Best Constellations to See in May 2026
From tiny Crux to sprawling Virgo, the May night sky is full of bright star patterns worth exploring. In this guide, we’ve picked 7 constellations that are best seen this month, along with their brightest stars and notable deep-sky objects. Whether you want easy targets or a bit of a challenge, the free Star Walk 2 app will help you find them in the sky. Let’s begin!
Contents
- May constellations
- Constellations to see during other months
- Constellations visible in May: bottom line
May constellations
To see the constellations listed below, start looking at about 9 p.m. local time. Their exact positions in the sky vary depending on where you are and what time you’re looking at them.
To easily locate any star or constellation in your sky, use the free astronomy app Star Walk 2.
Remember, constellations in the west will set first, so if you're planning a long stargazing session, it's best to start with the objects near the western horizon. They’ll disappear from view first as the night goes on.
Also, the lower an object is in the sky, the more the Earth’s atmosphere distorts and dims it. That’s why it’s better to observe stars and deep-sky objects while they’re still high above the horizon, where atmospheric distortion is minimized, providing a clearer and brighter view.
Most of these constellations are visible from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. For your convenience, we provide the range of latitudes where a constellation can be seen.
Note that constellations are listed according to how prominently they appear in the sky — from the brightest to the faintest:
- ☆☆☆: a constellation is very bright and easy to see.
- ☆☆: a constellation is moderately bright and can be seen with some effort.
- ☆: you might need a pair of binoculars to see a constellation.
Regarding deep-sky objects:
- 👀 means that an object is visible to the naked eye.
- 🔭 means that an object is visible via a pair of binoculars or a telescope.
Constellations best seen in May: Star Map
Crux
- Brightness: ☆☆☆
- Visible between: 20°N and 90°S
- Brightest star: Acrux (mag 0.9)
- Notable deep-sky objects: Jewel Box 👀 (mag 4.2), Coalsack Nebula 👀 (magnitude not applicable)
How to find Crux in the sky
The constellation Crux lies in the southern sky and is the smallest of the 88 constellations, covering just 68 square degrees.
Crux is one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky thanks to its distinctive cross-shaped asterism. Despite its small size, it stands out clearly and is easy to identify. Its brightest star, Acrux, marks the base of the Cross.
Crux is best seen from the Southern Hemisphere, where it is circumpolar (never sets below the horizon) for many observers, including in Australia and New Zealand. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is visible only from locations close to the equator, low above the southern horizon.
Myth of the Crux constellation
Unlike many other constellations, Crux has no widely known classical Greek myth of its own. In ancient times, Crux was considered part of the constellation Centaurus. Although its stars appeared on early celestial globes, Crux was recognized as a separate constellation only in 1679, when French astronomer Augustin Royer formally separated it from Centaurus.
Virgo
- Brightness: ☆☆☆
- Visible between: 80°N and 80°S
- Brightest star: Spica (mag 1.0)
- Notable deep-sky objects: M87 🔭 (mag 8.6), Sombrero Galaxy 🔭 (mag 8.0)
How to find Virgo in the sky
The constellation Virgo lies in the southern sky and is one of the 12 zodiac constellations. It is also the second-largest constellation in the sky after Hydra and the largest zodiac constellation, covering 1,294 square degrees.
Virgo is not very easy to recognize by its outline, but its brightest star, Spica, makes it much easier to find. This brilliant blue-white 1st-magnitude star is the constellation’s most prominent landmark. Since the ecliptic passes through Virgo, the Moon and planets often appear nearby in the sky.
Virgo is visible from most inhabited regions of Earth. In the Northern Hemisphere, look for it high in the southern sky on May evenings. In the Southern Hemisphere, it appears in the northern part of the sky.
Myth of the Virgo constellation
Virgo is usually associated with female figures from Greek mythology. Different sources connect the constellation with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, or Astraea, the goddess of justice and innocence. Virgo was one of the constellations cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century.
Centaurus
- Brightness: ☆☆☆
- Visible between: 25°N and 90°S
- Brightest star: Alpha Centauri (mag -0.3)
- Notable deep-sky objects: Omega Centauri 👀 (mag 3.7), NGC 3766 🔭 (mag 5.3), Centaurus A 🔭 (mag 6.8)
How to find Centaurus in the sky
The constellation Centaurus is located in the southern sky and is the 9th largest constellation, covering 1,060 square degrees. Because of its far-southern position, it is difficult to see from much of the Northern Hemisphere.
