Stargazing Sky Tours
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
The following are interesting for astronomy students,
and I don't usually pursue them for stargazers.
- M36, M37, & M38 Open Clusters
- The Crab Nebula (really in
Taurus, but I have it on the page for
neighboring Auriga)
- Boötes
- Arcturus
- M3 Globular Cluster
- Cancer
- Canes Venatici
- Canis Major
- Sirius
- Adhara
- M41 Open Cluster
- Canis Minor
- 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
- Cetus
- Coma Berenices
- Galactic North Pole
- Black Eye Galaxy
- 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
- Crater
- Cygnus
- Delphinus
- Draco
- 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
...and, only under a crystal-clear sky with a monster telescope,
- M83 Spiral Galaxy
- 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
- Perseus
- Algol
- α Persei
- M34 Open Cluster
- Double Cluster
- Pisces
- ζ Piscium
- TX Piscium
...and for the astronomers in the group...
- M74 Galaxy
- Piscis Austrinus
- 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
- 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 this page are welcome.
You can e-mail Randy Culp
for inquiries, suggestions, new ideas or just to chat.
Updated 12 November 2011