Constellation · Tau
Taurus
The Bull
A zodiac constellation with orange Aldebaran, the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters, and the Crab Nebula (M1), the remnant of a supernova seen in 1054.
Magnitude 0.87
Highest in the sky at 9 pm local time (winter 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 Taurus
Brightest first. A lower magnitude means a brighter star.
- Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri)mag 0.87
- Elnath (Beta Tauri)mag 1.65
- Alcyone (Eta Tauri)mag 2.85
- Tianguan (Zeta Tauri)mag 2.97
- Chamukuy (Theta² Tauri)mag 3.40
- Ain (Epsilon Tauri)mag 3.53
Can you see Taurus 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 | Taurus |
|---|---|
| 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 | The whole constellation rises and sets |
| 60°S | Only part of it ever clears the horizon |
Questions about Taurus
When is Taurus best seen?
Taurus stands highest in the sky at 9 pm local time in January. That makes winter evenings the best time for observers in the northern hemisphere; in the southern hemisphere the season is reversed.
What is the brightest star in Taurus?
The brightest star in Taurus is Aldebaran (Alpha Tauri), magnitude 0.87.
Where on Earth can you see Taurus?
The whole of Taurus can be seen from latitudes between about 59°S and 89°N. From 40°N: The whole constellation rises and sets. From 35°S: The whole constellation rises and sets.
What does Taurus mean?
Taurus is Latin for "the Bull". One of Ptolemy's 48 ancient constellations (2nd century).