The constellations in tonight’s sky host many familiar star patterns. For northern observers, summer is the best time of the year to see the constellations of the Summer Triangle. The large summer asterism is formed by Vega, Deneb and Altair, the brightest stars in Lyra (the Lyre), Cygnus (the Swan), and Aquila (the Eagle). Summer is also an excellent time to catch the zodiac constellations Sagittarius (the Archer) and Scorpius (the Scorpion) on the southern horizon in the evening.
For observers in the southern hemisphere, the Fish Hook of Scorpius and the Teapot in Sagittarius are high overhead around 10 pm. Some of the largest constellations in the sky – Virgo (the Maiden), Hercules, Centaurus (the Centaur) and Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer) – are also conspicuous in the evening sky.
The night sky tonight looks different depending on the location. The constellation maps below show the sky as it appears around 10 pm in the mid-northern, equatorial, and mid-southern latitudes.
Northern hemisphere
For observers in the mid-northern latitudes, the Summer Triangle dominates the evening sky. Formed by three first-magnitude stars – Vega, Altair, and Deneb, the brightest stars in the constellations Lyra, Aquila, and Cygnus – the asterism can easily be seen even from light-polluted areas.
The two bird constellations – the Swan (Cygnus) and the Eagle (Aquila) – are easily recognizable because they fly opposite each other in the sky. Deneb sits at the top of the Northern Cross and marks the Swan’s tail, and Altair can be identified as the bright star flanked by two other relatively bright stars, Tarazed and Alshain. Vega, the brightest star of the Summer Triangle, appears next to a small parallelogram that outlines the celestial lyre.
Tonight’s sky as seen from mid-northern latitudes, image: Stellarium
The Northern Cross is one of the most recognizable features of the northern summer sky. Formed by the five brightest stars in Cygnus, the asterism can be used to find several bright nebulae that lie in this area. These include the North America Nebula (NGC 7000), the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070), the Veil Nebula (Caldwell 33 and 34), the Sadr Region (IC 1318), and the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888).
The Summer Triangle can be used to identify several of the smaller constellations that lie within its borders. The most distinctive of these are Sagitta (the Arrow) and Delphinus (the Dolphin), which look like the object and animal they represent.
Other constellations near the zenith in the evening include Hercules, the fifth largest constellation in the sky, and Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown), a small constellation recognizable for the semi-circle formed by its brightest stars.
Eastern sky
The constellations of the Summer Triangle – Lyra, Aquila, and Cygnus – appear high above the eastern horizon at 10 pm and make their way across the sky as the night progresses. Four smaller constellations lie between Cygnus and Aquila: Sagitta (the Arrow), Delphinus (the Dolphin), Vulpecula (the Fox), and Equuleus (the Little Horse).
Sagitta and Delphinus are easy to make out on a clear night because their brightest stars form recognizable constellation figures. Vulpecula and Equuleus are more challenging targets, even in good conditions. The brightest star in Vulpecula, the red giant Anser, has a visual magnitude of 4.40, while the luminary of Equuleus, the yellow giant Kitalpha, shines at magnitude 3.919.
The constellation Pegasus (the Winged Horse), recognizable for the Square of Pegasus, rises in the northeast in the evening. Its brightest star, the red supergiant Enif, can be used to find Equuleus. Aquarius (the Water Bearer) rises in the east and its zodiac neighbour Capricornus (the Sea Goat) in the southeast. The two zodiac constellations are relatively inconspicuous.
The brightest stars of Pegasus, Aquarius and Capricornus — Enif, Sadalsuud, Sadalmelik, and Deneb Algedi — form an asterism called the Lightning Bolt. The zig-zag pattern is easy to spot on a clear night. Enif, the brightest of the four stars, appears almost directly east around 10 pm.
Eastern sky in the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Northern sky
The northern circumpolar constellations Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), Draco (the Dragon), Cepheus (the King), Cassiopeia (the Queen), and Camelopardalis (the Giraffe) appear in the northern sky in the evening. Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Lynx lie in the northwest, and Perseus rises above the northern horizon.
