Spring Constellations to Watch Out For
What are the top spring constellations visible in the night sky, and how can you spot them? Read our guide to enhance your spring stargazing experience!
Spring is a fantastic time to get outside and explore the night sky. The air is (usually!) getting warmer, the nights are still long, and there’s a whole host of stunning constellations on show. Yes, whether you’re a casual sky-watcher or a telescope-toting stargazer, there are some key features of the night sky you definitely won’t want to miss. Here’s your seasonal guide to the spring constellations lighting up the heavens!
What Makes Stargazing for Spring Constellations Special?
Unlike the chilly winter months, spring offers a more comfortable stargazing experience. With clearer skies and longer twilight hours, it’s a perfect season to learn the constellations. As the Earth orbits the Sun, the night sky shifts, bringing new star patterns into view.
Spring skies are also generally less cloudy than winter, making for more consistent viewing opportunities. From majestic lions to mythical maidens, spring’s constellations tell ancient stories and offer some truly stunning sights.
Spring Constellations to Look Out For!
Leo the Lion
One of the most prominent spring constellations, Leo is easy to spot thanks to its distinctive shape. Look for the ‘Sickle’ – a backwards question mark that forms the lion’s head – and Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation.
Leo represents the lion slain by Hercules in Greek mythology and is best viewed in late March through May. It’s also a great constellation to observe with a telescope, as it contains several bright galaxies, including M65, M66, and the Leo Triplet.
Virgo the Maiden
Virgo is the second-largest constellation in the sky and represents a maiden from various mythologies, often associated with harvest and fertility. Spica, its brightest star, is one of the top 20 brightest stars visible from Earth and lies roughly 250 light-years away. Virgo is also home to the Virgo Cluster, a massive collection of galaxies that makes for a fascinating target for more advanced stargazers.
Look toward the southern skies in late spring to find Virgo stretching across the heavens.
Boötes the Herdsman
You’ll find Boötes by locating its bright star, Arcturus – a reddish giant and one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Arcturus is often one of the first stars to appear after sunset and serves as a pretty handy guidepost!
Boötes trails behind Ursa Major (the Big Dipper), and its kite-shaped form makes it relatively easy to spot. This constellation is rich with mythology, often depicted as a herdsman or ploughman, and it’s ideal for binocular viewing thanks to its open clusters and variable stars.
Coma Berenices
A lesser-known gem, Coma Berenices is a small constellation named after Queen Berenice II of Egypt, who famously sacrificed her hair to the gods. It may not be bright, but it’s home to a dense cluster of stars known as the Coma Star Cluster, which contains around 40 stars and can be seen with the naked eye under dark skies.
Coma Berenices a beautiful target for binoculars or a low-power telescope and can be found between Leo and Boötes. The area is also rich in distant galaxies, making it a real treasure trove for deep-sky observers.
Hydra the Water Snake
Hydra slithers across the southern sky and holds the title of the largest constellation by area. Its elongated shape stretches over 100 degrees of the sky. It’s long and winding, with its brightest star, Alphard, providing a faint orange glow. Hydra is accompanied by several smaller constellations riding on its back, including Corvus (the crow) and Crater (the cup).
Although it’s faint and sprawling, Hydra is also home to interesting targets like the Ghost of Jupiter Nebula (NGC 3242), visible through telescopes.
Tips for Spotting Spring Constellations
- Use a Star Map or App: Tools like the OSR Star Finder App make it easy to locate constellations in real time. With its built-in augmented reality feature, you can overlay constellations on the sky as you move your phone.
- Choose a Dark Location: The less light pollution, the better your visibility. Try to find an open area away from streetlights for the best results.
- Look South: Many spring constellations rise in the east and move across the southern sky. Start scanning the skies after twilight for the best views.
- Start Early: Some constellations are best seen just after sunset, while others appear later in the night. Planning your stargazing session in advance ensures you won’t miss your favourites.
Spring into the Spring Constellations!
Spring is the perfect season to rekindle your love for the cosmos. With rich mythologies and awe-inspiring formations, the constellations of this season offer a front-row seat to the universe’s beauty. So grab your binoculars, download your star map, and head outside – you’ve got some stars to meet!
Want to do more than just spot the stars? Why not name one? With OSR, you can dedicate a star to someone special, creating a personalised celestial keepsake. With both physical and digital gift pack options, it’s a meaningful way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or simply your love for the stars. You’ll receive a star certificate, star map, and access to digital tools to locate your star in the night sky – truly an unforgettable gift for any stargazing enthusiast!
