Looking up at the night sky, the Crater constellation may not immediately stand out as its stars are relatively faint.
Using a telescope can significantly enhance your view of Crater, allowing you to appreciate its modest beauty in the southern sky.
This small, cup-shaped constellation is part of the Hercules family of constellations and covers an area of 282 square degrees, making it a charming target for both novice and experienced astronomers.
Positioned between the latitudes of +65° and -90°, Crater is best observed from the Southern Hemisphere, with April being the prime month for viewing.
By locating its neighboring constellations like Hydra, Corvus, and the brighter Virgo and Leo, you can find Crater more easily.
A telescope will help you see its main sequence stars along with deep sky objects such as the Crater 2 dwarf galaxy, a satellite of the Milky Way.
With your telescope set and aimed just below the ecliptic plane, you will be able to observe its stars more clearly.
Pay attention to Labrum, its brightest star, and explore the faint yet fascinating celestial phenomena within this constellation.
Your adventure in the night sky starts with a simple step: pointing your telescope towards the southern horizon.
The History of Crater
Crater constellation has a rich history rooted in ancient mythology and recognized by astronomers for centuries. Its depiction as a cup can be traced back to Greek myths and its celestial positioning cataloged by early astronomers.
Ancient Origins and Mythology
In Greek mythology, Crater represents a cup connected with the god Apollo. According to myth, Apollo sent a raven to fetch water using the cup but the bird was delayed by feasting on figs.
In anger, Apollo cast the raven, the cup (Crater), and a water snake into the sky. This myth explains the positioning of Crater near the constellations of Corvus (the raven) and Hydra (the water snake).
The name “Crater” is derived from the Latin word for cup, which itself is derived from the Greek “krater”. The ancient story imbues Crater with symbolic significance and links it firmly to cultural narratives of the past.
Astronomical Recognition of Crater
Crater was first documented by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD as one of the 48 classic constellations listed in his work, the Almagest.
Covering an area of 282 square degrees, Crater is situated in the second quadrant of the southern hemisphere (SQ2). It’s visible at latitudes between +65° and -90°.
This small constellation is relatively faint, with its brightest star, Labrum (also known as Delta Crateris), shining at a magnitude of just 3.56.
The constellation includes notable stars such as Alpha Crateris, Beta Crateris, Gamma Crateris, and Eta Crateris. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) formally recognizes Crater, ensuring its continued presence in celestial charts.
How to Find Crater
Crater, a faint constellation representing a cup, is best seen in spring. It is bordered by Corvus and Hydra, and is located in the southern sky. Here’s how you can locate it using a telescope.
Observing Conditions and Equipment
To find Crater, it’s crucial to observe under dark skies with little light pollution. The best time for observation is during spring in the Northern Hemisphere, around April.
Since Crater is located between latitudes +65° and -90°, it’s visible to observers in both hemispheres.
The constellation covers an area of 282 square degrees and lies in the second quadrant of the southern sky.
Using a telescope can significantly enhance your experience. For beginners, selecting one of the best telescopes will provide a clearer view. Look for telescopes with good optics to help spot Crater’s dim stars.
Finding Crater in the Night Sky
To locate Crater, first find its neighboring constellations. Crater is bordered by Corvus, Hydra, Leo, Sextans, and Virgo.
It sits south of Leo and Virgo, and north of Hydra.
Look for Corvus, the Raven, which is easier to spot due to its brighter stars. Crater is just to its west.
Hydra, the Water Snake, stretches below both Crater and Corvus.
Start by finding Alpha Crateris, also known as Labrum, the brightest star in Crater, with a visual magnitude of about 4.
This star will help guide you to the other dim stars that make up Crater.
Using a sky map or an app can help you navigate the night sky more effectively.
Once familiar with the neighboring constellations, locating Crater becomes much easier.