Aquarius constellation
Aquarius is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the water bearer. It is highest in the sky at midnight around August 29, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 69°N to 90°S.
Aquarius at a glance
- Represents
- the water bearer
- Highest at midnight
- August 29
- Highest at 9 pm
- October 13
- Seen whole from
- 69°N to 90°S
- Stars in the figure
- 15 stars
- Origin
- Ptolemy's list, 2nd century
- Zodiac sign
- Aquarius
When to see Aquarius
Aquarius is highest in the sky at midnight around August 29 and at 9 pm around October 13. 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 | 2:50 PM |
| February 15 | 12:50 PM |
| March 15 | 11:00 AM |
| April 15 | 9:00 AM |
| May 15 | 7:00 AM |
| June 15 | 5:00 AM |
| July 15 | 3:00 AM |
| August 15 | 1:00 AM |
| September 15 | 10:50 PM |
| October 15 | 8:50 PM |
| November 15 | 6:50 PM |
| December 15 | 4:50 PM |
Where to look for Aquarius
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Aquarius rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on August 29, 41° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Aquarius rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on August 29, 64° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Aquarius
None of the stars of Aquarius 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.
Meteor showers from Aquarius
The meteors of these showers seem to come from a point in Aquarius, called the radiant.
| Shower | Peak | Zenithal hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Eta Aquariids | Around May 6 | 50 |
| Southern Delta Aquariids | Around July 31 | 25 |
Aquarius in myth and history
Aquarius is usually linked with Ganymede, the young man whom Zeus carried up to Mount Olympus to pour drinks for the gods.
Aquarius is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Aquarius and the zodiac
In 2026, the Sun is in front of the stars of Aquarius from February 16 to March 12. The zodiac sign Aquarius covers other dates, because astrologers split the year into 12 equal signs that start at the March equinox.
Constellations next to Aquarius
Find Aquarius in your sky
Questions about Aquarius
Aquarius is highest in the sky at midnight around August 29 and at 9 pm around October 13. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Aquarius rises above the horizon from 69°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises everywhere on Earth.
Aquarius represents the water bearer. Aquarius is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Yes. The Sun is in front of Aquarius from February 16 to March 12 in 2026, and the zodiac sign Aquarius is named after it.