Lacerta constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Lacerta (Lac) is a northern constellation covering 201 square degrees, number 68 of 88 by size. It has no bright stars — the brightest is magnitude 3.8, so you need a dark sky. It is best seen in the evening in October. Over London it never sets and is visible all year. Its neighbours in the sky: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus, Pegasus.
Area: 201 square degrees, 68 of 88 · Neighbours: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus, Pegasus · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Lacerta
- 1
When to look
The best time is in October in the evening: in the south, around 21:49.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Cygnus.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Stellio (3.8ᵐ), 1 Lac (4.1ᵐ), 5 Lac (4.4ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January | in the west, around 17:41 | in the evening |
| February | in the northwest, around 18:29 | in the evening |
| March — april | in the northeast, around 04:47 | before dawn |
| May — june | in the east, around 03:24 | before dawn |
| July | in the southeast, around 03:00 | before dawn |
| August — september | in the south, around 01:48 | around midnight |
| October — november | in the south, around 21:49 | in the evening |
| December | in the southwest, around 17:14 | in the evening |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Stellio · α Lac | white main-sequence star | 3.8ᵐ |
| 1 Lac | orange bright giant | 4.1ᵐ |
| 5 Lac | red bright giant | 4.4ᵐ |
| Alsamaka · β Lac | yellow giant | 4.4ᵐ |
| 6 Lac | blue-white subgiant | 4.5ᵐ |
| 4 Lac | blue-white supergiant | 4.6ᵐ |
Lacerta FAQ
When is the best time to see Lacerta?
Where is Lacerta in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Lacerta?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0