Abbreviation: Â Sge
English Name: Â The Arrow
Genitive:Â Sham
Hemisphere:Â Â Northern Hemisphere
Location:Â Between the constellations of Delphinus and Hercules.
Visible between latitudes: Â +90 and -70 degrees
Best season: Autumn
Seen in three seasons:Â Summer, Autumn & Winter
Best seen in:Â September
Seen between:Â May and November
Right Ascension (RA):Â 20 hour
Declination (DEC):Â Â +10 degrees
Area (square degrees): Â 80Â (86th)
Sagitta  (The Arrow)
- This tiny constellation, Sagitta, is easy to find halfway between Altair in Aquila (The Eagle) and Albireo (Beta [β] Cygni) in Cygnus (The Swan).
- It lies completely within the Milky-Way.
- There is one globular cluster (M71) and one open cluster (H20), also three planetary nebula (NGC 6879, NGC 6886 & IC 4887).
Messier Objects
- M71  –  Globular Cluster  –  small and faint stars, now generally regarded as a poor, weak concentrated globular cluster, rather than a rich open cluster; hazy spot in binoculars and small telescopes – ideally requires at least 6-inch telescope for best resolution.
Features of Interest
- H20Â Â – Â Open Cluster; also known as Havard 20 (Magnitude: +7.7) – close to Messier 71 (M71 – Globular Cluster).
- NGC 6879Â Â – Â Planetary Nebula; faint (Magnitude: +12.5), which is difficult to locate. Faintly visible from 6-inch telescope.
- NGC 6886Â Â – Â Planetary Nebula; slightly brighter (magnitude: +11.4), but still a testing object – fairly easily seen with 6-inch telescope.
- IC 4997Â Â – Â Planetary Nebula; bluish in colour and forming a obvious to your eye in mind to see pair with a yellow star.
Named Stars
- Sham (Alpha Sge)
Others
- Photo of the constellation;Â Sagitta, as it appears to the naked eye. (Lines have been added for clarity)
- Sky Chart  –  Sagitta
- List of stars in Sagitta.
Back to The 88 Constellations Lists page.