Where Is the Constellation Sagittarius Located?
Where is the constellation Sagittarius located? The constellation Sagittarius is located at right ascension = 19 hours 5 min 30 sec and declination = -28° 27' 18" degrees. Read on to learn more about the Sagittarius constellation and how to locate it.
The constellation Sagittarius is located between Scorpio and Capricorn. It is visible in both hemispheres, but is better viewed in the Southern Hemisphere. It is best seen by people in the Northern Hemisphere during the summer months and people in the Southern Hemisphere during the winter months.
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, you can locate where the Sagittarius constellation is fairly easily. Just find the Milky Way and follow it to the southern horizon. There you will find Sagittarius as it is the most southerly constellation. One really neat thing about Sagittarius is the number of clusters and nebulae that are within its boundaries. Some of these are:
- The Lagoon Nebula
- The Trifid Nebula
- The Omega or Swan Nebula
One reason the constellation Sagittarius can be easy to locate is the asterism called “The Teapot.” An asterism is a pattern inside a constellation, like the Big Dipper is inside the constellation Ursa Major. Many observers see a teapot in the constellation, but it was the archer’s bow and arrow when the constellation was named.
Naming of the Constellations
Ancient civilizations looked up at the 1000 to 1500 stars and lights in the night sky and made patterns by connecting the dots. They named the constellations so that they could talk to each other about the night sky. Many constellations were named after gods.
In Greek mythology, Sagittarius represented a centaur, who was half man and half horse. He was a skilled hunter but also had a love for the arts and is called “The Archer” today. He is pointing his arrow at Scorpio in the night sky.
The Babylonians looked at the Sun’s path, or ecliptic, and divided it into 12 sections, like the 12 months of the year. Each section had a constellation assigned to it. They did this to measure time in the heavens. Since most of the constellations were named after animals, they called it "zodiakos kyklos" which means "animal circle." Here are the names of them, their translation, and the dates when the Sun is in each constellation:
- Aries - (Ram) - March 21 - April 20
- Taurus - (Bull) - April 21 - May 21
- Gemini - (Twins) - May 22 - June 21
- Cancer - (Crab) - June 22 - July 22
- Leo - (Lion) - July 23 -August 21
- Virgo - (Virgin) - August 22 - September 23
- Libra - (Scales) - September 24 - October 23
- Scorpio - (Scorpion) - October 24 - November 22
- Sagittarius - (The Archer) - November 23 - December 22
- Capricorn - (Sea Goat) - December 23 - January 20
- Aquarius - (Water Bearer) - January 21 - February 19
- Pisces - (Fish) - February 20- March 20
Today, there are 88 constellations that have been agreed on by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). They expanded each constellation so that the entire sky is covered by constellations. Now, anything in the sky will be within one constellation and that makes each constellation a defined region of space.
Constellation Sagittarius and Astrology
Throughout the ages, many people have practiced astrology and continue to do so today. Whatever constellation the Sun was in when you were born is your Sun sign. Your sign influences your personality and actions.
If you were born between November 23 and December 22, your sign is Sagittarius. You are: optimistic, jovial, honest, intellectual, philosophical, energetic, versatile, ambitious, and you love to travel and explore. On your not-so-good side, you can be: careless, irresponsible, tactless, restless, impatient, domineering, inconsiderate, boastful, and can be easy to anger.