As the crisp air of November sweeps across the night sky, it brings with it a spectacular celestial display.
This month, a number of remarkable constellations take center stage, offering both amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers a chance to explore the wonders of the cosmos.
What are the November Constellations?
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.
1. Andromeda (The Princess)
Andromeda, the celestial princess, shines with tales of valor and beauty.
Within her constellation lies the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31), a distant spiral home to billions of stars and countless wonders.
Details
- Number of Stars : 23
- Main Aspect: Embodies the narrative of innocence, beauty, and redemption.
- Principal Stars: Alpheratz (Sirrah), Mirach, Almach
- Brightest Star: Alpheratz (Sirrah)
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Andromeda’s constellation symbolizes the triumph of love and heroism over adversity, capturing the essence of her story with Perseus in Greek mythology.
2. Cassiopeia (The Queen)
Cassiopeia, the regal queen, adorns the night sky with her distinctive shape and captivating tales.
This constellation is known for its prominent “W” shape, representing the queen from Greek mythology who boasted of her unrivaled beauty. Cassiopeia offers a treasure trove of celestial wonders, including star clusters and the famous supernova remnant known as the Cassiopeia A.
Details
- Number of Stars : 66
- Main Aspect: Portrays a queen from ancient Greek mythology.
- Principal Stars: Schedar, Caph, Navi, Ruchbah
- Brightest Star: Schedar
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Cassiopeia’s constellation showcases the regal queen from mythology, while also holding magnificent star clusters and remnants of stellar explosions.
3. Cetus (The Sea Monster)
Cetus, the fearsome sea monster, lurks in the depths of the night sky, entwined in ancient myths and legends.
This constellation stretches across a vast area of sky and represents the creature from Greek mythology sent to devour Princess Andromeda. Within its boundaries lies the star Mira, known for its variable brightness, and other celestial treasures waiting to be discovered.
Details
- Number of Stars : 81
- Main Aspect: Depicts a mythical sea monster associated with ancient Greek stories.
- Principal Stars: Menkar, Deneb Kaitos, Baten Kaitos
- Brightest Star: Deneb Kaitos
- Hemisphere: Northern and Southern
- TL;DR: Cetus, the sea monster, is a constellation enshrouded in myth, housing stars and stories of ancient Greek folklore.
4. Hydrus (The Water Snake)
Hydrus, the water snake, slithers through the southern skies, weaving a tale of serpentine wonder.
As a small constellation near the South Celestial Pole, Hydrus is not as well-known. But for those in the southern hemisphere, it offers a glimpse into a region of the cosmos that holds countless celestial treasures.
Details
- Number of Stars : 39
- Main Aspect: Symbolizes a water snake, representing some fascinating southern sky sights.
- Principal Stars: Alpha Hydri, Gamma Hydri, Beta Hydri
- Brightest Star: Alpha Hydri
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Hydrus, the water snake constellation, may be lesser-known but still grants a view of captivating southern celestial wonders.
5. Perseus (The Hero)
Perseus, the courageous hero, graces the night sky, a symbol of bravery and adventure.
This constellation is named after the legendary Greek hero who slew the monster Medusa. Perseus hosts the famous eclipsing binary star Algol and displays stunning star clusters that tell tales of heroic triumph and mythological feats.
Details
- Number of Stars : 137
- Main Aspect: Represents the courageous hero from Greek mythology.
- Principal Stars: Mirfak, Algol, Atik
- Brightest Star: Mirfak
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Perseus, the hero of Greek mythology, becomes a constellation that showcases tales of bravery and holds magnificent star clusters within its boundaries.
6. Phoenix (The Mythical Bird)
Phoenix, the mythical bird, rises from the celestial ashes, a symbol of rebirth and immortality.
This constellation represents the legendary bird that cyclically regenerates by arising from the remains of its predecessor. Although it is dimly visible, it carries the allure of ancient stories and connects observers to the wonder of cosmic legends.
Details
- Number of Stars : 45
- Main Aspect: Depicts the mythical bird associated with themes of rebirth and immortality.
- Principal Stars: Ankaa, Beta Phoenicis, Gamma Phoenicis
- Brightest Star: Ankaa
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Phoenix, the constellation of the mythical bird, invites stargazers to ponder themes of rebirth and immortality, intertwining ancient legends with the cosmic world.
7. Pisces (The Fishes)
Pisces, the pair of fishes, swims across the night sky, portraying a tale of unity and harmony.
This constellation represents two fishes tied together by a cord, often associated with Aphrodite and her son Eros in Greek mythology. Pisces holds several remarkable deep-sky objects, including the “Einstein Cross” formed by gravitational lensing.
Details
- Number of Stars : 179
- Main Aspect: Depicts a pair of fishes held together by a cord, symbolizing unity.
- Principal Stars: Alrescha, Eta Piscium
- Brightest Star: Alrescha
- Hemisphere: Northern
- TL;DR: Pisces, the constellation of two fishes, symbolizes harmony, offering glimpses of captivating deep-sky objects and the wonders of gravitational lensing.
8. Sculptor (The Sculptor’s Studio)
Sculptor, the celestial studio, invites stargazers to witness the artistry of cosmic creation.
This constellation represents the tools and workspace of a sculptor, an embodiment of artistic expression and human creation. Within Sculptor’s borders lie several breathtaking galaxy clusters and the striking “Southern Sculptor Galaxy” (NGC 253), showcasing the beauty and mystery of the universe.
Details
- Number of Stars : 68
- Main Aspect: Depicts the tools and workspace of a sculptor, representing the artistry of creation.
- Principal Stars: Alpha Sculptoris, Beta Sculptoris
- Brightest Star: Alpha Sculptoris
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Sculptor’s constellation is a celestial tribute to creativity, housing stunning galaxy clusters and the alluring Southern Sculptor Galaxy within its realms.
9. Tucana (The Toucan)
Tucana, the vibrant toucan, flutters through the southern skies, bringing a splash of color to the night.
Named after the colorful bird found in South America, this small constellation captivates with its brightness and charm. Tucana offers glimpses of distant galaxies, showcasing the vastness of our universe and inviting exploration.
Details
- Number of Stars : 60
- Main Aspect: Represents the vibrant toucan bird, adding a touch of color to the night sky.
- Principal Stars: Alpha Tucanae, Beta Tucanae
- Brightest Star: Alpha Tucanae
- Hemisphere: Southern
- TL;DR: Tucana, the toucan-shaped constellation, brings vividness to the night sky, captivating observers with distant galaxies and the wonders of our vast universe.