andromeda ˚

50 869
η
these constellations sit in the north, while
NGC 884
4
and Auriga. It is an interesting γ M76

constellation that contains

50º NGC 1528
λ τ
the Small Magellanic Cloud lies in the south. some wonderful deep-sky Capella
μ
MELOTTE 20
34
δ
Mirphak
α ι θ
φ

objects to observe with40

˚
AURIGA 53 48 ψ σ
κ ANDROMEDA
a small telescope or a
58 32 M34
pair of binoculars,
northern latitudes ν
40º
52
ε Per A
β Algol

including the open PERSEUS ωρ π 12

cluster M34 and 30the ξ

NGC 1342 16
TRIANGULUM
THE STARS Lyra can be found very easily by ˚ 54
Double Cluster, NGC
NGC 24
1499 40 17
ζ ο
Standing under the cold, crisp locating its brightest star, the 884 and NGC 869. 30º

October night sky, you can see magnitude 0.0 Vega. TAURUS ARIES

the Great Square of Pegasus high 20

up in the sky. You can easily spot
the constellation Andromeda sitting
next to it, while a loop of stars
known as the Circlet is visible
directly beneath the asterism. The
constellations Aquarius, Pisces,
and Cetus can be located nearby.
Turn around and look toward
the north to find the constellations
Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Perseus.
Cygnus, the Swan, and Lyra, the
Lyre, are visible toward the west.
˚
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
If you have a small telescope or a pair METEOR SHOWER Aldebaran
the direction of the patch of
of binoculars, the Andromeda Galaxy, The Orionid meteor shower reaches sky between Orion’s head and
or M31, in Andromeda is a wonderful ˚
its peak around October
10
21. Under Gemini’s feet. The best time to
target to look at. M31 is visible to good conditions during the peak, look is after midnight, when this
the naked eye from dark skies. you can expect to see around 25 region of sky has risen higher
Binoculars show the open cluster meteors every hour, shooting from above the horizon.
M52 in Cassiopeia.
6 A.M.
3 A.M.
MIDNIGHT
9 A.M.

Although a small constellation, Capella

NOON
Castor
Pollux
TAURUS Pleiades
GEMINI
24 22 24 ARIES
20°
LEO 25
26
Aldebaran 29
28 26 23
Hyades
28
10°
23 Regulus CANCER Betelgeuse
VIRGO 28 27
22 29 Procyon Bellatrix
27
0° 25
28
21 28
Mira
Rigel
–10°

M O R N
–20° I N G
positions of the planets S K
Y
This chart shows the positions of the planets except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
–30° in October from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on October 15. Mercury is shown when
represented by colored dots, while the number it is at greatest elongation (see p.125). For
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets specific dates, refer to the Almanac.

–40° Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune

Venus Jupiter Uranus

EXAMPLES
24 Jupiter’s position on 22 Jupiter’s position on October 15, 2022. The arrow indicates
October 15, 2024 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
 OC T OB E R 93

southern latitudes e r i da n u s
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
THE STARS star Fomalhaut, almost directly
After the wonderfully rich views above you in the constellation Piscis 6 Alpha (α) Eridani, or Eridani Eri November–January
ORION
Achernar, 0.5 TAURUS
of the southern winter, October Austrinus. A little lower down in 4h
PISCES
5h 3h
night skies look rather empty. the south at one end of Eridanus Eridanus, the River, winds 45
ν 32
However, this does not mean there shines Achernar, or Alpha (α) Eridani, its way across the night μ 17
CETUS

is nothing to see. Looking south, while the bright star Altair, in Aquila, sky, starting near the feet β ω ο1
ε ζ η
of Orion. It then meanders ψ ο2 δ
you can locate the constellations twinkles away in the west. Aquarius across the sky toward –10º
λ
39
π
Phoenix, Grus, Tucana, Pavo, and is high up in the northern part of the
64
Cetus before passing 53
NGC 1535
γ
the long and winding Eridanus. The sky. Pegasus is also on view with its the constellations ERIDANUS
τ1
constellation Sagittarius, the Archer, famous square practically due north. Horologium, the Clock, 54 NGC 1300
τ5 τ4
lies low in the west. and Caelum, the Chisel. τ 6
15
3
τ τ2
τ9
Its brightest star, Achernar,
There are several bright stars to SIGHTS OF INTEREST Alpha (α) Eridani, has a
τ8

help you navigate the sky. In the In the Southern Hemisphere, magnitude 0.5 and marks υ 1 FORNAX
–30º
υ2
south, look out for the magnitude 1.2 the night sky offers several the end of this celestial river. 4
υ
objects that make good targets Eridanus has few clusters or υ3
for even modest amateur nebulae within it but contains
CAELUM

some interesting double

equipment. Look south to find stars, such as 32 Eridani and –40º
θ1
ι
the constellation Tucana, the Theta (θ) Eridani. CAELUM
Toucan. Within the boundaries
κ
of this constellation, you can
see 47 Tucanae, or NGC 104, –50
˚ HOROLOGIUM φ χ
one of the best globular clusters telescope or a pair of binoculars DORADO
in the night sky. With the naked and can also be seen with the PICTOR

eye, it appears as a slightly fuzzy naked eye. α

Achernar

The Circlet star. Near 47 Tucanae lies the A hop over the constellation
This asterism is formed by a ring of seven stars galaxy known as the Small Hydrus, or the Little Water Snake, Galaxy, M31, in the constellation
that make up the head of one of the fish in the HYDRUS

constellation Pisces.
Magellanic Cloud, or SMC, takes you to the constellations Andromeda, as well as the
which is a great target for a small
PEGASUS Dorado and Mensa, where you spiral galaxy M33, visible through
will find the Large Magellanic binoculars or a small telescope in
MIDNIGHT NEPTUNE
Cloud, or LMC. It can be seen the constellation Triangulum. The
with the naked eye and is a fine Andromeda Galaxy is the closest
PISCES sight through a telescope. Turning major galaxy to the Milky Way
29
28 your attention to the northern sky, and twice as large.
9 P.M. 27
26 you can find the Andromeda
25 NOON
24
23
22
21

3 P.M. Arcturus Arcturus

20° 20°
6 P.M.

PISCES PISCES 10° 10°

Altair Altair
27

26 26 0° 0°
22 22
OPHIUCHUS
OPHIUCHUS
25 25 VIRGO VIRGO
24 24AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS –10° –10°
22 29 29
23 23 22 23 27 23
21 21 27
25 25
21 27 27 26 26
21 –20°
24 26 26 –20°
24
29 29 2529 25
29
Antares Antares
CAPRICORNUS
CAPRICORNUS 21 21 LIBRA LIBRA –30° –30°
SAGITTARIUS
SAGITTARIUS
Shaula Shaula
29 28
27 26
ARIES
25
24 –40° –40°
23
22
TAURUS 21

SCORPIUS
SCORPIUS
E
V
URANUS E
N
I N
G
S K Y
94 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

OCTOBER observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

September 15 Midnight 1 am
October 1 11 pm Midnight
October 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north November 1 9 pm 10 pm
November 15 8 pm 9 pm
As the Summer Triangle (Vega, Deneb, and
Zenith
Altair) moves to the west, the Milky Way arches 20°N
overhead and some winter constellations start
peeking over the horizon. Look out for the PEGASUS
Double Cluster in Perseus (see p.22) and
the open clusters M36, M37, and M38 in Auriga, 40ºN
PISCES
rising in the east. The Hyades and Pleiades star
ANDROMEDA
clusters in Taurus start coming back into view
and the open clusters M52, NGC 457, and M103 ARIES
60ºN
high in the sky in Cassiopeia are also worth Deneb
finding. These are all good binocular targets. CYGNUS

Ecliptic
CASSIOPEIA

AQUILA CEPHEUS PERSEUS

TAURUS
Vega
Polaris
URSA Capella
HERCULES
DRACO MINOR
AURIGA Aldebaran

Horizon 20ºN

OPHIUCHUS ORION
Big Dipper
GEMINI Betelgeuse
Horizon 40ºN Castor
The Auriga Clusters
Use binoculars to look out for the open clusters M36, M37, Pollux
W
and M38. All three will just fit within the same field of view ES ST
T BOÖTES URSA EA
with wide-angle binoculars. MAJOR
Horizon 60ºN

looking south
While the beautiful Andromeda Galaxy, M31,
is still on show this month, do not overlook Zenith
60°N
another interesting galaxy close by. M33,
or the Triangulum Galaxy is just above the CASSIOPEIA
constellation Aries, and can be glimpsed with
the naked eye from a very dark sky site. A pair ANDROMEDA 40ºN
Deneb
of binoculars or a small telescope will show this
beautiful spiral galaxy’s misty, oval form. If you CYGNUS
are observing with a telescope, make sure to PERSEUS
20ºN
spot the lovely double star Gamma (γ) Arietis
in the nearby constellation Aries. ARIES γ PEGASUS

TAURUS PISCES
Eclip
tic

AQUARIUS
Altair
CETUS
Aldebaran

CAPRICORNUS
0ºN AQUILA
ORION Horizon 6
Fomalhaut

GRUS
PHOENIX
Horizon 40ºN SERPENS
The Andromeda Galaxy
Rigel CAUDA
Through a small telescope M31, in the constellation Andromeda, EA
ERIDANUS SAGITTARIUS
T
appears as a fuzzy gray ellipse with a brighter core. Larger ST ES
Achernar W
apertures will help discern the galaxy’s dark, dusty lanes. Horizon
20ºN
TUCANA
 OC T OB E R 95

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
OCTOBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The double star Almach, Gamma (γ)
Zenith
40°S
Andromedae in the constellation Andromeda,
is a lovely target for a small telescope when
looking north. One of the stars has an orange
Fomalhaut tint, while the other is a beautiful blue. In the
20ºS same constellation, quite close to Almach, is
CAPRICORNUS
the magnitude 5.5 open cluster NGC 752.
Binoculars or small telescopes reveal it
covering an area larger than the full Moon.
0º
AQUARIUS Finally, be sure to track down M31 in
CETUS
Andromeda and M33 just above Aries.

PISCES ERIDANUS
PEGASUS Ec
lip
tic

Altair
ANDROMEDA
ARIES TAURUS
AQUILA

Horizon 40ºS
CYGNUS Almach
CASSIOPEIA
Deneb
OPHIUCHUS ORION
Aldebaran
Horizon 20ºS PERSEUS
NGC 752
CEPHEUS
W
HERCULES
Vega Composed of around 70 stars, the loose open star cluster NGC 752
ES ST is a fine sight in a small telescope using a low magnification.
T
AURIGA EA
DRACO Capella It can be found north of Andromeda’s star Almach in the east.
Polaris Horizon 0º

looking south
Two of the celestial showpieces of the
Zenith southern skies can be seen this month:
0°
the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. These
galaxies lie relatively close in space to the
Milky Way. The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)
AQUARIUS
20ºS in Tucana can be seen with the naked eye, as
Ec
li
can the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which
pt
ic

is a magnificent sight on the Dorado–Mensa

Fomalhaut
CETUS border. Binoculars or small telescopes reveal
40ºS
many star clusters and patches of nebulosity
CAPRICORNUS
PHOENIX within the LMC.

