Observing constellations by month is a fantastic way to engage with the night sky throughout the year. As Earth orbits the Sun, the visible constellations shift, offering a changing view that reflects our planet’s position in space.
Here’s a guide to some of the prominent constellations visible each month in the northern hemisphere. For those in the southern hemisphere, the visible constellations will differ due to the opposite seasonal view of the sky.
January Constellations
In the cold, clear January nights, Orion the Hunter takes center stage, making it an ideal time for stargazing beginners to familiarize themselves with the night sky.
Look for Orion’s Belt, a line of three bright stars that serve as the hunter’s “belt”.
- Caelum (The Chisel) – A small and faint constellation symbolizing a sculptor’s chisel, highlighting the artistry in the heavens.
- Dorado (The Goldfish) – Named for the magnificent sea creature, it contains the Large Magellanic Cloud in the southern sky.
- Lepus (The Hare) – Depicts a hare situated beneath the feet of Orion, symbolizing the hunters’ target.
- Mensa (The Table Mountain) – Named after Table Mountain and is notable for its location over the South Celestial Pole.
- Orion (The Hunter) – One of the most recognizable constellations, known for its belt of three stars and rich mythology.
- Pictor (The Painter’s Easel) – Represents an artist’s easel, celebrating creativity and imagination in the southern hemisphere.
- Reticulum (The Net) – Symbolizes a small net, notable for its presence in the southern sky and aiding in celestial navigation.
- Taurus (The Bull) – Notable for its bright stars and the Pleiades cluster, it stands strong in the zodiac family.
Surrounding it, you’ll find other bright stars that outline the figure of a hunter, with the red supergiant Betelgeuse marking his shoulder and the blue-white star Rigel at his foot.
February Constellations
As February unfolds, Gemini the Twins rise higher in the sky. This constellation is easily spotted by finding its two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, which represent the heads of the twins.
- Auriga (The Charioteer) – Known for hosting the bright star Capella and its fascinating mythology tied to charioteering.
- Canis Major (The Greater Dog) – Home to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, symbolizing the great hunter’s faithful companion.
- Chamaeleon (The Chameleon) – A small constellation representing the exotic animal, notable for its location in the southern sky.
- Columba (The Dove) – Symbolizing peace and the story of Noah’s ark in celestial form.
- Gemini (The Twins) – Characterized by two bright stars representing twins in mythology, it’s a prominent constellation in the zodiac family.
- Monoceros (The Unicorn) – Although faint, it embodies the mythical creature and is nestled between brighter constellations.
- Puppis (The Stern) – Represents the stern of the mythical ship Argo Navis and is a treasure trove of celestial objects.
The stars of Gemini guide our gaze towards the winter Milky Way, offering a splendid backdrop for these mythological siblings.
March Constellations
March invites us to search for the elusive Cancer the Crab. This faint constellation is a challenge to find, nestled between the more conspicuous constellations of Gemini and Leo.
The March constellations are:
- Cancer (The Crab) – Smaller and less conspicuous, yet significant for marking the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Canis Minor (The Lesser Dog) – Known for the bright star Procyon, representing one of Orion’s hunting dogs.
- Carina (The Keel) – Part of the ancient ship Argo Navis constellation, known for housing the second-brightest star in the night sky, Canopus.
- Lynx (The Lynx) – A faint constellation, said to require the eyesight of a lynx to see it.
- Pyxis (The Compass) – Represents the maritime compass, part of the ancient constellation Argo Navis.
- Vela (The Sails) – Another portion of the ship Argo Navis, showcasing the ship’s sails.
- Volans (The Flying Fish) – Depicts a flying fish and is located near the ship constellation Carina, simulating the fish leaping from the water.
Amidst Cancer’s dim stars lies the Beehive Cluster (M44), a beautiful open star cluster that resembles a swarm of bees under a dark, clear sky.
April Constellations
April skies herald the arrival of Leo the Lion, a regal constellation that dominates the springtime heavens.
The April constellations are:
- Antlia (The Air Pump) – Represents air-pumping equipment used in scientific research.
- Crater (The Cup) – Symbolizes a cup that is associated with the god Apollo in Greek mythology.
- Crux (The Southern Cross) – Known for its distinctive cross shape, serving as an important navigational marker in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Leo (The Lion) – Easily identifiable due to its regal shape and brightness, representing the Nemean lion in Greek mythology.
- Octans (The Octant) – Named after the navigational instrument, it contains the South Celestial Pole.
