Draco constellation

Draco is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the dragon. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 3 June, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 17°S.

EltaninMake a star map with constellations

Draco at a glance

Represents
the dragon
Highest at midnight
3 June
Highest at 9 pm
17 July
Seen whole from
90°N to 17°S
Brightest star
Eltanin
Stars in the figure
14 stars
Origin
Ptolemy's list, 2nd century

When to see Draco

Draco is highest in the sky at midnight around 3 June and at 9 pm around 17 July. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.

The times are local solar time. Clocks on summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.

When Draco is highest each month
DateHighest at
15 January9:00 AM
15 February7:00 AM
15 March5:10 AM
15 April3:10 AM
15 May1:10 AM
15 June11:10 PM
15 July9:10 PM
15 August7:10 PM
15 September5:10 PM
15 October3:10 PM
15 November1:10 PM
15 December11:10 AM

Where to look for Draco

From the northern hemisphere

From 40°N, Draco never sets. It circles the pole and is highest around midnight on 3 June, 64° above the northern horizon.

From the southern hemisphere

From 35°S, only the southern stars of Draco rise, low above the northern horizon.

Brightest stars in Draco

The brightest stars in Draco
StarMagnitude
Eltanin2.24

Meteor showers from Draco

The meteors of these showers seem to come from a point in Draco, called the radiant.

Meteor showers whose radiant is in Draco
ShowerPeakZenithal hourly rate
DraconidsAround 9 October5

Draco in myth and history

In Greek myth, the dragon is often said to be Ladon, which guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides until Heracles killed it.

Draco is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.

Constellations next to Draco

Find Draco in your sky

Questions about Draco