Sagitta - The Arrow

Learn about the constellation Sagitta - The Arrow, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

By Tim Trott • January 5, 2012

Sagitta is the third-smallest of all constellations (only Equuleus and Crux are smaller). Ptolemy included it in his list of 48 constellations. At that time, however, it was even smaller, spanning only about 4 sq. deg. It's also on the list of 88 constellations now acknowledged by the IAU.

Location: Northern Summer 19h RA 18° Dec

Being located not very far to the north of the equator, this constellation can be seen from everywhere except for the southernmost part of the world.

Sagitta
Sagitta

Sagitta Mythology

Although Sagitta doesn't contain any bright stars, many cultures have seen an arrow in it [1], among them the Persians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans. So various stories are trying to explain the meaning of Sagitta. The two most important ones both take into account the neighbouring constellations Hercules, which had in earlier times been identified as a stag, (to the west) and Aquila (to the east).

Sagitta Deep Space Objects

Messier 71 is a very loose globular cluster mistaken for quite some time for a dense open cluster.

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.

# Image Common Name ConstellationMonthCoords Direction Mag Size (arcmin) Type Star
Chart
M71
NGC 6838
Messier 71Angelfish Cluster (Arrowhead Cluster)SagittaAug19h 53.8m RA
18° 47m Dec
Z6.107.2Globular Cluster🔍︎

More Constellations

Northern Circumpolar
Camelopardalis Cassiopeia Cepheus Draco Lacerta Ursa Major
Ursa Minor
Northern Spring
Antlia Boötes Cancer Coma Berenices Crater Hydra
Leo Leo Minor Virgo
Northern Summer
Aquila Corona Borealis Cygnus Delphinus Equuleus Hercules
Libra Lyra Ophiuchus Sagitta Scutum Serpens
Vulpecula
Northern Autumn
Andromeda Aquarius Aries Capricornus Pegasus Pisces
Triangulum
Northern Winter
Auriga Canes Venatici Canis Major Canis Minor Cetus Eridanus
Gemini Lepus Lynx Monoceros Orion Perseus
Taurus
Southern Constellations
Apus Ara Caelum Carina Centaurus Chamaeleon
Circinus Columba Corona Australis Corvus Crux Dorado
Fornax Grus Horologium Hydrus Indus Lupus
Mensa Microscopium Musca Norma Octans Pavo
Phoenix Pictor Piscis Austrinus Puppis Pyxis Reticulum
Sagittarius Scorpius Sculptor Sextans Telescopium Triangulum Australe
Tucana Vela Volans

About the Author

Tim Trott is an avid stargazer and astrophotographer whose passion for the cosmos fuels a lifelong journey of exploration and wonder. Through Perfect Astronomy, he shares the beauty of the night sky and the art of capturing it, blending science and creativity to inspire curious minds and aspiring astrophotographers alike. Join him as he turns every starry night into a story waiting to be told.

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