Best Constellations Season-by-Season: Northern Hemisphere
Seasonal constellations are groups of stars that are best visible in the night sky during specific seasons. In this guide, we have selected the best constellations to watch during summer, autumn, winter, and spring for those observing from the Northern Hemisphere. To learn about the seasonal constellations in the Southern Hemisphere, read our dedicated article.
Contents
- Why are different constellations visible during different seasons?
- How to find constellations in the sky?
- Summer constellations
- Autumn constellations
- Winter constellations
- Spring constellations
- Bottom line
Why are different constellations visible during different seasons?
The stars are always up in the sky, but we can only see them at night because the sunlight blocks us from observing them during the day. Without the Sun shining, the winter constellations would be visible in the summer daytime sky (and vice versa).
As the Earth moves along the orbit throughout the year, the position of the Sun on the celestial sphere changes. The location of the Sun in the winter sky is opposite to that in the summer sky. Therefore, on winter nights, we see constellations that are not visible in summer. For example, the Summer Triangle is high above the horizon in summer, while Orion, with his Belt outlined by three stars, can be observed in winter. They are visible from dusk to dawn in their season and stay high above the horizon.
How to find constellations in the sky?
The easiest way to locate a constellation is to use stargazing apps, such as Star Walk and Sky Tonight. For example, the latter has a user-friendly search system, so you can simply type the name of the constellation you want to find into the search box and tap the blue target icon opposite the corresponding result. The app will take you to the main screen and show you the constellation's location on a night sky map. Try tapping the big blue button with the compass icon, or just point your device up, and you will see where the constellation is in the real sky above you.
Some constellations have prominent features that make them easy to find. For example, you can locate Orion by the Orion’s Belt asterism and Canis Major by its brightest star, Sirius (check our quick guide on spotting this and 14 other bright stars in the sky). We’ve compiled the top 7 easiest-to-find constellations in our infographic. With our hints, you will quickly identify them in the sky.
Summer constellations
In the Northern Hemisphere, summer is the best time to observe Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila. Their brightest stars – Deneb, Vega, and Altair – make up the Summer Triangle asterism.
Cygnus
The distinctive shape of Cygnus makes it a beautiful and easily recognizable constellation. Naked-eye observers can find the Northern Cross asterism, which marks the swan’s body: Deneb and Albireo are for the tail and head, Fawaris and Aljanah are for the wings, and Sadr shines at the center. You can see Cygnus “flying” over the Milky Way in a dark location. There are also notable deep-sky objects visible through binoculars or a telescope: the North America Nebula (NGC 7000), Veil Nebula (NGC 6960), Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888), and Blinking Planetary (NGC 6826), as well as two Messier objects – M29 and M39 star clusters.
Lyra
The constellation Lyra is the home of the star Vega, the fifth-brightest star in the sky and the third-brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere. Optical devices will reveal the two Messier objects in Lyra: M56 globular cluster and the Ring Nebula (M57).
Aquila
The constellation Aquila is placed on the celestial equator. Altair, its main star, is one of the brightest stars in the sky and one of the closest naked-eye stars to the Earth (it lies 17 light-years from us). The star is easily visible in the summer sky. At the tip of the Eagle’s tail, observers with telescopes can find NGC 6751, also known as the Glowing Eye Nebula.
Autumn constellations
The autumn sky over the Northern Hemisphere is dominated by the Greek myth characters: Cassiopeia, Andromeda, and Pegasus.
Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia is known for its "W"-shaped asterism that is formed by the five brightest stars in the constellation: Segin, Ruchbah, Tsih, Schedar, and Caph, all visible to the naked eye. The constellation also contains a wide variety of deep-sky objects. Binoculars will resolve star clusters (M52, M103, NGC 457, NGC 663). Through a telescope, you can see several galaxies (NGC 147, NGC 185, NGC 278) and the Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) – a cloud of space gas named after the character of the eponymous game.
Astronomers often name nebulae after objects or characters they think the nebula resembles. But sometimes, the connection between the nebula’s shape and its name is not obvious. Can you guess the nebula’s name by its photo? Pass our quiz and check!
Pegasus
Pegasus is one of the largest constellations (the 7th out of 88). It is easily recognized by the Great Square of Pegasus asterism in which only three stars – Scheat, Markab, and Algenib – belong to the constellation Pegasus (Alpheratz is a part of the constellation Andromeda). The stars are visible to the naked eye. The best binocular target in the constellation is M15 or the Pegasus Cluster.