GRUS
AQUILA

Achernar
ERIDANUS TUCANA

SAGITTARIUS
PAVO
OCTANS
Horizon 0º ARA
PICTOR
Rigel
Canopus
SCORPIUS
Horizon 20ºS PUPPIS CARINA CENTAURUS OPHIUCHUS
Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC)
ORION α Centauri
EA CANIS The irregular galaxy known to astronomers as the SMC sits in the
ST MAJOR β Centauri Antares ST constellation Tucana. Visible to the naked eye, it stretches roughly
WE
VELA
LUPUS
seven times the Moon’s apparent diameter across the sky.
CRUX
Horizon 40ºS
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W M 51 T
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S CA O
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V ENAT NORTH
ICI
OR
MIN
LEO
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
September 15 Midnight 1 am
October 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH October 15 10 pm 11 pm
November 1 9 pm 10 pm
November 15 8 pm 9 pm
OCTOBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
96
 E
CL
IP

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TI
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Al

U
N

1
5 HI
M1 P

M1

A
US
D EL

OR
TT
PIS ANDROMEDA

TRIA
M27
S

GI
A
CE

M
S

ION
M

M3
L EU

3
H

SA

NG
WEST

UIL

EAST
AR
TU IUCH
UU

U
EQ U

E
M 17

TAU
AQ

LU

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CL

R
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M
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5

US
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U
M2

ER
IN
1

ID 5 S
M1 PH
M1

AN
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22

US
M

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6

CE PIS R
TU CE CSAP
M2

S S EU
L
UM
WEST

EAST
T

S UU
EQ
M 17

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A QU
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54

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M
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55

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AN AX RIN IU N
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22

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SCULPTOR
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54
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55

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SS

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TA
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TUCANA
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PHO

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W

T RO
H LO US H
E G IU IND T
A M U
S O
T S
SOUTH
STAR MOTION
Ache
TUCANA
rnar
North

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
OCTOBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
O CTO BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
97
 a
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T

W D T
RA PA R
E CO LO O
S
T ME N
NORTH CA
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
September 15 Midnight 1 am
October 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH October 15 10 pm 11 pm
November 1 9 pm 10 pm
November 15 8 pm 9 pm
OCTOBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
98
 a
SC

1 6
UL

OR
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M1
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55
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sunrise and sunset on 15th oCtoBer

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
OCTOBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
O CTO B E R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
99
100 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

NOVEMBER
We are now deep into the wonderful dark tau r u s
nights of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

where the constellations Orion, Taurus, 17 Alpha (α) Tauri, or Tauri Tau December–January
Aldebaran, 0.85
Auriga, and Gemini are visible. In the 5h 4h
The stars of Taurus, the Bull, are
Southern Hemisphere, Cetus, Eridanus, easy to locate in the night sky, 30º
6h
AURIGA PERSEUS

and Aquarius are high in the sky. because they are anchored
around the bright “V” shape of 136 βAlnath φ
Pleiades
GEMINI TAURUS
the Hyades star cluster and the 139
132
τ
M45
NGC 1746 υ 37 ARIES
bright star Aldebaran. Both κ
northern latitudes ι
M1
20º ζ 114 109
ω Ecliptic
the Hyades and Pleiades star 119
NGC 1647

ε T
clusters can be seen with the 126 α Hyades
Aldebaran

THE STARS targets. A small telescope shows naked eye. Another remarkable 134 5

Two interesting constellations, the glittering pair of clusters in deep-sky object in Taurus is 10º ORION 90 λ
ξ
M1, the Crab Nebula. 88 μ 47
ο
Perseus and Cassiopeia, are almost Perseus listed as NGC 869 and Betelgeuse
ν
CETUS

overhead this month. Looking south, NGC 884, collectively known

the constellations Pegasus and as the Double Cluster. There are 0º 10

Andromeda are sitting high in also several fine open clusters a point south of M45. Another ERIDANUS

the sky. In the east, the grand
constellations Orion, Taurus,
and Auriga are also visible.
SIGHTS OF INTEREST
In the Northern Hemisphere,
November’s skies contain the
lingering sights of summer,
including M31 and M33, as well
as some new objects. The open
clusters NGC 457 and NGC 663
in the “W” shaped constellation
Cassiopeia make excellent binocular
visible in Auriga.
METEOR SHOWERS
Look for the peak of the Taurid
meteor shower during the first
week of November. If the skies
are clear and dark, you may see
10 meteors an hour, coming from
9 A.M.
meteor shower, the Leonids,
peaks around November 17. At
its peak, you can observe up to
10 meteors an hour, shooting
from the direction of Leo’s head.
3 A.M.
MIDNIGHT
6 A.M.
Capella

Castor
Pollux
GEMINI
Pleiades
22
NOON 24
24 25

Arcturus LEO 26 Aldebaran TAURUS 29

Hyades
26
10°
Regulus Betelgeuse Bellatrix
28 CANCER
27 Procyon

0°
23
VIRGO 28
28
25 27 Rigel
–10° 26
21 26

29
–20° positions of the planets
LIBRA
This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
November from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on November 15. Mercury is shown
–30°
Y represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
K inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
S
G Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
–40° I N
N Venus Jupiter Uranus
R
O EXAMPLES
–50°
M 21 Jupiter’s position on 24 Jupiter’s position on November 15, 2024. The arrow indicates
November 15, 2021 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
 N OV E MB E R 101

southern latitudes
THE STARS Orion and Taurus. It is easy to
cetus
The constellations Eridanus and identify Orion, as it contains the
Cetus sit right above you this bright stars Betelgeuse, Alpha (α) Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
month. Eridanus, the River, is Orionis, and Rigel, Beta (β) Orionis. 4 Beta (β) Ceti 2.0 Ceti Cet October–December
naturally long and winding and its Look north to find the constellations
end is marked by the bright star Andromeda, Pisces, and Aries. Cetus, the Sea 2h PISCES
10º 3h
Achernar, which can be seen high Monster or Whale, λ μ ξ2 ξ1
in the sky almost due south. The SIGHTS OF INTEREST can be found in the
ν Ecli
constellation Phoenix sits close to Because Cetus is high in the sky, night sky positioned κ α Menkar
ptic

γ
Eridanus and below it, toward the a large telescope will show you the between Pisces and 0º M77 δ 0h

Eridanus. The
interesting spiral galaxy M77, sitting
20
direction of the south celestial pole, brightest star in this ο
Mira

are the constellations Reticulum, very close to the star Delta (δ) Ceti. constellation, Beta CETUS
ERIDANUS θ
the Net; Hydrus, the Little Water The beautiful Magellanic Clouds (β) Ceti, is called –10º
ι
ζ φ
Snake; Tucana, the Toucan; and should be your next target. The Diphda and has a ε ρ
η 3

2.0 magnitude. The π NGC 246

Octans, the Octant. Large Magellanic Cloud, or the LMC, σ 46

In the east, you can locate Canis
Major, which is hard to miss, as it is
home to the blazing star Sirius. Also
coming into view in the east are
“back” of Cetus is marked τ 6
sits across the border between the by the famous variable star
β
2
–20º Diphda 7
constellations Dorado, the Goldfish Mira. Cetus is also home to υ
56
(or Swordfish), and Mensa, the Table the spiral galaxy M77, the
Mountain. A small telescope is all brightest Seyfert galaxy.
you need to explore the sparkling
star clusters, as well as the Tarantula
Nebula, or NGC 2070, nestled within
the LMC. Meanwhile, a short Tucana, you can see the Small Looking toward the northeast,
distance away in the constellation Magellanic Cloud and the globular the Hyades and Pleiades open star
cluster NGC 104, or 47 Tucanae. clusters make excellent binocular
The variable star Mira
These are wonderful binocular or targets. Also look for the stunning
Omicron (ο) Ceti, more popularly known as
Mira, is a variable star in the constellation small telescope targets. Both the spiral galaxy M33 and the glowing
Cetus. Its brightness changes over time Large and Small Magellanic Cloud ellipse of Andromeda Galaxy, or
as it pulsates. can be seen with the naked eye. M31, through a telescope.
PEGASUS

URANUS NEPTUNE
9 P.M.
GEMINI PISCES

29 28 ARIES 29
28
27 26 27
25 26
24 25
23
22 24
des 6 P.M. TAURUS 21 23
22
ARIES ARIES 21

RUS 2923 23 3 P.M.

28 28
PISCES PISCES
10° 10°
Altair Altair
27 27
AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS
26 26 0° 0°
22 22
Mira Mira OPHIUCHUS
25 25 OPHIUCHUS

24 24 CAPRICORNUS
CAPRICORNUS –10° –10°
23 23
21 21
22 22
21 21 22 22–20° –20°
29 29 27 27 25 25
27 27
24 24 24 24
29 29
Antares Antares
E 21 21 –30° –30°
FomalhautFomalhaut
V
E SAGITTARIUS
SAGITTARIUS
N Shaula Shaula
I N
G –40° –40°
S SCORPIUS
SCORPIUS
K
Y
–50° –50°
10 2 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

NOVEMBER observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

October 15 Midnight 1 am
November 1 11 pm Midnight
November 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north December 1 9 pm 10 pm
December 15 8 pm 9 pm
Be sure to savor the sights of Cygnus, the
Zenith
Swan, before the constellation starts to sink 20°N
below the horizon. A small telescope will show
its beautiful double stars Omicron-1 (ο1) Cygni, ARIES
PISCES
61 Cygni, and Albireo (see p.62), which marks
the bill of the swan. A pair of binoculars will 40ºN
show the open clusters M29 and M39.
Also look out for the magnitude 7.3 ANDROMEDA TAURUS
PERSEUS
open cluster M52, sitting high in the sky in Aldebaran
60ºN
Cassiopeia; the open clusters M36, M37, and
PEGASUS
M38 in Auriga (see p.46); and M35 in Gemini. CASSIOPEIA
Capella AURIGA

CEPHEUS
61 Cygni ORION
Deneb
Polaris
Sadr ο¹ Cygni
URSA GEMINI
MINOR
CYGNUS
Castor
Vega Pollux
Albireo Horizo

Eclipti
Altair DRACO n2 0ºN
Big Dipper

c
URSA Procyon
MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN
M29 in Cygnus
This open cluster can be found sitting against the background W BOÖTES
star fields of the Milky Way. Located a little way from the star ES HERCULES LEO CANCER ST
T EA
Sadr, it is best observed with a small telescope. 0ºN
Horizon 6

looking south
The Hyades (see p.23) and Pleiades (see p.38)
star clusters in the constellation Taurus make Zenith
60°N
a welcome return to winter skies in the east. A
pair of binoculars is all you will need to explore
these two open clusters. Both the Pleiades PERSEUS

and Hyades are clearly visible to the naked eye, 40ºN ANDROMEDA

but binoculars will reveal the many glittering

stars within them.
Other objects of interest to look out for ARIES
AURIGA 20ºN
include the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, and the
PEGASUS
Triangulum Galaxy, M33, sitting high in the sky.
PISCES

Aldebaran TAURUS Ecl

ipt
ic
ORION CETUS

Betelgeuse

Horizon 60ºN
AQUARIUS

MONOCEROS ERIDANUS Fomalhaut

θ PHOENIX
Sirius Horizon 40ºN
The Orion Nebula
CANIS CAPRICORNUS
Also known as M42, this is one of the finest nebulae in the night EA MAJOR Achernar GRUS T
sky. A wonderful sight in all types of equipment, a small telescope ST ES
W
shows its glowing cavernous gas clouds and embedded stars. Horizo
n 20ºN
TUCANA
 N OV E MB E R 103

