Sagitta constellation
Sagitta (the Arrow) is a constellation in the northern sky, best seen in the evening in September. Its brightest star is γ Sagittae (magnitude 3.47). Sagitta covers 80 square degrees and is the 86th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Sagitta
Facts
| Latin name | Sagitta (genitive: Sagittae) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Sge |
| Meaning | the Arrow |
| Area | 80 square degrees (86th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 19.7 h, declination +19° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 68° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | September (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | γ Sagittae |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 15 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 1 |
| Messier objects | M71 |
| Neighbors | Aquila, Delphinus, Hercules, Vulpecula |
How to find Sagitta
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in September evenings: at about 9 pm Sagitta stands highest, around 69° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 36° above the horizon. The months before and after (August and October) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Sagitta borders Aquila, Delphinus, Hercules and Vulpecula.
Stars of Sagitta
Sagitta has 15 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | γ Sagittae | 3.47 | M0-III | — |
| — | δ Sagittae | 3.82 | M2II+A0V | — |
| — | β Sagittae | 4.37 | G8IIIaCN0.5 | — |
| Sham | α Sagittae | 4.37 | G1II | 427 ly |
Deep-sky objects in Sagitta
Sagitta contains one object from Charles Messier's catalog:
- Messier 71 (M71): globular cluster, 6.1 mag
Printable Sagitta map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Sagitta figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Sagitta 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 Sagitta
What is the brightest star in Sagitta?
γ Sagittae, at magnitude 3.47.
When can you see Sagitta?
Sagitta is best seen in the evening in September. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 68° S.
How many stars are in Sagitta?
15 stars in Sagitta 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 Sagitta mean?
Sagitta means “the Arrow” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Sge and the genitive, used in star names such as γ Sagittae, is Sagittae.
