Stargazing
Index to the Constellations
A Summary of the Constellations and the Features of Each
This page provides an alphabetical listing of the constellations that are described in one or more of the sky tours -- that is, those visible from latitude North 45°. Each constellation is linked to its (most detailed) description in the tours. With each constellation, its key astronomical features are listed. Note that some constellations have no astronomical features that would be of interest for a stargazing group, although there are other cool stories to tell for any given constellation. Follow the links to find all of these.
- Andromeda
- Andromeda Galaxy
- Blue Snowball
- γ Andromedae
- Aquarius
- Aquila
- Altair & Pilot Stars
- η Aquilae
- Wild Duck Cluster
- Aries
- γ Arietis double star
- λ Arietis double star
- Auriga
- Capella
- ε Aurigae eclipsing variable
- M36, M37, & M38 Open Clusters
- The Crab Nebula (really in Taurus, but I have it on the page for neighboring Auriga)
The following are interesting for astronomy students, and I don't usually pursue them for stargazers. - Boötes
- Arcturus
- M3 Globular Cluster
- Cancer
- The Beehive
- Canes Venatici
- Canis Major
- Sirius
- Adhara
- M41 Open Cluster
- Canis Minor
- Procyon
- Capricornus
- α Capricornus (Giedi Prime)
- Cassiopeia
- Remarkably, Cassiopeia is not for stargazers,
other than recognizing the "Big W" (and sweeping
it with binoculars to see the amazing field of
stars). There is an abundance of targets for
the astronomers in your group, though. A
couple are mentioned in the tours:
- M52
- NGC663
- Cepheus
- μ Cephei
- δ Cephei
- Cetus
- Mira
- Coma Berenices
- Galactic North Pole
- Black Eye Galaxy
- Corona Borealis
- α Corona Borealis
- Corvus
- Sombrero Galaxy
...strictly speaking this is part of Virgo but you find it (most easily) off of the northeast corner of Corvus
- Sombrero Galaxy
- Crater
- Cygnus
- Deneb
- Albireo
- Delphinus
- Draco
- ν Draconis
- Thuban
- Equuleus
- Gemini
- Castor & Pollux
- M35 open cluster
- Christmas Tree Cluster
- ζ Gemini
- Eskimo Nebula
- Hercules
- Keystone
- α Herculis
- M13 Globular Cluster
- Hydra
- M48 Lost Star Cluster
- Alphard
- Ghost of Jupiter
- M83 Spiral Galaxy
...and, only under a crystal-clear sky with a monster telescope, - Leo
- Regulus
- γ Leonis
- M65 & M66 Galaxies
- Leo Minor
- Lepus
- γ Leporis (double star)
- M79 Globular Cluster
- Libra
- Zubeneschamali
- Zubenelgenubi
- Lyra
- Vega
- Double Double
- β Lyrae
- Ring Nebula
- Ophiuchus
- Orion
- Betegeuse & Rigel
- M42 Orion Nebula
- M78 Reflection Nebula
- Pegasus
- Great Square of Pegasus
- M15 Globular Cluster
- Perseus
- Algol
- α Persei
- M34 Open Cluster
- Double Cluster
- Pisces
- ζ Piscium
- TX Piscium
- M74 Galaxy
...and for the astronomers in the group... - Piscis Austrinus
- Fomalhaut
- Sagitta
-
...as noted in the reference page, I show these with Sagitta
even though they are technically part of Vulpecula, which is
too faint for anyone to care about...
- The Coathanger
- Dumbbell Nebula
- Sagittarius
- The Teapot & Teaspoon
- M8 Lagoon Nebula
- M20 Trifid Nebula
- M22 Globular Cluster
- Scorpius
- Antares
- Scorpion's Claws
- M4 Globular Cluster
- μ Scorpii
- ζ Scorpii
- Northern Jewel Box
- Shaula
- M6 Butterfly Cluster
- M7 Open Cluster
- Serpens
- ...I don't mention this on the page (it is on the picture)
but a good target in this constellation for your astronomers is
- The Eagle Nebula
- Taurus
- Aldebaran
- The Pleiades
- The Hyades
- Triangulum
- M33 Pinwheel Galaxy
- Ursa Major
- Three Leaps of the Gazelle
- M81 & M82 Galaxies
- Pointer Stars
- Mizar & Alcor
- Ursa Minor
- Virgo
- Spica
- Virgo Cluster: M84 & M86 Galaxies
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Questions
Your questions and comments regarding the Stargazing section are welcome.
You can e-mail the author, Randy Culp for inquiries,
suggestions, new ideas or just to chat.
Updated 18 July 2023