This is a page about those star patterns that are (mostly) not constellation lines, but none the less noteworthy. Therefore asterisms. They are for the most made up solely based upon their recognizability, and because of this are a great help to orient oneself in the night sky.
I selected star patterns with sufficient brightness and size to be visible to the naked eye, at least in optimal conditions with clear weather and a very dark sky. To simulate light pollution you can limit the minimum brightness of visible stars with the slider below the map. For the relations between them I've included guiding lines that follow linear alignments between bright stars. The asterisms are classified 1...5 by the approximate average magnitude of their member stars.
With the location and date-time controls it is possible to display the hemisphere for a given point on Earth at any time not too distant from the present. With the "Here" and "Now" buttons it is possible to select the current local time of your device, which is set as default on loading, and the current location, if your device supports that. It may be necessary to give explicit permission to do so if asked. Otherwise put in valid coordinates in the latitude (first field) and longitude boxes. A click on the date-time field displays the date & time-picker, that also allows to set the time zone. Note that it is currently possible to choose incompatible values for time zone and location, which results in nonsensical display, so try to avoid that.
Some of the asterisms are constellations (Cassiopeia, Crux, Scorpius), some are parts of constellations (Big Dipper, Sickle, Teapot, Orion's Belt and Sword ...) and some are traditionally known patterns of bright stars grouped into simple shapes (Pegasus Square, Summer Triangle, Great Diamond, Winter Hexagon), that involve the brightest stars from many different constellations that happen to be visible in the evening sky in each (northern) season. And Argo Navis is an old constellation that was dismantled into the smaller pieces Carina, Vela, Puppis and Pyxis because it was deemed just too big. But for an asterism it is just fine. At least I hope, because I don't have much experience with the southern sky, I'm not sure if it makes an easy to recognize pattern. I'm willing to stand corrected on this one.
I think the grouping of simple patterns along the celestial equator is interesting, for they align easily with the seasons (from a northern perspective): The Summer Triangle and Winter Hexagon are even named after the seasons in which they are best visible. The Great Diamond is up in the spring and the Pegasus Square is best visible in the fall, completing the year. This way it is possible to draw a text-diagram of the entire night sky with most the brightest asterisms (from the northern hemisphere):
'W' Dipper
Square Triangle Diamond Hexagon
Teapot Cross Boat
That might even make a useful mnemonic.
Along with the asterisms I included some useful alignments: The Southern Pointer (Alpha and Beta Centauri) points to the Southern Cross, which in turn points to the celestial South Pole, and the two hindmost stars of the Big Dipper point to the celestial North Pole. Then there is the alignment of Orion's Belt with Sirius, that I'm calling "The Leash" here, since Canis Major is supposed to be Orion's hunting dog, along with Canis Minor. The other dashed guiding lines show linear relations of bright star and are useful for finding the way between bright asterisms.
Below is a table of all the member stars of the featured asterisms, ordered by groups of proximity and/or season. The brightest asterism in each group is listed first, then all hose grouped around it clockwise from the north, for southern groups clockwise from the south. For reference, first here's a chart with all the brightest asterisms and their lookalikes:
·✦·
All asterisms
| Asterism Const. Star Common Name RA (J2000.0) Dec m_v Spec. Area* h:m:s d:m:s mag |
| North Pole |
Big Dipper Ursa Major  Alpha UMa Dubhe 11:03:43.7 +61:45:03 1.79 K0IIIa
44°x22° Beta UMa Merak 11:01:50.5 +56:22:57 2.37 A1V
Gamma UMa Phad 11:53:49.8 +53:41:41 2.44 A0Ve
Delta UMa Megreth 12:15:25.6 +57:01:57 3.31 A3V
Epsilon UMa Alioth 12:54:01.7 +55:57:35 1.77 A0p
Zeta UMa Mizar 13:23:55.5 +54:55:31 2.27 A1Vp
Eta UMa Benetnash 13:47:32.4 +49:18:48 1.86 B3V
Most of the stars of the Big Dipper (except α and η UMa) are part of the Ursa Major Moving Cluster, the
closest star cluster to the sun.
|
| North Pointer Ursa Major Alpha UMa Dubhe 11:03:43.7 +61:45:03 1.79 K0IIIa
34° Beta UMa Merak 11:01:50.5 +56:22:57 2.37 A1V
Ursa Minor Alpha UMi Polaris 02:31:48.7 +89:15:51 2.02 F7:Ib-II
Alpha and Beta UMa point towards Polaris
|
| Guardians of the Ursa Minor Beta UMi Kochab 14:50:42.3 +74:09:20 2.08 K4-III
Pole 3° Gamma UMi Pherkad 15:20:43.7 +71:50:02 3.05 A3II-III
Tese two stars seem to circle the Pole all the time and thereby guard it.
