Winter Triangle
The Winter Triangle is an asterism, a star pattern that is not one of the 88 official constellations, made of three stars in Canis Major, Canis Minor and Orion. Its brightest star is Sirius (magnitude −1.46), and it is best seen in the evening in February.
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How to use it
The three corners are three of the brightest stars of the winter sky: red Betelgeuse in Orion, Sirius in Canis Major and Procyon in Canis Minor.
How to find the Winter Triangle
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) it is highest in the south, about 49° above the horizon, in February evenings. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it reaches about 56° in the north.
Stars of the Winter Triangle
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Distance | Constellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sirius | α Canis Majoris | −1.46 | 9 ly | Canis Major |
| Procyon | α Canis Minoris | 0.38 | 11 ly | Canis Minor |
| Betelgeuse | α Orionis | 0.5 | 548 ly | Orion |
Questions about the Winter Triangle
Is the Winter Triangle a constellation?
No. The Winter Triangle is an asterism: its stars belong to Canis Major, Canis Minor and Orion, three of the 88 constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union.
What is the brightest star of the Winter Triangle?
Sirius, with an apparent magnitude of −1.46, about 9 light-years away.
When can I see the Winter Triangle?
It is highest in the evening sky in February.
Other asterisms
Big DipperUrsa Major
Little DipperUrsa Minor
Orion's BeltOrion
Summer TriangleLyra, Aquila and Cygnus
Winter HexagonCanis Major, Auriga, Orion, Canis Minor, Taurus and Gemini
Great Square of PegasusAndromeda and Pegasus
TeapotSagittarius
Northern CrossCygnus
Spring TriangleBoötes, Virgo and Leo
Sickle of LeoLeo
KeystoneHercules
False CrossCarina and Vela
Southern PointersCentaurus