Johannesburg Centre, Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

Constellation Visibility

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Month of midnight culmination

This table covers constellations at least partially visible from South Africa. To plan a skywatch, look at the web pages for the constellations a month or two on either side of the current date. For example, in January, plan to look for the constellations listed for November through March, depending on the time of night you intend observing. Also check out the circumpolar constellations visible anytime. Some constellations are essentially invisible from South Africa, due to their being too far north.

 

                 

 

January

 

February

 

March

 

 

Cancer

Antlia

 

Centaurus

 

Canis Major

Argo Navis

 

Chamaeleon

 

Canis Minor

Leo Minor

 

Corvus

 

Carina

Pyxis

 

Crater

 

Gemini

Sextans

 

Crux

 

Lynx

Vela

 

Hydra

 

Monoceros

 

Leo

 

Puppis

 

Musca

 

Volans

 

 

 

 

 

April

May

 

June

 

Canes Venatici

Apus

 

Ara

 

Circinus

Bootes

 

Corona Australis

 

Coma Berenices

Corona Borealis

 

Hercules

 

Virgo

Libra

 

Ophiuchus

 

Lupus

 

Scorpius

 

Norma

 

Serpens

 

Triangulum Australis

 

 

 

 

 

July

August

 

September

 

Aquila

Aquarius

 

Pegasus

 

Cygnus

Capricornus

 

Pisces

 

Delphinus

Equuleus

 

Sculptor

 

Lyra

Grus

 

Tucana

 

Pavo

Indus

 

 

Sagitta

Lacerta

 

 

Sagittarius

Microscopium

 

 

Scutum

Octans

 

 

Telescopium

Piscis Austrinus

 

 

Vulpecula

 

 

 

 

 

October

November

 

December

 

Andromeda

Eridanus

 

Auriga

 

Aries

Fornax

 

Caelum

 

Cetus

Horologium

 

Columba

 

Hydrus

Perseus

 

Dorado

 

Phoenix

Reticulum

 

Lepus

 

Triangulum

Taurus

 

Mensa

 

 

Orion

          Pictor  
 

 

 

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Circumpolar Constellations: visible anytime

The best time for viewing is as indicated. Nevertheless, they are visible most of the year, if somewhat lower down.

 

Constellation

Best time

Constellation

Best time

Constellation

Best time

Ara  June   Horologium  November   Pavo  July
Apus  May Hydrus  October Pictor  December
Carina  January Indus  August Reticulum  November
Chameleon  March Mensa  December Triangulum Australe May
Circinus  April Musca  March Tucana  September
Crux  March Octans  August Volans  January
Dorado December

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Never visible from most of South Africa

These constellations lie far north of the celestial equator, at declinations of 55 degrees North or more. Therefore they are never even partially visible from a terrestrial latitude of 35 degrees South, and very low on the horison for even the Northern part of South Africa.

Constellation

Best time

Camelopardalis   December
Casseopeia   October
Cephus   September
Draco   May
Ursa Major March
Ursa Minor

May

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