We use cookies to deliver essential features and to measure their performance. By using this site you accept our Privacy Policies.
A Complete Guide to the Solar System and the Night Sky
Donate Now! Help keep this site free and ads-free!
public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
sunny DaytimeWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » 

Aquarius (The Water Bearer) Constellation

Altitude: 28.4°   Azimuth: 184.2°   Direction: South

Aquarius (pronounced əˈkwɛəriəs) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 57 degrees across the sky) situated close to the celestial equator. As such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Water bearer" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Aqr" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Aqar" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Aquarii" (pronounced əˈkwɛəriaɪ) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Aquarii (the brightest star of Aquarius based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Aquarii (the 23th star in the constellation of Aquarius based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Aquarius is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 28°.
Available Resources for Aquarius

Sky Chart of Aquarius Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Aquarius constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Aquarius in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Chart of  constellation
This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Aquarius Constellation

Location: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London

Today's Aquarius rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

Azimuth: 100.0°
Max altitude: 28.5°
Azimuth: 260.0°
Aquarius is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Aquarius actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Aquarius Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Aquarius constellation. See also the complete list of 170 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Aquarius. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR8232 β Aquarii Sadalsuud 2.91 Multiple;
HR8414 α Aquarii Sadalmelik 2.96 Double;
HR8709 δ Aquarii Skat 3.27 Variable;
HR8812 88 Aquarii 3.66
HR8698 λ Aquarii 3.74 Variable;
HR7950 ε Aquarii Albali 3.77
HR8518 γ Aquarii Sadachbia 3.84 Variable; Double;
HR8892 98 Aquarii 3.97
HR8679 τ2 Aquarii 4.01 Variable; Double;
HR8597 η Aquarii 4.02
HR8499 θ Aquarii Ancha 4.16
HR8841 ψ1 Aquarii 4.21 Multiple;
HR8834 φ Aquarii 4.22
HR8418 ι Aquarii 4.27
HR8906 99 Aquarii 4.39 Variable;
HR8858 ψ2 Aquarii 4.39
HR7951 3 Aquarii 4.42 Variable;
HR8559 ζ2 Aquarii 4.42 Multiple;
HR8789 86 Aquarii 4.47 Double;
HR8988 ω2 Aquarii 4.49 Double;
...go to the complete list of 170 bright stars in the constellation of Aquarius

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Aquarius Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Aquarius constellation. See also the complete list of 257 deep sky objects in the constellation of Aquarius. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
Messier 2 Globular Cluster 6.25 (V)
NGC 7293 (Helix Nebula) Planetary Nebula 7.3 (V)
NGC 7009 (Saturn Nebula) Planetary Nebula 8 (V)
Messier 72 Globular Cluster 8.96 (V)
NGC 7492 Globular Cluster 10.48 (V)
NGC 7727 Galaxy 11 (B)
NGC 7723 Galaxy 11 (B)
NGC 7184 Galaxy 11.2 (V)
NGC 7606 Galaxy 11.5 (B)
NGC 7761 Galaxy 11.7 (B)
NGC 7392 Galaxy 11.85 (V)
NGC 7252 Galaxy 12.06 (V)
NGC 6962 Galaxy 12.14 (V)
NGC 7218 Galaxy 12.4 (B)
NGC 7721 Galaxy 12.4 (B)
NGC 7371 Galaxy 12.5 (B)
IC 1438 Galaxy 12.63 (B)
NGC 7171 Galaxy 12.7 (B)
NGC 7377 Galaxy 12.78 (V)
...go to the complete list of 257 deep sky objects in the constellation of Aquarius