Those looking for a more challenging object should try to find the NGC 7814 galaxy. To find the tricky object in the sky, type the galaxy’s name in the Sky Tonight’s search box and tap on the blue target icon. The app will show its location in the night sky, so you can easily point your telescope at it.
Andromeda
Andromeda is located between Cassiopeia and Pegasus. Its brightest star, Alpheratz, marks the upper-left corner of the Great Square asterism that mostly lies in the constellation Pegasus. Andromeda is also known for being home to the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), which is visible to the naked eye in dark skies and is the closest galaxy to our own Milky Way. The other galaxies you can find within the constellation with the help of a telescope are M32, M110, NGC 404, and NGC 891.
Winter constellations
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere is the best time to observe three of the most well-known constellations – Orion, Canis Major, and Taurus.
Orion
Orion is one of the most recognizable and prominent constellations in the sky, with its distinctive Orion’s Belt asterism making it easy to locate. Besides the three stars forming the Belt (Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka), naked-eye observers can also spot Rigel, Betelgeuse, Bellatrix, and Saif – the brightest stars in the constellation that mark out Orion’s body. The constellation also contains many curious deep-sky objects in the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. The Orion Nebula (M42) is bright enough to be observed with the unaided eye. The Horsehead Nebula (IC 434), De Mairan’s Nebula (M43), the M78 reflection nebula, and the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024) can be found with the use of a telescope.
Canis Major
Canis Major is an outstanding constellation because it contains Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. One of the notable deep-sky objects in the constellation is the Little Beehive Cluster (M41), which is visible even with the unaided eye, given the dark sky with no light pollution. The interesting telescope targets are Thor’s Helmet Nebula (NGC 2359) and the two colliding spiral galaxies – NGC 2207 and IC 2163.
Taurus
The V-shaped asterism, dominated by the bright red star Aldebaran, which marks the Bull’s eye, makes Taurus a beautiful and easily identifiable constellation. Taurus holds the famous Pleiades (M45) and Hyades (C 41) star clusters, which are one of the brightest deep-sky objects: they can be spotted even with the naked eye. With the help of a telescope, you can find the Crab Nebula (M1).
Spring constellations
The spring sky in the Northern Hemisphere offers a stunning display of celestial wonders, including the zodiac constellations Leo and Virgo, as well as iconic Ursa Major.
Leo
The constellation Leo can be identified by the distinctive "sickle"-shaped star pattern representing the head and shoulders of the Lion. It is formed by the six bright stars: Regulus (the most prominent star in the constellation), η Leonis, Algieba, Adhafera, Rasalas, and Ras Elased Australis. Observers equipped with optical devices will find a bunch of Messier objects (M65, M66, M95, M96, M105) and galaxies (NGC 3370, NGC 3628) within the constellation.
Virgo
Virgo is the second-largest constellation in the sky known for its bright star Spica. It is also notable for being home to many Messier objects, including the Radio Galaxy Virgo A (M87) and the Sombrero Galaxy (M104), which make a good target for a telescope. To get a complete list, open Sky Tonight, find the constellation Virgo, and tap on its name. In the “Info” tab, tap the “+More” button under the picture. You’ll see the list of objects related to the constellation Virgo. Tap on the blue target icon opposite the object to see its position in the sky.
Ursa Major
Ursa Major is circumpolar, which means it is visible all year round, but in spring, it climbs the highest in the sky. The Big Dipper is an outstanding feature of the constellation and one of the most recognizable asterisms: you can easily spot it with the naked eye. It is formed by the stars Benetnash (Alkaid), Mizar-Alcor, Alioth, Megrez, Dubhe, Merak, and Phad (Phecda). Ursa Major contains many well-known deep-sky objects. The Bode’s Galaxy (M81) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82) can be seen close together through binoculars. The Owl Nebula (M97) and the Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) are visible through a telescope.
Bottom line
Seasonal constellations are groups of stars that are best visible in the night sky during specific seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila can be observed in summer. Cassiopeia, Pegasus, and Andromeda are best seen in autumn. Orion, Canis Major, and Taurus rule the winter sky. Leo, Virgo, and Ursa Major shine the brightest in spring. Each of these constellations holds good targets for both amateur and seasoned astronomers.
