Observing the Sky: Constellations - Seasonal: Spring

The following constellations should be clearly visible to the south around 9 p.m. local time in the seasons indicated. Keep in mind that the sky is curved but our computer screens are flat, so those constellations that appear high in our graphics might be over your head. Choose one of the links below to jump to the current season and the constellations you can look for in tonight's sky. If you want to get a preview of the next season's constellations, just stay up later!

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Spring Constellation

As Orion sinks to the West, followed by his dogs, the constellation Gemini rises high into the sky. From Canis Minor, look north to find Gemini, the Twins. The most obvious stars in this constellation are Pollux (he's to the South) and Castor (to the North). These two bright stars mark the boys' heads, and their legs stretch down toward the West.

With the Big Dipper rising higher above the eastern horizon each day, by spring you should be able to follow its handle as it points toward a star named Arcturus. This is the brightest star in Bootes, a kite-shaped constellation that flies high overhead throughout the Spring. If you "arc to Arcturus" from the Big Dipper, you can then "speed to Spica," a bright star in Virgo, to the South of Arcturus.

If you follow the "pointer" stars of the Big Dipper's cup to the south and away from Polaris, they will lead you to bright Regulus at the base of a backward question mark. The question mark outlines Leo the Lion's head, Regulus marks his heart, and to the East is the star Denebola, which means "the lion's tail."