The bear constellations are recognizable for the Big and Little Dippers. The fainter Little Dipper appears upside down around 10 pm, with Polaris (the North Star) pointing toward the horizon. The faint Camelopardalis appears between Polaris and the northern horizon.
The Big Dipper, formed by seven bright stars in Ursa Major, dominates the northwestern sky. The tail of Draco is found between the Dippers and the rest of its body winds around the Little Dipper’s bowl in the direction of Cygnus in the northeast. Eltanin and Rastaban, the bright stars that mark the Dragon’s eyes, lie on the imaginary line extended through the beam of the Northern Cross.
Northern sky in the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
The bright Cassiopeia rises in the northeastern sky. Its brightest stars form Cassiopeia’s W, a prominent northern asterism that can be used to find the fainter Cepheus. A line extended from Schedar through Caph, the rightmost stars of the W, leads to Alderamin, the brightest star in Cepheus. Alderamin appears at the base of an asterism sometimes called the House of Cepheus. The stick house pattern is what makes the constellation recognizable. It appears fainter than Cassiopeia’s W, but can be made out just above it on a clear night.
The Northern Cross, the asterism that dominates the constellation Cygnus, appears high in the northeastern sky. Deneb, the star at the top of the Cross, is the brightest star in Cygnus and the 19th brightest star in the sky. The luminous supergiant shines at magnitude 1.25 from a distance of 2,615 light-years. It is the most distant first magnitude star.
Western sky
The brightest constellations setting in the west at this time of the year are Boötes (the Herdsman) and Virgo (the Maiden). By 10 pm, Leo (the Lion) begins to sink below the horizon. These constellations dominate the northern spring sky and, as the summer progresses, they keep setting earlier in the evening.
Boötes hosts Arcturus, the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. The red giant appears at the base of the Kite, a relatively bright asterism found between Ursa Major, Draco, Corona Borealis, and Virgo. Arcturus is easily identified as the brightest star that appears along the imaginary curved line extended from the handle of the Big Dipper.
Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, is found by extending the line from the Big Dipper’s handle past Arcturus. Virgo, the second largest constellation in the sky, lies above the southwestern horizon in the evening.
Western sky in the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Two smaller and fainter constellations appear in the area of the sky between the Big Dipper’s handle and the constellation Virgo: Canes Venatici and Coma Berenices. The brightest stars in Canes Venatici (the Hunting Dogs) – Cor Caroli and Chara – are parallel to Alkaid and Mizar, the stars at the end of the Dipper’s handle.
Coma Berenices is found between Arcturus and Denebola, the star marking the Lion’s tail. The constellation’s brightest star, Beta Comae Berenices, shines at magnitude 4.26 and is a challenging target from heavily light-polluted areas. However, Coma Berenices contains the bright, large Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111), an open cluster visible to the unaided eye. The cluster stretches across an area of 7.5 degrees and has an apparent magnitude of 1.8.
Southern sky
The zodiac constellations Sagittarius (the Archer) and Scorpius (the Scorpion) dominate the southern sky in the evening. The less conspicuous Libra (the Scales) appears as the extension of the Scorpion’s Claws, and Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer) occupies much of the sky between Antares in Scorpius and Vega in Lyra.
Sagittarius appears in the southeastern sky. The Archer is easily identified by the Teapot asterism, formed by the constellation’s eight brightest stars. On a very clear night, the Milky Way appears as steam coming from the spout of the Teapot. The fainter Scutum (the Shield), the home of the Wild Duck Cluster (Messier 11), can be made out between the tail of Aquila and the Teapot.
Southern sky from the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Scorpius is one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky. Its brightest star, the red supergiant Antares, is the 15th brightest star in the sky. It is part of the Fish Hook, an asterism that curves in the direction of the Teapot in Sagittarius. Antares connects the Fish Hook with the Scorpion’s claws. Shaula, the second brightest star in Scorpius, marks the Scorpion’s stinger with its fainter neighbour Lesath. The stinger can be used to find two exceptionally bright open clusters: the Butterfly Cluster (Messier 6, mag. 4.2) and the Ptolemy Cluster (Messier 7, mag. 3.3).
