Hercules (The Hercules) Constellation
Hercules (pronounced ˈhɜːrkjʊliːz) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 57 degrees across the sky) situated north of the celestial equator. As such, it is more easily visible from the northern hemisphere.
In English language this constellation is also known as "The Hercules" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Her" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Herc" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).
The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Herculis" (pronounced ˈhɜːrkjʊlɪs) 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 Herculis (the brightest star of Hercules based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Herculis (the 23th star in the constellation of Hercules based on the Flamsteed catalog).
Sky Chart of Hercules Constellation
Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Hercules constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Hercules in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Visibility of Hercules Constellation
Location: Greenwich, UK
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's Hercules rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):
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 Hercules actually is) these times can have little relevance.
Bright Stars in Hercules Constellation
The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Hercules constellation. See also the complete list of 259 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Hercules. Click on each star to see more details about it.
HR Number(*) | Star designation | Proper name | Visual magnitude | Color | Notes | |
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HR6148 | β Herculis | Kornephoros | 2.77 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; |
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HR6212 | ζ Herculis | 2.81 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR6410 | δ Herculis | Sarin | 3.14 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; |
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HR6418 | π Herculis | 3.16 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR6623 | μ Herculis | 3.42 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
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HR6406 | α1 Herculis | Rasalgethi | 3.48 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; |
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HR6220 | η Herculis | 3.53 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR6703 | ξ Herculis | 3.7 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR6095 | γ Herculis | 3.75 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; | |
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HR6588 | ι Herculis | 3.8 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR6779 | ο Herculis | 3.83 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR6895 | 109 Herculis | 3.84 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR6695 | θ Herculis | 3.86 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR6092 | τ Herculis | 3.89 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR6324 | ε Herculis | 3.92 | ⬤ | ||
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HR7061 | 110 Herculis | 4.19 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; | |
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HR6168 | σ Herculis | 4.2 | ⬤ | Variable; Double; | |
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HR6023 | φ Herculis | 4.26 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR6787 | 102 Herculis | 4.36 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR7069 | 111 Herculis | 4.36 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
...go to the complete list of 259 bright stars in the constellation of Hercules |
(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.
Deep Sky Objects in Hercules Constellation
The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Hercules constellation. See also the complete list of 311 deep sky objects in the constellation of Hercules. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).