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
NOVEMBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
Look out for the globular cluster M79 lying
Zenith
40°S
under the feet of Orion, the Hunter, in the
east. This cluster is visible through a small
telescope. In the constellation Eridanus,
above Orion, you will find an interesting
20ºS multiple star system, Omicron-2 (ο2) Eridani,
CETUS
ERIDANUS with three components, and a double star
Fomalhaut
Theta (θ) Eridani. Both are visible with small
AQUARIUS telescopes. Deep-sky observers with dark skies
0º
will be able to spot the galaxy NGC 1300 in the
²
Ecliptic ο Eridani same constellation using large telescopes.
PISCES
TAURUS
Rigel
ARIES

PEGASUS ORION

Aldebaran MONOCEROS

Betelgeuse
ANDROMEDA

40ºS
zon CASSIOPEIA
Hori PERSEUS Capella
AQUILA
AURIGA GEMINI
Horizon 20ºS
NGC 1300
Altair Procyon
W CYGNUS Deneb The barred spiral galaxy NGC 1300 is located about
ES Hori
zon ST 69 million light-years from Earth. It is particularly faint
T 0º EA
Castor but can be seen with a very large amateur telescope.
CEPHEUS
Polaris

looking south
There is a lot to see in the southern skies this
Zenith month with just the naked eye. Start off by
0°
looking for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC),
west of the constellation Pictor, and the Small
Magellanic Cloud (SMC), in Tucana. These are
CETUS
20ºS both irregular galaxies close to the Milky Way.
The globular cluster 47 Tucanae can be seen
Ec
lip

with the naked eye as a hazy star very close to

tic

the Small Magellanic Cloud. The open clusters

40ºS
NGC 2362 and M41 in Canis Major in the east
ERIDANUS PHOENIX
also make for good small-telescope targets.
Fomalhaut
Rigel
Achernar GRUS AQUARIUS

ORION
TUCANA
CANIS CAPRICORNUS
Canopus
MAJOR PICTOR OCTANS PAVO
Sirius

CARINA
MONOCEROS
PUPPIS Hor
SAGITTARIUS izon
0º
ARA Horizon 20ºS
47 Tucanae
S
EA
VELA 40º This globular cluster in Tucana is a wonderful sight through
zon
ST α Centauri Hori ES
T
a small telescope. A large-aperture telescope shows
W
CRUX β Centauri its countless stars packed together in a dense ball.
CENTAURUS SCORPIUS
 MO
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g
PL
QU

IA tel
TR
Be
ILA

M1
DELP
AQU
Alta

4
M31

M3
ir

HIN
SAG
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M35

R
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S

NO
EU

RS
US

c
AN
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Pro
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6
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M37

MI
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8
M3
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URSA
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DRA

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CO
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M81
LE
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92

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BIG AJ O
M THE AM LE
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13

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S
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Mizar

A
R

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H H
T

W T
E M101 R
S O
T N
BOO TICI
TES VENA
M51 CANES
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
October 15 Midnight 1 am
November 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH November 15 10 pm 11 pm
December 1 9 pm 10 pm
December 15 8 pm 9 pm
NOVEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
104
 O
U

ge
LE
NG

I
M

u
S

yon
OR
Al

M35
IL
UL

SA

AD

se
OR
HI
EU
UM M33

NO
M

de
ir

b
L

ES

45
S

IO
E DA

ar
U
U

CE
M3

N
AR OM

M31

an
HY
4
Alta

AQU

U
AS

A
ANDR

U
IES

DELP
G

RO
R
U

EQ

B
PE

S
TA ES
S

M5
EC

el

0
la
L IP

M2

tri
TIC

xM1
US

CA
LA
S

Be
RIN

I
TR

NM
PI SCE

Siri
O

tel

S
P
IA
WEST

us
S

EAST
ICQ

ge
LE
NG

I
M 15

M
M
u
A

N
RA
UL

ld

42

A
P

AD

se
OR
EU
UM M33

I
ES

45
S

ba
E DA
CA

UL

OCE
ra

ON
AR OM SU

n
HY
U
Ri

A
ANDR

U
ge
IES
GA

JO R O
R
l U E

EQ
P

R S
TA ES

Be
S EC

MM4510
lla
L IP S

M2

LE
tri
TIC Mira IU

P
R

U
US

S
UA

CA
N

S AQ 30
PI SCE

Siri
M
OR

NIS
WEST

CETU
C

us
S

EAST
I

M
M
42
M
PR

AJ
U
CA

CO
PI

OR
O

Ri
ge
SC

l
ut

M41
RO

lha

UM L
S
C

Mira ma
Fo IU I
R M

BA EPU
S
UA
AQ
30

PTOR S
M

CETU SC UL CI US
FORN S PISTRIN
ER AX
M

CA IDA A US
NU

CO
EL S
T IU

U
UM
X

L S
S COP

ENI

M
ut

O
ES

PHO lha

BA
U
C
WRO

T oma
H DO F I
E RA US MT H
A DO HOR GR U
S OLO O
T GIUM PTOR S S
SC UL CI US
FORN PISTRIN
E AX S
RE RIDAN ANA AU
CA TIC TUC
EL ULU US Achernar
M
T

UM
X

S
S

ENI

O
E

PHO

U
W

T DO
H H
E RA US T
A DO HOR GR U
S OLO O
T GIUM S
SOUTH
RE ANA STAR MOTION
TIC TUC
ULU Achernar
M North

sunrise and sunset on 15th november

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
NOVEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
NO V E M BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
105
 M
2 CETUS
N
IO
Alt

Q Mira
A

U
OR
DE
air

AR EC
LIP
LP

IU T IC

e
S
M42
x
HI

us
el

tri
Rig

ge
N

lla

OS
U

tel
Be

EAST
WEST

NI
Be
SAAQ

n
ES

CER
ra
M

S AD ba

MI
15

U
GUITI

HY de
AN
EQ

Al

GE

NO
ID
LTA

M
ER
UU

CETUS
A

MO
N
LE

PE

IO
1
Alt

Q G Mira
M
US

U AS

OR
M2

DE
air

AR US E CL S
ARIE
7

LP

I US IP T IC S

e
RU 35

x
HI

us
S

tri
5
DE M4 U M

ge
N

TA

lla
EIA
U

PL

tel
Be

EAST
WEST

M33

NI
Be
SA

n
ES ra
M

AD ba
15

MI
GIT

HY de
Al 36

GE
M 37
TA

M
TRIANGULUM
CY

A 8
M3
M

NPD
E 1
29

R
G

G O
ASMED M
M2

S US A A
U

S G
ARIE RI
7

LA M31 S
C ER
TA M34
DE
S
M4
5
U RU AU M
35
PL
EIA TA a
De ll
ne
M33 pe
b Ca
M
39 S 36
SEU M 37
PER M
TNRGICA8N6 GULUM
9
CY

AN 8
M3
M

D 884 X
NGC
29

ROM N
G

ALY

T
N

S E DA
N

S
U

G
RI
M103
L C
O

M52

A
AC ASMS31IO
PEIA
R

AU

E
H ER M34
H
T

W TA C EPH
T
E IS R
S De EU S AL pe
ll a O
T ne
RD Ca N
b M PA
39
ELO
CASMEUS
9 PER
NGC 86
884 X
NGC N
LY

T
N

S
M103
C AS S
O

M52

A
IOPEIA
R

E
H H
T

W CEP T
E R
S
H EUS LIS O
T DA N
NORTH PAR
ELO
CAM
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
October 15 Midnight 1 am
November 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH November 15 10 pm 11 pm
December 1 9 pm 10 pm
December 15 8 pm 9 pm
NOVEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
106
 FO

30

R
M
RN

TO
AX

LP
U

M
47
SC

M
S
ER

41

M
ID

IU
AN CE

NI
TU

AR

MAM

M4 O
S
5
S

S
US

6 N
S

CA JO0 R
CA IX

AQ

M
N

NU
M
WEST

OC
E

Sir

EAST
93
NU
EL

t
RI
HO
R
HO

LEP
FO

Ad
PI

ius
UM

au
30

ER
CO RO P

S CIS

ha
M
RN

alh
LOG

CO

ra
LU I

US
ICO

OS
UM

m
AU P I S

TO
M AX US S

55

Fo
GR PR

LP
BA RO
Achernar

U
IC

M
U
CAS
S M

47
2

SC RI

M
DO ER DU

41
M2

PU RA IN TA

M4
Can IT
54

D O I DA

6
MA
NI
PP G
M

opu NRU
IS s

S
EST A A
ICU AN
X S

C A JO R
104
69

CA

M
NGC TUCNI
M
LUM
WEST

EAST
93
EL
OE U
HO

Ad
PI
UM HY PH
IS

CO PIC RO SMC

ha
TO LOG DRUS
CO

ra
AL A

LU R
R

IUM
R
5

M US S
O

LMC

PY
GR O C
SMT5 ON

BA

X
Achernar O R
VOL IC M
US

IS
A
I

CA NS PAV M U AU
2

US PI
7

RIN DOR D
MR
M2

A IN CO
TA

PU A S
T

M E N SA
I

Can
54

DO LE
PP o
G
M

pus RE TE
I
A S

A
P

VE IS TIC
04
N S
LA UL AN S CA R
69

UM GCC1T
NO TU O
M

A SC
IS

HYDR
PIC
TO US SMC AR
LUM
AL A

R
R
R

OS

LMC

PY
APUS TRIANGU E
T

AL C
ST OhaNul

XI
O
S

VOL AUSTR M

SS
CHAMA
A

O
ELEON PAV
E

CA NS U AU
PI

U
7

T RIN
M

H A MM
EU CO H
E NS
SCAA
S

A R M
A LES T
U

S TE U
PI

T
VE NO O
LA AC
OCCTIR NUS
NIS O
SR
SC
la

Acrux A
au

CRUX
M AR
Sh

Hadar ULU
Mimosa APUS TR IAil NG
Rig u r us LE
T

Gacrux
Ken ta A

S
S

CHAMA AUSTR

O
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E

U
CENTAEULR US
W

T
H MUSCA
A H
E M T
A R U
S NO O
T S S
SOUTH CIRCINU
Acrux
CRUX STAR MOTION
Hadar
Mimosa
Gacrux Rigiltaurus North
Ken
CENTAURUS

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
NOVEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
NO V E M BE R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
107
108 M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: OVERVIEW S

DECEMBER
As we round off the year, the northern skies orion
contain the spectacular constellations Orion, Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.

Taurus, Gemini, and Auriga. These can also 26 Beta (β) Orionis, Orionis Ori December–January
or Rigel, 0.2
be glimpsed from the Southern Hemisphere, 6h
Orion, the Hunter, is one of the
along with Vela and Carina. greatest constellations in the whole
GEMINI
NGC 2175
χ2 χ1
U 5h

night sky. You can find it by spotting 69 TAURUS Aldebaran

northern latitudes the prominent line of three stars ξ ν 15

11 ο1
that form the hunter’s “belt,” as ORION ο2
10º π1 2
well as its distinctly colored stars, μ
λ φ1
π
THE STARS Gemini in the east. The Winter Rigel and Betelgeuse. Orion also
α φ2 γ
Betelgeuse
32 π3
Looking north, the constellations Triangle formed by Betelgeuse, contains one of the ω
Bellatrix
2
π4
MONOCEROS ψ 23
Perseus, Auriga, and Andromeda Sirius, and Procyon is easy to most stunning 56
51 ψ1 ρ π6π5
nebulae in the sky, 0º δ
can be found sitting high in the sky. locate in the southeast.
M78
ε 31
22
NGC 2024 ζ
M42, also known as IC 434
σ η
In the southeast, it is impossible
the Orion Nebula.
to ignore the magnificent sight SIGHTS OF INTEREST M 42
29
τ
β ERIDANUS
κ
of Orion, the Hunter. Orion leads Observers in the Northern –10º Rigel

the winter constellations, which Hemisphere are spoiled for choice

include Taurus in the south and this month. In Orion lies the beautiful METEOR SHOWER Sirius
CANIS LEPUS
MAJOR
nebula M42, which is a superb target The Geminid meteor shower
–20º
for a small telescope or binoculars. peaks around December 13–14.
In Taurus, the Bull, you can locate At its peak, you can expect to see MIDNIGHT
two striking star clusters. The around one meteor per minute 3 A.M.