Lupus (the Wolf) makes an appearance above the southern horizon in the evening. It can be seen below the Scorpion’s claws. The entire constellation is only visible to observers south of the latitude 35° N.
Ophiuchus, the 11th largest constellation in the sky, appears high above the southern horizon in the evening. It does not stand out next to its zodiac neighbours Scorpius and Sagittarius, but it is fairly recognizable because its brightest stars form a large polygon. The Serpent Bearer appears between the Keystone in Hercules and the constellation figures of the Scorpion and the Archer. It divides the constellation Serpens in two. The head of the Serpent can be found just below Corona Borealis, while its tail is visible between the constellation figures of Ophiuchus and Aquila on a clear night.
Equatorial latitudes
Observers in the equatorial latitudes see many of the same constellations as those in the mid-northern locations, but these constellations do not appear in the same place. Additionally, observers near the equator can see many constellations in the southern sky that are invisible to northern observers.
The constellations high overhead at this time of the year are Aquila (the Eagle), Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer) and Sagittarius (the Archer). The small, faint Scutum (the Shield) is found between the tail of Aquila and the Teapot in Sagittarius. The tail of Serpens appears in the region between the Eagle’s wing and Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius.
Tonight’s sky as seen from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Aquila is recognizable for its bird-like shape, with the bright Altair at the bird’s head or neck forming an asterism known as the Shaft of Aquila (or Family of Aquila) with the two fainter stars flanking it, Alshain and Tarazed. The Shaft of Aquila can be used to find the faint, V-shaped constellation figure of Capricornus (the Sea Goat), which appears high in the southeast in the evening.
Northern sky
Hercules and Draco (the Dragon), the fifth and eighth largest constellations in the sky, appear well above the northern horizon in the evening. The bowl of the Little Dipper in Ursa Minor (the Smaller Bear) is close to the horizon, and Polaris stays invisible from locations near the equator due to its location near the north celestial pole.
Hercules is recognizable for the Keystone asterism, which outlines the mythical hero’s torso. The Keystone appears between Vega in the constellation Lyra and the Northern Crown (Corona Borealis). It can be used to find the Hercules Globular Cluster (Messier 13) and the globular cluster Messier 92.
Northern sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
The tail of Draco appears between the Big and Little Dippers, and the rest of the Dragon curves around the bowl of the Little Dipper in the direction of the Northern Cross in Cygnus (the Swan). Most of Cepheus (the King) is visible in the northeast, and the handle of the Big Dipper makes an appearance above the northwestern horizon.
Lyra, recognizable for its parallelogram next to the bright Vega, is high above the northern horizon, and Cygnus dominates the northeastern sky. The Northern Cross in Cygnus appears upside down from locations near the equator.
Eastern sky
The constellations rising in the east around 10 pm are Pegasus, Aquarius (the Water Bearer) and Pisces (the Fishes). The Great Square of Pegasus and the Circlet of Pisces are visible above the eastern horizon, but the entire constellations become visible later in the evening.
Aquarius, recognizable for the Water Jar asterism, is well above the horizon and its faint zodiac neighbour Capricornus can be seen in the southeastern sky on a clear night.
Eastern sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Western sky
The most prominent constellation setting in the west at this time of the year is Virgo. The hot blue variable star Spica, the 16th brightest star in the sky, appears at the base of the Y of Virgo, an asterism that forms the most visible part of Virgo. The Y appears horizontal in the evening and has partly set by 10 pm. One end of the crooked Y points toward the faint Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair), another constellation that sets early in July.
The zodiac constellation Libra (the Scales) appears higher in the sky, between Spica and the claws of Scorpius, and the head of the Serpent can be spotted between Antares and Corona Borealis.
Western sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
The Kite of Boötes (the Herdsman), with the bright Arcturus at the base, lies in the northwest, and Centaurus appears in the southwest. Its brightest stars, Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar (Alpha and Beta Centauri), point toward the stars of the Southern Cross, which set early at this time of the year.
