Draco constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Draco (Dra) is a northern constellation covering 1,083 square degrees, number 8 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Eltanin, a orange giant, magnitude 2.2. It is best seen in the evening in July. Over London it never sets and is visible all year. Its neighbours in the sky: Boötes, Camelopardalis, Cepheus, Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor.
Area: 1,083 square degrees, 8 of 88 · Neighbours: Boötes, Camelopardalis, Cepheus, Cygnus, Hercules, Lyra, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Draco
- 1
When to look
The best time is in July in the evening: in the north, around 23:00.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Boötes, Camelopardalis, Cepheus, Cygnus.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Eltanin (2.2ᵐ), Athebyne (2.7ᵐ), Rastaban (2.8ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — february | in the northeast, around 06:26 | before dawn |
| March — may | in the north, around 04:47 | before dawn |
| June — july | in the north, around 00:21 | in the evening |
| August — november | in the northwest, around 21:48 | in the evening |
| December | in the northeast, around 06:29 | before dawn |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Eltanin · γ Dra | orange giant | 2.2ᵐ |
| Athebyne · η Dra | yellow giant | 2.7ᵐ |
| Rastaban · β Dra | yellow supergiant | 2.8ᵐ |
| Altais · δ Dra | yellow giant | 3.1ᵐ |
| Aldhibah · ζ Dra | blue-white giant | 3.2ᵐ |
| Edasich · ι Dra | orange giant | 3.3ᵐ |
| χ Dra | yellow-white main-sequence star | 3.6ᵐ |
| Thuban · α Dra | white giant | 3.7ᵐ |
Draco FAQ
When is the best time to see Draco?
Where is Draco in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Draco?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0