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 » 

Taurus (The Bull) Constellation

Altitude: 12.5°   Azimuth: 77.5°   Direction: East-North-East

Taurus (pronounced ˈtɔːrəs) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 45 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 Bull" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Tau" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Taur" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

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

Taurus is above the horizon from Greenwich, United Kingdom edit_location_alt. Altitude: 13°.
Available Resources for Taurus

Sky Chart of Taurus Constellation

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

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

Today's Taurus 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: 72.5°
Max altitude: 56.0°
Azimuth: 287.5°
Taurus 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 Taurus actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Taurus Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Taurus constellation. See also the complete list of 222 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Taurus. Click on each star to see more details about it.

HR Number(*) Star designation Proper name Visual magnitude Color Notes
HR1457 α Tauri Aldebaran 0.85 Variable; Multiple;
HR1791 β Tauri Elnath 1.65 Double;
HR1165 η Tauri Alcyone 2.87 Multiple;
HR1910 ζ Tauri Tianguan 3 Variable;
HR1412 θ2 Tauri Chamukuy 3.4 Variable; Multiple;
HR1239 λ Tauri 3.47 Variable;
HR1409 ε Tauri Ain 3.53 Double;
HR1030 ο Tauri 3.6 Variable;
HR1178 27 Tauri Atlas 3.63 Variable; Multiple;
HR1346 γ Tauri Prima Hyadum 3.65 Variable;
HR1142 17 Tauri Electra 3.7
HR1038 ξ Tauri 3.74
HR1373 δ1 Tauri Secunda Hyadum 3.76 Variable; Multiple;
HR1411 θ1 Tauri 3.84 Multiple;
HR1149 20 Tauri Maia 3.87 Variable;
HR1251 ν Tauri 3.91
HR1066 5 Tauri 4.11
HR1156 23 Tauri Merope 4.18 Variable;
HR1387 κ1 Tauri 4.22 Variable; Multiple;
HR1458 88 Tauri 4.25 Variable; Double;
...go to the complete list of 222 bright stars in the constellation of Taurus

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

Deep Sky Objects in Taurus Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Taurus constellation. See also the complete list of 86 deep sky objects in the constellation of Taurus. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

Name Type Magnitude
Messier 45 (Pleiades) Open Cluster 1.2 (V)
NGC 1746 Open Cluster 6.1 (V)
NGC 1647 Open Cluster 6.4 (V)
NGC 1807 Open Cluster 7 (V)
NGC 1817 Open Cluster 7.7 (V)
Messier 1 (The Crab Nebula) Supernova Remnant 8.4 (V)
NGC 1555 (Hind's Nebula) Reflection Nebula 9.98 (B)
NGC 1514 Planetary Nebula 10.19 (V)
NGC 1587 Galaxy 13.3 (B)
NGC 1474 Galaxy 13.76 (V)
NGC 1589 Galaxy 13.8 (B)
NGC 1542 Galaxy 13.89 (V)
NGC 1550 Galaxy 14 (B)
NGC 1588 Galaxy 14.1 (B)
IC 357 Galaxy 14.3 (B)
NGC 1517 Galaxy 14.3 (B)
IC 1967 Galaxy 14.5 (B)
NGC 1497 Galaxy 14.5 (B)
...go to the complete list of 86 deep sky objects in the constellation of Taurus