There are 7 constellations that start with the letter S, ranging alphabetically from “Sagitta” to “Sextans”. These star patterns span both the northern and southern skies, from tiny shapes like the Arrow to bold figures like the Scorpion. People have used them for centuries to navigate, mark the seasons, and tell stories about the night sky.

Constellations are recognized patterns of stars that form shapes or figures when viewed from Earth. Many of them trace back to ancient Greek and Roman myths, while others, like Sculptor and Scutum, were added by astronomers only a few hundred years ago. Today there are 88 official constellations that divide the entire sky into clear regions.

Below you’ll find the table with the constellation name, hemisphere, best viewing month, notable stars, and a short description.

Constellation: This gives you the name of each star pattern, so you can quickly find the one you’re curious about and learn what shape it represents.

Hemisphere: This tells you whether the constellation appears in the northern sky, the southern sky, or both, helping you know if you can see it from where you live.

Best Viewing Month: This shows you the time of year when the constellation sits highest in the sky, making it the easiest moment to spot and enjoy.

Notable Stars: This lists the brightest or most famous stars in each pattern, giving you key points to look for when you try to trace its shape.

Description: This offers a short summary of each constellation, including its meaning, history, or fun facts that make it easier to remember and appreciate.

Constellations

ConstellationHemisphereBest Viewing MonthNotable Stars
SagittaNorthernAugustGamma Sagittae, Delta Sagittae
SagittariusSouthernAugustKaus Australis, Nunki, Kaus Media
ScorpiusSouthernJulyAntares, Shaula, Sargas
SculptorSouthernNovemberAlpha Sculptoris, Beta Sculptoris
ScutumSouthernAugustAlpha Scuti, Beta Scuti
SerpensBothJulyUnukalhai, Beta Serpentis
SextansBothAprilAlpha Sextantis

Descriptions

Sagitta
The Arrow is one of the smallest constellations in the sky, a tiny dart-shaped pattern tucked between Aquila and Cygnus. Despite its size, it has been recognized since ancient Greek times.
Sagittarius
The Archer is famous for its “teapot” shape and for pointing toward the dense center of the Milky Way. It is one of the twelve zodiac constellations.
Scorpius
The Scorpion is a striking constellation curling across the southern sky, marked by the bright red supergiant Antares at its heart. It is also a zodiac constellation.
Sculptor
The Sculptor is a faint southern constellation that contains the south galactic pole. It was introduced in the 18th century and named for a sculptor’s studio.
Scutum
The Shield is a small, dim constellation set against the Milky Way, famous for the bright Scutum Star Cloud. It was created in the 17th century to honor a Polish king.
Serpens
The Serpent is unique as the only constellation split into two separate parts, the head and the tail, divided by Ophiuchus the serpent-bearer who holds it.
Sextans
The Sextant is a faint constellation near the celestial equator, named after the astronomical instrument used to measure star positions. It contains few bright stars.
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