Taurus constellation
Taurus is one of the 88 constellations, and it represents the bull. It is highest in the sky at midnight around 28 November, and its whole figure rises above the horizon from 90°N to 61°S.
When to see Taurus
Taurus is highest in the sky at midnight around 28 November and at 9 pm around 12 January. 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.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| 15 January | 20:50 |
| 15 February | 18:50 |
| 15 March | 17:00 |
| 15 April | 14:50 |
| 15 May | 13:00 |
| 15 June | 10:50 |
| 15 July | 09:00 |
| 15 August | 06:50 |
| 15 September | 04:50 |
| 15 October | 02:50 |
| 15 November | 00:50 |
| 15 December | 22:50 |
Where to look for Taurus
From the northern hemisphere
From 40°N, Taurus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 28 November, 69° above the southern horizon.
From the southern hemisphere
From 35°S, Taurus rises in the east and sets in the west. It is highest around midnight on 28 November, 36° above the northern horizon.
Brightest stars in Taurus
Meteor showers from Taurus
The meteors of these showers seem to come from a point in Taurus, called the radiant.
| Shower | Peak | Zenithal hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Taurids | Around 5 November | 7 |
| Northern Taurids | Around 12 November | 5 |
Taurus in myth and history
In Greek myth, the bull is Zeus, who took the shape of a white bull to carry the princess Europa across the sea to Crete.
Taurus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Taurus and the zodiac
In 2026, the Sun is in front of the stars of Taurus from 14 May to 21 June. The zodiac sign Taurus covers other dates, because astrologers split the year into 12 equal signs that start at the March equinox.
Constellations next to Taurus
Find Taurus in your sky
Questions about Taurus
Taurus is highest in the sky at midnight around 28 November and at 9 pm around 12 January. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Taurus rises above the horizon from 90°N to 61°S, and at least part of it rises from 90°N to 81°S.
Aldebaran is the brightest star in Taurus, at magnitude 0.87.
Taurus represents the bull. Taurus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.
Yes. The Sun is in front of Taurus from 14 May to 21 June in 2026, and the zodiac sign Taurus is named after it.