Constellation · Dra
Draco
The Dragon
A long, winding circumpolar constellation. Thuban, a star in Draco, was the north pole star around 2700 BC.
Magnitude 2.24
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 Draco
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Eltanin (Gamma Draconis)mag 2.24
- Athebyne (Eta Draconis)mag 2.73
- Rastaban (Beta Draconis)mag 2.79
- Altais (Delta Draconis)mag 3.07
- Aldhibah (Zeta Draconis)mag 3.17
- Edasich (Iota Draconis)mag 3.29
Can you see Draco 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 | Draco |
|---|---|
| 60°N | Visible all night, all year (it never 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 | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 40°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
| 60°S | Never rises |
Questions about Draco
When is Draco best seen?
Draco stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in July. 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 Draco?
The brightest star in Draco is Eltanin (Gamma Draconis), magnitude 2.24.
Where on Earth can you see Draco?
The whole of Draco can be seen from latitudes between about 3°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 Draco mean?
Draco is Latin for "the Dragon". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).