Name a Star in the Monoceros Constellation

This modern constellation of stars covers a large expanse of the heavens between Canis Major and Canis Minor. It is a member of the Orion family of stars and, like Orion, sits on the celestial equator.Most of the stars in this constellation are scattered broadly, making it difficult to tie them together. Its center is due south of Procyon. Monoceros is a faint constellation which contains the Rosette Nebula and the Cone Nebula.  The Monoceros constellation can be seen through most of the world, from Australia to Sweden! The best time to locate this constellation is during December and January. Two favorite locations in the night sky to name a star during the holiday season are in Monoceros. Stars are often named near the Christmas Tree Cluster and near the Snowflake Nebula. 

The constellation Monoceros is equatorial and it borders seven other constellations. They are Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Hydra, Lepus, Orion and Puppis. 

There are some real superstars with Stars named after them that find themselves as part of the Monoceros constellation, including: Jude Law, Mariska Hargitay, John Lennon, Heather Locklear, Charlie Daniels, and the band Nirvana. Click here for more information.

Symbol: Mon 

Right Ascension: 06:53 

Declination: -2 

Diameter (°): 21 

Area (square °): 482 

Opposition: Jan 02 

Size Rank: 35th 

Brightness Rank: 52nd 

Genitive: Monocerotis 

Major or notable stars in Monoceros 

α Monocerotis (Alpha Monocerotis) 

γ Monocerotis (Gamma Monocerotis) 

δ Monocerotis (Delta Monocerotis) 

ζ Monocerotis (Zeta Monocerotis) 

ε Monocerotis (Epsilon Monocerotis) 

13 Monocerotis 

β Monocerotis (Beta Monocerotis) 

S Monocerotis (15 Monocerotis) 

HD 49933 

Plaskett’s Star (HR 2422) 

HD 52265 

Gliese 250 (88 G. Monocerotis) 

HD 48099 

HD 44219 

HD 46375 

R Monocerotis 

Ross 614 (V577 Monocerotis) 

COROT-7 

COROT-1 

V838 Monocerotis  

Deep Sky Objects in Monoceros   

Messier 50 (NGC 2323) 

Rosette Nebula (NGC 2237, NGC 2238, NGC 2239, NGC 2244, NGC 2246) 

NGC 2244 (Caldwell 50) 

Christmas Tree Cluster and Cone Nebula (NGC 2264) 

Hubble’s Variable Nebula (NGC 2261) 

NGC 2254 

Red Rectangle Nebula (HD 44179) 

NGC 2349 

Butterfly Nebula (NGC 2346) 

NGC 2170 

NGC 2232 

NGC 2506 

Dreyer’s Nebula – IC 447 

Seagull Nebula – IC 2177  

Mythology of the Constellation Monoceros  

Monoceros is the heavenly representation of the legendary unicorn. It was not added as a constellation until 1612. There have been references to the unicorn dating back to Mesopotamia, India, China, and in Greek Literature. Descriptions of the unicorn vary greatly, from the beautiful steed with a single horn, to a rhinoceros. The descriptions of the unicorn’s colors ranged from pure white to a patchwork that included red, purple and blue. Some reports described the unicorn as a ferocious beast. It was said to have the body of a horse, the beard of a goat, the tail of a lion and an auger shaped horn about four feet long. 

The biblical description of the Unicorn was generally associated with purity. The most common view of the unicorn is that of a pale shy horse with a beautiful horn of magical properties. This is the unicorn of which the ancient oracles counseled hunters. These oracles proclaimed that the unicorn was a lover of purity and innocence. In order to capture the unicorn a young virgin was to be used as bait. The girl was to be left in a clearing in the forest. The unicorn would be soon drawn near to lie next to the virgin and fall asleep. When the unicorn had fallen fast asleep the virgin would call the hidden hunters to capture the unsuspecting beast. 

During the Middle Ages, the horns of the rhinoceros and narwhal were sold as unicorn horns and thought to hold special healing powers.