Constellation · Hercules · Her

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

northernbest in july2 bright stars

In short

Hercules (Her) is a northern constellation covering 1,225 square degrees, number 5 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Kornephoros, a yellow giant, magnitude 2.8. It is best seen in the evening in July. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Aquila, Boötes, Corona Borealis, Draco, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Serpens, Sagitta, Vulpecula.

Area: 1,225 square degrees, 5 of 88 · Neighbours: Aquila, Boötes, Corona Borealis, Draco, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Serpens, Sagitta, Vulpecula · Updated 10 October 2026

How to find Hercules

1
When to look
The best time is in July in the evening: in the south, around 23:00.
2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Aquila, Boötes, Corona Borealis, Draco.
3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Kornephoros (2.8ᵐ), Tianji (2.8ᵐ), Sarin (3.1ᵐ).

When it is visible over London

Month	Where and when	Conditions
January	in the east, around 06:26	before dawn
February — march	in the southeast, around 05:44	before dawn
April — may	in the south, around 04:31	before dawn
June	in the south, around 00:36	around midnight
July	in the south, around 23:00	in the evening
August — september	in the southwest, around 21:48	in the evening
October — november	in the west, around 19:19	in the evening
December	in the east, around 06:29	before dawn

Stars of the constellation

Star	What it is	Magnitude
Kornephoros · β Her	yellow giant	2.8ᵐ
Tianji · ζ Her	yellow subgiant	2.8ᵐ
Sarin · δ Her	white subgiant	3.1ᵐ
Nüchuang · π Her	orange bright giant	3.2ᵐ
μ Her	yellow subgiant	3.4ᵐ
Rasalgethi · α¹ Her	red supergiant	3.5ᵐ
η Her	yellow giant	3.5ᵐ
ξ Her	yellow giant	3.7ᵐ