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Cygnus constellation

Cygnus is a constellation of the northern sky. Its brightest star is Deneb. Visibility at mid-northern latitudes (52° N): rises and sets, fully visible.

  • Summerbest seen
  • Denebbrightest star, magnitude 1.3
  • CygCygnus
Show on the sky map
The constellation Cygnus in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Vega, Lyra — magnitude 0.0. Open on the sky mapDeneb, Cygnus — magnitude 1.3. Open on the sky mapDenebSadr, Cygnus — magnitude 2.2. Open on the sky mapSadrEltanin, Draco — magnitude 2.2. Open on the sky mapAljanah, Cygnus — magnitude 2.5. Open on the sky mapAljanahFawaris, Cygnus — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapFawarisAlbireo, Cygnus — magnitude 3.0. Open on the sky mapAlbireoζ Cygni — magnitude 3.2. Open on the sky mapξ Cygni — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapτ Cygni — magnitude 3.7. Open on the sky mapι Cygni — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapFawaris, Cygnus — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapο¹ Cygni — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapη Cygni — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapν Cygni — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapο² Cygni — magnitude 4.0. Open on the sky mapρ Cygni — magnitude 4.0. Open on the sky map41 Cygni — magnitude 4.0. Open on the sky map52 Cygni — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky mapσ Cygni — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky mapπ² Cygni — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky map33 Cygni — magnitude 4.3. Open on the sky mapυ Cygni — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky map39 Cygni — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky mapθ Cygni — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapμ¹ Cygni — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapλ Cygni — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky mapf² Cygni — magnitude 4.6. 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 Cygnus

A large cross along the Milky Way, also called the Northern Cross. Deneb at the top of the cross is a corner of the Summer Triangle, together with Vega and Altair.

Best seen in summer: in August around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 79°.

LocationVisibility
40° NMadrid, New York, Beijingrises and sets, fully visible
52° NLondon, Berlin, Warsawrises and sets, fully visible
60° NOslo, Helsinki, Saint Petersburgnever sets — visible all year round

Bright stars of the constellation

StarMagnitudeColorDistance
Denebα Cygni 1.3bluish white1,500–2,600 light years (not measured precisely)
Sadrγ Cygni 2.2yellow—
Aljanahε Cygni 2.5orange—
Fawarisδ Cygni 2.9bluish white—
Albireoβ¹ Cygni 3.0orangeabout 400 light years
ζ Cygni 3.2orange—
ξ Cygni 3.7red—
τ Cygni 3.7white—
ι Cygni 3.8bluish white—
Fawarisκ Cygni 3.8orange—
ο¹ Cygni 3.8orange—
η Cygni 3.9orange—

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 Cygnus in the sky?

A large cross along the Milky Way, also called the Northern Cross. Deneb at the top of the cross is a corner of the Summer Triangle, together with Vega and Altair.

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

In summer: in August 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 Cygnus?

Deneb: magnitude 1.3, bluish white. Distance: 1,500–2,600 light years (not measured precisely).

How many stars are there in the constellation Cygnus?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 137 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.

Summer constellations

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