Catch a glimpse of Monoceros the Unicorn

Find Monoceros the Unicorn within a triangle of stars made by Betelgeuse, Procyon and Sirius.

You can find a Unicorn in the night sky. Monoceros the Unicorn is a constellation that Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius invented in the 1600s. And, in January and February, the Unicorn is in a good position for viewing in the evening sky. It’s highest up and easiest to see in the late evening hours. And it’s visible near all night, with one caveat. That is- if you want to capture the celestial Unicorn – be sure to look in a dark sky. That’s because, true to mythical unicorns, Monoceros is elusive!

How to find Monoceros

In January and February, the Unicorn comes out at nightfall. First, focus in on the bright stars Betelgeuse, Sirius and Procyon (see charts on this page). They make a triangle, which – in the Northern Hemisphere – has the nickname of the Winter Triangle. But you can see these stars from the Southern Hemisphere, too. In fact, Orion the Hunter and the stars near it are even better placed for viewing from the southern part of Earth’s globe.

Within the triangle of stars made by Betelgeuse, Sirius and Procyon – hidden between the many bright and glittering stars and constellations visible at this time of year – there’s a constellation that’s as elusive in our night sky as its namesake is in countless fairy tales.

This is the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn.

View larger. | Sky chart of the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

M50 is an open star cluster – a group of stars born from a single cloud of gas and dust in space, still moving together as a family – within the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. Image via Ole Nielsen/ Wikimedia Commons.

2024 lunar calendars on sale now. Makes a great gift! Check it out here.

Star clusters in the Unicorn

The winter Milky Way runs through Monoceros. Those with dark skies might try drawing an imaginary line from the star Sirius to Procyon. About a third of the way along this line, you’ll find a hazy object – if you look at thi you can spot this region with optical aid, something will pop out at you – it’s called M50. In fact, it’s one of several open star clusters in the region.

You need a telescope to see M50 clearly. But, with an ordinary pair of binoculars, this cluster of stars is wonderful to glimpse and contemplate on a winter night. There are about 100 stars in the little patch we know as M50. Also, the main part of the cluster is about 10 light-years across. The entire cluster is located some 3,000 light-years from us.

Bottom line: Treat yourself to a visit with a mythical beast – Monoceros the Unicorn – in the January and February evening sky.

The post Catch a glimpse of Monoceros the Unicorn first appeared on EarthSky.