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public Observing fromLocation: Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt
SunriseRise: 6:04  
clear_day Transit: 12:06  
SunsetSet: 18:09
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Scutum (The Shield) Constellation

Altitude: 8.1°   Azimuth: 117.2°   Direction: East-South-East

Scutum (pronounced ˈskjuːtəm) 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 Shield" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Sct" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Scut" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

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

Scutum is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 8°.
Available Resources for Scutum

Sky Chart of Scutum Constellation

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

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

Today's Scutum 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: 99.9°
Max altitude: 28.6°
Azimuth: 260.1°
Scutum 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 Scutum Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Scutum constellation. See also the complete list of 30 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Scutum. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR6973 α Scuti 3.85 Variable;
HR7063 β Scuti 4.22
HR6884 ζ Scuti 4.68
HR6930 γ Scuti 4.7
HR7020 δ Scuti 4.72 Variable; Multiple;
HR7149 η Scuti 4.83
HR7032 ε Scuti 4.9 Multiple;
HR7119 5.1
HR6970 5.14
HR7066 5.2 Variable;
HR6959 5.5
HR7055 5.71 Variable; Double;
HR6946 5.72 Double;
HR6881 5.73
HR6962 5.76
HR7094 5.83
HR7007 5.84 Double;
HR6932 5.96 Variable;
HR7083 5.99 Multiple;
HR7024 6.15
...go to the complete list of 30 bright stars in the constellation of Scutum

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

Deep Sky Objects in Scutum Constellation

The table below lists all the deep sky objects in the Scutum constellation. See also the complete list of 15 deep sky objects in the constellation of Scutum. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
Messier 11 (Amas de l'Ecu de Sobieski) Open Cluster 5.8 (V)
IC 1287 Reflection Nebula 6.1 (B)
NGC 6664 Open Cluster 7.8 (V)
NGC 6712 Globular Cluster 8.69 (V)
Messier 26 Open Cluster 8.87 (V)
NGC 6649 Open Cluster 8.9 (V)
NGC 6625 Open Cluster 9 (V)
NGC 6704 Open Cluster 9.2 (V)
NGC 6683 Open Cluster 9.4 (V)
NGC 6631 Open Cluster 11.7 (V)
IC 1295 Planetary Nebula 12.5 (V)
IC 4768 Open Cluster N/A
NGC 6639 Open Cluster N/A
NGC 6682 Open Cluster N/A