Collection Astronomy & Constellations 2026.07.21

A Collection of Representative Constellations to Spot on Summer Nights

From Lyra to Cygnus, Aquila, Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Hercules: A Guide for Finding Summer Constellations

#Hobby #Constellations #Night Sky #Celestial Observation #Summer Constellations

Observing constellations on summer nights offers a different charm compared to the sharp twinkling of stars in winter. The air can be humid and the monsoon is a variable, but on clear days, you can enjoy a rich constellation walk that connects Lyra, Cygnus, Aquila, and the southern Scorpius and Sagittarius, along with Hercules, based on the Summer Triangle. This list organizes the representative constellations that can be repeatedly spotted in the summer night sky from the end of June to August, rather than astronomical phenomena on specific dates. Even beginners can gradually follow bright stars, making it easier to understand the star map.

Lyra

Lyra is one of the easiest constellations to spot on summer nights. Its bright star Vega stands out, making it a great reference point even in urban areas. While the constellation itself is not very large, it can lead to an observation route that connects to the Summer Triangle and the Ring Nebula M57. Beginners should practice finding Vega first and then locate the small parallelogram surrounding it.

추천 시기 6월 말~8월 밤 길잡이 별 베가 난이도 초보자 추천

Cygnus

Cygnus can be found by using Deneb, a part of the Summer Triangle. The stars form a long cross shape, also known as the Northern Cross, and in a dark sky, the Milky Way appears to pass through, making it feel rich with stars. In urban areas, the overall shape may be faint, but by starting from Deneb and the central star Sadr, the structure becomes clearer. It's a great target for those wanting to enjoy both the Milky Way and constellation spotting.

추천 시기 7월~9월 밤 길잡이 별 데네브 난이도 초보자~중급

Aquila

Aquila is best found using the bright star Altair. Along with Vega and Deneb, it forms the Summer Triangle, and it is flanked by relatively bright stars, making it easy to locate. Known as the Cowherd star in East Asia, it links well to the story of Chilseok. While it might be hard to imagine the overall shape of the constellation, simply forming a triangle around Altair allows you to grasp the bigger structure of the summer sky.

추천 시기 7월~9월 밤 길잡이 별 알타이르 난이도 초보자 추천

Scorpius

Scorpius has a relatively distinct shape, but in Korea, it is positioned low in the southern sky, so choosing the right observation spot is important. Finding the red Antares allows you to connect the body and tail of the scorpion, and in dark locations, you can encounter a very impressive scene alongside the southern Milky Way. Since buildings and mountains may obscure the tail, it's best to find spots on the beach, high ground, or any open areas facing south.

추천 시기 6월~8월 밤 길잡이 별 안타레스 난이도 남쪽 시야 필요

Sagittarius Constellation

Sagittarius

Sagittarius is an important constellation for those wanting to spot the summer Milky Way. While it can be hard to visualize the entire constellation, using the star arrangement that resembles a teapot makes it easier to locate. This direction is close to the center of our galaxy, densely populated with star clusters and nebulae. In places with little moonlight and low light pollution, you can sense the hazy band of the Milky Way stretching across the southern sky.

추천 시기 7월~8월 신월 전후 길잡이 별 찻주전자 별배열 난이도 어두운 하늘 권장

Hercules Constellation

Hercules

Hercules may be tricky to find at first due to the lack of bright stars, but once you're familiar with the Summer Triangle and the northern sky's positioning, it's worth trying. The key is to identify its trapezoidal center, which contains the famous globular cluster M13. Using binoculars or a small telescope can reveal the cluster as a faint glowing mass, making it a perfect stepping stone from naked-eye observations to deep-sky viewing.

추천 시기 6월~8월 밤 길잡이 별 헤라클레스 사다리꼴 난이도 중급, 쌍안경 추천

The key to summer constellations is to identify the bright reference stars. If you find Vega, you'll be able to see Lyra and the Summer Triangle, while finding Deneb will reveal Cygnus and the direction of the Milky Way. Spotting Antares to the south will mark the start of Scorpius. Using a star-gazing app can be convenient, but it's best to first familiarize yourself with the positions of the bright stars with the naked eye, while lowering your screen brightness. The same sky can shift slightly based on the date and time, so it's ideal to gradually learn over several nights rather than trying to memorize everything at once.

한눈에 보기 6개

Lyra

6월 말~8월 밤 · 베가 · 초보자 추천

Cygnus

7월~9월 밤 · 데네브 · 초보자~중급

Aquila

7월~9월 밤 · 알타이르 · 초보자 추천

Scorpius

6월~8월 밤 · 안타레스 · 남쪽 시야 필요

Sagittarius Constellation

7월~8월 신월 전후 · 찻주전자 별배열 · 어두운 하늘 권장

Hercules Constellation