Boötes constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Boötes (Boo) is a northern constellation covering 907 square degrees, number 13 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Arcturus, a orange giant, magnitude 0.0. It is best seen in the evening in June. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Draco, Hercules, Serpens, Ursa Major, Virgo.
Area: 907 square degrees, 13 of 88 · Neighbours: Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Draco, Hercules, Serpens, Ursa Major, Virgo · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Boötes
- 1
When to look
The best time is in June in the evening: in the southwest, around 23:21.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Canes Venatici, Coma Berenices, Corona Borealis, Draco.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Arcturus (0.0ᵐ), Muphrid (2.7ᵐ), Seginus (3.0ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — march | in the south, around 06:26 | before dawn |
| April | in the south, around 02:01 | around midnight |
| May | in the south, around 23:54 | in the evening |
| June | in the southwest, around 23:21 | in the evening |
| July — october | in the west, around 23:00 | in the evening |
| November | in the east, around 05:58 | before dawn |
| December | in the southeast, around 06:29 | before dawn |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Arcturus · α Boo | orange giant | 0.0ᵐ |
| Muphrid · η Boo | yellow subgiant | 2.7ᵐ |
| Seginus · γ Boo | white giant | 3.0ᵐ |
| Qigong · δ Boo | yellow giant | 3.5ᵐ |
| Nekkar · β Boo | yellow giant | 3.5ᵐ |
| Kalasungsang · ρ Boo | orange giant | 3.6ᵐ |
| υ Boo | orange giant | 4.1ᵐ |
| ζ Boo | white giant | 4.8ᵐ |
Boötes FAQ
When is the best time to see Boötes?
Where is Boötes in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Boötes?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0