Corvus constellation

Corvus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the crow. It is highest in the sky at midnight around March 28, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 65°N to 90°S.

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Corvus at a glance

Represents
the crow
Highest at midnight
March 28
Highest at 9 pm
May 12
Seen whole from
65°N to 90°S
Stars in the figure
6 stars
Origin
Ptolemy's list, 2nd century

When to see Corvus

Corvus is highest in the sky at midnight around March 28 and at 9 pm around May 12. 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.

When Corvus is highest each month
DateHighest at
January 154:40 a.m.
February 152:40 a.m.
March 1512:50 a.m.
April 1510:50 p.m.
May 158:50 p.m.
June 156:50 p.m.
July 154:50 p.m.
August 152:50 p.m.
September 1512:50 p.m.
October 1510:50 a.m.
November 158:50 a.m.
December 156:50 a.m.

Where to look for Corvus

From the northern hemisphere

From 40°N, Corvus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on March 28, 30° above the southern horizon.

From the southern hemisphere

From 35°S, Corvus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on March 28, 75° above the northern horizon.

Brightest stars in Corvus

None of the stars of Corvus is brighter than magnitude 2.3, so it is best seen from a dark place away from city lights. Its brightest stick-figure stars are about magnitude 2.

Corvus in myth and history

In one Greek story, the god Apollo sent a crow to fetch water in a cup. The crow came back late and lied about why, so Apollo placed the crow, the cup and a water snake in the sky.

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

Constellations next to Corvus

Find Corvus in your sky

Questions about Corvus