John’s Constellation Page

* 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 Constellations ★ Summer Constellations ★ Fall Constellations ★ Winter Constellations ★ Southern Constellations ★ Messier 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.

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.

Sextans

Coma Berenices

Aries

Lynx

Monoceros

Canes Venatici

Libra

Scutum

Lacerta

Auriga

Lepus

Corvus

Corona Borealis

Serpens

Sagitta

Triangulum

Camelopardalis

Leo Minor

Fornax

Caelum

Sculptor

Piscis Austrinus

Antlia

Apus

Ara

Carina

Centaurus

Chamaeleon

Circinus

Columba

Corona Australis

Crux

Dorado

Grus

Horologium

Hydrus

Indus

Lupus

Mensa

Microscopium

Musca

Norma

Octans

Pavo

Phoenix

Pictor

Puppis

Pyxis

Reticulum

 

Telescopium

 

Tucana

Vela

Volans

Vulpecula

 

 

Messier Catalog

 

Comet ISON

Four Comets

Magellanic Clouds

Omega Centauri

IC 1396

Polaris

Precession

Globular Clusters

Open Clusters

Carina Nebula

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?