Monoceros constellation
Monoceros (the Unicorn) is a constellation on the celestial equator, best seen in the evening in February. Its brightest star is α Monocerotis (magnitude 3.93). Monoceros covers 482 square degrees and is the 35th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Monoceros
Facts
| Latin name | Monoceros (genitive: Monocerotis) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Mon |
| Meaning | the Unicorn |
| Area | 482 square degrees (35th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 7.0 h, declination −2° |
| Visible from | latitudes 79° N to 78° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | February (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | α Monocerotis |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 74 |
| Named stars (IAU) | none |
| Messier objects | M50 |
| Neighbors | Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Lepus, Orion, Puppis |
How to find Monoceros
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in February evenings: at about 9 pm Monoceros stands highest, around 48° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 57° above the horizon. The months before and after (January and March) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Monoceros borders Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Lepus, Orion and Puppis.
Stars of Monoceros
Monoceros has 74 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | α Monocerotis | 3.93 | K0III | — |
| — | γ Monocerotis | 3.98 | K1.5IIIBa0.3 | — |
| — | δ Monocerotis | 4.15 | A2V | — |
| — | ζ Monocerotis | 4.34 | G2Ib | — |
| — | ε Monocerotis | 4.44 | A5IV | — |
| — | 18 Monocerotis | 4.47 | K0+IIIaBa0.2 | — |
| — | 13 Monocerotis | 4.5 | A0Ib | — |
Deep-sky objects in Monoceros
Monoceros contains one object from Charles Messier's catalog:
- Messier 50 (M50): open cluster, 5.9 mag
Printable Monoceros map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Monoceros figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Monoceros is introduced by the Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius around 1600. Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Monoceros
What is the brightest star in Monoceros?
α Monocerotis, at magnitude 3.93.
When can you see Monoceros?
Monoceros is best seen in the evening in February. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 79° N and 78° S.
How many stars are in Monoceros?
74 stars in Monoceros are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; none of them has an official IAU name.
What does Monoceros mean?
Monoceros means “the Unicorn” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Mon and the genitive, used in star names such as α Monocerotis, is Monocerotis.
