Taurus

Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern sky lore

The bull

Taurus belongs to a very old tradition of seeing a bull among these stars. In ancient farming and herding societies, the animal evoked strength and fertility, and the Sun’s passage through this region once marked the spring season.

A bull’s head and horns are suggested by the bright-star outline, with Aldebaran traditionally marking an eye.

People around the world have given these stars different figures and stories. This is one interpretation. Lines are recognition aids, rather than official constellation boundaries.

Finding Taurus

Above the horizon. Clear skies and a dark enough view are still needed. The figure’s centre is toward the east in this preview.

Use the bright reference stars below to recognise the shape. A complete drawing can extend outside the current camera window, even when its stars are above the horizon. Open its guide in Sky Timeline to compare the stars with an illustrated interpretation where available.

Bright reference stars

Aldebaran

Magnitude 0.8

Elnath

Magnitude 1.6

Lower magnitude numbers mean brighter stars. Clouds, nearby lighting and moonlight change what your eyes can pick out.

Explore another night

Visibility changes with place, season and time. Move through the night to see the object rise, cross the sky and set, while weather remains a separate estimate.