|
| Little Dipper Ursa Minor Alpha UMi Polaris 02:31:48.7 +89:15:51 2.02 F7:Ib-II
20°x4° Beta UMi Kochab 14:50:42.3 +74:09:20 2.08 K4-III
Gamma UMi Pherkad 15:20:43.7 +71:50:02 3.05 A3II-III
Delta UMi Yildun 17:32:12.9 +86:35:11 4.36 A1Vn
Epsilon UMi 16:45:58.1 +82:02:14 4.23 G5III
Zeta UMi 15:44:03.5 +77:47:40 4.32 A3Vn
Eta UMi 16:17:30.3 +75:45:19 4.95 F5V
|
| Quadrans Muralis Draco CL Dra 15:57:47.4 +54:44:59 4.95 F0IV
4°x3° HD 139357 15:35:16.3 +53:55:19 5.97 K0III-IV
HD 139778 15:37:32.0 +54:30:32 5.87 gK1
HD 141472 15:46:34.8 +55:28:29 5.92 gK0
HD 141675 15:47:38.0 +55:22:36 5.86 A3m
HD 142531 15:52:16.6 +55:49:36 5.81 gG8
HD 144204 16:02:05.5 +52:54:57 5.93 gK5
Boötis BP Boo 15:42:50.7 +52:21:39 5.51 B9p
HD 134190 15:06:16.7 +54:33:23 5.25 G7.5III
HD 136729 15:20:05.2 +51:57:31 5.66 A4V
HD 139906 15:38:34.3 +50:25:24 5.84 G8III
Hercules HD 147352 16:19:11.2 +49:02:17 5.91 gK6
This used to be a constellation of quite faint stars on old maps by Bode and others. The Quadrantid meteor
shower has it's radiant here.
|
| Lozenge Draco Beta Dra Rastaban 17:30:26.0 +52:18:05 2.79 G2Ib-IIa
5.5°x5.5° Gamma Dra Etamin 17:56:36.4 +51:29:20 2.23 K5III
Nu2 Dra Kuma 17:32:16.0 +55:10:23 4.87 A4m
Xi Dra Grumin 17:53:31.7 +56:52:22 3.75 K2-III
The 'Head' of the dragon.
|
| House of Cepheus Cepheus Alpha Cep Alderamin 21:18:34.8 +62:35:08 2.44 A7V
20°x8° Beta Cep Alfirk 21:28:39.6 +70:33:39 3.23 B1IV
Gamma Cep Alrai 23:39:20.8 +77:37:57 3.21 K1III-IV
Delta Cep 22:29:10.3 +58:24:55 3.75 F5Ib
Iota Cep 22:49:40.8 +66:12:02 3.52 K0-III
|
| Crossbow Cepheus Delta Cep 22:29:10.3 +58:24:55 3.75 F5Ib
4°x3° Zeta Cep 22:10:51.3 +58:12:04 3.35 K1.5Ib
Epsilon Cep 22:15:02.0 +57:02:37 4.19 F0IV
Lambda Cep 22:11:30.7 +59:24:52 5.04 O6In
14 Cep 22:02:04.6 +58:00:02 5.56 O9Vn
|
| The Queens 'W' Cassiopeia Beta Cas Caph 00:09:10.7 +59:08:59 2.27 F2III-IV
25°x7° Alpha Cas Shedir 00:40:30.5 +56:32:14 2.23 K0IIIa
Gamma Cas 00:56:42.4 +60:43:00 2.47 B0IVe
Delta Cas Ruchbah 01:25:49.0 +60:14:07 2.68 A5III-IV
Epsilon Cas Segin 01:54:23.7 +63:40:12 3.38 B3III
Or the 'Throne'.