Hyades is a large cluster outlining streaking across the sky from the
the bull’s face and the Pleiades is direction of Gemini.
possibly the finest open cluster in
the sky. Auriga, too, has several 6 A.M.
stunning open clusters to look for.
The Geminids
If you are observing the Geminids, you
might spot a very bright meteor. These Castor
“fireballs” add to the excitement of
watching these celestial fireworks.
GEMINI
9 A.M. Pollux

24 25
NOON
Arcturus
LEO
Regulus Al
26
26
CANCER Betelgeuse Be

28
27
Procyon
0°
OPHIUCHUS VIRGO
28
–10° 26
23 Spica
25 29
28
–20° 24
25 21
23
positions of the planets
Antares
–30° LIBRA This chart shows the positions of the planets in except Mercury, the dot indicates the planet’s
December from 2021 to 2029. The planets are position on December 15. Mercury is shown
represented by colored dots, while the number when it is at greatest elongation (see p.125).
inside each dot denotes the year. For all planets For specific dates, refer to the Almanac.
–40° SCORPIUS
Y Mercury Mars Saturn Neptune
K
S
–50° Venus Jupiter Uranus
G
I N EXAMPLES
N Jupiter’s position on Jupiter’s position on December 15, 2023. The arrow indicates
R 21 23
O December 15, 2021 that the planet is in retrograde motion (see p.125).
M
 DE C E MB E R 109

southern latitudes
THE STARS north. Auriga can be found by Goldfish, and Mensa, the Taurus, you have a great
The constellations Taurus, Gemini, locating the bright star Capella, Table Mountain. Look for the opportunity to observe two open
Orion, and Auriga are visible from which is low in the sky this month. Tarantula Nebula, or NGC 2070, star clusters, the Hyades and the
the Southern Hemisphere this If you look roughly northeast, Gemini in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Pleiades. The Pleiades star cluster,
month. Looking toward the north, is also on show, sitting low in the High in the northeast lies the or M45, can be seen with the
you can spot the distinct “V” shape sky near the horizon. Meanwhile, fantastic nebula M42, in Orion. naked eye and is a wonderful
of the Hyades star cluster, which Canis Major, Vela, and Carina can be In the nearby constellation sight in a small telescope.
marks the head of the constellation located in the southeast. December
Taurus. Just next to it toward the is also a great time to look out for lepus
northeast is Orion, a magnificent the Magellanic Clouds in the south.
Size ranking Brightest star Genitive Abbreviation Highest in sky at 10 p.m.
sight with its bright stars Rigel and
51 Alpha (α) Leporis, Leporis Lep January
Betelgeuse. Emerging from the foot SIGHTS OF INTEREST or Arneb, 2.6
of Orion, Eridanus meanders high The Magellanic Clouds can be seen
across the sky. Look out for Perseus sitting in the southern part of the The constellation Lepus, the Hare, ORION

and Auriga below Taurus in the night sky this month. The Small sits right under the feet of the MONOCEROS Rigel –10º
magnificent Orion, between Canis
Magellanic Cloud sits in Tucana, ι RX
Major and Eridanus. Unlike its θ
η
ζ
λ κ
while the Large Magellanic neighbors, Canis Major and Orion, Sirius 17 R
α μ
Cloud hovers on the border of ERIDANUS
NGC 2017
Lepus contains few bright stars. Arneb
β –20º
the constellations Dorado, the Even so, it does have a handful δ γ
Nihal
ε
of targets to observe. These
M79

The Large Magellanic Cloud include M79, a magnitude 8 CANIS

MAJOR
LEPUS

You can see the Large Magellanic Cloud globular cluster, and a small group Adhara

with the naked eye. A small telescope of stars cataloged as NGC 2017, –30º

reveals the Tarantula Nebula, NGC 2070, both of which can be seen with a
embedded within it. small telescope.
6h COLUMBA 5h
CAELUM

9 P.M.
PEGASUS
Capella Capella

NEPTUNE
PISCES
6 P.M.
29
28
27
26
25
24
TAURUSTAURUS
Pleiades Pleiades 23
22
22 21
22
24 24 ARIES ARIES 3 P.M.
AQUARIUS

ldebaran Aldebaran 29 29
Hyades 23 23
Hyades
28 28 PISCES PISCES 10°
Bellatrix 10°
ellatrix Altair Altair
27 27

26 AQUARIUS
AQUARIUS
26 0°
22 22 0°
Mira Mira
25 25

Rigel Rigel 24
24
CAPRICORNUS
CAPRICORNUS –10° –10°
23 23
21 21
22 22
21 29 2129 21
21 –20°
24 28 22 –20°
24 28 22
27 27 29
27 27 29
29 23 25
29 23 25
E 22
22
V –30°
–30°
E
N SAGITTARIUS
SAGITTARIUS Shaula
I N Shaula
G –40°
ARIES –40°
29 28
27 26 S
25 K
24
23 Y
22
TAURUS 21
–50°
–50°

URANUS
11 0 MO NT H LY S KY GUIDES: HIGHLIGHTS

DECEMBER observation times

Date Standard Daylight-saving

NORTHERN LATITUDES
time time

November 15 Midnight 1 am
December 1 11 pm Midnight
December 15 10 pm 11 pm
looking north January 1 9 pm 10 pm
January 15 8 pm 9 pm
There are several interesting sights to be seen
Zenith
in the constellation Gemini, the Twins, in the 20°N
east. Castor, Gemini’s second brightest star,
is an interesting multiple star, while the open ARIES
cluster M35, sitting close to the feet of one TAURUS
of the twins, is a great target for binoculars 40ºN
or a small telescope. PISCES
Other December treats include the Double PERSEUS AURIGA
Cluster (see p.22) in Perseus; the Andromeda Capella GEMINI
60ºN
Galaxy (see p.94), which is still high in the sky;
ANDROMEDA
and the Milky Way rising up through Cygnus.
CASSIOPEIA Castor

Eclip
Pollux

tic
Polaris URSA
MAJOR
CEPHEUS URSA
MINOR CANCER
PEGASUS
Deneb
Big Dipper

DRACO
LEO
20ºN
izon CYGNUS
Hor Regulus
Horizon 40ºN
Castor
A multiple star system, Castor, or Alpha (α) Geminorum, Hor
W izon Vega
can be seen with a small telescope. The two main stars ES 60 ºN BOÖTES ST
T EA
orbit each other roughly once about every 468 years. HERCULES

looking south
The Orion Nebula is undoubtedly the prime
target in this part of the northern skies (see Zenith
60°N
p.102). It can be found in Orion’s Sword, which
drops down from the middle of the “belt”
PERSEUS
stars. Through a small telescope, you should Capella
be able to see the nebula, resembling a 40ºN ANDROMEDA

celestial cave, with stars embedded in its heart. AURIGA

Larger apertures reveal the nebula’s swirls of

gas, which make this one of the finest deep-sky TAURUS
ARIES
20ºN
objects in the sky. Also on show are the Hyades
GEMINI
and Pleiades—two star clusters in Taurus. Castor Aldebaran
Pollux ORION
PEGASUS
Betelgeuse PISCES
CANCER
CETUS
Rigel
Ec

ERIDANUS
lip

Procyon MONOCEROS
tic

Sirius

HYDRA N
60º CANIS
izon AQUARIUS
Hor MAJOR
Horizon 40ºN
Orion
Hor
The constellation Orion, the Hunter, is a magnificent sight in the EA izon PUPPIS
20ºN PHOENIX Fomalhaut T
winter night sky. The star Betelgeuse marks the shoulder ST ES
Achernar W
of the Hunter, while Rigel marks his foot. Canopus
CARINA
 DE C E MB E R 111

star magnitudes

-1 0 1 2 3 and above
DECEMBER
SOUTHERN LATITUDES
looking north
The constellation Orion has many interesting
Zenith
40°S
objects in and around it to entice observers in
the Southern Hemisphere. Sky gazers should
look out for the Orion Nebula (see p.102),
which is a good target for binoculars or a small
20ºS telescope. The Pleiades and Hyades star
clusters can be enjoyed with the naked eye.
ERIDANUS
Meanwhile, in the nearby constellations Auriga,
CETUS Rigel CANIS
MAJOR
Monoceros, and Puppis, there are several open
0º
ORION
clusters to be seen, such as M36, M37, M38,
Sirius M50, M46, and M47.
AQUARIUS Betelgeuse
Ecliptic
TAURUS Aldebaran

PISCES ARIES
MONOCEROS

PERSEUS
Procyon
GEMINI
AURIGA
PEGASUS
Capella
Castor HYDRA
0ºS Pollux
iz on 4 ANDROMEDA
Hor

Horizon 20ºS CANCER

M38 in Auriga
CASSIOPEIA The magnitude 6.4 open cluster M38 is the most scattered
W
ES URSA ST of the three famous Messier clusters in Auriga in the north
T MAJOR LEO EA
Horiz
on 0º at the moment. It lies 4,200 light-years from Earth.
CEPHEUS Polaris

looking south
If you are observing with binoculars, there is a
Zenith great deal to see looking south. NGC 3114 and
0°
NGC 2516 are both prominent open clusters
worth observing in Carina in the southeast.
The Eta (ε) Carinae Nebula, or NGC 3372, is a
20ºS bright diffuse nebula visible through binoculars
Rigel
ORION CETUS
or a small telescope. The bright open cluster
IC 2602, or the Southern Pleiades, is a great
ERIDANUS
binocular object. Also look out for the Small
40ºS
CANIS Magellanic Cloud in Tucana and the
MAJOR
Sirius
Large Magellanic Cloud, just west of Pictor.

