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.
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 summer time or daylight saving time read about one hour later.
| Date | Highest at |
|---|---|
| January 15 | 4:40 AM |
| February 15 | 2:40 AM |
| March 15 | 12:50 AM |
| April 15 | 10:50 PM |
| May 15 | 8:50 PM |
| June 15 | 6:50 PM |
| July 15 | 4:50 PM |
| August 15 | 2:50 PM |
| September 15 | 12:50 PM |
| October 15 | 10:50 AM |
| November 15 | 8:50 AM |
| December 15 | 6:50 AM |
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
Corvus is highest in the sky at midnight around March 28 and at 9 pm around May 12. The weeks around those dates are the best time to look.
The whole figure of Corvus rises above the horizon from 65°N to 90°S, and at least part of it rises from 74°N to 90°S.
Corvus represents the crow. Corvus is one of the 48 constellations that the astronomer Ptolemy listed in the 2nd century.