The Draco constellation
Dra · Catalogue stars: 40
Why this name?
The long chain of stars suggests a coiling dragon. In one Greek myth, this is Ladon, who guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides.
A little history
Draco has been known since antiquity. Around the third millennium BCE, its star Thuban lay near the north celestial pole; precession later moved the pole towards other stars.
Data
- IAU code
- Dra
- Catalogue stars
- 40
- Messier objects
- 1
- Brightest star
- Eltanin · 2.2ᵐ
Messier objects
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 89937 · 3.5ᵐ · F7Vvar
- HIP 97433 · 3.8ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 61281 · 3.9ᵐ · B6IIIp
- HIP 78527 · 4.0ᵐ · F8IV-V
- HIP 89908 · 4.2ᵐ · A0p (Si)
- HIP 47193 · 4.3ᵐ · K3III
- HIP 94648 · 4.5ᵐ · K3III
- HIP 98702 · 4.5ᵐ · K3III
- HIP 67627 · 4.6ᵐ · M3III
- HIP 95081 · 4.6ᵐ · A2IIIs
- HIP 92512 · 4.6ᵐ · K0II-III SB
- HIP 86201 · 4.8ᵐ · F5V
- HIP 90905 · 4.8ᵐ · F7Ib
- HIP 92782 · 4.8ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 81660 · 4.8ᵐ · K1p
- HIP 82020 · 4.8ᵐ · F2V
- HIP 51808 · 4.9ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 85829 · 4.9ᵐ · Am
- HIP 82860 · 4.9ᵐ · F6Vvar
- HIP 85819 · 4.9ᵐ · Am...
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 84° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 79° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 69° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 54° · never sets | — |
| 0° | 24° | 24° |
| −35° | never rises | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 09:25 |
| February | 07:18 |
| March | 05:33 |
| April | 03:39 |
| May | 01:45 |
| June | 23:39 |
| July | 21:35 |
| August | 19:34 |
| September | 17:41 |
| October | 15:52 |
| November | 13:51 |
| December | 11:43 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Draco?
Eltanin — 2.2ᵐ.