Boötes constellation
Boötes is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the herdsman. It is highest in the sky at midnight around April 30, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 50°S.
Boötes at a glance
- Represents
- the herdsman
- Highest at midnight
- April 30
- Highest at 9 pm
- June 14
- Seen whole from
- 90°N to 50°S
- Brightest star
- Arcturus
- Stars in the figure
- 9 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
When to see Boötes
Boötes is highest in the sky at midnight around April 30 and at 9 pm around June 14. Each month it is highest about two hours earlier than the month before.
The times are local solar time. Clocks on daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 6:50 a.m. |
| February 15 | 4:50 a.m. |
| March 15 | 3:00 a.m. |
| April 15 | 1:00 a.m. |
| May 15 | 11:00 p.m. |
| June 15 | 9:00 p.m. |
| July 15 | 7:00 p.m. |
| August 15 | 5:00 p.m. |
| September 15 | 2:50 p.m. |
| October 15 | 1:00 p.m. |
| November 15 | 10:50 a.m. |
| December 15 | 9:00 a.m. |
Where to look for Boötes
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Boötes rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on April 30, 76° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Boötes rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on April 30, 29° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Boötes
| Star | Magnitude |
|---|---|
| Arcturus | -0.05 |
Meteor showers from Boötes
The meteors of these showers seem to come from a point in Boötes, called the radiant.
| Shower | Peak | Zenithal hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Quadrantids | Around January 3 | 80 |
Boötes in myth and history
Boötes is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Constellations next to Boötes
Find Boötes in your sky
Questions about Boötes
Boötes is highest in the sky at midnight around April 30 and at 9 pm around June 14. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Boötes rises above the horizon from 90°N to 50°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 76°S.
Arcturus is the brightest star in Boötes, at magnitude -0.05.
Boötes represents the herdsman. Boötes is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.