Sagitta

Abbreviation:  Sge
English Name:  The Arrow
Genitive: Sham
Hemisphere:  Northern Hemisphere
Location: Between the constellations of Delphinus and Hercules.
Visible between latitudes:  +90 and -70 degrees
Best season: Autumn
Seen in three seasons: Summer, Autumn & Winter
Best seen in:  September
Seen between: May and November
Right Ascension (RA):  20 hour
Declination (DEC):  +10 degrees
Area (square degrees):  80 (86th)

Sagitta  (The Arrow)

• This tiny constellation, Sagitta, is easy to find halfway between Altair in Aquila (The Eagle) and Albireo (Beta [β] Cygni) in Cygnus (The Swan).
• It lies completely within the Milky-Way.
• There is one globular cluster (M71) and one open cluster (H20), also three planetary nebula (NGC 6879, NGC 6886 & IC 4887).

Messier Objects

• M71  –  Globular Cluster  –  small and faint stars, now generally regarded as a poor, weak concentrated globular cluster, rather than a rich open cluster; hazy spot in binoculars and small telescopes – ideally requires at least 6-inch telescope for best resolution.

Features of Interest

• H20  –  Open Cluster; also known as Havard 20 (Magnitude: +7.7) – close to Messier 71 (M71 – Globular Cluster).
• NGC 6879  –  Planetary Nebula; faint (Magnitude: +12.5), which is difficult to locate. Faintly visible from 6-inch telescope.
• NGC 6886  –  Planetary Nebula; slightly brighter (magnitude: +11.4), but still a testing object – fairly easily seen with 6-inch telescope.
• IC 4997  –  Planetary Nebula; bluish in colour and forming a obvious to your eye in mind to see pair with a yellow star.

Named Stars

• Sham (Alpha Sge)

Others

• Photo of the constellation; Sagitta, as it appears to the naked eye. (Lines have been added for clarity)
• Sky Chart  –  Sagitta
• List of stars in Sagitta.

 

Back to The 88 Constellations Lists  page.