Constellation · Boo
Boötes
The Herdsman
Contains Arcturus, an orange giant and one of the brightest stars in the night sky, which you can find by following the curve of the Big Dipper's handle.
Magnitude -0.05
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (summer in the northern hemisphere)
Latitudes where every part of it rises above the horizon at some time of year
The whole sky covers about 41,253 square degrees
Stars brighter than about magnitude 6, the naked-eye limit under dark skies
Named stars in Boötes
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Arcturus (Alpha Boötis)mag -0.05
- Izar (Epsilon Boötis)mag 2.35
- Muphrid (Eta Boötis)mag 2.68
- Seginus (Gamma Boötis)mag 3.04
- Thiba (Delta Boötis)mag 3.46
- Nekkar (Beta Boötis)mag 3.49
Can you see Boötes from where you live?
This depends only on your latitude. Pick the row nearest to you; for your exact sky tonight, use the sky map.
| Latitude | Boötes |
|---|---|
| 60°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°N | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| the equator | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 20°S | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 40°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 60°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
Questions about Boötes
When is Boötes best seen?
Boötes stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in June. That makes summer evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Boötes?
The brightest star in Boötes is Arcturus (Alpha Boötis), magnitude -0.05.
Where on Earth can you see Boötes?
The whole of Boötes can be seen from latitudes between about 35°S and 90°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: Only part of it ever clears the horizon.
What does Boötes mean?
Boötes is Latin for "the Herdsman". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).