Observing the Constellations from Southern Africa

Observing the Constellations
Short descriptions for finding the Constellations
from Southern Africa
A star watching service by ASSA Bloemfontein Centre, South Africa
Information customized for southern hemisphere, 29 degree latitude South

List of all 88 official constellations

The Constellation of:

Corona Australis

Background:
Corona Australis (the Southern Crown) is a small but conspicuous contellation near Sagittarius. Beginners to the night sky won't easily see it if they don't specifically look for it, but if they use a star map to locate the Southern Crown, they are bound to quickly see it. Its stars are quite faint, appearing to be of relatively equal brightness. Probably one of the most beautiful of the small constellations in the sky!

Where is it?
Corona Australis is snuggled between Sagittarius and the sting of Scorpius. For southern observers it culminates near the zenith early evenings during late winter/early spring.

Finding it:
The easiest way of finding the Southern Crown is to identify Sagittarius and move from its "tea pot" in a southerly direction. If you know where alpha and beta Sagittarius are, it's so much easier.

Other info:
Corona Australis is the southern version of the Northern Crown (Corona Borealis), a larger, brighter constellation.

Descriptions are based on evening observations, for the southern hemisphere and more specifically for Southern Africa.

Summer = Dec, Jan, Feb
Autumn = Mar, Apr, May
Winter = Jun, Jul, Aug
Spring = Sep, Oct, Nov

Zenith = point directly above you in the sky

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