* UNDER CONSTRUCTION *

Check back soon for our updated observing page featuring constellations, objects of interest, and commonly asked observing questions.

Jump to: Circumpolar Constellations ★ Spring ConstellationsSummer Constellations ★ Fall ConstellationsWinter Constellations ★ Southern ConstellationsMessier Catalog ★ FAQs

Circumpolar Constellations

These constellations are visible all year long from the Northern Hemisphere.

Spring Constellations

These constellations are prominently visible during the spring months at around 9 pm for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Summer Constellations

These constellations are prominently visible during the summer months at around 9 pm for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Sagittarius

File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Sagittarius and Corona Australis, Microscopium, and Telescopium.jpg - Wikipedia

Scorpius

File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Scorpio.jpg - Wikipedia

Autumn Constellations

These constellations are prominently visible during the fall months at around 9 pm for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

Winter Constellations

These constellations are prominently visible during the winter months at around 9 pm for observers in the Northern Hemisphere.

 

 

Messier Catalog

 

M61

A hungry starburst galaxy.jpg

M62

Messier62 - HST - Potw1915a.jpg

M63

M63 (NGC 5055).jpg

M63

M64

M65

M66

M67

M68

M69

M70

M71

M72

M73

M74

M75

M76

M77

M78

M79

M80

M81

M82

M83

M84

M85

M86

M87

M88

M89

M90

M91

M92

M93

M94

M95

M96

M97

M98

M99

M100

M101

M102

M103

M104

M105

M106

M107

M108

M109

M110

FAQs

What is a constellation?

A constellation is a collection of stars, but it’s also a collection of borders in the sky. In 1928, the International Astronomical Union (or IAU) agreed on a set of 88 constellations which cover the entire celestial sphere.

Where is the Big Dipper? The Little Dipper? The Teapot?

Some of the most popular and easily recognizable patterns in the night sky are not actually constellations, but asterisms. An asterism is a named pattern of stars that is smaller than a constellation. While the IAU recognizes 88 constellations, many stargazers recognize familiar asterisms in portions of these constellations, such as the Big Dipper in Ursa Major, the Little Dipper in Ursa Minor, or the Teapot in Sagittarius. Knowing these popular asterisms can help stargazers quickly identify constellations and easily orient themselves in the night sky.

Click here to be taken to the IAU’s Constellation page

What’s the North Star? Why is it important?