The Sagittarius constellation

Sgr · Catalogue stars: 41

Why this name?

Sagittarius means an archer. Traditional charts depict a centaur with a drawn bow aimed towards Scorpius.

A little history

Figures of a celestial archer were already known in Mesopotamia. The constellation entered the Greek zodiac and Ptolemy’s catalogue; today, some of its stars are often compared to a teapot.

Data

IAU code
Sgr
Catalogue stars
41
Messier objects
15
Brightest star
Kaus Australis · 1.8ᵐ

Messier objects

Stars

Stars (HIP)

  • HIP 89642 · 3.1ᵐ · M2III
  • HIP 92041 · 3.2ᵐ · B8.5III
  • HIP 93864 · 3.3ᵐ · K1/K2III
  • HIP 93085 · 3.5ᵐ · G8/K0II/III
  • HIP 93683 · 3.8ᵐ · K0III
  • HIP 95168 · 3.9ᵐ · F0III/IV
  • HIP 98032 · 4.1ᵐ · K0III
  • HIP 98412 · 4.4ᵐ · B2.5IV
  • HIP 98688 · 4.4ᵐ · M4III
  • HIP 95176 · 4.5ᵐ · F2p
  • HIP 87072 · 4.5ᵐ · F7II
  • HIP 98162 · 4.5ᵐ · K3III
  • HIP 88839 · 4.5ᵐ · K0IIICNpvar
  • HIP 96465 · 4.6ᵐ · B8/B9V
  • HIP 88567 · 4.7ᵐ · G0Ib/II
  • HIP 89678 · 4.7ᵐ · K3III
  • HIP 88116 · 4.7ᵐ · B9V
  • HIP 98761 · 4.8ᵐ · K4III
  • HIP 90289 · 4.8ᵐ · A1/A2V
  • HIP 98353 · 4.8ᵐ · G8II/III

Altitude above the horizon by latitude

LatitudeMaximum altitudeRise azimuth
+60°never rises—
+55°5°152°
+45°15°136°
+30°30°126°
0°60°120°
−35°85°128°

Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.

Culmination time by month

MonthCulmination
January11:15
February09:07
March07:22
April05:29
May03:34
June01:28
July23:24
August21:23
September19:30
October17:42
November15:41
December13:32

Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.

Neighbouring constellations

In brief

Which is the brightest star in Sagittarius?

Kaus Australis — 1.8ᵐ.

Sources on constellation history