The relatively bright Lupus (the Wolf) appears higher in the southwestern sky, between the Southern Pointers (Alpha and Beta Centauri) and the Scorpion’s claws.
Southern sky
The brightest constellations in the southern sky are Triangulum Australe (the Southern Triangle) and Ara (the Altar).
Triangulum Australe is one of the smallest constellations in the sky but is easily recognizable for the triangle asterism formed by its three brightest stars, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Trianguli Australis. Atria (Alpha TrA) is the 42nd brightest star in the sky and one of the stars listed for use in celestial navigation. The constellation is found near the luminaries of Centaurus, Alpha and Beta Centauri.
The faint Circinus lies between the Southern Pointers (Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar) and Triangulum Australe. It represents the Compass (the drafting tool).
Southern sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Ara (the Altar) appears between Triangulum Australe and the Fish Hook of Scorpius. The constellation’s brightest star, the bright giant or supergiant Beta Arae, shines at magnitude 2.84 from a distance of 720 light-years. The northwestern part of the constellation lies in the field of the Milky Way’s bright band.
The fainter Norma (the Carpenter’s Square) appears between the southernmost part of the Fish Hook and the Southern Pointers. The constellation is difficult to see from urban areas because its brightest star, the class K giant Gamma2 Normae, shines at magnitude 4.02.
Pavo (the Peacock), one of the Southern Birds, appears east of Atria. The constellation is relatively faint but hosts the bright Peacock (Alpha Pavonis), one of the 58 navigational stars.
Octans, the home of the South Star and the south celestial pole, appears very low above the southern horizon and is another challenging target for observers in light-polluted areas. The constellation’s brightest star, the orange giant Nu Octantis, has a visual magnitude of 3.73. The pole star, Sigma Octantis, is invisible from the equator. It appears just south of the constellation figure of Octans.
Southern hemisphere
The brightest constellations high overhead in the evening for observers in the southern hemisphere are Sagittarius (the Archer) and Scorpius (the Scorpion). Centaurus (the Centaur) and Triangulum Australe (the Southern Triangle) also appear high in the evening sky, and Lupus (the Wolf) is found between Centaurus and Scorpius.
Sagittarius and Scorpius are among the most distinctive zodiac constellations. The brightest stars of the celestial Archer form the Teapot asterism, which is used to find the many bright deep sky objects that appear in this region of the sky. These include the bright nebulae Messier 8 (the Trifid Nebula), Messier 17 (the Omega Nebula), and Messier 20 (the Lagoon Nebula).
Tonight’s sky as seen from the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Scorpius hosts the red supergiant Antares, the 15th brightest star in the sky. Antares is part of the Fish Hook, an asterism that curves from the Scorpion’s heart (Antares) to its stinger (Shaula and Lesath). Antares can be used to find the bright globular clusters Messier 4 and Messier 80.
Shaula, the second brightest star in Scorpius, is a guide to the open clusters Messier 6 (the Butterfly Cluster) and Messier 7 (Ptolemy’s Cluster). M6 and M7 lie between the Scorpion’s stinger and the Teapot in Sagittarius.
Northern sky
The northern evening sky features three large but relatively inconspicuous constellations and two small ones with easily recognizable star patterns.
Hercules, Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer) and Serpens (the Snake) are the 5th, 11th, and 23rd largest constellations in the sky respectively. Hercules is recognizable for the Keystone asterism, found between the conspicuous semi-circle of stars in Corona Borealis and the harp-like pattern of Lyra. The Keystone, which outlines the torso of Hercules, can be used to find the Hercules Globular Cluster (Messier 13) and the globular cluster Messier 92.
Rasalhague, the brightest star in Ophiuchus, is quite bright at magnitude 2.07. The giant star can be found about halfway between Vega in Lyra and Antares in Scorpius. It marks the head of the Serpent Bearer (Asclepius) and is the northernmost star in the large polygon figure of Ophiuchus.
Northern sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Ophiuchus splits the constellation Serpens into two parts: Serpens Caput (the Serpent’s Head) and Serpens Cauda (the Serpent’s Tail). The head lies between Corona Borealis and the Scorpion’s claws, and the tail is found in the area between Antares and Altair.