MONOCEROS PHOENIX
Ecliptic

Canopus AQUARIUS
Achernar
PICTOR
PUPPIS

TUCANA GRUS Fomalhaut

CARINA

VELA OCTANS
º
zon 0
HYDRA Hori
PAVO
Horizon 20ºS CAPRICORNUS
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
SAGITTARIUS
EA β Centauri A conspicuous naked-eye object, the LMC sits on the border of
ST Hori CRUX ST the constellations Mensa and Dorado. A small telescope will
zon 4
0ºS
CENTAURUS
ARA WE
α Centauri show star clusters and bright patches of nebulosity within it.
 GA
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LES BOOTE
M 13
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
NORTH time time
November 15 Midnight 1 am
December 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH December 15 10 pm 11 pm
January 1 9 pm 10 pm
January 15 8 pm 9 pm
DECEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
112
 M1

Pr
o
M45

cy
DES
PLEIA

on
Al ES
de
ba ARI

S
ra
n

CE
Be

M38
M33
te
lg
HY
AD S
e O PI

M
us ES ECL IPTIC

M36
e
RI

M37

48
SU
ON M

ED

CAN
LU

M35
IU

G
AU
GA
U
WEST

CE

EAST
RI
G NG

CA
Be

RO
PE
PTEARUSREUUSS

R
EM
M1

HYDRA
lla A

Pr
TRIA

N
UA

M I
trix D

IN

oc
I
DES AN

yo
AQ
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PLEIA

n
OSM
C
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M
Al

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de ARI ira

50
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INU

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M
ra
M n

46
TR

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47 Be S
te M4 HY
lg AD
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M
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48
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EAST
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AR

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O
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50
M
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P U
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H
ra OR O EN LP
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A TOR HOROLOGIU SC T
S U
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Ca S
no
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CO s ADO FORNA
LU
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MB ern
A RETICULUM S Ach
ERIDANU
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W

T O EN
H M H
E PIC
HOROLOGIU PH T
A TOR
U
S O
T Ca S
no
pu DOR SOUTH
s ADO
ar STAR MOTION
ern
RETICULUM Ach
US North
HYDR

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
DECEMBER | NORTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
D E CE M BE R N OR T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 60°N 40°N 20°N Zeniths 60°N 40°N 20°N Ecliptic
star
113
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MI
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EAST
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M4
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MI
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tel I
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M
M3 M

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67
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2
W T
E R
S C O
T EPH N
EUS NORTH
CAMELOPARDALIS
M O NT H LY S KY GUID ES: SKY GUID ES

observation times
Date Standard Daylight-saving
time time
NORTH
November 15 Midnight 1 am
December 1 11 pm Midnight
LOOK
IN G NORTH December 15 10 pm 11 pm
January 1 9 pm 10 pm
January 15 8 pm 9 pm
DECEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Variable Galaxy Globular Open Diffuse Planetary Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star cluster cluster nebula nebula
114
 M
AX

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93
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R
CA

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ST C I S

LP

LU

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PP M UM

Fo

P
30

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LE
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IS

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M4
CAN
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7
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M4
PU
CE
AR
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WEST

IS

6
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EAST
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M
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AQ
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NU
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HY
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93
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Rigil North
Kentauru
s

SOUTH

LOOK
IN G SOUTH

South
DECEMBER | SOUTHERN LATITUDES
star magnitudes deep-sky objects points of reference
Variable Globular Open Diffuse Planetary
D E C E M BE R S OU T H E R N L A T IT U DE S

-1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Galaxy cluster cluster nebula nebula Horizons 0° 20°S 40°S Zeniths 0° 20°S 40°S Ecliptic
star
115
116 A LM ANAC

ALMANAC
This section contains astronomical calendars listing major celestial
events for the years 2021–2029. These calendars show the phases
2021
This year sees solar eclipses visible
at extreme northern and southern
of the Moon, eclipses of the Sun and the Moon, and motions of latitudes and lunar eclipses that will
the planets. The latter include the greatest western and eastern be more widely seen. One of the
year’s highlights is a rare close
elongations (the angle between the Sun and a planet) of Mercury encounter between the largest and
and Venus. Also shown are the oppositions of Mars, Jupiter, and smallest planets.

Saturn, when these planets are on the opposite side of Earth from
the Sun and visible in the sky through the night.

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1 March 5
August 2
2 Mercury and Jupiter
Saturn at opposition,
3 are extremely close
magnitude -0.2
together in the June 10
4 morning sky
Annular eclipse of the
5 Sun visible from northern
Canada, Greenland, and July 4 December 4
6 March 6
Russia. Partial eclipse visible Mercury at greatest Total eclipse of the Sun
Mercury at greatest
7 morning elongation,
across northern North America, morning elongation, visible in Antarctica. Partial
Europe, and Asia magnitude 0.6 eclipse visible across
8 magnitude 0.4
southern Africa and the
9 September 14 South Atlantic
10 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation,
11 magnitude 0.4
12
November 19
13
Partial eclipse of the Moon
14 visible across North and
August 19 South America, northern
15 May 17 Jupiter at opposition, Europe, east Asia, Australia,
16 Mercury at greatest magnitude -2.9 and the Pacific Ocean
17 evening elongation,
magnitude 0.6
18
19 January 24
20 Mercury at greatest May 26
evening elongation,
21 magnitude -0.3
Total eclipse of the Moon
visible across east Asia,
22 Australia, the Pacific Ocean,
23 and North and South America
October 25
24 Mercury at greatest
25 morning elongation,
magnitude -0.3
26
27 May 28 October 29
28 Venus and Mercury will Venus at greatest
be close together in the evening elongation,
29 evening sky magnitude -4.4
30
31
 2021–2022 117

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
2
January 7
3 Mercury at greatest December 8
4 evening elongation, Mars at opposition,
magnitude -0.3 magnitude -1.9
5
October 8
6
Mercury at greatest
7 morning elongation,
8 magnitude -0.3
May 16
9
Total eclipse of the Moon
10 visible across North America
February 16 and South America. Partial
11 Mercury at greatest eclipse of the Moon visible
November 8

12 morning elongation, across Pacific Ocean, Europe, Total eclipse of the Moon
magnitude 0.2 and west Africa visible across Pacific Ocean,
13 east Asia, and parts of North
America. Partial eclipse of
14 the Moon visible from Asia,
15 Australasia, North America,
and South America
16 August 14
17 Saturn at opposition,
magnitude -0.1
18 June 16
March 20 December 21
19 Mercury at greatest
Venus at greatest Mercury at greatest
20 morning elongation, morning elongation,
evening elongation,
magnitude -4.4 magnitude 0.7
21 magnitude -0.3

22 August 27
23 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation,
24 April 29
magnitude 0.5
25 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation,
26 April 30 magnitude 0.5
27 Partial eclipse of the Sun
visible from southern October 25
28 South America, Antarctica, September 26 Partial eclipse of the Sun
29 south Atlantic Ocean, and Jupiter at opposition, visible from Europe, western
south Pacific Ocean magnitude -2.9 Asia, and northeast Africa
30
31

2022
Although there are no total solar
eclipses in 2022, a pair of partial
eclipses offer some compensation,
as do two widely visible total lunar
eclipses and an exceptionally close
approach of the giant planet Jupiter.
Giant close up
Mars occulted On September 26, Jupiter will be in opposition
The relative positions of the Moon and Mars (see p.125) and at its closest to Earth since 1951.
(top right) mean that our satellite occults (see Shining at magnitude -2.9, it will lie 367.2 million
p.125) the Red Planet no fewer than three times miles (591.2 million km) from Earth and display a
this year: on June 22, July 21, and December 8. disk roughly 1/40 the size of the full Moon.
118 A LM ANAC

2023
Bright conjunction
On March 2, Venus will pass just half a degree
(the width of a full Moon) north of Jupiter in
the early evening sky.

This year’s highlights include a pair

of annular solar eclipses of the Sun
(one briefly total) and one partial
eclipse of the Moon. March sees
the two brightest planets, Venus
and Jupiter, together in the sky.

Annular eclipse
Solar eclipses in April and October occur
when the Moon is close to its farthest
from Earth, leaving a ring of the Sun’s disk
visible in the sky.

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
November 3
2
Jupiter at opposition,
3 magnitude -2.9
4
5
August 10
6 Mercury at greatest
June 4 December 4
7 evening elongation,
Venus at greatest magnitude 0.6 Mercury at greatest
8 evening elongation, evening elongation,
March 2
magnitude -4.3 magnitude -0.2
9 Venus and Jupiter appear
10 one Moon-width apart in the
western early evening sky
11 October 14
12 Annular eclipse of the Sun visible in
southwestern US, Central America,
13 Colombia, and Brazil. Partial eclipse visible
April 11
14 across most of North and South America
Mercury at greatest
15 evening elongation,
magnitude 0.3
16
17
September 22 October 28
18 Mercury at greatest Partial eclipse of the Moon
19 morning elongation, visible from the east of North
magnitude -0.2 and South America, Europe,
20 Africa, Asia, and Australia
21
22 April 20
23 Hybrid annular/total eclipse of
the Sun visible in southern
24 August 27 October 23
Indonesia and western Australia.
25 January 30
Partial eclipse visible across Saturn at opposition, Venus at greatest morning
Australia and southeast Asia magnitude 0.4 elongation, magnitude -4.4
26 Mercury at greatest
27 morning elongation,
magnitude 0.1
28 May 29
Mercury at greatest
29 morning elongation,
30 magnitude 0.7

31
 2023–2024 119

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
2 April 8
3 Total eclipse of the Sun visible
4 from Mexico, central US, and east October 2
Canada. Partial eclipse visible from
5 Annular eclipse of the Sun
North and Central America
visible from southern Chile and
6 September 5 Argentina. Partial eclipse visible
across southern South America
7 Mercury at greatest
8 morning elongation,
magnitude 0.0
9
10 December 7
August 14 September 8
11 Jupiter at opposition,
May 9 Mars and Jupiter will Saturn at opposition, magnitude -2.8
12 be close to each other magnitude 0.6
Mercury at greatest
in the pre-dawn sky
13 morning elongation,
magnitude 0.7
14
January 12
15 Mercury at greatest September 18
16 morning elongation, Partial eclipse of the
magnitude 0.0 Moon visible from North
17 and South America,
18 Europe, and Africa November 16
Mercury at greatest
19 March 24
evening elongation,
20 Mercury at greatest magnitude -0.1
evening elongation,
21 magnitude 0.1
22
23
24 July 22
December 25
Mercury at greatest
25 evening elongation,
Mercury at greatest
morning elongation,
26 magnitude 0.7
magnitude -0.1
27
28
29
30
31

2024
This year sees the first total solar
eclipse on mainland US in seven
years and an impressive conjunction
of Mars and Jupiter in the morning
skies of August.

Big, bright Jupiter

The opposition of Jupiter in December offers An eclipse for the masses
an ideal opportunity to see detail in the giant On April 9, a total solar eclipse is visible
planet’s cloud bands, as well as to track the across some parts of North America and
dance of its giant Galilean moons. within traveling distance for many.
120 A LM ANAC

2025
Evening star
Venus is at its greatest elongation from the Sun
on January 10, lingering as a brilliant “star” in
the sky long after sunset.

Although this year offers no total

eclipses of the Sun, the resumption
of total lunar eclipses provides
some recompense. January sees
Mars at opposition, although it
remains quite distant from Earth.

Ringless Saturn
Earth crosses the plane of Saturn’s rings on
March 23, so this year presents a rare
opportunity to view the planet with its
characteristic rings close to invisible.

