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Capricornus constellation

Capricornus is a zodiac constellation near the celestial equator. Its brightest star is Deneb Algedi. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.

  • Autumnbest seen
  • Deneb Algedibrightest star, magnitude 2.9
  • CapCapricornus
Show on the sky map
The constellation Capricornus in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Deneb Algedi, Capricornus — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapDeneb AlgediDabih, Capricornus — magnitude 3.0. Open on the sky mapDabihAlgedi, Capricornus — magnitude 3.6. Open on the sky mapAlgediNashira, Capricornus — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapζ Capricorni — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapθ Capricorni — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapω Capricorni — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapψ Capricorni — magnitude 4.1. Open on the sky mapι Capricorni — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapPrima Giedi, Capricornus — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapA Capricorni — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapb Capricorni — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapε Capricorni — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky map N ↑← E
North is up, east is left — this is how the constellation looks in the sky. Click a star to open it on the sky map.

How to find the constellation Capricornus

Use its brightest star as a guide: Deneb Algedi (magnitude 2.9). In September around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 20°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgrises and sets, fully visible

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Deneb Algediδ Capricorni 2.9bluish white—
Dabihβ Capricorni 3.0yellow—
Algediα² Capricorni 3.6yellow—
Nashiraγ Capricorni 3.7white—
ζ Capricorni 3.8orange—
θ Capricorni 4.1bluish white—
ω Capricorni 4.1red—
ψ Capricorni 4.1white—
ι Capricorni 4.3yellow—
Prima Giediα¹ Capricorni 4.3orange—
A Capricorni 4.5red—
b Capricorni 4.5yellow—

Magnitude is a measure of a star’s brightness: the smaller the number, the brighter the star; on a dark night the naked eye can see stars down to magnitude 6.

Questions

How do you find the constellation Capricornus in the sky?

Use its brightest star as a guide: Deneb Algedi (magnitude 2.9). In September around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 20°.

When is the best time of year to observe the constellation Capricornus?

In autumn: in September around 22:00 the constellation is highest above the horizon. Two or three months earlier it can be seen before dawn, two or three months later only in the early evening, and half a year later it is in the sky during the day, near the Sun, and can’t be seen.

What is the brightest star in the constellation Capricornus?

Deneb Algedi: magnitude 2.9, bluish white.

How many stars are there in the constellation Capricornus?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 48 stars in the constellation (brighter than magnitude 6, within the constellation’s boundaries). In a city far fewer: usually only the stars of its figure.

Autumn constellations

Find it in the sky tonightA sky map over your city: where the constellation Capricornus is now and when it will rise.
Open the sky map