Monoceros constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Monoceros (Mon) is a equatorial constellation covering 482 square degrees, number 35 of 88 by size. It has no bright stars — the brightest is magnitude 3.9, so you need a dark sky. It is best seen in the evening in February. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Lepus, Orion, Puppis.
Area: 482 square degrees, 35 of 88 · Neighbours: Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Lepus, Orion, Puppis · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Monoceros
- 1
When to look
The best time is in February in the evening: in the south, around 21:14.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: α Mon (3.9ᵐ), γ Mon (4.0ᵐ), δ Mon (4.2ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January | in the south, around 23:11 | around midnight |
| February — march | in the south, around 21:14 | in the evening |
| April | in the southwest, around 21:16 | in the evening |
| May — august | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
| September | in the southeast, around 05:13 | before dawn |
| October — november | in the south, around 06:04 | before dawn |
| December | in the south, around 01:14 | around midnight |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| α Mon | orange giant | 3.9ᵐ |
| γ Mon | orange giant | 4.0ᵐ |
| δ Mon | white main-sequence star | 4.2ᵐ |
| ζ Mon | yellow supergiant | 4.3ᵐ |
| ε Mon | white subgiant | 4.4ᵐ |
| β Mon | blue-white main-sequence star | 4.6ᵐ |
| HR 2174 | white main-sequence star | 5.7ᵐ |
Monoceros FAQ
When is the best time to see Monoceros?
Where is Monoceros in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Monoceros?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0