|
| Winter |
| Winter Hexagon Canis Major Alpha CMa Sirius 06:45:08.9 -16:42:58 -1.46 A1Vm
48°x52° Canis Minor Alpha CMi Procyon 07:39:18.1 +05:13:30 0.38 F5IV-V
Gemini Beta Gem Pollux 07:45:18.9 +28:01:34 1.14 K0IIIb
Auriga Alpha Aur Capella 05:16:41.4 +45:59:53 0.08 G5IIIe
Taurus Alpha Tau Aldebaran 04:35:55.2 +16:30:33 0.85 K5+III
Orion Beta Ori Rigel 05:14:32.3 -08:12:06 0.12 B8Ia
|
| Winter Triangle Canis Major Alpha CMa Sirius 06:45:08.9 -16:42:58 -1.46 A1Vm
26°x24° Canis Minor Alpha CMi Procyon 07:39:18.1 +05:13:30 0.38 F5IV-V
Orion Alpha Ori Betelgeuse 05:55:10.3 +07:24:25 0.50 M1-2Ia-Iab
If the hexagon is continued from Rigel (Beta Ori) to Betelgeuse (Alpha Ori), it becomes the large
'Heavenly G'. Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Taurus as well as Lepus (the Hare) all originate from a
common myth
|
| Orion's Belt Orion Delta Ori Mintaka 05:32:00.4 -00:17:57 2.23 O9.5II
3° Epsilon Ori Alnilam 05:36:12.8 -01:12:07 1.70 B0Ia
Zeta Ori Alnitak 05:40:45.5 -01:56:34 2.05 O9.5Ib
|
| "The Leash" Canis Major Alpha CMa Sirius 06:45:08.9 -16:42:58 -1.46 A1Vm
Orions Belt points toward Sirius. This is my own invention and refers to the fact that it points from Orion
to the neck (i.e. Alpha CMa) of his larger dog.
|
| Orion's Sword Orion Sigma Ori 05:38:44.8 -02:36:00 3.77 O9.5V
3.5° Theta Ori 05:35:15.9 -05:23:14 4.98 B0.5V
M42 Orion Nebula 05:35:24.0 -05:27:00 4.0
Iota Ori Nair al Saif 05:35:26.0 -05:54:36 2.77 O9III
M42 is, of course, not a star but an emission nebula, the second brightest after the Eta Carinae Nebula.
|
| The Kids Auriga Epsilon Aur Almaz 05:01:58.1 +43:49:24 2.99 F0Iae+B
2.5°x1° Eta Aur Hoedus II 05:06:30.9 +41:14:04 3.17 B3V
Zeta Aur Hoedus I 05:02:28.7 +41:04:33 3.75 K4II+B8V
These represent baby goats in the care of Auriga.
|
| False Kids Auriga Nu Aur 05:51:29.4 +39:08:55 3.97 G9.5III
2°x0.5° Tau Aur 05:49:10.5 +39:10:52 4.52 G8III
Upsilon Aur 05:51:02.4 +37:18:20 4.74 M0+III-IV
Another somewhat fainter triangle like the Kids above.
|
| Medusa's Head Perseus Beta Per Algol 03:08:10.1 +40:57:20 2.12 B8V
2°x2° Pi Per Gorgonea Secunda 02:58:45.7 +39:39:46 4.70 A2Vn
Rho Per Gorgonea Tertia 03:05:10.6 +38:50:25 3.39 M4II
HD 18482 02:59:39.9 +41:01:59 5.89 K2
Omega Per Gorgonea Quarta 03:11:17.4 +39:36:42 4.63 K1III
Includes Algol, one of the earliest known variable stars, i.e. Medusa's head appears to be winking.
|
| Lilium Aries 35 Ari 02:43:27.1 +27:42:26 4.66 B3V
2° 39 Ari 02:47:54.5 +29:14:50 4.51 K1.5III
41 Ari 02:49:59.0 +27:15:38 3.63 B8Vn
Another old constellation (the Lily), also called Musca Borealis, the Northern Fly.
|
| Davis' Dog Taurus Upsilon Tau 04:26:18.5 +22:48:49 4.28 A8Vn
3.5°x1.5° Omega2 Tau 04:17:15.6 +20:34:43 4.94 A3m
51 Tau 04:18:23.2 +21:34:45 5.65 F0V
53 Tau 04:19:26.1 +21:08:32 5.35 B9IV
56 Tau 04:19:36.7 +21:46:25 5.38 A0p
67 Tau 04:25:25.0 +22:11:59 5.28 A7V
72 Tau 04:27:17.5 +22:59:47 5.53 B7V
V1141 Tau 04:23:32.4 +20:58:56 5.99 B8IV-V
HD 28226 04:28:00.8 +21:37:12 5.72 Am
HD 27639 04:22:22.8 +20:49:17 5.91 M0IIIab
|
| Head of the Whale Cetus Alpha Cet Menkar 03:02:16.8 +04:05:23 2.53 M1.5IIIa
10°x7° Lambda Cet 02:59:42.9 +08:54:27 4.70 B6III
Mu Cet 02:44:56.5 +10:06:51 4.27 F0IV
Xi2 Cet 02:28:09.5 +08:27:36 4.28 B9III
Nu Cet 02:35:52.5 +05:35:36 4.86 G8III
Gamma Cet Kaffaljidhma 02:43:18.0 +03:14:09 3.47 A3V
|
| Head of Hydra Hydra Delta Hya 08:37:39.4 +05:42:13 4.16 A1Vnn
5°x3° Epsilon Hya 08:46:46.6 +06:25:08 3.38 G5III
Eta Hya 08:43:13.5 +03:23:55 4.30 B3V
Sigma Hya Minchir 08:38:45.4 +03:20:29 4.44 K1+III
Rho Hya 08:48:26.0 +05:50:16 4.36 A0Vn
|
| Little Crab Cancer 3 Cnc 08:00:47.3 +17:18:31 5.55 gK3
4°x0.5° 5 Cnc 08:01:30.3 +16:27:19 5.99 B9.5Vn
8 Cnc 08:05:04.5 +13:07:05 5.12 A1V
Cancer Minor, from old star atlas, three stars in a line.
