Home >> Science & Nature >> Astronomy

How to Locate the Taurus the Bull at Night

The Taurus constellation, shaped like a bull, is one of the largest constellations in the night sky. Like most constellations, its location in the night sky changes depending on the time of year and the Earth's rotation. You can see the constellation through binoculars, a telescope or with the naked eye. If you have a more powerful device to see constellations, you can also witness the Crab Nebula, which lies northwest of Taurus.

Things You'll Need

Sky map

Instructions

- 1
  Search for the Taurus constellation during the winter months. December and January are ideal for viewing Taurus in the Northern Hemisphere, but it can also be seen in late autumn (September or October) and early spring (March).
- 2
  Locate constellations and specific stars using a sky map to help you find the stars of Taurus. Find Orion, a bright constellation that lies in the southeast and shares stars with Taurus. Find the very bright Betelgeuse star, which makes up the armpit of Taurus.
- 3
  Find Aldebaran, the brightest star of the Taurus constellation. Aldebaran makes up the eye of Taurus the bull. Find the Hyades cluster of stars, which makes up the edge of Taurus' face. Find Beta Tauri and Zeta, two star systems that make up the horns on the western side of the constellation

Astronomy