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
2
3 July 4
January 10 March 8 Mercury at greatest
4
Venus at greatest Mercury at greatest evening elongation,
5 evening elongation, evening elongation, magnitude 0.7
magnitude -4.4 magnitude -0.1
6
7
8
9 March 14
September 7 December 7
Total eclipse of the Moon
10 Total eclipse of the Moon Mercury at greatest
visible visible across North,
visible across Asia, Australia, morning elongation,
11 Central, and South America
eastern Europe, and east magnitude -0.2
12 Africa

13
14
April 21 August 19
15
Mercury at greatest Mercury at greatest
16 morning elongation, morning elongation,
17 magnitude 0.6 magnitude 0.2
January 16
18 Mars at opposition,
19 magnitude -1.4

20
21
22 March 29 April 29
23 Partial eclipse of the Sun is Venus and Saturn appear
visible from eastern Canada, seven Moon-widths apart
24 Greenland, northern Europe, in the low eastern
25 and northern Russia pre-dawn sky
September 21
26
Saturn at opposition,
27 magnitude 0.6
May 31 October 29
28
Venus at greatest Partial eclipse of the Sun Mercury at greatest
29 morning elongation, visible from the south Pacific, evening elongation,
magnitude -4.3 New Zealand, and Antarctica magnitude 0.1
30
31
 2025–2026 121

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
April 3
2
Mercury at greatest October 4
3 morning elongation, August 2
Saturn at opposition,
magnitude 0.5 Mercury at greatest magnitude 0.3
4 morning elongation,
5 March 3 magnitude 0.4
January 10
6 Total eclipse of the Moon visible from August 12
Jupiter at opposition, northwest North America, the Pacific Total eclipse of the Sun visible
7 magnitude -2.7 Ocean, the far northeast of Asia and from northern Spain, the North
8 eastern Australasia, as well as the Atlantic, Greenland, Iceland, and
Arctic and Antarctica. the Arctic. Partial eclipse visible
9 in northwest Africa, Europe, and
10 northern North America
October 6
11 Jupiter passes behind the
12 February 17 Moon in a rare occultation
Annular eclipse of the Sun visible visible to observers across
13 from southern South America, eastern North America
14 souther Africa, the south Pacific and
Indian oceans, and Antarctica
15
16
17
June 15 August 15 October 12
18 Mercury at greatest Venus at greatest Mercury at greatest
19 evening elongation, evening elongation, evening elongation,
magnitude 0.7 magnitude -4.3 magnitude 0.2
20
21 February 19
Mercury at greatest
22
evening elongation,
23 magnitude -0.2 August 28
24 Partial eclipse of the Moon
visible most of the Americas,
25 most of Europe, and Africa
26 November 20
27 Mercury at greatest
morning elongation,
28 magnitude -0.3
29
30
31

2026
This year has both annular and
total eclipses of the Sun, although
the total eclipse can be seen mostly
over the Atlantic Ocean. A total
lunar eclipse in March will be
more widely visible.

Morning Mercury
Occulting a giant The innermost planet Mercury is at its greatest
On October 6, Jupiter passes behind the Moon possible western elongation from the Sun on
in an occultation (see p.125), visible for April 3, offering a good opportunity to spot it
observers across eastern North America. in the sky before dawn.
122 ALMANAC

2027
Mars
Mars is at opposition on February 19 and is at its
closest to Earth in over two years. However, with
the planet near the outer limits of its orbit, it will
remain small for most telescopes.

Although this year has no lunar

eclipses, a total eclipse of the Sun
sweeps across North Africa in
August. Mars reaches a relatively
distant opposition in February.

A bite out of the Sun

While the track of totality for the August 2
solar eclipse is narrow, observers across a far
larger area will be able to see a partial eclipse.

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
February 3
2
Mercury at greatest
3 evening elongation,
magnitude -0.3
4
5
November 4
6
Mercury at greatest
7 August 2 morning elongation,
8 Total eclipse of the Sun visible in magnitude -0.3
February 6 Spain, North Africa, and the
9 Annular eclipse of the Sun visible in Arabian Peninsula. Partial eclipse
Chile and Argentina. Partial eclipse visible across northern and central
10
visible across South America and Africa, Europe, the Middle East,
11 January 3 West Africa. and India.
12 Venus at greatest
morning elongation,
13 magnitude -4.4 February 10 July 15
14 Jupiter at opposition, Mercury at greatest
15 March 17
magnitude -2.5 morning elongation,
magnitude 0.5
16 Mercury at greatest
morning elongation,
17 October 18
magnitude 0.4
Saturn at opposition,
18
magnitude 0.1
19
20
21
22
23 September 24
February 19 May 28 Mercury at greatest
24 evening elongation,
Mars at opposition, Mercury at greatest
25 magnitude -1.2 evening elongation, magnitude 0.3
magnitude 0.7
26
27
28
29
30
31
 2 02 7 – 2 02 8 123

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
2 May 9
3 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation,
4 magnitude 0.6
January 12 March 12
5 Partial eclipse of the Moon Jupiter at opposition,
September 6
Mercury at greatest
6 visible across the Americas, magnitude -2.0
evening elongation,
Europe, Africa, and western
7 Asia magnitude 0.4

8
9 July 6
10 Partial eclipse of the Moon August 11
visible across Africa and Venus at greatest
11 Australia, and in most of morning elongation,
12 Europe and Asia magnitude -4.3

13
14
July 22
15
January 17 Total eclipse of the Sun visible in
16 Mercury at greatest Australia and New Zealand. Partial
17 evening elongation, eclipse visible across southeast
magnitude -0.4 Asia and Australasia
18
19 October 17
March 21
20 Mercury at greatest
February 27 Venus at greatest morning elongation,
21 Mercury at greatest
evening elongation, magnitude -0.3
magnitude -4.4
22 morning elongation,
magnitude 0.3
23
December 31
24 Total eclipse of the Moon
October 30
25 January 26 visible across Africa,
Saturn at opposition, Europe, Asia, Australasia,
26 Annular eclipse of the Sun visible magnitude -0.2 and western North America
in Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil in South
27 America, and Portugal and Spain Mercury at greatest evening
28 in Europe. Partial eclipse visible in June 26
elongation, magnitude -0.3
much of North America, Central Mercury at greatest
29 and South America, Western morning elongation,
30 Europe, and northwest Africa magnitude 0.7

31

2028
This year’s highlights include a mix
of different eclipses, including a
total solar eclipse for Australasia and
a widely visible total eclipse of the
Moon at the very end of the year.

Spotting a dwarf Brilliant Venus

The dwarf planet Ceres is at opposition on Venus will be at its greatest separation from
May 7 and unusually close to Earth, making the Sun in the evening sky on March 21. As it
it visible through binoculars if you know approaches Earth, it will continue to brighten
where to look. until late April.
124 ALMANAC

2029
Although there are no total solar
eclipses this year, 2029 sees no
fewer than four partial eclipses, in
addition to two impressive total
eclipses of the Moon and a close
encounter with an asteroid.
Apophis 33
The 1,210-ft (370-m) wide asteroid Apophis
Red Moon passes just 19,635 miles (31,600 km) from Earth
The Moon may turn blood red as it passes on April 13—closer than many satellites. It will
through Earth’s shadow during widely visible be visible to the naked eye and on long-exposure
total lunar eclipses in June and December. images as a “star” drifting across the sky.

Total eclipse Partial eclipse Partial eclipse Annular eclipse Total eclipse
key Full Moon New Moon
of the Moon of the Moon of the Sun of the Sun of the Sun

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

1
2
January 1 April 11 June 8 July 11 October 1
3
A total eclipse of the Moon Jupiter at opposition, Mercury at greatest Partial eclipse of the Sun Mercury at greatest
4 is visible across the Arctic, magnitude -2.5 morning elongation, visible in the far south of morning elongation,
5 eastern Europe, Asia, and magnitude 0.7 South America magnitude -0.2
Australasia
6
7
February 9
8 December 5
Mercury at greatest
9 morning elongation, Partial eclipse of the
November 13 Sun visible in southern
10 magnitude 0.2
Saturn at opposition, South America and
11 magnitude -0.3 Antarctica

12
13
14 June 12 August 19
Partial eclipse of the Sun Mercury at greatest
15 December 14
visible from northern and evening elongation,
16 January 14 eastern Europe, northern magnitude 0.5 Mercury at greatest
Partial eclipse of the Sun April 21 Asia, northern Canada, evening elongation,
17 visible across North Mercury at greatest Alaska, and the Arctic magnitude -0.3
18 America, the eastern Pacific, morning elongation,
and western Atlantic magnitude 0.4
19
20 June 26
Total eclipse of the Moon visible
21
across Central and South America,
22 Africa, most of North America,
and most of Europe
23
24 March 25
Mars at opposition,
25 magnitude -1.3
October 27 December 20
26
Venus at greatest Total eclipse of the Moon
27 evening elongation, visible across the Americas,
28 magnitude -4.4 Europe, Africa, Asia, and
Australia
29
30
31