|
| Manger Cancer Gamma Cnc Asellus Borealis 08:43:17.1 +21:28:07 4.66 A1IV
4°x2° Delta Cnc Asellus Australis 08:44:41.1 +18:09:15 3.94 K0III-II
Eta Cnc 08:32:42.5 +20:26:28 5.33 K3III
Theta Cnc 08:31:35.7 +18:05:40 5.35 K5III
Surrounds the open cluster M44, called Praesepe or the Beehive.
|
| Herschel's Auriga Psi2 Aur 06:39:19.9 +42:29:20 4.79 K3III
Telescope Psi3 Aur 06:38:49.2 +39:54:09 5.20 B8III
7°x2° Psi4 Aur 06:43:05.0 +44:31:28 5.02 K5III
Psi5 Aur 06:46:44.3 +43:34:39 5.25 G0V
Psi6 Aur 06:47:39.6 +48:47:22 5.22 K0III
Psi7 Aur 06:50:45.9 +41:46:53 5.02 K3III
Psi9 Aur 06:56:32.3 +46:16:27 5.87 B8IIIe
|
| Spring |
| Great Diamond Boötes Alpha Boo Arcturus 14:15:39.7 +19:10:57 -0.04 K1.5III
36°x24° Virgo Alpha Vir Spica 13:25:11.6 -11:09:41 0.98 B1III-IV
Leo Beta Leo Denebola 11:49:03.6 +14:34:19 2.14 A3V
Canes Venatici Alpha CVn Cor Caroli 12:56:01.7 +38:19:06 2.90 A0p
|
| The Sickle Leo Alpha Leo Regulus 10:08:22.5 +11:58:02 1.36 B7V
9°x14° Eta Leo Al'dzhabkhakh 10:07:20.0 +16:45:45 3.48 A0Ib
Gamma Leo Algieba 10:19:58.2 +19:50:31 2.01 K1-IIIb
Zeta Leo Adhafera 10:16:41.5 +23:25:03 3.43 F0III
Mu Leo Alshemali 09:52:46.0 +26:00:26 3.88 K2III
Epsilon Leo Algenubi 09:45:51.2 +23:46:28 2.97 G1II
|
| Skip Loader Virgo Epsilon Vir Vindemiatrix 13:02:10.6 +10:57:33 2.83 G8IIIab
20° Delta Vir Auva 12:55:36.2 +03:23:51 3.38 M3+III
Gamma Vir Porrima 12:41:39.6 -01:26:58 3.65 F0V
Eta Vir Zaniah 12:19:54.4 -00:40:01 3.89 A2IV
Beta Vir Zavijah 11:50:41.7 +01:45:53 3.61 F9V
|
| Sail Corvus Beta Crv Kraz 12:34:23.2 -23:23:48 2.65 G5II
7°x3° Gamma Crv Gienah 12:15:48.4 -17:32:31 2.59 B8IIIp
Delta Crv Algorab 12:29:51.9 -16:30:56 2.95 B9.5V
Epsilon Crv Minkar 12:10:07.5 -22:37:11 3.00 K2.5IIIa
|
| Night Owl Hydra 47 Hya 13:58:31.1 -24:58:20 5.15 B8Vp
1.3° 48 Hya 14:00:00.1 -25:00:37 5.77 F7V
Ancient constellation Noctus, a Night Owl that sits on the tail of the Hydra.