Centaurus is rich in visible stars and contains more naked-eye stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 than any other constellation. Its brightest star, Alpha Centauri, is the third-brightest star in the night sky and appears next to Beta Centauri. These two stars are often called the Pointers because they help observers locate the nearby Crux constellation.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Centaurus can be seen high above the southern horizon on May evenings. In the Northern Hemisphere, only its upper part rises above the southern horizon, and the farther north you are, the harder it is to see.
Myth of the Centaurus constellation
Centaurus is usually associated with a centaur from Greek mythology — a creature that is half man and half horse. It is often linked with Chiron, the wise and kind centaur who tutored many Greek heroes. Centaurus was one of the constellations cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century.
Corvus
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible between: 60°N and 90°S
- Brightest star: Gienah (mag 2.6)
- Notable deep-sky objects: Lawn Sprinkler Nebula 🔭 (mag 10.9), Antennae Galaxies 🔭 (mag 11.2)
How to find Corvus in the sky
Corvus is a small constellation located south of the celestial equator, covering 184 square degrees.
Corvus is easy to recognize thanks to its four main stars — Delta, Gamma, Epsilon, and Beta Corvi — which form a distinctive quadrilateral asterism. This pattern is sometimes called “Spica’s Spanker” or “the Sail.” Although the stars of Corvus are not especially bright, they stand out well in a relatively dim area of the sky. Gamma and Delta Corvi can also help you locate Spica, the brightest star in the neighboring constellation Virgo.
In the Northern Hemisphere, look for Corvus in the southern sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it appears higher above the northern horizon.
Myth of the Corvus constellation
Corvus is usually associated with the crow or raven from Greek mythology. In one myth, the bird was sent by Apollo to fetch water, but it got back late and tried to excuse itself with a false story. Corvus was one of the constellations cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century.
Musca
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible between: 10°N and 90°S
- Brightest star: Alpha Muscae (mag 2.7)
- Notable deep-sky objects: NGC 4833 🔭 (mag 7.8), Spiral Planetary Nebula 🔭 (mag 8.2)
How to find Musca in the sky
The constellation Musca is the 77th largest constellation in the sky, covering 138 square degrees. It is located near Crux against the rich backdrop of the Milky Way.
Musca is not very prominent, but it contains several fairly bright stars. Its brightest star, Alpha Muscae, shines at magnitude 2.7, while Beta Muscae lies just over one degree away and has a magnitude of 3.05. Because Musca lies close to Crux, the cross-shaped asterism can help you find it.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Musca is visible year-round and appears high in the sky during May evenings. In the Northern Hemisphere, it can only be seen from locations close to the equator, low above the southern horizon.
Myth of the Musca constellation
Musca has no mythology associated with ancient Greece or Rome because it is one of the modern constellations introduced during the age of celestial cartography.
The constellation was originally named Apis, meaning “bee”, by the Dutch astronomer Petrus Plancius in the late 16th century. Later, its name was changed to Musca, the Latin word for “fly.”
Canes Venatici
- Brightness: ☆☆
- Visible between: 90°N and 40°S
- Brightest star: Cor Caroli (mag 2.8)
- Notable deep-sky objects: M3 🔭 (mag 6.4), the Whirlpool Galaxy 🔭 (mag 8.4)
How to find Canes Venatici in the sky
The constellation Canes Venatici is the 38th largest constellation in the sky, covering 465 square degrees. It lies just below the handle of the Big Dipper, between Boötes and Ursa Major.
Canes Venatici is a faint constellation, so its outline is not easy to recognize. Its brightest star, Cor Caroli, is the easiest starting point for finding it. The constellation also contains La Superba (Y Canum Venaticorum), one of the reddest stars visible to the naked eye, whose deep color is especially noticeable through binoculars.
In the Northern Hemisphere, look for Canes Venatici high in the western sky on May evenings. In the Southern Hemisphere, it appears low above the northern horizon.
Myth of the Canes Venatici constellation
Canes Venatici represents the hunting dogs of Boötes, the Herdsman, in later European star lore. The two dogs are usually imagined as chasing nearby Ursa Major, the Great Bear. Canes Venatici was introduced as a separate constellation by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century.
Coma Berenices
- Brightness: ☆
- Visible between: 90°N and 60°S
- Brightest star: Beta Comae Berenices (mag 4.3)
- Notable deep-sky objects: Coma Star Cluster 👀 (mag 1.8), M53 🔭 (mag 7.6)
How to find Coma Berenices in the sky
The constellation Coma Berenices is the 42nd largest constellation in the sky, covering 386 square degrees. It lies near Leo, Boötes, and Virgo.
