The constellations in tonight’s sky host many familiar star patterns. For northern observers, spring is the best time of year to see the Big Dipper in Ursa Major (the Great Bear), the Little Dipper in Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), the Kite in Boötes (the Herdsman), and the Sickle of Leo (the Lion). Observers in the southern hemisphere can observe the stars and deep sky objects near the Southern Cross in Crux, the Fish Hook in Scorpius, and the Teapot in Sagittarius.
The night sky tonight looks different depending on the location. The constellation maps below show the sky around 10 pm in the mid-northern, equatorial, and mid-southern latitudes.
Northern hemisphere
Observers in the mid-northern latitudes can see Ursa Major, the Great Bear, high overhead in the evening. The constellation makes its way across the sky during the night. Its seven bright stars – Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Phecda, Dubhe, and Merak – form the Big Dipper, one of the most recognizable asterisms in the northern celestial hemisphere.
The Big Dipper can be used to identify the red giant Arcturus, the brightest northern star, and the Kite pattern in Boötes, the Herdsman. Arcturus appears at the base of the Kite and can be found by following the imaginary curved line formed by the Big Dipper’s handle. The same imaginary line also leads to Spica, the brightest star in Virgo.
The Hunting Dogs (Canes Venatici) of Boötes appear below the Big Dipper’s handle. Cor Caroli, the brightest star in Canes Venatici, forms the Diamond of Virgo with Arcturus, Spica and Denebola at the Lion’s tail. Arcturus and Spica also form the Spring Triangle with Regulus, the brightest star in Leo.
Tonight’s sky as seen from the mid-northern latitudes, image: Stellarium
Eastern sky
The constellations visible in the eastern sky around 10 pm include Boötes (the Herdsman), Hercules (Heracles), Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown), Serpens (the Serpent), Lyra (the Lyre), and Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer). Cygnus (the Swan) rises in the northeast and the zodiac constellations Virgo (the Maiden) and Libra (the Scales) appear in the southeastern sky.
Vega and Arcturus, the brightest stars in the northern celestial hemisphere, both appear in the east. Vega is identified as the bright star above Lyra’s parallelogram pattern, while Arcturus sits at the base of the Kite in Boötes. Arcturus can be found by following the arc of the Big Dipper’s handle. Spica, the luminary of Virgo, lies along the same curved line. It appears at the base of the Y of Virgo, an asterism that can be used to find the Virgo Cluster of galaxies.
Other bright stars in the eastern sky include Alphecca, the jewel in the Northern Crown, Rasalhague in Ophiuchus, and Eltanin in Draco. Eltanin and its neighbour Rastaban mark the Dragon’s eyes in the rectangular asterism that outlines the head of Draco.
Eastern sky in the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
The Keystone, a fainter asterism that represents the torso of Hercules, also appears in the east, between the constellation figures of Lyra and Corona Borealis. The Keystone can be used to find the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13) and the smaller globular cluster M92.
Deneb, the most distant first-magnitude star, rises in the northeastern sky around 10 pm. It marks the top of the Northern Cross, one of the most familiar asterisms of the northern summer sky. The asterism outlines the body of the celestial Swan. Aljanah, Sadr and Fawaris form the crossbeam and Albireo marks the base of the cross.
Northern sky
The constellations in the northern sky tonight include Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), Draco (the Dragon), Cassiopeia (the Queen), Cepheus (the King), and Camelopardalis (the Giraffe). These constellations are circumpolar (visible throughout the year) from locations in the mid-northern latitudes. Ursa Minor hosts Polaris (the North Star), the nearest visible star to the northern celestial pole. Polaris marks the end of the Little Dipper’s handle and the tip of the Little Bear’s tail. It can be found by extending a line through the outer stars of the Big Dipper’s bowl.
The constellation Draco occupies much of the northern sky in the evening. The Dragon’s head appears between the pole star and the Keystone in Hercules, while its tail lies between the Big and Little Dippers. The Dragon’s eyes, marked by the stars Eltanin and Rastaban, are found by following the line of the beam of the Northern Cross in Cygnus.
Two other prominent asterisms – the W of Cassiopeia and the House of Cepheus – are also visible above the northern horizon. Cassiopeia’s W is formed by the five brightest stars of Cassiopeia. Schedar and Caph, the rightmost stars of the W, can be used to find Alderamin, the brightest star in Cepheus.