|
| Mini Scorpion Hydra 54 Hya 14:46:00.1 -25:26:35 4.94 F2III-IV
5°x2° 55 Hya 14:47:22.5 -25:37:28 5.63 A0IIIp
56 Hya 14:47:44.8 -26:05:15 5.24 G5III
57 Hya 14:47:57.5 -26:38:47 5.77 B9V
58 Hya 14:50:17.3 -27:57:37 4.41 K4III
59 Hya 14:58:39.2 -27:39:26 5.65 A4V+A6V
60 Hya 15:02:06.4 -28:03:38 5.85 A4IV
|
| The Kite Boötes Alpha Boo Arcturus 14:15:39.7 +19:10:57 -0.04 K1.5III
23° Beta Boo Nekkar 15:01:56.8 +40:23:26 3.50 G8IIIa
Gamma Boo Seginus 14:32:04.7 +38:18:30 3.03 A7III
Delta Boo Printseps 15:15:30.2 +33:18:53 3.47 G8III
Epsilon Boo Izar 14:44:59.2 +27:04:27 2.70 A2V
Rho Boo 14:31:49.8 +30:22:17 3.58 K3-III
Eta Boo Mufrid 13:54:41.1 +18:23:52 2.68 G0IV
Tau Boo 13:47:15.7 +17:27:24 4.50 G6IV
Upsilon Boo 13:49:28.6 +15:47:52 4.07 K5.5III
Most of the bright stars in Boötes form a Kite shape.
|
| Summer |
| Summer Triangle Lyra Alpha Lyr Vega 18:36:56.3 +38:47:01 0.03 A0Va
31°x36° Aquila Alpha Aql Altair 19:50:47.0 +08:52:06 0.77 A7V
Cygnus Alpha Cyg Deneb 20:41:25.9 +45:16:49 1.25 A2Ia
|
| Northern Cross Cygnus Alpha Cyg Deneb 20:41:25.9 +45:16:49 1.25 A2Ia
12°x7° Gamma Cyg Sadr 20:22:13.7 +40:15:24 2.20 F8Ib
Beta1 Cyg Albireo 19:30:43.3 +27:57:35 3.08 K3II2+B9
Delta Cyg 19:44:58.5 +45:07:51 2.87 B9.5IV+F
Epsilon Cyg Gienah 20:46:12.7 +33:58:13 2.46 K0-III
|
| Club Hercules Tau Her 16:19:44.4 +46:18:48 3.89 B5IV
17°x3° Phi Her 16:08:46.2 +44:56:06 4.26 B9p
Chi Her 15:52:40.5 +42:27:06 4.62 F8V
|
| Keystone Hercules Epsilon Her 17:00:17.4 +30:55:35 3.92 A0V
8°x8° Zeta Her 16:41:17.2 +31:36:11 2.81 G0IV
Eta Her 16:42:53.8 +38:55:20 3.53 G7.5IIIb
Pi Her 17:15:02.8 +36:48:33 3.16 K3IIab
|
| Coffin Ophiuchus Alpha Oph Rasalhague 17:34:56.1 +12:33:36 2.08 A5III
30°x24° Beta Oph Cebalrai 17:43:28.4 +04:34:02 2.77 K2III
Eta Oph Sabik 17:10:22.7 -15:43:29 2.43 A2V
Zeta Oph Khan 16:37:09.5 -10:34:02 2.56 O9.5Vn
Kappa Oph 16:57:40.1 +09:22:30 3.20 K2III
|
| Poniatowski's Ophiuchus 66 Oph 18:00:15.8 +04:22:07 4.64 B2Ve
Bull 67 Oph 18:00:38.7 +02:55:54 3.97 B5Ib
3.5°x3.5° 68 Oph 18:01:45.2 +01:18:19 4.45 A2Vn
70 Oph 18:05:27.3 +02:29:58 4.03 K0V
73 Oph 18:09:33.8 +03:59:36 5.73 F2V
An old V-shaped constellation, notable for containing Barnard's star, the second closest star to the
Solar System.
|
| Swoosh Aquila Lambda Aql 19:06:14.9 -04:52:57 3.44 B9Vn
4° 12 Aql 19:01:40.8 -05:44:20 4.02 K1III
14 Aql 19:02:54.5 -03:41:56 5.42 A1V
15 Aql 19:04:57.6 -04:01:53 5.42 K1III
Scutum Eta Sct 18:57:03.7 -05:50:46 4.83 K2III
|
| Job's Coffin Delphinus Alpha Del Svalocin 20:39:38.3 +15:54:43 3.77 B9IV
2.5°x1° Beta Del Rotanev 20:37:33.0 +14:35:43 3.63 F5IV
Gamma2 Del 20:46:39.5 +16:07:27 4.27 K1IV
Delta Del 20:43:27.5 +15:04:28 4.43 A7IIIp
|
| Fall |
| Pegasus Square Pegasus Beta Peg Scheat 23:03:46.5 +28:04:58 2.42 M2.5II-III
17°x14° Alpha Peg Markab 23:04:45.7 +15:12:19 2.49 B9V
Gamma Peg Algenib 00:13:14.2 +15:11:01 2.83 B2IV
Andromeda Alpha And Alpheratz 00:08:23.3 +29:05:26 2.06 B8IVp
Pegasus, Andromeda, Perseus, Cassiopeia and Cepheus all originate from the ancient greek myth of Perseus.
