How to View Hercules

Hercules is a large, sprawling constellation that lives up to its name. Its shape closely resembles an insect or a four-legged spider. With some imagination you can make out the hero. Look for Hercules in July for the best view of this constellation that hides a couple of interesting objects among its legs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Binoculars

1. Print a star chart to help you and think big. This constellation takes up a lot of space. It is long and sprawls out from its central trapezoid shape in four different directions.
2. Find the star Rasalgethi located the furthest from the central trapezoid. This star's name means "head of the kneeling one." This phrase puts the intended picture of the hero into perspective. Stretch you imagination and picture a kneeling Hercules with his head bent to the ground.
3. Locate the star named Kornephoros. This one means "club bearer." It is where a small, straight line breaks off from the larger one. Picture a hand or a club.
4. Search for two Messier Objects located within Hercules. Both are globular clusters. M13 has the title of Great Hercules Globular Cluster. The other is simply M92. Both are fairly easy to locate but the Great Cluster is more interesting to view.
5. Look to the north side of the trapezoid. Find the star that makes the tip of the kneeling leg that extends to the north. Next, find the star that makes the tip of the arm. It also extends to the north.
6. Draw an imaginary line between those two stars. M92 is located one third of the way between the end of the leg and the tip of the arm. It is also one fourth of the way toward the trapezoid. Sweep the area with your binoculars until you find the cluster.
7. Observe the Great Cluster by looking along the line of the trapezoid that connects the arm and the neck of Hercules. M13 is located near the line and one third of the way between the arm and the neck. It is slightly on the outside of the trapezoid.

Tips & Warnings

• Get out into the country to view the Messier Objects. Avoid moonlight as much as possible.