Northern sky in the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Western sky
The constellations that dominated the winter sky now set in the west in the evening. These constellations – Auriga (the Charioteer), Gemini (the Twins), and Canis Minor (the Lesser Dog) – host some of the brightest stars in the sky.
Capella, the sixth brightest star in the sky, is part of Auriga’s hexagon. Procyon, the eighth brightest star, is the luminary of Canis Minor. Pollux and Castor, the 17th and 23rd brightest stars, mark the heads of the mythical Twins represented by Gemini. Capella, Procyon and Pollux form the upper half of the Winter Circle. The lower half of the asterism is formed by Sirius, Rigel and Aldebaran, which are below the horizon around 10 pm.
Hydra (the Water Snake), the largest constellation in the sky, is visible in the southwest, while Perseus sets in the northwest. The fainter constellations Cancer (the Crab), Lynx and Camelopardalis (the Giraffe) require very clear, dark skies to be seen.
Western sky in the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Southern sky
The constellations in the southern sky tonight include the zodiac constellations Virgo and Leo, which are high above the southern horizon in the evening. Leo is recognizable for the Sickle, an asterism that outlines the Lion’s head and mane. Regulus, the bright star that marks the Lion’s heart, is the 21st brightest star in the sky. The Sickle can be used to identify Alphard, the brightest star in the otherwise faint Hydra.
The Y of Virgo, a crooked Y pattern with the bright Spica at the base, is the most visible part of Virgo. The large asterism extends from Spica in the direction of Denebola at the Lion’s tail and the faint constellation Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair).
The rectangular asterism formed by the brightest stars in Corvus (the Crow) is known as the Sail or Spica’s Spanker. It can be used to find the famous Sombrero Galaxy (Messier 104) in Virgo, the Antennae Galaxies (NGC 4038 and NGC 4039) in Corvus, and the globular cluster Messier 68 in Hydra.
Southern sky from the northern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Equatorial latitudes
Observers in 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 in the sky. Additionally, observers near the equator can see a number of constellations in the southern sky that are invisible to northern observers.
The zodiac constellation Virgo (the Maiden) and Libra (the Scales) are high overhead at this time of the year. The brightest stars in Libra appear as the extended claws of the celestial Scorpion, while Virgo is recognizable for the Y-shaped asterism formed by its brightest stars. Spica, the constellation’s brightest star, appears at the base of the Y.
The constellations Corvus and Crater, which represent the raven and cup of the god Apollo, can be found using Spica. The brightest stars in Corvus form an asterism known as Spica’s Spanker or the Sail, while the fainter Crater appears below the centre of the Y of Virgo. Both constellations are perched on the back of Hydra, the Water Snake.
Centaurus (the Centaur), one of the brightest constellations in the sky, also appears high above the horizon at this time of year. The bright stars of the neighbouring Crux form the Southern Cross, one of the best-known asterisms in the southern hemisphere.
Tonight’s sky as seen from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Northern sky
Ursa Major (the Great Bear), Draco (the Dragon) and a portion of Ursa Minor (the Smaller Bear) appear above the northern horizon in the evening. Polaris in Ursa Minor is invisible from locations south of the equator, but Kochab and Pherkad, the Guardians of the Pole, rise high enough above the horizon to be visible.
The bright Lyra appears in the northeast and the faint Lynx and Leo Minor (the Little Lion) in the northwest. Hercules, recognizable for the Keystone asterism, appears higher in the northeastern sky, above Vega (Lyra’s brightest star).
Northern sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Eastern sky
Ophiuchus (the Serpent-Bearer) and Serpens (the Serpent) take up much of the eastern sky. These constellations are less prominent than their zodiac neighbours Sagittarius (the Archer) and Scorpius (the Scorpion), which lie in the southeastern sky.
Ophiuchus appears between the Keystone in Hercules and the constellation figure of Scorpius. The head of the Serpent can be found between Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown) and the claws of the Scorpion, while its tail is visible below the constellation figure of Ophiuchus on a clear night.
Eastern sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Western sky
The brightest constellation in the western sky is Leo. Recognizable for the Sickle asterism and the bright Regulus, the constellation appears with the tail up when seen from equatorial locations. The much fainter Cancer lies below Leo. The easiest way to locate it is to find the bright Beehive Cluster (Praesepe), which appears in the centre of the constellation. The cluster is easily visible to the unaided eye on a clear night.
Hydra, the largest constellation in the sky, is not particularly bright but it can be found using the Sickle of Leo. Alphard, Hydra’s brightest star, is the only bright star in this area of the sky. The head of Hydra is formed by a circle of stars between Alphard and Tarf, the brightest star in Cancer.
