Taurus, the Bull (Tau)

(TOR-us)

The Northern constellation of Taurus, the Bull, is best viewed in Winter during the month of January.

Taurus is the 17th largest constellation. It's brightest star is Aldebaran at magnitude 0.85. The boundary of the Taurus constellation contains 18 stars that host known exoplanets.

1. Pronunciation:
2. TOR-us

1. Meaning:
2. Bull

1. Genitive:
2. Tauri

1. Abbreviation:
2. Tau

1. Constellation Family:
2. Zodiacal

1. Hemisphere:
2. Northern

1. Quadrant:
2. NQ1

1. Visibility:
2. 90° N - 65° S

1. Best viewing month*:
2. January

1. Area:
2. 797 sq. degrees

1. Size:
2. 17th largest

1. Right Ascension (avg):
2. 4h 6m

1. Declination (avg):
2. 17°

1. Meteor showers:
2. Taurids

1. Brightest star:
2. Aldebaran (0.85)

1. Stars with planets:
2. 18

1. Messier objects:
2. M1 | M45 |

1. Caldwell objects:
2. C41 |

Brightest Stars in Taurus

The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Taurus by magnitude.

1. Star
2. Magnitude
3. Spectral class

1. Alpha Tauri (α Tau)
2. 0.87
3. K5III

1. Beta Tauri (β Tau)
2. 1.65
3. B7III

1. Eta Tauri (η Tau)
2. 2.85
3. B7III

1. Zeta Tauri (ζ Tau)
2. 2.97
3. B4IIIp

1. Theta Tauri (θ² Tau)
2. 3.4
3. A7III

1. Lambda Tauri (λ Tau)
2. 3.41
3. B3V + A

1. Epsilon Tauri (ε Tau)
2. 3.53
3. K0III

1. Omicron Tauri (ο Tau)
2. 3.61
3. G8III

1. 27 Tauri (27 Tau)
2. 3.62
3. B8III

1. Gamma Tauri (γ Tau)
2. 3.65
3. G8III

Double Stars in Taurus

These are the brightest and easiest-to-find double, triple, and quadruple star systems in the constellation Taurus. Also see all star clusters.

1. Star system
2. Magnitudes
3. Type

1. Chi Tauri
2. 5.4, 8.5
3. double

1. 118 Tauri
2. 5.8, 6.7
3. double

Star Clusters in Taurus

The most notable and easy-to-find star clusters in the constellation Taurus . Also see all star clusters.

1. Star cluster
2. Catalog #
3. Cluster type

1. Hyades
2. C41
3. open

1. Pleiades
2. M45
3. open

Nebulae in Taurus

Notable and easy-to-find nebulae in the constellation Taurus . Also see all nebulae.

1. Nebula name
2. Catalog #
3. Nebula type

1. Barnard's Merope Nebula
3. reflection

1. Crab Nebula
2. M1
3. supernova remnant

1. Merope Nebula
3. reflection

1. Spaghetti Nebula
3. supernova remnant

1. Taurus-Auriga Cloud
3. molecular cloud

Neutron Stars in Taurus

These are the most well-known neutron stars in the constellation Taurus. Although neutron stars cannot be seen in any amateur telescope, they are at the center of many supernova remnant nebulae, which can be seen. Also see all neutron stars.

1. Neutron star
3. Type

1. Crab Pulsar
3. pulsar

1. J0337+1715
3. millisecond pulsar

1. PSR J0348+0432
3. pulsar

1. Spaghetti Nebula pulsar
3. pulsar

The Bull in the Sky

Among the many constellations that decorate our night sky, Taurus, the Bull, holds a special significance. Known for its mythological associations, easy-to-spot shape, and prominent celestial objects, Taurus offers a wealth of observation opportunities.

Historical Background

Taurus is one of the oldest constellations known to humanity, with depictions dating back to the Early Bronze Age. It is part of the zodiac, a band of twelve constellations lying along the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun across the sky). The mythological associations of Taurus are plentiful, often linked to the bull form taken by Zeus in Greek mythology.

Distinctive Characteristics

Taurus is distinctive for its 'V' shape, formed by the Hyades star cluster, with the bright star Aldebaran representing the bull's eye. The 'V' shape symbolizes the head of the Bull, with the two end stars pointing to the horns. Taurus is also known for the Pleiades, a famous open star cluster that lies within its boundaries.

Celestial Objects of Interest

The constellation of Taurus is home to several spectacular celestial objects. The red giant star Aldebaran is the brightest star in Taurus and the 14th brightest star in the sky. Its orange hue is visible even to the naked eye.

The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is one of the most famous open clusters in the night sky. Although named for seven sisters in Greek mythology, most people can only see six stars with the naked eye. A telescope, however, reveals that the cluster contains many more stars.

The Hyades, a closer and more spread-out star cluster, forms the head of the Bull. This cluster includes a mix of bright and dim stars, with Aldebaran (which is not a member of the cluster) appearing as the most prominent.

Taurus also hosts the Crab Nebula (Messier 1), the remnant of a supernova explosion observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054 AD. This nebula, located near the tip of one of the Bull's horns, is one of the most studied objects in the sky due to its importance in the study of supernova remnants.

Observation

Taurus is best viewed during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere. It is easily located by finding the three bright stars in Orion's Belt, which point towards the direction of Aldebaran. From there, observers can identify the rest of the constellation's pattern.

While many of Taurus' stars and clusters can be seen with the naked eye, a small telescope or binoculars can enhance the viewing experience, especially for objects such as the Pleiades and the Crab Nebula.

Taurus, with its deep-rooted historical significance, easily identifiable shape, and wealth of celestial objects, provides a fascinating section of the sky for both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers. Whether you're looking for the vibrant orange hue of Aldebaran, the delicate beauty of the Pleiades, or the dramatic remnants of a long-ago supernova, Taurus is a constellation that offers something for every observer.

* Constellation shown for northen hemisphere skies. For the southern hemisphere, constellations appear rotated 180 degrees (upside-down and left-right reversed) from what is shown. Remember that seasons are reversed too - summer in northern latitudes is winter in southern latitudes.

** Circumpolar constellations are visible year-round in the hemisphere listed (and not at all in the opposite hemisphere).