Look for the backward question mark or sickle that outlines the Lion’s mane, with the bright star Regulus marking the heart of the beast. Leo invites us to dream of cosmic royalty and the unfolding spring.
May Constellations
May brings Virgo the Maiden into full view, her sprawling constellation home to the bright star Spica. Virgo is the largest constellation of the Zodiac and can be found sprawling across the sky.
The May constellations are:
- Canes Venatici (The Hunting Dogs) – Represents the two hunting dogs held by Bootes, the herdsman, chasing after the bears Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
- Centaurus (The Centaur) – Known for its two bright stars, Alpha and Beta Centauri, and represents a centaur, blending human intellect and animal instincts.
- Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair) – Symbolizes the hair of Queen Berenice II of Egypt, dedicated to the gods for her husband’s safe return from war.
- Corvus (The Crow) – Depicts a crow or raven associated with several myths, including a bearer of bad news in Greek mythology.
- Crux (The Southern Cross) – A prominent and easily recognizable constellation in the southern hemisphere, symbolizing the cross on which Jesus was crucified in Christian tradition.
- Musca (The Fly) – Represents a fly, initially named Apis the Bee, and is one of the smaller constellations in the southern sky.
- Virgo (The Maiden) – The largest zodiac constellation, symbolizing fertility and harvest, and notable for containing the bright star Spica.
June Constellations
As summer begins, Scorpius the Scorpion crawls across the southern horizon.
This constellation is easily recognizable by its striking red heart, Antares, a gigantic red supergiant star that gleams with a fiery light, and the scorpion’s tail curving into the sky.
The June constellations are:
- Bootes (The Herdsman) – Known for containing Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky, symbolizing a herdsman in the sky.
- Libra (The Scales) – Represents balance and is the only zodiac constellation symbolized by an inanimate object.
- Lupus (The Wolf) – Depicts a wolf, traditionally represented as a prey animal in the claws of the neighboring constellation Centaurus.
- Ursa Minor (The Little Bear) – Famous for containing Polaris, the North Star, crucial for navigation due to its stable position.
July Constellations
In July, Sagittarius the Archer takes aim at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy. This constellation is best known for the “Teapot” asterism, a group of stars that form a teapot shape.
The July Constellations are:
- Apus (The Bird of Paradise) – Represents the exotic bird, symbolizing the unexplored terrestrial realms.
- Ara (The Altar) – Depicts an altar in the sky, often associated with sacrifice and offerings.
- Circinus (The Compass) – Symbolizes the draftsman’s compass, reflecting navigation and creativity.
- Corona Borealis (The Northern Crown) – Resembles a celestial crown, linked to various myths and legends about royalty.
- Draco (The Dragon) – Winds around the northern celestial pole, embodying the mythological dragon.
- Hercules (The Hero) – Represents the Roman hero, known for his strength and numerous far-reaching adventures.
- Norma (The Level) – Symbolizes the carpenter’s square or level, associated with justice and precision.
- Ophiuchus (The Serpent Bearer) – Depicts a man holding a serpent, representing healing and medicine.
- Scorpius (The Scorpion) – Recognizable by its curved tail, signifying the scorpion that challenged the hunter Orion.
- Serpens (The Serpent) – The only constellation divided into two parts, Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda, symbolizing a serpent being tamed by Ophiuchus.
- Triangulum Australe (The Southern Triangle) – Represents a simple geometric figure, highlighting the celestial south.
- Triangulum (The Triangle) – A small constellation, symbolizing the geometric shape pointing to the northern skies.
Sagittarius points us toward the rich star fields of our galaxy, offering a breathtaking stargazing experience.
August Constellations
By August, Cygnus the Swan soars along the plane of the Milky Way. Identified by its distinctive cross shape, Cygnus is punctuated by Deneb, a brilliant star that forms part of the Summer Triangle.
The August Constellations are:
- Aquila (The Eagle) – Symbolizes the eagle that carried Zeus/Jupiter’s thunderbolts in Greco-Roman mythology.
- Corona Australis (The Southern Crown) – Represents a crown in the southern sky, symbolizing royalty and beauty.
- Lyra (The Lyre) – Associated with the mythological Greek musician Orpheus, represented by a celestial lyre.
- Pavo (The Peacock) – Reflects the extravagant beauty and pride of the peacock.
- Sagitta (The Arrow) – Considered the representation of an arrow shot by Sagittarius, the neighboring archer constellation.
- Sagittarius (The Archer) – Often depicted as a centaur wielding a bow and arrow, pointing towards the Milky Way’s center.
- Scutum (The Shield) – Represents the shield of bravery, symbolizing protection against adversity.