Western sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Southern sky
Centaurus, Crux and Carina dominate the southern sky for observers in equatorial latitudes. These constellations host some of the brightest stars in the sky. Centaurus is home to the Southern Pointers, Alpha and Beta Centauri. Known by the proper names Rigil Kentaurus and Hadar, these stars point to the top of the Southern Cross, an asterism that can be used to find the south celestial pole.
The Southern Cross is the most visible part of the constellation Crux. Formed by the bright stars Acrux, Mimosa, Gacrux, Imai and Ginan, the asterism is the most recognizable feature of the far southern sky. Alpha and Beta Centauri help distinguish it from the larger and fainter False Cross, formed by four bright stars in Vela and Carina.
Southern sky from equatorial latitudes, image: Stellarium
Southern hemisphere
Scorpius (the Scorpion), Centaurus (the Centaur), Crux (the Southern Cross) and Carina (the Keel) are high above the horizon in the evening for observers in the southern hemisphere. Scorpius is recognizable for the Fish Hook and the Scorpion’s claws, with the bright red supergiant Antares connecting the two star patterns.
Centaurus hosts Alpha and Beta Centauri, the 3rd and 11th brightest stars in the sky. These two stars point toward the Southern Cross, an asterism that includes the 13th, 20th and 25th brightest stars: Acrux, Mimosa, and Gacrux.
Alpha Centauri, the nearest star system to the Sun, includes Proxima Centauri, the nearest individual star to the Sun. The fainter Lupus (the Wolf) can be found in the region between Antares (Alpha Scorpii) and Hadar (Beta Centauri).
Tonight’s sky as seen from the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Northern sky
The constellations Leo (the Lion), Virgo (the Maiden), and Boötes (the Herdsman) dominate the northern sky. Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, appears high above the horizon, almost directly north.
The bright Denebola and Arcturus make it easy to find the fainter Coma Berenices constellation, which lies between its better-known neighbours. Coma Berenices (Berenice’s Hair) hosts the Coma Star Cluster, a bright (mag. 1.8) open cluster that stretches across 7.5° of the sky. The famous contrasting double star Izar in the Kite of Boötes is another fine target for backyard telescopes.
Northern sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Eastern sky
Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer), Sagittarius (the Archer) and Scorpius (the Scorpion) are the most prominent constellations in the eastern sky. The two zodiac constellations are easily recognized for the asterisms formed by their brightest stars: the Fish Hook in Scorpius and the Teapot in Sagittarius.
The bright Antares marks the Scorpion’s heart and Shaula, the stinger. Kaus Australis, the brightest star in Sagittarius, is part of the Archer’s Bow. The constellation figure of Corona Australis, the Southern Crown, is visible next to the Teapot.
Eastern sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Western sky
Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, and its host constellation Canis Major (the Great Dog) set in the west in the evening. The triangle of stars above Sirius can be used to find the three constellations that once formed Argo Navis (the Ship Argo): Puppis (the Poop Deck), Carina (the Keel), and Vela (the Sails).
Hydra (the Water Snake), the largest constellation in the sky, is also visible in this part of the sky. The head of Hydra lies between Sirius and Regulus, and the constellation’s brightest star, Alphard, is part of the mythical monster’s back.
Western sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium
Southern sky
For observers in the southern hemisphere, the southern sky is filled with small, faint constellations that require good conditions to be made out. Carina (the Keel) is the most notable exception. The constellation is home to Canopus, the second brightest star in the sky, and to the bright Miaplacidus and Avior. These stars dominate the southwestern sky in the evening.
Other easily visible constellations include Triangulum Australe (the Southern Triangle), which contains the bright Atria, Pavo (the Peacock), which is home to the star Peacock (Alpha Pavonis), and the relatively bright Ara, representing the celestial Altar.
Achernar, the star marking the end of the celestial river (Eridanus) makes an appearance low above the southern horizon. The rest of the constellation is below the horizon in the evening.
The faint Octans (the Octant), which hosts the South Star (Sigma Octantis, also known as Polaris Australis), the marker of the south celestial pole, is difficult to make out from light-polluted areas. The same goes for Dorado (the Dolphinfish) and Mensa (Table Mountain), the constellations that host the Large Magellanic Cloud, the brightest galaxy in the sky and one of the nearest galaxies to the Milky Way.
Southern sky in the southern hemisphere, image: Stellarium