Monoceros
Where is Monoceros?
Look southeast, about 33° up at 05:17. It rises at 01:01 and climbs through the night.
- Rises
- 01:01
- Highest
- 06:55
- Sets
- 12:52
- Best after dark
- 05:17 · 33°
How to find Monoceros
Nearby constellations include Canis Minor, Orion, Canis Major and Gemini.
Its center is at right ascension 6h 53m, declination −2°. Use the chart above: north is up and east is to the left, as when you face south from the Northern Hemisphere.
Best time to see Monoceros
Monoceros is highest in the evening sky, around 10 pm, in February. A month or two either side it is still well placed, earlier or later in the night. All of it rises above the horizon from latitudes of about 60° N to 64° S.
From London tonight, Monoceros is above the horizon after dark. It’s highest just before dawn, around 05:17, in the southeast at 33°.
This is position and timing only: clouds, haze and light pollution aren’t included.
Seeing Monoceros
Eyes
Its stars are fairly faint (the brightest, its alpha star, is mag 3.7). You’ll need a sky away from bright lights to trace the pattern.
Binoculars
Binoculars show many more stars than your eye, and bring out star clusters and brighter nebulae inside it.
Telescope
The constellation is far too large for a telescope’s view. Use one for the clusters, nebulae and galaxies inside it.
About
Monoceros (genitive Monocerotis, abbreviated Mon) is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union, which together cover the whole sky.
SkyMate’s web catalog includes 2 named stars and 1 deep-sky object in Monoceros.
Brightest stars and objects in Monoceros
Questions
When is Monoceros visible?
Can I see Monoceros from where I live?
Sources: IAU; Wikidata (CC0); SkyMate. Positions computed for your place and time with astronomy-engine. Data & Licences