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Monoceros constellation

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

  • Winterbest seen
  • β Monocerotisbrightest star, magnitude 3.8
  • MonMonoceros
Show on the sky map
The constellation Monoceros in the starry sky: its figure and its bright stars Procyon, Canis Minor — magnitude 0.4. Open on the sky mapGomeisa, Canis Minor — magnitude 2.9. Open on the sky mapβ Monocerotis — magnitude 3.8. Open on the sky mapα Monocerotis — magnitude 3.9. Open on the sky mapγ Monocerotis — magnitude 4.0. Open on the sky mapδ Monocerotis — magnitude 4.2. Open on the sky mapζ Monocerotis — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky mapε Monocerotis — magnitude 4.4. Open on the sky map13 Monocerotis — magnitude 4.5. Open on the sky map18 Monocerotis — 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 Monoceros

A faint constellation inside the Winter Triangle, between Betelgeuse, Sirius and Procyon.

Best seen in winter: in February around 22:00 it is highest above the southern horizon — the center of the figure rises to about 38°.

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
β Monocerotis 3.8blue—
α Monocerotis 3.9orange—
γ Monocerotis 4.0orange—
δ Monocerotis 4.2bluish white—
ζ Monocerotis 4.4orange—
ε Monocerotis 4.4white—
13 Monocerotis 4.5bluish white—
18 Monocerotis 4.5orange—

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 Monoceros in the sky?

A faint constellation inside the Winter Triangle, between Betelgeuse, Sirius and Procyon.

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

In winter: in February 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 Monoceros?

β Monocerotis: magnitude 3.8, blue.

How many stars are there in the constellation Monoceros?

With the naked eye on a perfectly dark night — with no light pollution and no Moon — you can see about 71 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.

Winter constellations

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