This page contains a description of the stars, constellations, and deep-sky objects that can be seen in the sky at around 1500 hours sidereal time. It is assumed that the observer is located at approximately 30° latitude south.
To use the sky map, orient it so that the direction you are facing is at the bottom of the map. Zenith, the point directly overhead in the sky, is located at the centre of the map.
The large but faint zodiacal constellation Capricornus is rising in the east. The teapot-shaped Sagittarius is very high in the eastern sky with the unremarkable half-circle of Corona Australis nearby.
Scorpius is very near zenith along with Lupus. The two bright stars nearby are Rigil Kent and Hadar in Centaurus. The radiant of the Alpha Centaurid meteor shower is easy to find between Centaurus and Crux, the famous "Southern Cross." Triangulum Australe is very well-placed for viewing near Crux.
The south eastern sky is populated with unremarkable constellations such as Pavo, Grus and Tucana. However, the brighter Carina and Vela take pride of place low in the southwest. The bright star very low in the this region of the sky is Canopus in Carina. Both of the Magellanic Clouds can be seen due south.
Large but faint constellations dominate the northern skies. The lion Leo is setting in the northwest with the next zodiacal constellation, Virgo, closely following. The bright star in Virgo is Spica. Do not confuse it with Arcturus in Boötes which is located just below Spica. Snaking down from near zenith to the western horizon is the lengthy but otherwise unexceptional Hydra.
Libra is near zenith but much more noticable is Scorpius with the bright red Antares at its heart. Below the scorpion in the snake handler Ophiuchus with his snake Serpens and just above the northern horizon is Hercules. The bright star nearby is Vega in Lyra. In the northeast, the eagle Aquila has just risen, marked by its brightest star Altair.
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Copyright © 1995-2007 by David Harper and L.M. Stockman