|
| Frederick's Glory Andromeda Iota And 23:38:08.2 +43:16:05 4.29 B8V
3.5° Kappa And 23:40:24.5 +44:20:02 4.14 B9IVn
Lambda And 23:37:33.9 +46:27:29 3.82 G8III-IV
Psi And 23:46:02.1 +46:25:13 4.95 G5Ib+A0V
|
| Water Jar Aquarius Gamma Aqr Sadalachbia 22:21:39.4 -01:23:14 3.84 A0V
3°x3° Zeta1 Aqr 22:28:49.7 -00:01:13 4.59 F6IV
Eta Aqr 22:35:21.4 -00:07:03 4.02 B9IV-Vn
Pi Aqr 22:25:16.6 +01:22:39 4.66 B1Ve
|
| DNA Strand Aquarius c1 Aqr 23:06:40.9 -23:44:35 4.47 G9III
10°x3° c2 Aqr 23:09:26.8 -21:10:21 3.66 K1III
c3 Aqr 23:09:54.8 -22:27:27 4.69 G2IV+A2V
b3 Aqr 23:22:58.2 -20:06:02 3.97 K0III
b2 Aqr 23:26:02.8 -20:38:31 4.39 K5III
b3 Aqr 23:33:16.6 -20:54:52 4.71 A1n
A2 Aqr 23:41:45.8 -17:48:59 4.82 G0Ib-II
i1 Aqr 23:44:12.1 -18:16:37 5.24 B9Vn
i2 Aqr 23:46:00.9 -18:40:41 5.29 F2III+F2
i3 Aqr 23:51:21.3 -18:54:32 5.18 B9p
|
| Circlet of Pisces Pisces Gamma Psc 23:17:09.9 +03:16:56 3.69 G9-III
5°x5° Kappa Psc 23:26:56.0 +01:15:20 4.94 A0p
Lambda Psc 23:42:02.8 +01:46:48 4.50 A7V
Iota Psc 23:39:57.0 +05:37:35 4.13 F7V
Theta Psc 23:27:58.1 +06:22:44 4.28 K1III
7 Psc 23:20:20.6 +05:22:53 5.05 K2III
19 Psc 23:46:23.5 +03:29:12 5.04 C5II
|
| Galactic Center |
| The Teapot Sagittarius Lambda Sgr Kaus Borealis 18:27:58.2 -25:25:18 2.81 K1+IIIb
15°x9° Delta Sgr Kaus Meridionalis 18:20:59.7 -29:49:41 2.70 K3-IIIa
Epsilon Sgr Kaus Australis 18:24:10.3 -34:23:05 1.85 B9.5III
Zeta Sgr Ascella 19:02:36.7 -29:52:49 2.60 A2III
Phi Sgr 18:45:39.4 -26:59:27 3.17 B8III
(The Handle) Tau Sgr 19:06:56.3 -27:40:14 3.32 K1III
Sigma Sgr Nunki 18:55:15.9 -26:17:48 2.02 B2.5V
(The Spout) Gamma Sgr Nash 18:05:48.5 -30:25:27 2.99 K0III
The most striking feature in this region is the center of the Milky Way, with many interesting deep sky
objects (see link). In the context of the asterism the Milky Way is supposed to be the steam coming out
of the spout.
|
| Teaspoon Sagittarius Pi Sgr Albaldah 19:09:45.8 -21:01:25 2.89 F2II
8°x2° Omicron Sgr Manubrij 19:04:41.0 -21:44:30 3.77 G9IIIb
Xi1 Sgr 18:57:20.5 -20:39:23 5.08 A0II
Xi2 Sgr 18:57:43.8 -21:06:24 3.51 K1III
Rho1 Sgr 19:21:40.4 -17:50:50 3.93 F0IV-V
43 Sgr 19:17:38.1 -18:57:11 4.96 G8II-III
|
| Fish Hook Scorpius Delta Sco Dschubba 16:00:20.0 -22:37:18 2.32 B0.3IV
27°x23° Beta Sco Graffias 16:05:26.2 -19:48:20 2.62 B1V
Sigma Sco Alniyat 16:21:11.3 -25:35:34 2.89 B1III
Alpha Sco Antares 16:29:24.4 -26:25:55 0.96 M1.5Iab-Ib
Tau Sco Alniyat 16:35:53.0 -28:12:58 2.82 B0V
Epsilon Sco 16:50:09.7 -34:17:36 2.29 K2.5III
Mu Sco 16:51:52.1 -38:02:51 3.08 B1.5V+B6.5V
Zeta Sco 16:54:34.9 -42:21:41 3.62 K4III
Eta Sco 17:12:09.1 -43:14:21 3.33 F3III-IVp
Theta Sco Sargas 17:37:19.2 -42:59:52 1.87 F1II
Iota Sco 17:47:35.0 -40:07:37 3.03 F2Iae
Kappa Sco 17:42:29.1 -39:01:48 2.41 B1.5III
Lambda Sco Shaula 17:33:36.5 -37:06:14 1.63 B2IV+B
|
| South Pole |
| Southern Cross Crux Alpha Cru Acrux 12:26:35.9 -63:05:57 0.76 B0.5IV+B1V
8°x6° Beta Cru Mimosa 12:47:43.2 -59:41:19 1.25 B0.5III
Gamma Cru Gacrux 12:31:09.9 -57:06:48 1.63 M3.5III
Delta Cru 12:15:08.6 -58:44:56 3.79 B2IV
An imaginary line along the longer vertical arm of the Southern Cross about 4.5 times the length of this
arm points to the celestial south pole.