The two small but recognizable constellations in the northern sky at this time of the year are Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown) and Lyra. The constellation figure of Corona Borealis appears between Arcturus in Boötes (the Herdsman) and the Keystone in Hercules. Alphecca, the constellation’s brightest star, marks the jewel in the crown.
The bright Vega, the luminary of the constellation Lyra, is recognizable for the nearby parallelogram pattern that forms the main constellation figure of the celestial Harp. Vega is the fifth brightest star in the sky and one of our nearest neighbours. It lies only 25.04 light-years away.
Eastern sky
Two faint zodiac constellations – Aquarius (the Water Bearer) and Capricornus (the Sea Goat) – rise in the east in the evening. They lie between the brighter Sagittarius and the eastern horizon. The faint, V-shaped outline of Capricornus is visible on a clear night, and Aquarius is identified by the Water Jar asterism. The stream of water flowing from the Water Jar in the direction of Fomalhaut, the brightest star of Piscis Austrinus (the Southern Fish), is visible in good conditions.
Fomalhaut, the star marking the mouth of the Southern Fish, is the 18th brightest star in the sky. Other stars in Piscis Austrinus are 4th magnitude and fainter.
Eastern sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Western sky
The constellations setting in the west around 10 pm are Virgo (the Maiden), Corvus (the Crow), and Crater (the Cup). The bright Centaurus and Crux are high in the southwestern sky, and Boötes sets in the northwest. Libra appears between its brighter zodiac neighbours Virgo and Scorpius.
The bright Spica, the luminary of Virgo, can be used to find the constellation Corvus. The brightest stars of Corvus form an asterism called Spica’s Spanker or the Sail. The quadrilateral asterism lies south of Virgo and points toward Spica. The fainter Crater lies between Corvus and the western horizon in the evening. Its brightest star, the class K giant Delta Crateris, shines at magnitude 3.56.
Western sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Southern sky
The southern sky is filled mostly with small, faint constellations that require good conditions to be seen. Octans (the Octant), the home of the south celestial pole, is high above the southern horizon in the evening. The constellation is a challenging target from light-polluted areas. Polaris Australis (Sigma Octantis), the nearest visible star to the pole, is barely visible at magnitude 5.47.
Hydrus (the Lesser Water Snake), Chamaeleon, and Musca (the Fly) occupy the region between the bright Achernar in Eridanus (the River) and Acrux in Crux (the Southern Cross), while Reticulum (the Reticle) is found between Achernar and Canopus.
Southern sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
The bright constellations Carina (the Keel) and Vela (the Sails) appear in the southern and southwestern sky. They were once part of Argo Navis, the largest constellation in the sky. In Greek mythology, Argo Navis (the Ship Argo) was the ship on which Jason and the Argonauts sailed to Colchis on their quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Carina represented the keel of Argo and Vela, the sails. They formed Argo Navis with Puppis (the Stern).
Canopus, Carina’s brightest star, is the second brightest star in the sky. It is below the horizon around 10 pm, but the bright Miaplacidus and Avior can be seen below the Southern Cross in the evening. Miaplacidus is part of the Diamond Cross, and Avior is one of the four stars that form the False Cross.
Tucana, Phoenix, Grus, and Pavo, representing the Toucan, the Phoenix, the Crane, and the Peacock, are collectively known as the Southern Birds. These constellations appear in the southeastern sky. They are not particularly conspicuous but three of them host navigational stars: Ankaa (Alpha Phoenicis), Alnair (Alpha Gruis), and Peacock (Alpha Pavonis).
Tucana is home to 47 Tucanae, one of the brightest globular clusters in the sky. It also hosts most of the Small Magellanic Cloud. The Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy near the Milky Way, is one of the most distant objects visible to the unaided eye. The nearby Large Magellanic Cloud, the Milky Way’s close neighbour, is found in the constellations Dorado (the Dolphinfish) and Mensa (Table Mountain). The Magellanic Clouds are easily visible without binoculars on a clear night; the LMC has an apparent magnitude of 0.9 and the SMC, 2.7.