Boötes constellation
Boötes (the Herdsman) is a constellation in the northern sky, best seen in the evening in June. Its brightest star is Arcturus (magnitude −0.04). It contains the Kite. Boötes covers 907 square degrees and is the 13th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Boötes
Facts
| Latin name | Boötes (genitive: Boötis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Boo |
| Meaning | the Herdsman |
| Area | 907 square degrees (13th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 14.6 h, declination +30° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 35° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | June (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Arcturus |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 89 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 8 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Draco, Hercules, Serpens, Ursa Major, Virgo |
How to find Boötes
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in June evenings: at about 9 pm Boötes stands highest, around 80° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 25° above the horizon. The months before and after (May and July) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Boötes borders Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Draco, Hercules, Serpens, Ursa Major and Virgo.
Asterisms with stars in Boötes: Spring Triangle.
Stars of Boötes
Boötes has 89 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arcturus | α Boötis | −0.04 | K1.5IIIFe-0.5 | 37 ly |
| Muphrid | η Boötis | 2.68 | G0IV | — |
| Izar | ε Boötis | 2.7 | K0-II-III | 203 ly |
| Seginus | γ Boötis | 3.03 | A7III | 87 ly |
| — | δ Boötis | 3.47 | G8IIIFe-1 | — |
| Nekkar | β Boötis | 3.5 | G8IIIaBa0.3Fe-0.5 | 235 ly |
| — | ρ Boötis | 3.58 | K3-III | — |
| — | θ Boötis | 4.05 | F7V | — |
| — | υ Boötis | 4.07 | K5.5III | — |
| Xuange | λ Boötis | 4.18 | A0p | 100 ly |
| Alkalurops | μ1 Boötis | 4.31 | F2IVa | 123 ly |
| — | ζ Boötis | 4.43 | A2III | — |
Printable Boötes map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Boötes figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Boötes is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Boötes
What is the brightest star in Boötes?
Arcturus, at magnitude −0.04, about 37 light-years away.
When can you see Boötes?
Boötes is best seen in the evening in June. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 35° S.
How many stars are in Boötes?
89 stars in Boötes are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 8 of them have official IAU names.
What does Boötes mean?
Boötes means “the Herdsman” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Boo and the genitive, used in star names such as α Boötis, is Boötis.
