How to Locate Capella & the Auriga Constellation

Auriga, also known as the charioteer, earned his place in the sky by inventing a chariot drawn by horses. The resulting constellation of stars is made up of five stars Capella, Menkalinan, Epsilon Aurigae, Zeta Aurigae and AE Aurigae. Capella, a binary star, is the sixth brightest star in the sky, and the brightest star in Auriga constellation. The constellation can be seen in the sky from the northern hemisphere during the winter months.

Things You'll Need

• Star map
• Night sky

Instructions

1. Go outside between 9 p.m. and midnight. The constellation is only visible during the winter months, and is best viewed during December.

2. Locate Orion in the sky. He is most well-known for the three stars which make up his belt.

3. Draw a diagonal line across the sky from the bottom leg of Orion, to the brightest star in his belt, across the sky diagonally. When your finger hits a very bright, yellow, star you have located Capella.

4. Locate Taurus in the sky. This constellation can be found by locating the v shape of his hand. Follow the top horn out to its terminal star, El Nath. This star forms the bottom left corner of Auriga.

5. Locate the remaining three stars in the constellation. The constellation is generally shaped like a pentagon laid on its side.

6. Study the three open star clusters in the constellation. Star clusters M36, M37 and M38 are located inside, or slightly to the left of the constellation. They can best be viewed through binoculars, or a telescope.

References

• Home Boy Astronomy: How to Find Capella and Auriga
• Science Teacher.com: Northern Winter Constellations
• Sky Script: Auriga the Charioteer