The Constellation Hercules, the great warrior
Click on image for full size

Hercules

Hercules, the great Greek warrior, can be seen kneeling in the sky for northern latitudes throughout the Spring months. Hercules first becomes visible in the east in April, and works his way high across the night sky through October. From the southern hemisphere, he appears low in the north. Four of Hercules' brighter stars form what is commonly known as the Keystone. Hercules' arms and legs extend from this central square.

By far the most exciting object to see in Hercules is the magnificent globular cluster M13, which is visible in dark night skies even without binoculars or a telescope. With the naked eye, this cluster of more than 300,000 stars appears as a faint fuzzy spot between the stars which form the western side of the Keystone.

Many other constellations were unfortunate victims of Hercules, and thus were also placed in the sky. According to the legends surrounding Hercules, he slew Leo, the Lion, Draco, the Dragon, and Hydra, a Serpent with nine heads, as part of his Twelve Labors. Cancer, the Crab was sent by Hera to annoy Hercules in his battles, and became yet another victim of the hero.

You might also be interested in:

Science, Evolution, and Creationism

How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable....more

Leo

Leo, the Lion, is a very majestic feline. Leo's head and mane are formed by an asterism known as the Sickle which looks like a backward question mark. One of the brightest spring stars, Regulus (Latin...more

Hydra

Hydra is the longest constellation in the sky (>90 degrees) and is also the largest in terms of area. It is so long that it takes more than six hours to rise completely. Along its northern side are the...more

Cancer

Cancer, the Crab, is a member of the Zodiac, a group of constellations that the Sun travels through each year. Cancer spends half of the year in the sky. It first rises in December and is visible through...more

Heracles (Hercules)

According to the Greek mythology, a particular group of stars represents the figure of the most famous Greek hero, Heracles. Heracles was a muscular man endowed with extraordinary courage and physical...more

Heracles

According to the Greek mythology, a particular group of stars represents the figure of the most famous Greek hero, Heracles. Heracles was a muscular man endowed with extraordinary courage and physical...more

Ophiuchus

The constellation Ophiuchus represents the Serpent Bearer. This large constellation can be seen in the night sky from June through October. Although most of the stars are dim, Ophiuchus' teapot shape...more

Aquila

Aquila, the celestial eagle, is one of the three constellations which have bright stars forming the Summer Triangle. A nearly perfectly straight line of three stars symbolizes part of the wings. The center...more

Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA