What's in the Sky Tonight
Explore the constellations visible each season. From Orion's belt in winter to the Summer Triangle overhead, discover mythology, bright stars, and deep-sky treasures.
Summer Constellations
(8 constellations)Scorpius
The Scorpion
The scorpion sent by Gaia to slay Orion. They are placed on opposite sides of the sky so they are never visible together.
Sagittarius
The Archer / Teapot
A centaur archer aiming at Scorpius. The center of the Milky Way lies in this direction, making it rich in nebulae.
Lyra
The Harp
The lyre of Orpheus, whose music could charm all living things. Vega is part of the famous Summer Triangle.
Cygnus
The Swan / Northern Cross
Zeus disguised as a swan. Deneb marks the tail. The constellation lies along the Milky Way and is rich in deep-sky objects.
Aquila
The Eagle
The eagle that carried Zeus's thunderbolts. Altair completes the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.
Summer Triangle
Asterism (Vega, Deneb, Altair)
Not a constellation but a famous asterism. These three brilliant stars dominate the summer sky overhead.
Hercules
The Strongman
The greatest of Greek heroes. M13, the Hercules Cluster, contains over 300,000 stars packed in a ball 145 light-years wide.
Ophiuchus
The Serpent Bearer
Asclepius, the healer. Though the Sun passes through it, it is not traditionally a zodiac sign.