Monoceros (The Unicorn) Constellation
Monoceros (pronounced məˈnɒsɪrəs) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 43 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 Unicorn" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Mon" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Mono" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).
The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Monocerotis" (pronounced ˌmɒnəsɪˈroʊtɪs) 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 Monocerotis (the brightest star of Monoceros based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Monocerotis (the 23th star in the constellation of Monoceros based on the Flamsteed catalog).
Sky Chart of Monoceros Constellation
Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Monoceros constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Monoceros in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

Visibility of Monoceros Constellation
Location: Greenwich, UK
Latitude: 51° 28’ 47” N
Longitude: 0° 00’ 00” E
Timezone: Europe/London
Today's Monoceros 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 Monoceros actually is) these times can have little relevance.
Bright Stars in Monoceros Constellation
The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Monoceros constellation. See also the complete list of 151 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Monoceros. Click on each star to see more details about it.
HR Number(*) | Star designation | Proper name | Visual magnitude | Color | Notes | |
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HR2970 | α Monocerotis | 3.93 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2227 | γ Monocerotis | 3.98 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR2714 | δ Monocerotis | 4.15 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR3188 | ζ Monocerotis | 4.34 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
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HR2298 | ε Monocerotis | 4.44 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
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HR2506 | 18 Monocerotis | 4.47 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2385 | 13 Monocerotis | 4.5 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2456 | 15 Monocerotis | 4.66 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; | |
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HR3141 | 28 Monocerotis | 4.68 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR2503 | 17 Monocerotis | 4.77 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2701 | 20 Monocerotis | 4.92 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
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HR3122 | 27 Monocerotis | 4.93 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2128 | 3 Monocerotis | 4.95 | ⬤ | Double; | |
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HR2648 | 19 Monocerotis | 4.99 | ⬤ | Variable; | |
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HR2108 | 2 Monocerotis | 5.03 | ⬤ | ||
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HR2205 | 5.05 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2344 | 10 Monocerotis | 5.06 | ⬤ | Multiple; | |
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HR2508 | 5.07 | ⬤ | Variable; | ||
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HR2395 | 5.1 | ⬤ | |||
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HR2927 | 25 Monocerotis | 5.13 | ⬤ | Variable; Multiple; | |
...go to the complete list of 151 bright stars in the constellation of Monoceros |
(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.
Deep Sky Objects in Monoceros Constellation
The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Monoceros constellation. See also the complete list of 61 deep sky objects in the constellation of Monoceros. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).