The Hercules constellation
Her · Catalogue stars: 42
Why this name?
Hercules is the Roman name of the Greek hero Heracles, famous for his twelve labours. In the sky, he is shown as a kneeling strongman.
A little history
Early Greek authors called the figure simply ‘the Kneeler’. Its identification with Heracles became established later, while the modern name retains the Latin form.
Data
- IAU code
- Her
- Catalogue stars
- 42
- Messier objects
- 2
- Brightest star
- Kornephoros · 2.8ᵐ
Messier objects
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 81693 · 2.8ᵐ · F9IV
- HIP 84380 · 3.2ᵐ · K3IIvar
- HIP 86974 · 3.4ᵐ · G5IV
- HIP 81833 · 3.5ᵐ · G8III-IV
- HIP 87933 · 3.7ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 80170 · 3.7ᵐ · A9III
- HIP 86414 · 3.8ᵐ · B3V SB
- HIP 88794 · 3.8ᵐ · B9.5V
- HIP 90139 · 3.9ᵐ · K2III
- HIP 87808 · 3.9ᵐ · K1IIvar
- HIP 79992 · 3.9ᵐ · B5IV
- HIP 83207 · 3.9ᵐ · A0V
- HIP 85112 · 4.2ᵐ · B9.5III
- HIP 92043 · 4.2ᵐ · F6V
- HIP 81126 · 4.2ᵐ · B9Vvar
- HIP 79101 · 4.2ᵐ · B9MNp...
- HIP 88267 · 4.3ᵐ · G5
- HIP 92161 · 4.3ᵐ · A5III
- HIP 88886 · 4.4ᵐ · B2IV
- HIP 87998 · 4.4ᵐ · F2II
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 60° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 65° | 29° |
| +45° | 75° | 45° |
| +30° | 90° | 54° |
| 0° | 60° | 60° |
| −35° | 25° | 52° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 09:34 |
| February | 07:27 |
| March | 05:42 |
| April | 03:48 |
| May | 01:54 |
| June | 23:48 |
| July | 21:44 |
| August | 19:43 |
| September | 17:50 |
| October | 16:01 |
| November | 14:00 |
| December | 11:52 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Hercules?
Kornephoros — 2.8ᵐ.