GLOSSARY
Aperture The diameter of the
main mirror or lens in a telescope
or binoculars. A large-aperture
telescope can collect more light and
detect fainter objects than a small-
aperture telescope.
Asterism A recognizable pattern of
stars, where the stars are either a part
of a constellation or are members of
several constellations. An example is
the Big Dipper in Ursa Major.
Astrophotography The photography
of celestial objects in the night sky,
including photography of the Sun
and of eclipses.
Binary star Two stars in a
mutual orbit around a common
center of mass and bound
together gravitationally.
Celestial equator The celestial
equivalent of Earth’s equator. The
celestial equator marks a line where
the plane of Earth’s equator meets
the celestial sphere.
Celestial poles The two points
at which the line of Earth’s axis,
extended outward, meets the
celestial sphere and around which
the stars appear to revolve.
Celestial sphere The imaginary
sphere that surrounds Earth, and
upon which all celestial objects
appear to lie.
Conjunction An alignment of
objects in the night sky, with
one passing in front of the other,
particularly when a planet lines up
with the Sun as viewed from Earth.
Constellation A named area
of stars or a designated area of
sky around a star pattern. There
are currently 88 officially
recognized constellations.
Declination A coordinate used in
the equatorial coordinate system; it
is the celestial equivalent of latitude
on Earth. It is measured in degrees
above or below the celestial equator,
which has a declination of 0º.
Deep-sky object Any celestial
object lying beyond the Solar
System, excluding stars.
Double star Two stars not
physically associated with each
other, but appearing close together
when viewed from Earth.
Eclipse An alignment of a planet
or moon with the Sun, which casts
a shadow on another celestial body.
During a lunar eclipse the Earth’s
shadow is cast on the Moon, and
during a solar eclipse, the Moon’s
shadow is cast on Earth.
Ecliptic The plane of Earth’s orbit
around the Sun, or the projection of
that plane onto the celestial sphere.
Elliptical galaxy A galaxy that
appears as an ellipse. These
contain very little gas and dust
and are usually devoid of
star formations.
Elongation The angular separation
between the Sun and an inferior
planet as viewed from Earth.
Also used at the time of
maximum angular separation
(greatest elongation) between
the inner planets, Mercury or
Venus, and the Sun.
Equinox The time when the Sun
is vertically overhead Earth’s
equator, and days and nights
are of equal length.
Galaxy A huge mass of stars,
gas, and dust linked by gravity.
Galaxies may vary from thousands
to hundreds of thousands of
light-years in range.
Globular cluster A sphere of
thousands of stars linked by gravity.
Inferior planets Planets whose orbit
around the Sun falls inside Earth’s
orbit. The two inferior planets are
Mercury and Venus.
Light-year The distance traveled
by light in one year— 5,878 billion
miles (9,460 billion km).
Local group A small cluster of over
30 galaxies; it includes our own
galaxy, the Milky Way.
Magnitude The brightness of a
celestial object, measured on
a numerical scale, where brighter
objects are given small or negative
numbers, and fainter objects are
given larger numbers.
Meteor shower A substantial
number of meteors that appear
to originate from a common point
in the sky.
Multiple stars A system of
stars that are bound together
gravitationally and are in mutual
orbits. Multiple stars have at
least three stars and may contain
up to a dozen stars.
Nebula A cloud of dust and gas
in space, usually made visible by
the light of the neighboring stars.
Open cluster A loose group of up
to a few hundred stars, bound by
gravity and found in the arms of
a galaxy.
Occultation The passage of one
celestial body of a larger apparent
size over another body of a smaller
apparent size, which results in the
more distant body being entirely or
partially hidden. For example, when
the Moon passes over a distant star,
it hides the star from our view.
Opposition The time when an
outer planet lies on the exact
opposite side of Earth from the
Sun. The planet is at its closest
to Earth and therefore appears
brightest at this time.
Orbit The path followed by a planet
or other celestial body around the
Sun, or by a moon around its
parent planet.
Planet A celestial body that has
cleared away any planetary debris
from its orbit around the Sun and is
of a roughly round shape due to its
own gravity.
G L OS S A R Y 125
Planetary nebula A glowing shell of
dust and gas ejected by a dying star
that appears as a luminous planet.
Radiant The point in the sky from
which the tracks of meteors that
are members of a particular meteor
shower appear to originate.
Retrograde motion The rotation
of a planet or moon in the opposite
direction to its orbit. All the planets
orbit the Sun in the direction of the
Sun’s rotation: counterclockwise
when viewed from above the Sun’s
north pole. Most planets also rotate
(spin) counterclockwise. Venus and
Uranus have retrograde motion:
clockwise compared with their
counterclockwise orbits.
Right ascension (RA) The celestial
equivalent of longitude on Earth. It is
measured in hours from the position
where the ecliptic intersects the
celestial equator in spring.
Solar system The family of eight
recognized planets and several other
celestial bodies such as moons that
orbit the Sun.
Spiral galaxy A galaxy that has a
distinct set of spiral arms composed
of bright young stars. Spiral galaxies
are rich in gas and dust, and offer
prime conditions for star formation.
Star A huge sphere of glowing
plasma that emits heat and light
by means of nuclear reactions at
its center.
Superior planets Planets whose
orbit around the Sun are outside
the orbit of Earth. Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and
Pluto are the superior planets.
Variable star A star whose
magnitude varies over time,
brought about by intrinsic or
extrinsic changes, such as being
eclipsed by another star.
Zodiac A band on either side of
the ecliptic, through which the Sun,
Moon, and planets appear to travel.
126 I N DEX
INDEX
Note: Months occurring as
subentries are arranged in
month order.
16-17 Draconis 86
47 Tucanae 85, 87, 93, 101,
103
A
Achernar 93, 101
Acrux 47, 53
Albireo 62, 76, 102
Alcor 52, 70
Aldebaran 100
Algieba 38
Almach 95
almanac 116–24
Alpha Centauri 53
Alpha Librae 71
Alphard 36, 37
Altair 70, 93
Andromeda Galaxy 8–9,
84, 86, 92–5,
100–2, 110
angular distances 11
annular eclipses 118
see also eclipses
Antares 60, 61
Apophis 33 124
April skies 44–51
Aquarid meteor
showers 52–3, 69
Aquarius 85, 87, 93
Arcturus 36, 44, 52,
62, 68
Aries 94–5
astrophotography 15
August skies 76–83
Auriga 20–3, 30, 46,
94, 108–9, 111
Auroras 7, 15
B Deneb 70, 76
Beehive Cluster 28, 31, 36
Beta Capricorni 79
Beta Centauri 53
Betelgeuse 21–2, 101,
108–9, 110
Big Dipper 36, 44, 52
binoculars 14
Bode’s Galaxy (M81) 36,
44, 46, 70
Boötes 36, 44, 52, 62, 68
Brocchi’s Cluster 86
C Jewel Box (M83 spiral
Camelopardalis 30
cameras 15
Cancer 28, 31, 36
Canes Venatici 46
Canis Major 21, 36, 101,
103, 109
Canopus 21, 29, 37
Capella 20, 21–2, 109
Capricornus 77, 79, 84
Carina 21, 23, 37, 109, 111
IC 2602 cluster 31, 37,
45, 111
NGC 2516 cluster 55, 111
Carina Nebula 37, 39, 45,
111
Cassiopeia 84, 92, 94, 100,
102
Castor 23, 28–9, 110
Cat’s Eye Nebula 54
celestial sphere 7, 10–11,
18–19
Centaurus 21, 29, 37, 45,
53, 77
Omega Centauri 39, 45,
53, 61, 63
Cepheus 84
Ceres
oppositions 123
Cetus 85, 101
Circlet asterism 92, 93
Coalsack Nebula 31, 45,
55, 61
Coathanger asterism 86
Coma Berenices 38, 44, 52
conjunctions of planets
118, 119
constellation movements
12
coordinate system 10–11
Crab Nebula 30, 100
Crux 29, 37, 45, 47, 53, 69
Coalsack Nebula 31, 45,
55, 61
NGC 4755 cluster 39, 45
Cygnus 62, 70, 76, 79, 84,
102
Cygnus Rift 76
D highlights pages, using the
daily movements 12
December skies 12, 108–15
declination 10, 11
deep-sky objects 19
Delta Aquarid meteor
shower 69
Delta Cephei 84
digital cameras 15
Diphda 101
distance measurements 9,
11
Dobsonian reflector 15
Dorado 93, 101, 109
Double Cluster 22, 78, 92,
94, 100, 110
“Double-Double” star
system 70, 86
Draco 60, 68, 86
Dumbbell Nebula 77–8
E galaxy) 39, 45, 47,
Eagle Nebula 69, 71
Earth
celestial sphere 10–11
changing sky 12–13
Moon and Earth 8
eclipses 13, 116–24
elongations of planets 21,
116–24
Enif 84, 86–7
Epsilon Lyrae (“Double-
Double” star system)
70, 86
equator
celestial sphere 10, 11
movement at equator 12
Eridanus 85, 93, 101, 103,
109
Eta Aquarid meteor shower
52–3
F Leo 28–9, 31, 37–8, 44, 47
False Cross 29, 37
February skies 28–35
flashlights 14
Fomalhaut 77, 85, 93
G Little Bear (Ursa Minor) 22,
galactic hub 69
galaxies 8–9
see also stars
Gamma Arietis 94
Gamma Equulei 86
Gemini 22, 28–9, 102,
108–10
Geminid meteor shower
108
Great Bear see Ursa Major
Great Square of Pegasus
84, 92
H M4 star cluster 87
Hadar 69, 77
Helix Nebula 85, 87
Hercules 54, 60,
62–3, 68
sky guides 18
horizons 19
Hyades 23, 38, 94, 100–2,
108–11
Hydra 44, 46
Alphard 36, 37
M83 spiral galaxy 47,
53, 61
Hydrus 93, 101
I M20 (Trifid Nebula) 69,
IC 2602 (Southern Pleiades)
31, 37, 45, 111
IC 4665 star cluster 63, 68
inferior planets 13, 116–24
see also Mercury; Venus
inner planets, locating 18
J M29 star cluster 79, 102
January skies 20–7
53, 61
July skies 68–75
June skies 12, 60–7
Jupiter
close approach 117
conjunctions 118–19
occultations 121
oppositions 116–24
K
Kemble’s Cascade 30
L M42 (Orion Nebula) 20–2,
Lagoon Nebula 63, 69, 71,
77, 85
Large Magellanic Cloud
(LMC) 21, 93, 95, 101,
103, 109, 111
latitude lines, finding
latitude lines 19
Sickle of 36, 44
Leonid meteor shower
17, 100
Lepus 109
Libra 69, 71
light-years 9
60
LMC see Large Magellanic
Cloud
Local Group 8–9
lunar eclipses 13, 116–24
Lupus 61, 77
Lyra 68, 70, 76, 86, 92
Lyrid meteor shower 44
M M105 star cluster 47
M1 (Crab Nebula) 30, 100
M2 star cluster 85, 87
M3 star cluster 46
M5 star cluster 60,
68, 71
M6-7 star clusters 61–2, 69,
77, 85, 87
M8 (Lagoon Nebula) 63,
69, 71, 77, 85
M10 star cluster 54, 68
M11 (Wild Duck Cluster) 76
M12 star cluster 54–5, 68
M13 star cluster 54, 60,
62–3, 68, 78
M15 star cluster 84,
85, 87
M16 star cluster 69, 71
M17 (Omega Nebula) 79
77, 79
M22 star cluster 63, 69, 71,
85, 87
M23 star cluster 79
M24 star cluster 69,
77, 79
M27 (Dumbbell Nebula)
77–8
M30 star cluster 79
M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)
8–9, 84, 86, 92–5,
100–2, 110
M33 (Triangulum Galaxy)
93–5, 100–2
M34 star cluster 92
M35 star cluster 22, 28,
102, 110
M36-38 star clusters 30, 46,
94, 102, 111
M39 star cluster 62, 79,
84, 102
M41 star cluster 21,
30, 103
102, 108–11
M44 (Beehive Cluster) 28,
31, 36
M45 (Pleiades) 37–8, 45,
94, 100–2, 108–11
M47 star cluster 23, 29
M48 star cluster 46
M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy)
52, 60
M52 star cluster 92, 94, 102
M57 (Ring Nebula) 68,
77–8
M61 spiral galaxy 39
M66 spiral galaxy 47
M77 spiral galaxy 101
M79 star cluster 103, 109
M81 (Bode’s Galaxy) 36,
44, 46, 70
M83 (Jewel Box) 39, 45, 47,
53, 61
M92 star cluster 63, 78
M95-96 star clusters 47
M104 (Sombrero Galaxy)
39
Magellanic Clouds see
Large Magellanic
Cloud; Small
Magellanic Cloud
magnitude of stars 19
March skies 36–43
Mars
conjunctions 119
occultations 117
oppositions 116–24
May skies 52–9
measuring
distance 9, 11
size 11
Melotte 111 38, 52
Mensa 93, 101, 109
Mercury
elongations 21, 116–24
naked-eye observations
13
Messier clusters see
M36-38 star clusters
meteor showers
January skies 20
April skies 44
May skies 52–3
July skies 69
August skies 76
October skies 92
November skies 17,
100
December skies 108
Milky Way 8
January skies 20–1
February skies 28–9, 31
April skies 45, 47
May skies 55
June skies 61
July skies 69
August skies 78
December skies 110

