What Are the Stars of the Southern Hemisphere?

Milky Way

• The first major difference between the southern and northern skies is the presence of the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a pale band of light formed by stars that are all part of the same galaxy as that of the Earth and the sun. The stars that you can see with the naked eye are also part of the same galaxy, but they are close enough to be distinguished from the other millions of stars that stand by the edge of the galaxy. The Milky Way is best seen in the midsummer months, which are between December and March in the Southern hemisphere.

  Once you have been able to identify the Milky Way, you should see two very bright stars near the horizon stand out. The two stars, Beta Centauri and Alpha Centauri are also known as "The Pointers," which will allow you to find the Southern Cross.

Southern Cross

• The Southern Cross is the most well-known constellation of the Southern Hemisphere and can be seen throughout the year although it does dip slightly below the horizon between September and November in most southern parts of Australia and New Zealand. You can find the constellation on the flags of some countries in the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Brazil.

  To find the Southern Cross, draw an imaginary line between the alpha and the beta pointer stars. Keep the imaginary line going straight for a little more and you will find the constellation lying on its left side. The best time to see the Southern Cross is in early January, around midnight.

South Pole Star

• Contrary to Polaris, the north pole star, the south pole equivalent, Sigma Octantis, is not as easy to identify because it is barely visible to the naked eye, emitting only a faint light. However, it is similar in the sense that from the south pole star, you can use it as a pivot point to identify all other constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.

  To find the south pole, from the imaginary line you created earlier between the pointer stars, draw a line between these two and extend perpendicularly toward Achernar, a very bright star, far to your right. From there, go up past the Southern Cross, and connect the two axes stars and extend this line down toward the original line that you mentally drew. This intersection of both lines is the general region where the south pole can be found.

Other Constellations

• There are many other constellations that make up the Southern Hemisphere's skyline. In the winter, look for the Aquila, Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius and Scorpius constellations. Then, in spring, Andromeda, Aquarius, Capricornus, Pegasus and Pisces start to show. Into the summer, you will be able to see the Canis Major, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini, Orion, Perseus and Taurus star formations. And finally, in autumn, look out for Bootes, Cancer, Crater, Hydra, Leo and Virgo. Use a map of the Southern Hemisphere's constellations to guide you (see Resources) and don't forget that the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere happen during different months than they do in the Northern Hemisphere.