- Telescopium (The Telescope) – Celebrates the instrument vital for exploring the depths of space, symbolizing human curiosity and discovery.
Cygnus beckons us to ponder the vastness of our galaxy and the stories hidden in its stars.
September Constellations
The arrival of autumn skies brings Pegasus the Winged Horse into view. This large constellation, known for the Great Square of Pegasus, inspires us with tales of heroism and adventure.
The September Constellations are:
- Capricornus (The Sea-Goat) – Represents ambition and determination, symbolized through the unique figure of a sea-goat.
- Cygnus (The Swan) – Known for its distinctive cross shape, this constellation is sometimes also referred to as the Northern Cross.
- Delphinus (The Dolphin) – A smaller constellation, Delphinus is easily identifiable by its compact, dolphin-like shape.
- Equuleus (The Little Horse) – The second smallest constellation in the sky, representing a tiny horse or foal.
- Grus (The Crane) – Characterizes a migratory bird, symbolizing the transition of seasons as it flies across the celestial sphere.
- Microscopium (The Microscope) – Pays homage to the scientific instrument, celebrating advancements in science.
- Vulpecula (The Fox) – Often depicted with a goose it has captured, representing cunning and resourcefulness in mythology.
The Great Square, an asterism forming the body of the horse, acts as a doorway to the autumn constellations.
October Constellations
In October, the Andromeda constellation becomes the star of the night.
The October constellations are:
- Aquarius (The Water Bearer) – Stands out with its depiction of a man pouring water, representing the dispenser of life-giving waters.
- Grus (The Crane) – Characterized by its representation of a crane in flight, a relatively modern constellation.
- Lacerta (The Lizard) – A smaller and less conspicuous constellation, symbolizing a lizard. It is often overlooked due to its faint stars.
- Octans (The Octant) – Named after the navigational instrument, this constellation is symbolic of exploration and discovery, notable for containing the South Celestial Pole.
- Pegasus (The Winged Horse) – Famously identified by the Great Square of Pegasus, this constellation represents the mythical winged horse related to Greek mythology.
- Pisces (The Fish) – Two fish tied together, representing unity and the cyclic nature of life, marking the transition from winter to spring.
Connected to Pegasus, Andromeda’s claim to fame is the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), the nearest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way and visible to the naked eye under dark skies.
November Constellations
November nights bring Taurus the Bull charging into the sky.
The November constellations are:
- Andromeda (The Princess) – Known for the Andromeda Galaxy, one of the farthest objects visible to the naked eye.
- Cassiopeia (The Queen) – Easily recognizable by its distinctive ‘W’ shape, representing a queen in mythology.
- Cetus (The Whale) – Symbolizes the sea monster from Greek mythology, sprawling across the sky.
- Hydrus (The Water Snake) – Smaller than Hydra, this southern constellation represents a water snake.
- Perseus (The Hero) – Named after the Greek hero who saved Andromeda, rich in star clusters and nebulae.
- Phoenix (The Phoenix) – Symbolizes the mythical bird that is reborn from its own ashes, filled with deep-sky objects.
- Pisces (The Fish) – Two fish tied together, representing the transition from winter to spring in zodiac tradition.
- Sculptor (The Sculptor) – Depicts a sculptor’s workshop, offering a variety of faint galaxies to observe.
- Tucana (The Toucan) – A small constellation in the Southern Hemisphere, home to the Small Magellanic Cloud.
Dominated by the fiery eye of the bull, Aldebaran, and home to the beautiful Pleiades star cluster, Taurus offers a celestial spectacle that connects us to the ancient world.
December Constellations
As the year closes, we come full circle back to Orion, with its familiar belt and vibrant constellations welcoming us like an old friend.
The December constellations are:
- Aries (The Ram) – Marks the beginning of the Sun’s celestial journey and is symbolized by a ram in various mythologies.
- Eridanus (The River) – Represented as a celestial river flowing across the sky, it is one of the largest constellations.
- Fornax (The Furnace) – Symbolizes a chemical furnace and is recognized for its contributions to the study of galaxy structures.
- Horologium (The Clock) – Named after the pendulum clock and symbolizes the passage of time in the heavens.
- Perseus (The Hero) – Represents the Greek hero known for rescuing Andromeda and defeating the monster Cetus.
The winter constellations take center stage again, preparing us for another cycle of celestial observations.
This guide offers a starting point for your stargazing journey, highlighting the cyclical nature of the night sky.
Remember, the best time to view constellations is during a new moon when the sky is darkest.
Happy stargazing!