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What constellations can be seen in the Winter?
Home » Astronomy » Identifying Constellations » What constellations can be seen in the Winter?Winter Solstice means shorter daylight hours in the northern hemisphere and the coming of summer in the southern hemisphere. Let’s check what constellations are seen between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. beginning around mid-December.
In the northern hemisphere, Ursa Minor now dangles below Polaris. Ursa Major is northeast while Cygnus falls northwest. High north, the glittering chains of Perseus dominate and W-shaped Cassiopeia slips west. Pentagon-shaped Auriga is high northeast. Pegasus sets west, while above is V-shaped Taurus and the star cluster called “The Pleiades.” East, Castor and Pollux mark returning Gemini. Southwest, is exiting Aquarius and the small circle of Pisces. Look southeast where magnificent Orion is rising once again!
In the southern hemisphere, Cassiopeia holds the northern horizon with Perseus placed higher—flanked by Pegasus northwest and Auriga northeast. At the zenith, variable star Mira marks faint Cetus while Aquarius sets west and Orion commands the east. South, star Archenar stands high with triangle-shaped Hydrus below. Small cross-shaped Grus flies southwest while bright Canopus lights the way to Carina. Low on the southern horizon is Crux—the “Southern Cross.”
We’ve now met a full year and in a matter of hours on a moonless night you’ll see the stars of Spring return. Before dawn, you’ll see the first stars of Summer!
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- What constellations can be seen in the Spring?
- What constellations can be seen in the Summer?
- What constellations can be seen in the Fall?
- What constellations can be seen in the Winter?
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