The stars of Coma Berenices are not very bright, so you will need a dark sky to see the constellation clearly. However, it is not hard to find once you know where to look. Its brightest star, Beta Comae Berenices, shines at magnitude 4.3. One of the constellation’s best-known sights is the Coma Star Cluster, a large open cluster whose stars can appear as a distinctive V-shaped pattern when the constellation is rising. If you cannot spot the Coma Star Cluster with the naked eye, try binoculars — it covers an area about ten times wider than the Full Moon.
In the Northern Hemisphere, look for Coma Berenices high in the southern sky. In the Southern Hemisphere, it appears lower above the northern horizon.
Myth of the Coma Berenices constellation
Coma Berenices is associated with Queen Berenice II of Egypt. According to the legend, she sacrificed her long hair to ensure the safe return of her husband from war, and the hair was later placed among the stars.
Coma Berenices was introduced into Western astronomy in the 3rd century BC by the Greek astronomer Conon of Samos. However, it was not accepted by all Greek astronomers and was not included in Ptolemy’s list of constellations. Later, Gerardus Mercator and Tycho Brahe helped establish Coma Berenices as a separate constellation in European astronomy. It is the only modern constellation named after a historical person.
Bonus: Great Diamond asterism
The Great Diamond, also known as the Diamond of Virgo, is a large asterism that can be seen in the evening sky during May from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It’s made up of four bright stars:
- Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum), the brightest star in Canes Venatici
- Denebola (Beta Leonis), the second-brightest star in Leo
- Spica (Alpha Virginis), the brightest star in Virgo
- Arcturus (Alpha Boötis), the brightest star in Boötes
The Great Diamond covers a large area of the sky — it’s even bigger than the Big Dipper. Its three stars (Spica, Denebola, and Arcturus) also form a smaller asterism called the Spring Triangle.
Constellations to see during other months
Best constellations throughout the year
Here’s a month-by-month list of constellations that are best seen at different times of the year. Many of them remain visible for weeks or even months after their peak season, so you can often still catch them later in the year.
- January constellations: Caelum, Dorado, Mensa, Orion, Reticulum, Taurus
- February constellations: Auriga, Camelopardalis, Canis Major, Columba, Gemini, Lepus, Monoceros, Pictor
- March constellations: Cancer, Canis Minor, Carina, Lynx, Puppis, Pyxis, Vela, Volans
- April constellations: Antlia, Chamaeleon, Crater, Hydra, Leo, Leo Minor, Sextans, Ursa Major
- May constellations: Canes Venatici, Centaurus, Coma Berenices, Corvus, Crux, Musca, Virgo
- June constellations: Boötes, Circinus, Libra, Lupus, Ursa Minor
- July constellations: Apus, Ara, Corona Borealis, Draco, Hercules, Norma, Ophiuchus, Scorpius, Serpens, Triangulum Australe
- August constellations: Corona Australis, Lyra, Sagittarius, Scutum, Telescopium
- September constellations: Aquila, Capricornus, Cygnus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Indus, Microscopium, Pavo, Sagitta, Vulpecula
- October constellations: Aquarius, Cepheus, Grus, Lacerta, Octans, Pegasus, Piscis Austrinus
- November constellations: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Phoenix, Pisces, Sculptor, Tucana
- December constellations: Aries, Cetus, Eridanus, Fornax, Horologium, Hydrus, Perseus, Triangulum
Best constellations by seasons (Northern Hemisphere)
- Circumpolar (visible all year): Ursa Major — Ursa Minor — Cassiopeia — Cepheus — Draco
- Winter: Orion — Canis Major — Taurus
- Spring: Leo — Virgo — Ursa Major
- Summer: Cygnus — Lyra — Aquila
- Autumn: Cassiopeia — Pegasus — Andromeda
Best constellations by seasons (Southern Hemisphere)
- Circumpolar (visible all year): Carina — Crux — Centaurus — Triangulum Australe
- Winter: Scorpius — Sagittarius — Ophiuchus
- Spring: Tucana — Aquarius — Cetus
- Summer: Hydra — Eridanus — Puppis
- Autumn: Crux — Centaurus — Carina
Constellations visible in May: bottom line
In May, the night sky offers many constellations to explore, from Virgo, Coma Berenices, and Canes Venatici in the north to Crux and Centaurus in the south. Use this guide and the Star Walk 2 app to find them in the sky and make the most of your stargazing this month!
What else to see in the sky in May?
