Vulpecula - The Fox

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

Vulpecula is a faint northern constellation located in the middle of the Summer Triangle, an asterism consisting of the bright stars Deneb, Vega and Altair.

Location: Northern Summer 20h RA 25° Dec

Since it was invented in the 17th century, from faint stars, there is no earlier mythology associated with the constellation Vulpecula. The name Vulpecula means 'little fox', the translation 'Fox' is more widely used, however.

Vulpecula Mythology

As a fairly modern constellation, Vulpecula does not have any associated mythology.

Vulpecula Deep Space Objects

The Dumbbell Nebula (M27), is a large, bright planetary nebula which was discovered by the French astronomer Charles Messier in 1764 as the very first object of its kind. It can be seen with good binoculars in a dark sky location, appearing as a dimly glowing disk approximately 6 arcminutes in diameter. A telescope reveals its double-lobed shape, similar to that of an hourglass.

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.