|
| Southern Pointer Centaurus Alpha Cen Rigel Kentaurus 14:39:35.9 -60:50:07 -0.27 G2V+K1V
26° Beta Cen Agena 14:03:49.4 -60:22:23 0.61 B1III
Alpha and Beta Centauri point toward the Cross
|
| Three Patriarchs Triangumlum Alpha TrA Atria 16:48:39.9 -69:01:40 1.92 K2IIb
8°x6° Australe Beta TrA 15:55:08.5 -63:25:50 2.85 F2III
Gamma TrA 15:18:54.6 -68:40:46 2.89 A1V
|
| Diamond Cross Carina Beta Car Miaplacidus 09:13:12.0 -69:43:02 1.68 A2IV
5°x3° Theta Car 10:42:57.4 -64:23:40 2.76 B0Vp
Upsilon Car 09:47:06.1 -65:04:19 3.01 A6Ib
Omega Car 10:13:44.2 -70:02:17 3.32 B9III
Might be mistaken for the proper Southern Cross (above)
|
| False Cross Vela Delta Vel Alhabor 08:44:42.2 -54:42:30 1.96 A1V
7°x4° Kappa Vel Markeb 09:22:06.8 -55:00:39 2.5 B2IV-V
Carina Epsilon Car Avior 08:22:30.8 -59:30:35 1.86 K3III+B2
Iota Car Aspidiske 09:17:05.4 -59:16:31 2.25 A8Ib
Another asterism that might be mistaken for the proper Southern Cross (above)
|
| Argo Navis Carina Alpha Car Canopus 06:23:57.1 -52:41:45 -0.72 F0II
66°x46° Beta Car Miaplacidus 09:13:12.0 -69:43:02 1.68 A2IV
Omega Car 10:13:44.3 -70:02:16 3.32 B8IIIe
Theta Car 10:42:57.4 -64:23:40 2.76 B0Vp
Iota Car Turaris 09:17:05.4 -59:16:31 2.25 A8Ib
Vela Gamma Vel Regor 08:09:32.0 -47:20:12 1.78 WC8+O9I
Puppis Zeta Pup Naos 08:03:35.1 -40:00:12 2.25 O5f
Rho Pup 08:07:32.6 -24:18:15 4.40 F6IIp
Xi Pup Azmidiske 07:49:17.7 -24:51:35 3.34 G6Iab-Ib
Kappa Pup 07:38:49.3 -26:48:07 4.50 B6V
Pi Pup 07:17:08.5 -37:05:51 2.70 K3Ib
Nu Pup 06:37:45.6 -43:11:45 3.17 B8III
(The Sail) Vela Delta Vel Alhabor 08:44:42.2 -54:42:30 1.96 A1V
Kappa Vel Markeb 09:22:06.8 -55:00:38 2.50 B2IV-V
Phi Vel 09:56:51.7 -54:34:04 3.54 B5Ib
Mu Vel 10:46:46.1 -49:25:12 2.69 G5III
q Vel 10:22:19.5 -41:39:00 4.83 K1III
Psi Vel 09:30:41.9 -40:28:00 3.60 F3IV
Lambda Vel Alsuhail 09:07:59.7 -43:25:57 2.21 K4Ib-II
(The Compass) Pyxis Beta Pyx 08:40:06.2 -35:18:29 3.90 G7Ib-II
Alpha Pyx 08:43:35.5 -33:11:11 3.68 B1.5III
Gamma Pyx 08:50:31.9 -27:42:36 4.01 K3III
More about Argo Navis
|
All alignments
| From the Big Dipper |
| Ursa Major-Ursa Minor (North Pointer)
Alpha UMa Dubhe 11:03:43.7 +61:45:03 1.79 K0IIIa
Beta UMa Merak 11:01:50.5 +56:22:57 2.37 A1V
Alpha UMi Polaris 02:31:48.7 +89:15:51 2.02 F7:Ib-II
|
| Ursa Major-Boötes-Virgo (Handle Line arc to Great Dianmond)
Epsilon UMa Alioth 12:54:01.7 +55:57:35 1.77 A0p
Zeta UMa Mizar 13:23:55.5 +54:55:31 2.27 A1Vp
Eta UMa Alkaid 13:47:32.4 +49:18:48 1.86 B3V
Alpha Boo Arcturus 14:15:39.7 +19:10:57 -0.04 K1.5III
