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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
sleep NighttimeWhat's Visible Now?
All Constellations » 

Delphinus (The Dolphin) Constellation

Altitude: 9.6°   Azimuth: 80.6°   Direction: East

Delphinus (pronounced dɛlˈfaɪnəs) is the Latin name of a constellation 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 Dolphin" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Del" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Dlph" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Delphini" (pronounced dɛlˈfaɪnaɪ) 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 Delphini (the brightest star of Delphinus based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Delphini (the 23th star in the constellation of Delphinus based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Delphinus is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 10°.
Available Resources for Delphinus

Sky Chart of Delphinus Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Delphinus constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Delphinus 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 Delphinus Constellation

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

Today's Delphinus 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: 76.6°
Max altitude: 51.9°
Azimuth: 283.4°
Delphinus 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 these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Delphinus Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Delphinus constellation. See also the complete list of 46 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Delphinus. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR7882 β Delphini Rotanev 3.63 Multiple;
HR7906 α Delphini Sualocin 3.77 Variable; Multiple;
HR7852 ε Delphini Aldulfin 4.03 Variable;
HR7948 γ2 Delphini 4.27 Double;
HR7928 δ Delphini 4.43 Variable;
HR7871 ζ Delphini 4.68 Variable;
HR7896 κ Delphini 5.05 Multiple;
HR7947 γ1 Delphini 5.14 Double;
HR8011 17 Delphini 5.17 Variable;
HR7858 η Delphini 5.38 Variable;
HR7883 ι Delphini 5.43
HR8030 18 Delphini Musica 5.48 Multiple;
HR7953 13 Delphini 5.58 Variable; Double;
HR8012 16 Delphini 5.58 Double;
HR8044 5.65 Variable; Double;
HR7892 θ Delphini 5.72
HR7774 5.95
HR7899 5.97 Multiple;
HR7973 15 Delphini 5.98 Multiple;
HR7918 10 Delphini 5.99 Variable;
...go to the complete list of 46 bright stars in the constellation of Delphinus

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

Deep Sky Objects in Delphinus Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Delphinus constellation. See also the complete list of 31 deep sky objects in the constellation of Delphinus. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
NGC 6934 Globular Cluster 9.75 (V)
NGC 7006 Globular Cluster 10.46 (V)
IC 4997 Planetary Nebula 10.5 (V)
NGC 6891 Planetary Nebula 10.5 (V)
NGC 6905 (Blue Flash Nebula) Planetary Nebula 11.1 (V)
NGC 6956 Galaxy 13.5 (B)
NGC 6969 Galaxy 13.52 (V)
NGC 6906 Galaxy 13.7 (B)
NGC 6928 Galaxy 13.7 (B)
NGC 7003 Galaxy 13.8 (B)
NGC 7025 Galaxy 14.1 (B)
NGC 6954 Galaxy 14.2 (B)
NGC 6917 Galaxy 14.3 (B)
NGC 6972 Galaxy 14.3 (B)
NGC 6930 Galaxy 14.3 (B)
IC 1320 Galaxy 14.5 (B)
NGC 6944 Galaxy 14.6 (B)
NGC 6971 Galaxy 14.8 (B)
NGC 7028 Galaxy 14.8 (B)
...go to the complete list of 31 deep sky objects in the constellation of Delphinus