Constellation · Crater · Crt

Crater constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it

equatorialbest in april

In short

Crater (Crt) is a equatorial constellation covering 282 square degrees, number 53 of 88 by size. It has no bright stars — the brightest is magnitude 3.6, so you need a dark sky. It is best seen in the evening in April. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Sextans, Virgo.

Area: 282 square degrees, 53 of 88 · Neighbours: Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Sextans, Virgo · Updated 10 October 2026

How to find Crater

1
When to look
The best time is in April in the evening: in the south, around 22:46.
2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Sextans.
3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: δ Crt (3.6ᵐ), Alkes (4.1ᵐ), γ Crt (4.1ᵐ).

When it is visible over London

Month	Where and when	Conditions
January	in the south, around 03:41	before dawn
February — march	in the south, around 01:44	around midnight
April	in the south, around 22:46	in the evening
May	in the southwest, around 22:24	low, needs an open horizon
June — october	—	not visible, behind the Sun
November	in the southeast, around 05:58	low, needs an open horizon
December	in the south, around 05:44	before dawn

Stars of the constellation

Star	What it is	Magnitude
δ Crt	yellow giant	3.6ᵐ
Alkes · α Crt	orange giant	4.1ᵐ
γ Crt	white main-sequence star	4.1ᵐ
β Crt	white giant	4.5ᵐ
θ Crt	blue-white main-sequence star	4.7ᵐ
ζ Crt	yellow giant	4.7ᵐ
ε Crt	orange giant	4.8ᵐ
η Crt	white main-sequence star	5.2ᵐ