Monoceros, the Unicorn (Mon)

The constellation of Monoceros, the Unicorn, is best viewed in the Winter season during the month of February for mid-northern latitudes. It's brightest star is Beta Monocerotis at magnitude 3.76. The boundary of the Monoceros constellation contains 14 stars that host known exoplanets.

The naked eye can generally see up to magnitude 6 (magnitude 8 with perfect eyes under ideal super dark-sky conditions).

1. Meaning:
2. Unicorn

1. Genitive:
2. Monocerotis

1. Abbreviation:
2. Mon

1. Constellation Family:
2. Orion

1. Best Viewing Month*:
2. February

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 6h 58m

1. Declination (avg):
2. -3° 16'

1. Brightest Star:
2. Beta Monocerotis (3.76m)

1. Exoplanet Host Stars:
2. 14

1. Caldwell objects:
2. C46, C49, C50, C54,

1. Herschel objects:
2. NGC 2185, NGC 2215, NGC 2232, NGC 2244, NGC 2251, NGC 2264, NGC 2286, NGC 2301, NGC 2311, NGC 2324, NGC 2335, NGC 2343, NGC 2353, NGC 2506,

1. X-ray Stars:
2. 1 stars

1. Pulsars:
2. 1

1. Other:
2. 2 protoplanetary disks

* For southern latitudes, flip the season listed. For example, if a constellation is listed as best viewed in the summer in the month of July, in the southern hemisphere the constellation would be best viewed in the winter in January and would be upside-down.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed.

Find your inner astronomer. Your complete guide to amateur astronomy.