Auriga, the Charioteer (Aur)
(aw-RYE-guh)
The Northern constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer, is best viewed in Winter during the month of February. It's brightest star is Capella at magnitude 0.80. The boundary of the Auriga constellation contains 8 stars that host known exoplanets.
- Pronunciation:
- aw-RYE-guh
- Meaning:
- Charioteer
- Genitive:
- Aurigae
- Abbreviation:
- Aur
- Asterism:
- Winter Hexagon
- Constellation Family:
- Perseus
- Hemisphere:
- Northern
- Quadrant:
- NQ2
- Best viewing month*:
- February
- Right Ascension (avg):
- 5h 57m
- Declination (avg):
- 42° 49'
- Meteor showers:
- Aurigids
- Brightest star:
- Capella (0.80)
- Stars with planets:
- 8
- X-ray stars:
- 4 (2 binaries) stars
Brightest Stars in Auriga
The 10 brightest stars in the constellation Auriga by magnitude.
- Star
- Magnitude
- Spectral class
- Alpha Aurigae (α Aur)
- 0.08
- G8III / G0III
- Beta Aurigae (β Aur)
- 1.9
- A2V
- Theta Aurigae (θ Aur)
- 2.62
- A0p Si
- Iota Aurigae (ι Aur)
- 2.69
- K3IIvar
- Epsilon Aurigae (ε Aur)
- 3.03
- F0Ia
- Eta Aurigae (η Aur)
- 3.18
- B3V
- Zeta Aurigae (ζ Aur)
- 3.69
- K4II
- Delta Aurigae (δ Aur)
- 3.72
- K0III
- Nu Aurigae (ν Aur)
- 3.97
- K0III
- Pi Aurigae (π Aur)
- 4.3
- M3IIvar
Double Stars in Auriga
These are the brightest and easiest-to-find double, triple, and quadruple star systems in the constellation Auriga . Also see all star clusters.
- Star system
- Magnitudes
- Type
- Theta Aurigae
- 2.6, 7.2
- double
Star Clusters in Auriga
The most notable and easy-to-find star clusters in the constellation Auriga . Also see all star clusters.
- Star cluster
- Catalog #
- Cluster type
- Messier 36
- M36
- open
- Messier 37
- M37
- open
- Messier 38
- M38
- open
- NGC 1931
- open
- Palomar 2
- globular
- Teutsch 2
- open
Nebulae in Auriga
Notable and easy-to-find nebulae in the constellation Auriga. Also see all nebulae.
- Nebula name
- Catalog #
- Nebula type
- Flaming Star Nebula
- C31
- reflection
- Fly Nebula
- reflection
- Westbrook Nebula
- protoplanetary
* 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).