Mira 101
Mizar 52, 70
Monoceros 28, 30
monthly sky guides
16–19
January 20–7
February 28–35
March 36–43
April 44–51
May 52–9
June 12, 60–7
July 68–75
August 76–83
September 84–91
October 92–9
November 100–7
December 12, 108–15
Moon
Earth and Moon 8
eclipses 13, 116–24
phases 116–24
red Moon 124
movement of objects
12–13, 19, 116–24
N 104–5
naked-eye observations
13, 15
Neptune 18
January skies 21
February skies 29
March skies 36
April skies 44
May skies 52
June skies 60
July skies 68
August skies 76
September skies 85
October skies 93
November skies 101
December skies 109
Newtonian reflector 15
NGC 104 star cluster (47
Tucanae) 85, 87, 93,
101, 103
NGC 188 star cluster 46
NGC 457 star cluster 100
NGC 663 star cluster 100
NGC 752 star cluster 95
NGC 869/884 (Double
Cluster) 22, 78, 92, 94,
100, 110
NGC 1300 spiral galaxy 103
NGC 2017 star cluster 109
NGC 2070 (Tarantula
Nebula) 21, 101, 109
NGC 2244 star cluster
28, 30
NGC 2516 star cluster
55, 111
NGC 2547 star cluster 23
NGC 3114 star cluster 111
NGC 3132 star cluster 23
NGC 3372 (Carina Nebula)
37, 39, 45, 111
NGC 4755 see Jewel Box
NGC 5139 (Omega
Centauri) 39, 45, 53,
61, 63
NGC 6231 star cluster 61
IN DE X 127
NGC 6530 star cluster 69 planets 18 Small Magellanic Cloud “Teapot” asterism 69, 71
NGC 6543 (Cat’s Eye January skies 21 (SMC) telescopes 15
Nebula) 54 February skies 29 January skies 21 Theta Carinae 37
NGC 6633 star cluster 55 March skies 36, 37 August skies 77
Theta Eridani 103
NGC 7000 (North America April skies 44–5 September skies 85
Nebula) 15, 70, 84 May skies 52–3 October skies 93, 95 total eclipses 119
NGC 7293 (Helix Nebula) June skies 60–1 November skies 101, 103 see also eclipses
85, 87 July skies 68–9 December skies 109, 111 Triangulum Galaxy (M33)
noctilucent clouds 68 August skies 76–7 solar days 12 93–5, 100–2
North America Nebula 15, September skies 84–5 solar eclipses 13, 116–24
Trifid Nebula 69, 77, 79
70, 84 October skies 92–3 Solar System 8
Northern Cross see November skies 100–1 Sombrero Galaxy 39 Tucana 85, 87, 93, 95,
Cygnus December skies 108–9 South Celestial Pole 29 101, 103
northern latitudes movements 13, 116–24 Southern Cross see Crux see also Small
January 20, 22, 24–5 see also Earth southern latitudes Magellanic Cloud
February 28, 30, 32–3 Pleiades 37–8, 45, 94, January 21, 23, 26–7
March 36, 38, 40–1 100–2, 108–11 February 29, 31, 34–5
April 44, 46, 48–9
May 52, 54, 56–7
Polaris (Pole Star) 11,
52, 60
March 37, 39, 42–3
April 45, 47, 50–1
U
Universe, size of Universe
June 60, 62, 64–5 poles, movement at poles May 55, 58–9
July 68, 70, 72–3 12 June 61, 63, 66–7 8
August 76, 78, 80–1 Pollux 28–9 July 69, 71, 74–5 Uranus 18
September 84, 86, 88–9 Praesepe 28, August 77, 79, 82–3 January skies 21
October 92, 94, 96–7 31, 36 September 85, 87, 90–1 February skies 29
November 100, 102, Procyon 108 October 93, 95, 98–9 March skies 37
December 108, 110,
Puppis 29, 37 November 101, 103,
106–7
April skies 44
112–13 Q December 109, 111, May skies 52
November skies 100–7 Quadrantid meteor shower 114–15 June skies 60
Nu Draconis 86 Southern Pleiades (IC2602)
20 July skies 68
31, 37, 45, August skies 76
O R 111
Spica 36, 37, 44–5, 52, 68
September skies 84
observation times for RA (right ascension) October skies 93
charts 19 starhopping method 11
10–11
stars 10–11 November skies 101
occultations 121 recording observations 15
October skies 92–9 red light flashlights 14 January skies 20–7 December skies 109
February skies 28–35
Omega Centauri 39, 45, red Moon 124 Ursa Major 22, 30, 70
53, 61, 63 refractor telescopes 15 March skies 36–43
Big Dipper 36, 44, 52
Omega Nebula 79 Regulus 44, 47 April skies 44–51
May skies 52–9 M81 spiral galaxy 36, 44,
Omicron-2 Eridani 103 Rigel 21–2, 101,
June skies 60–7 46
Ophiuchus 54–5, 63, 108–9, 110
68, 85 right ascension (RA) July skies 68–75 Ursa Minor 22, 60
August skies 76–83
oppositions of planets 10–11
September skies 84–91
116–24
Orion 21–2, 37, 101, 103,
Rigil Kentaurus 69, 77
Ring Nebula 68, October skies 92–9 V
108–11 77–8 November skies 100–7 Vega 68, 70, 76, 92
December skies 108–15
Orion Nebula 20–2, 102, ringless Saturn 120 Vela 23, 37, 109
108–11 Rosette Nebula 28 magnitude 19
Venus 13
Orionid meteor shower 92 movement diagrams 19
conjunctions 118
outer planets 18
see also Neptune;
S see also galaxies; Sun
stellar neighborhood 8 elongations 116–24
Sagittarius 61, 63, 69, 71, Summer Triangle asterism greatest separation 123
Uranus
77, 79, 85 68, 70, 84
overview pages, using the viewing locations 14
satellites 124 Sun 8
sky guides 18 Virgo 36–7, 39, 44–5, 52,
see also Moon see also solar
Saturn 68
P oppositions 116–24
superclusters 9
superior planets 13, 116–24 Virgo Supercluster 9, 44, 46
partial eclipses 118, 122 ringless Saturn 120 see also Jupiter; Mars; Vulpecula 77–8
see also eclipses Scorpius 52–3, 60–2, 69, Neptune; Saturn;
Pegasus 84–5, 86–7, 77, 85, 87 Uranus
92–3, 100
Perseid meteors 76
Scutum 76, 77, 85
September skies 84–91
W XY Z
Perseus 92, 100, 109 Serpens 60, 68 T Whirlpool Galaxy 52, 60
see also Double Cluster Serpens Cauda 69, 71 Tarantula Nebula 21, whole-sky charts, using
Phoenix 93, 101 Sickle of Leo 36, 44 101, 109 whole sky charts 19
photography 15 sidereal days 12 Taurid meteor shower 100 Wild Duck Cluster 76
Pisces Austrinus 77, Sirius 21, 29, 36, 101, Taurus 100, 101, 108–9
Winter Triangle 108
85, 93 108 Hyades cluster 23,
planet locator charts, using size measurements 11 38, 102 yearly movements 12
planet locator charts sky guides see monthly Pleiades 37–8, 45, 94, zeniths 19
18 sky guides 100–2, 108–11 zodiac 12
128 A CK NO WLEDGMEN TS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Will Gater
I’d like to thank my family for their continual support, especially
Rose, as well as Martha and the team at Dorling Kindersley for
all their hard work.
Publisher’s acknowledgments
Dorling Kindersley would like to thank the following people
for their help in the preparation of the first edition of this book:
PICTURE CREDITS
The publisher would like to thank the following for their kind permission to reproduce their photographs:
(Key: a-above; b-below/bottom; c-center;
f-far; l-left; r-right; t-top)
2–3 iStock photo: Peter Burnett. 4 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited.
6–7 Corbis: Science Faction/Tony Hallas. 9 Corbis: Myron Jay
Dorf (b/Milky Way); NASA/JPL-Caltech (b/Quasar); Science
Faction/Tony Hallas (crb); Stocktrek Images (b/Andromeda
Galaxy). European Southern Observatory (ESO): Digitized Sky
Survey 2 (b/Virgo Cluster). 10 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (cra).
13 Corbis: EPA/Dean Lewins (tr). Will Gater: (bl). 14 iStock
photo: Peter Burnett (cla). 15 Corbis: Frank Lukasseck (bc);
Visuals Unlimited (cr). 16–17 Corbis: Frank Lukasseck. 21 Corbis:
Roger Ressmeyer (cla). 22 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited (cl) (bl).
23 Robert Gendler: (br). Alson Wong: (cr). 28 NOAO / AURA /
NSF: (cl). 29 Science Photo Library: Eckhard Slawik (ca). 30
Getty Images: Visuals Unlimited, Inc./Robert Gendler (bl).
Walter MacDonald: (cl). 31 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited (cr).
Science Photo Library: Celestial Image Co. (br). 36 Corbis:
Roger Ressmeyer (cl). 37 Galaxy Picture Library: Gordon
Garradd (cl). 38 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (bl); Stocktrek
Images (cl). 39 European Southern Observatory (ESO): (br).
NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScl): (cr).
44 Getty Images: David McNew (cl). 45 Yuri Beletsky: (cl).
46 Corbis: Stocktrek Images (bl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cl).
47 NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScl): (br).
Hunter Wilson: (cr). 52 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (c). 53 Yuri
Beletsky: (cl). 54 NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/
STScl): (cl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (bl). 55 NOAO / AURA / NSF:
(cr). Télescopes à Action Rapide pour les Objets Transitoires: (br).
61 Corbis: Amanaimages/Katahira Takashi (cl). 62 Will Gater:
(cl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (bl). 63 Getty Images: Image Bank/
LWA (cr); Visuals Unlimited, Inc./Robert Gendler (br). 68 Will
Giles Sparrow for editorial and illustration guidance and
Almanac text; Paul Drislane for initial design work; additional
design help from Fiona McDonald. Indexing Specialists for
preparing the index; Lizzie Munsey for proofreading. Additional
production help from Sophie Argyris and Luca Frassinetti. DK
images: Claire Bowers, Martin Copeland, and Lucy Claxton.
For this updated edition, the publishers would like to thank
Giles Sparrow for editorial and illustration guidance.
Gater: (bl). 69 Corbis: Reuters/Ho (cl). 70 European Southern
Observatory (ESO): Digitized Sky Survey 2 (cl). NASA: (bl). 71
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope: Jean-Charles Cuillandre (br).
Galaxy Picture Library: Jeremy Perez (cr). 76 Corbis: Reuters/Ali
Jarekji (bl). 77 Corbis: Visuals Unlimited (cl). 78 Corbis: Scott
Stulberg (cl). Getty Images: Stocktrek Images (bl). 79 Will Gater:
(cr). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (br). 85 Corbis: Stocktrek Images (cl).
86 Frank Barrett: (bl). Galaxy Picture Library: Damian Peach (cl).
87 NASA: (cr). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (br). 93 Alamy Images:
Galaxy Picture Library (cl). 94 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (bl).
Yoshihiro Saijo: (cl). 95 Anthony Ayiomamitis/perseus.gr: (cr).
Corbis: Dennis di Cicco (br). 101 Science Photo Library: John
Chumack (cl). 102 2MASS: (cl). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (bl). 103
Corbis: Stocktrek Images (br). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cr). 108
Getty Images: Barcroft Media/Wally Pacholka (cl). 109 Corbis:
Roger Ressmeyer (cl). 110 Corbis: Roger Ressmeyer (bl). Galaxy
Picture Library: Damian Peach (cl). 111 Getty Images: Stocktrek
Images (br). NOAO / AURA / NSF: (cr). Getty Images: SSPL/
Jamie Cooper (br). 117 Corbis: (bc). NASA: JPL-Caltech (br). 118
Alamy Stock Photo: Stefan Sollfors (tr). Dreamstime.com:
Jadams08 (tc). 119 Alamy Stock Photo: Malcolm Park Sciences
(bc). Dorling Kindersley: NASA (br). 120 Getty Images / iStock:
Magnilion / DigitalVision Vectors (tc). Science Photo Library:
Alan Dyer / Vwpics (tr). 121 Alamy Stock Photo: Stocktrek
Images, Inc. / Alan Dyer (br). Dreamstime.com: Antonio
Corrado (bc). 122 Dreamstime.com: Underworld (tc); Jimmy
Westlake: (tr). 123 Corbis: Richard Cummins (br); NASA: JPL-
Caltech / UCLA / MPS / DLR / IDA (bc). 124 Dreamstime.com:
Eshmadeva (tr); Pere Sanz / Peresanz (tc).
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