A large constellation found in the spring which contains the bright orange star Arcturus. The rest of the constellation formed of fainter stars.

The Crab Nebula indicates the remains of a supernova, a star that destroys itself in a massive explosion. This particular event happened in the year 1054, it was widely reported by astronomers in China, but there are no reports from the west. This podcast looks at why there were no reports from Europe.

A large and prominent winter constellation which contains one of the brightest stars in the sky, Auriga which can be found in the over head point during winter evenings.

In mythology Aries was the golden fleece sought b y Jason and the Argonauts. Despite its faintness Aries was important because 2,000 years ago it contained the point where the Sun crossed the celestial equator from south to north, the vernal equinox or First Point of Aries

A small constellation seen by the Greeks as the altar on which Centaurus the Centaur was about to sacrifice Lupus the Wolf.

Aquila, contains the star Altair the southern most star that forms the summer triangle.

One of the moist ancient constellations, It is usually seen as a man pouring water from a jug.

Another of the small faint constellations found in the southern hemisphere. Apus can be found near the south pole star.

A faint obscure constellation introduced by Nicolas De Lacaille in the 1750s to honour the invention of the Air Pump.

In mythology Andromeda is the princess rescued from the Kraken by Perseus. The constellation which can be seen in the autumn contains the mot distant you can see with your eye without using binoculars or telescopes. This is the Andromeda Galaxy