Crater constellation
Crater (the Cup) is a constellation in the southern sky, best seen in the evening in April. Its brightest star is δ Crateris (magnitude 3.56). Crater covers 282 square degrees and is the 53rd-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Crater
Facts
| Latin name | Crater (genitive: Crateris) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Crt |
| Meaning | the Cup |
| Area | 282 square degrees (53rd of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 11.4 h, declination −16° |
| Visible from | latitudes 65° N to 90° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | April (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | δ Crateris |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 17 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | none |
| Neighbors | Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Sextans, Virgo |
How to find Crater
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in April evenings: at about 9 pm Crater stands highest, around 34° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 71° above the horizon. The months before and after (March and May) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Crater borders Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Sextans and Virgo.
Stars of Crater
Crater has 17 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | δ Crateris | 3.56 | G8III-IV | — |
| Alkes | α Crateris | 4.08 | K0+III | 159 ly |
| — | γ Crateris | 4.08 | A5V | — |
| — | β Crateris | 4.48 | A2III | — |
Printable Crater map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Crater figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Crater 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 Crater
What is the brightest star in Crater?
δ Crateris, at magnitude 3.56.
When can you see Crater?
Crater is best seen in the evening in April. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 65° N and 90° S.
How many stars are in Crater?
17 stars in Crater are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 1 of them have official IAU names.
What does Crater mean?
Crater means “the Cup” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Crt and the genitive, used in star names such as δ Crateris, is Crateris.
