Taurus constellation: how to find it, when to see it and what is in it
In short
Taurus (Tau) is a equatorial constellation covering 797 square degrees, number 17 of 88 by size. Its brightest star is Aldebaran, a orange giant, magnitude 0.9. It is best seen in the evening in January. Over London it rises and sets and is well placed in its season. Its neighbours in the sky: Aries, Auriga, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini, Orion, Perseus.
Area: 797 square degrees, 17 of 88 · Neighbours: Aries, Auriga, Cetus, Eridanus, Gemini, Orion, Perseus · Updated 10 October 2026
How to find Taurus
- 1
When to look
The best time is in January in the evening: in the south, around 20:41.
- 2
Use the neighbours
Find it from the neighbouring constellations: Aries, Auriga, Cetus, Eridanus.
- 3
Brightest stars
The brightest stars of the figure: Aldebaran (0.9ᵐ), Elnath (1.6ᵐ), Tianguan (3.0ᵐ).
When it is visible over London
| Month | Where and when | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| January — february | in the south, around 20:41 | in the evening |
| March | in the southwest, around 19:17 | in the evening |
| April | in the west, around 21:16 | in the evening |
| May — july | — | not visible, behind the Sun |
| August | in the east, around 04:18 | before dawn |
| September — october | in the south, around 05:13 | before dawn |
| November — december | in the south, around 00:43 | around midnight |
Stars of the constellation
| Star | What it is | Magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Aldebaran · α Tau | orange giant | 0.9ᵐ |
| Elnath · β Tau | blue-white giant | 1.6ᵐ |
| Tianguan · ζ Tau | blue-white giant | 3.0ᵐ |
| Chamukuy · θ² Tau | white giant | 3.4ᵐ |
| Bibing · λ Tau | blue-white main-sequence star | 3.5ᵐ |
| Ain · ε Tau | yellow giant | 3.5ᵐ |
| ο Tau | yellow giant | 3.6ᵐ |
| Atlas · 27 Tau | blue-white giant | 3.6ᵐ |
Taurus FAQ
When is the best time to see Taurus?
Where is Taurus in the sky?
What is the brightest star in Taurus?
Neighbouring and other constellations
Related
Constellation lines: Stellarium, CC BY-SA · star names: IAU WGSN, CC BY 4.0