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Asterisms – Herman’s Cross

By: Steve Goldberg

Asterism: a grouping of stars that form a recognizable pattern.

Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension:  20h 00m 00.0s
Declination: -27° 00' 00"
Magnitude: 4
Size: 2 degrees                 
 

This binocular or finder size asterism in Sagittarius looks like its name:  a cross. It is located in Sagittarius, halfway between the Tea Pot and Capricorn.

 

As of this writing, Mars is in the neighborhood.

The asterism is made of the 4 stars: Omega, 59, 62, and 60. The outer circle is a typical finder view.  The small inner circle is a 48x low power eyepiece. So this is definitely a finder object.

This asterism is on the Astronomical League’s Asterism Observing Program. You can read about the naming of Herman’s Cross here.