Alpha Vir Spica 13:25:11.6 -11:09:41 0.98 B1III-IV
|
| Ursa Major-Gemini (to Winter Hexagon)
Delta UMa Megreth 12:15:25.6 +57:01:57 3.31 A3V
Beta UMa Merak 11:01:50.5 +56:22:57 2.37 A1V
Alpha Gem Castor 07:34:36.0 +31:53:18 1.98 A1V
Beta Gem Pollux 07:45:18.9 +28:01:34 1.14 K0IIIb
|
| Ursa Major-Leo (to the Sickle)
Delta UMa Megreth 12:15:25.6 +57:01:57 3.31 A3V
Gamma UMa Phad 11:53:49.8 +53:41:41 2.44 A0Ve
46 LMi Praecipua 10:53:18.7 +34:12:54 3.83 K0+III-I
Gamma1 Leo Algieba 10:19:58.2 +19:50:31 2.01 K1-IIIb
Alpha Leo Regulus 10:08:22.5 +11:58:02 1.36 B7V
|
| From Cassiopeia |
| Ursa Minor-Cassiopeia-Andromeda-Spring Point (via Pegasus Square to {0°/0°})
Alpha UMi Polaris 02:31:48.7 +89:15:51 2.02 F7:Ib-II
Beta Cas Caph 00:09:10.7 +59:08:59 2.27 F2III-IV
Alpha And Alpheratz 00:08:23.3 +29:05:26 2.06 B8IVp
Spring Point 00:00:00 +00:00:00 - -
|
| Cassiopeia-Cygnus-Aquila (to Summer Triangle)
Delta Cas Ruchbah 01:25:49.0 +60:14:07 2.68 A5III-IV
Gamma Cas Cih 00:56:42.4 +60:43:00 2.47 B0IVe
Alpha Cyg Deneb 20:41:25.9 +45:16:49 1.25 A2Ia
Alpha Aql Altair 19:50:47.0 +08:52:06 0.77 A7V
|
| Cassiopeia-Auriga (to Winter Hexagon)
Gamma Cas Cih 00:56:42.4 +60:43:00 2.47 B0IVe
Delta Cas Ruchbah 01:25:49.0 +60:14:07 2.68 A5III-IV
Alpha Aur Capella 05:16:41.4 +45:59:53 0.08 G5IIIe
|
| Other |
| Canis Major-Taurus (Winter Hexagon to Pleiades)
Alpha CMa Sirius 06:45:08.9 -16:42:58 -1.46 A1Vm
Gamma Ori Bellatrix 05:25:07.9 +06:20:59 1.64 B2III
Alpha Tau Aldebaran 04:35:55.2 +16:30:33 0.85 K5+III
M45 Pleiades 03:47:00.0 +24:07:00 1.2 -
|
| Canes Venaatici-Scorpius-Sagittarius (Great Diamond via Hook to Teapot)
Alpha CVn Cor Caroli 12:56:01.7 +38:19:06 2.90 A0p
Alpha Boo Arcturus 14:15:39.7 +19:10:57 -0.04 K1.5III
Alpha Sco Antares 16:29:24.4 -26:25:55 0.96 M1.5Iab-Ib
Epsilon Sgr Kaus Australis 18:24:10.3 -34:23:05 1.85 B9.5III
|
| Pegasus-Anromeda-Perseus (Five Star Line from Pegasus Square)
Beta Peg Scheat 23:03:46.5 +28:04:58 2.42 M2.5II-III
Alpha And Alpheratz 00:08:23.3 +29:05:26 2.06 B8IVp
Beta And Mirach 01:09:43.9 +35:37:14 2.06 M0+IIIa
Gamma1 And Almach 02:03:54.0 +42:19:47 2.26 K3-IIb
Alpha Per Mirfak 03:24:19.4 +49:51:40 1.79 F5Ib
|
* Greatest extension in east-west direction x north-south direction; in degrees. For linear asterisms, length in degrees.
Asterism data from the SAC Asterisms file (scroll down)
Star map: my own D3-Celestial. Here's an interactive demo, and the source code and documentation on GitHub.
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