Summer Constellations: Explore the Star Patterns of the Season
Sky Map
Celectial bearing and elevation at 21:08
As the Earth orbits the Sun, different constellations come into view depending on the season and your location on the planet. For observers in the Northern Hemisphere, winter may bring the bright stars of Orion and Taurus, while those in the Southern Hemisphere might see different celestial patterns, like the Southern Cross, dominating their night skies. The constellations you can see also shift as the year progresses—spring, summer, and autumn each bring their own set of star patterns, visible from one hemisphere or another. Use our seasonal guides to discover what’s visible from your location, and learn about the key stars and constellations that light up the sky during each season.
Scutum
Constellation
Scutum, the shield, is a small northern constellation representing a shield, associated with the Polish king John III Sobieski's victory over the Ottoman Empire.
Corona Borealis
Constellation
Corona Borealis, the northern crown, is a small, semicircular constellation in the northern sky, representing the crown of Ariadne.
Lyra
Constellation
Lyra, the lyre, is a small but prominent constellation featuring the bright star Vega, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.
Serpens
Constellation
Serpens, the serpent, is a constellation split into two parts, Serpens Caput (the head) and Serpens Cauda (the tail), representing a serpent held by the healer Ophiuchus.
Serpens2
Constellation
Serpens Cauda, the tail of the serpent, is the part of the Serpens constellation representing the tail of the serpent, located near the constellation Ophiuchus.
Aquila
Constellation
Aquila, the eagle, is a constellation in the northern sky, known for its bright star Altair, part of the Summer Triangle asterism.
Ophiuchus
Constellation
Ophiuchus, the serpent-bearer, is a large constellation in the southern sky, representing a man holding a serpent, often associated with healing.
Draco
Constellation
Draco, the dragon, is a northern constellation that winds around the Little Dipper, with its head near Hercules and its tail near Ursa Minor.
Hercules
Constellation
Hercules, named after the Greek hero, is a northern constellation containing the Hercules Cluster, a globular star cluster visible with binoculars.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries, which provide a consistent framework for celestial mapping.
Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for their collaboration in producing the charts and tables. The constellation patterns, drawn by Alan MacRobert, were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and thoughtfully adjusted to align with earlier traditions.