ASTERISMS
Scouting the Stars with Mr. R.

AbsoluteAstronomy.com
Return to: [5-Galaxy & Constellations]
[Archer] [Big Bear] [Crab] [Dragon] 
[Eagle] [Goat] [Harp] [Hercules]
[Herdsman] [King] [Little Bear]
[Lion] [Northern Crown] [Scales]
[Scorpion] [Swan] [Twins]
[Virgin] ["W"]

Mr. R.

 
ASTERISMS
Asterisms are easily recognizable figures in the sky often made up of bright stars from one or more constellations.  Look at the following examples of familiar asterisms and then search this table for other asterisms.

The Swan, Eagle, and Harp

The Summer Triangle
The Summer Triangle is easy to find in the area of Milky Way.  It is made up of three 1st magnitude stars from three constellations near the Milky Way.  Look for Deneb in the Swan, Vega in the Harp, and finally Altair in the Eagle.  They form a large triangle in the sky. 

 
 

The Teapot
Part of Sagittarius, the Teapot stands out in the southern sky.  The lower part of the Archer is often hidden below the horizon, but the Teapot is still visible.
 

The Bowtie
The constellation Hercules is extremely large but the Bowtie uses only part of his stars.  None of them are bright, but it starts with his box head.

 
 

The Kite
The Herdsman (Boötes) is often drawn as a Kite, with the bright red giant Arcturus at its base and two tails flowing behind. 
 		  

The Sickle
Once the star Regulus is found, it is easy to trace out a Sickle in the constellation Leo, the Lion.

 

The Big Dipper
While the Big Bear (Ursa Major) sometimes sinks below the horizon, the stars of the Big Dipper are visible year round.  It rotates constantly around the North Star and its pointers always point toward the Polaris.

 

 

Photo credit: John & Janet's (Amateur Astronomy)

(The constellation lines were drawn in by Mr. R.)


 
Here is a winter view of the southern skies.  Can you see Orion holding out his bow?  Following Orion is his faithful Big Dog showing off his shiny collar, the bright star Sirius.  Below Orion is the Hare (facing downward) and to his left is the very faint Unicorn.  The Little Hunting Dogs (only 2 stars) are just above the Unicorn.

 
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS TO "CONSTELLATION" INFORMATION:

 

Return to: [5-Galaxy & Constellations]

[Archer] [Big Bear] [Crab] [Dragon] [Eagle] [Goat] [Harp] [Hercules] [Herdsman] [King] [Little Bear]
[Lion] [Northern Crown] [Scales] [Scorpion] [Swan] [Twins] [Virgin] ["W"]

Return to: [Scouting with Mr. R.]
 

Animated graphics by Animation Factory

Web page updated November 2003
Web master, Mr. R.