Home >> Science & Nature >> Astronomy

How to View Capricorn

One of the smaller constellations of the zodiac, Capricorn, is still an interesting sight. If you are hoping to see a goat or a ram you'll have to use your imagination. Connecting the dots creates an unusual shape that doesn't clearly resemble much of anything. Regardless, take a look with your binoculars. There is more to see than meets the eye.

Things You'll Need

Binoculars

Instructions

- 1
  Print a free star chart to help you locate the oddly shaped Capricorn. September is the best time to view the constellation.
- 2
  Use your star chart to find the ecliptic, an east-west line that sways back and forth in the sky over the seasons. All of the zodiac constellations are along this line. Capricorn is located between the larger constellations Aquarius and Sagittarius.
- 3
  Find several of the named stars in this constellation. Deneb Algedi is the star closest to Aquarius. Its name means "tail of the goat." Try and picture a goat using this star as your reference point.
- 4
  Locate Algedi and Dabih. These two stars are fairly close together on the western end of the constellation. Algedi means goat, while Dabih means slaughterer.
- 5
  Look for Messier Object 30 with your binoculars. This object is a globular cluster. Be patient and search the south side of the constellation. The two constellation lines that form the south side of Capricorn are a reliable reference point.
- 6
  Search for Messier 30 below and to the east of the star that joins these two lines. Come out about twice the distance from Deneb Algedi to the rest of the constellation, then slowly sweep your binoculars to the east.

Astronomy