Constellation The Cup

Crater (The Cup): gift, map and visability

  • Meaning: The Cup
  • Best seen in: April
  • Family: Hercules
  • Latitude: +65° to -90°

Crater or The Cup is one of the 88 constellations modern astronomers have divided the sky into. It's part of the Hercules constellation family. Crater is best seen in April (from latitudes +65° to -90°).

Crater is represented in Greek mythology as Apollo’s cup. It is located next to the constellations Hydra and Corvus. It contains six main stars, one of which is Alpha Crateris. This star shines 80 times brighter than the Sun and is located about 174 light years away. The cup was thrown up into the sky with the snake and the crow, after the crow angered Apollo for keeping him thirsty.

Crater Constellation Map

Crater Constellation Map
Crater icon

Main Stars in The Cup (Crater)

The constellation Crater contains several bright stars that make up its shape. Some of these main stars are known as:

  • Labrum
  • Alkes
  • Al Sharasif
  • Gamma Crateris
  • SZ Crateris
  • R Crateris

Some of the deep sky objects which have been discovered in Crater include: NGC 3887, NGC 3511, NGC 3513, NGC 3981.

You can now name your own star in the constellation of Crater in just a few clicks. Name the star, view it in 3D and look it up with the OSR Star Finder App!

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88 constellations: Find out more about each of the 88 constellations and the 12 zodiacs!
Constellation facts about Crater

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