Taurus Constellation
Taurus (The Bull)
Taurus is a prominent and easily recognizable constellation in the northern sky, symbolizing a bull. It is one of the 13 ecliptic constellations and plays a significant role in mythology, astronomy, and cultural history. Known for its bright stars and fascinating deep-sky objects, Taurus is a favorite among stargazers.
Key Features
- Bright Stars: Taurus is home to some of the most notable stars:
- Deep-Sky Objects: Taurus contains several well-known celestial features:
- The Pleiades (Messier 45): A stunning open star cluster often called the "Seven Sisters," visible to the naked eye.
- Crab Nebula (Messier 1): The remnant of a supernova explosion observed in 1054 AD, located near the bull's horn.
- The Hyades: The closest open star cluster to Earth, forming a V-shape around Aldebaran.
Mythological Background
In Greek mythology, Taurus is associated with the bull form of Zeus. According to legend, Zeus transformed into a magnificent white bull to win the affection of Europa, a Phoenician princess. Enchanted by the bull’s beauty, Europa climbed onto its back, and Zeus carried her across the sea to Crete. This tale is one of the most famous myths involving Taurus.
Taurus also appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh, where it represents the Bull of Heaven sent by the goddess Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh. The constellation's association with a bull has been significant across various cultures, including Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Indian traditions.
Cultural Significance
Taurus has been a key reference for agricultural societies, marking the arrival of spring and the planting season. The Pleiades and Hyades clusters were particularly important in ancient times, serving as indicators for navigation and the calendar.
Taurus Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Taurus Transit | 08:39 | 69° |
| Moon Set | 15:07 | 5° |
| Taurus Set | 15:31 | |
| Astrosession begin | 19:38 | -34° |
Moon Rise, 16.7% illuminated  | 23:47 | -20° |
| Taurus Rise | 01:43 | |
| Astrosession end | 02:48 | 12° |
| Civil sunrise | 03:26 | 20° |
| Sunrise | 03:57 | 26° |
Track Taurus Position Throughout the Night
← Sat, 11 July 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Nebulae in the constellation Taurus
Barnard's Merope Nebula (IC0349)
Reflection Nebula
Pleiades (M45)
Open Cluster
Merope Nebula (NGC1435)
Nebula
Hind's Nebula (NGC1555)
Reflection Nebula
Crab Nebula (M1)
Supernova remnant
Annual motion of Taurus
| Date | Sun, 12 July 2026 |
| Twighlight start | 20:19 |
| Twighlight end | 02:04 |
| Twighlight duration | 6h 46m |
| Rise | 01:43 |
| Set | 15:27 |
| Elevation at transit | 69° |
| Transit time | 08:35 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 04h 46m 02s", Dec: 16° 50' 09s |
| Magnitude | - |
| Constellation |
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Taurus is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit. You can also view detailed visibility information in a dedicated table, including exact rise, transit, and set times for each date.
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.