Vulpecula Constellation: The Ultimate Guide

Vulpecula is one of the most minor and faintest constellations in the sky; due to this, it is also one of the most recent to be introduced into astronomical calendars and celestial maps.

In turn, Vulpecula also has no myths or associated stories of antiquity, as it was not considered an independent constellation until the seventeenth century.

During the seventeenth century, the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius introduced ten new constellations on his celestial globe; among these new constellations was Vulpecula.

Although it was initially known as Vulpecula cum ansere, meaning "the little fox with the goose," as a fox was shown with a small goose in its mouth, later catalogs only stayed with the fox.

Thus Vulpecula became a new constellation independent of others.

Vulpecula currently ranks 55th in size among the 88 constellations in the night sky, spanning a 268-square-degree region of the sky.

In scientific research, Vulpecula is a region with exciting age plan nebulae that have served to study the evolution of stars and planetary systems.

The constellation of Vulpecula resides in the fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere (NQ4), at latitudes between 55° S and 90° N, which means that we can see the constellation in the night sky in all countries of the world, the only exception is Antarctica.

Vulpecula is visible in the USA, Europe, Russia, China, and Japan in the northern hemisphere.

In the southern hemisphere, Vulpecula is visible in all countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, except Antarctica.

Vulpecula is a constellation near the north pole, so it is visible throughout the year for the northern hemisphere countries; even so, the best time to see it is in September.

For the southern hemisphere countries, a section of the constellation is no longer seen in spring. Still, it is generally one of the constellations with more excellent permanence in the sky all year round.

To locate the constellation Vulpecula, look to the north of the celestial vault.

Vulpecula is a small constellation with very faint stars, so you will probably have to use binoculars to find it if you live in an urban area with a lot of light pollution around you.

In terms of navigation, the best way to find the constellation Vulpecula is with the help of the constellation Cygnus. Vulpecula is a few degrees near the star Gaia DR2 2026 of Cygnus's constellation, so once you find Cygnus, you will also find Vulpecula.

The constellations bordering Vulpecula are Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules, Sagitta, Delphinus, and Pegasus.

In addition, the constellation Vulpecula belongs to the Hercules family of constellations; these include Aquila, Ara, Centaurus, Corona Australis, Corvus, Crater, Crux, Cygnus, Hercules, Hydra, Lupus, Lyra, Ophiuchus, Sagitta, Scutum, Sextans, Serpens, and Triangulum.

Officially Vulpecula has 68 stars recognized by the International Astronomical Union, of which 6 are part of the central figure of the fox, these are Anser, 23 Vulpeculae, 13 Vulpeculae, 31 Vulpeculae, 15 Vulpeculae, and 1 Vulpeculae.

Located 297 light-years from Earth, Anser is the brightest star in the constellation Vulpecula with a visual magnitude of +4.44.

It is a red giant star with a surface temperature of 3850 K and 56 times larger than the sun.

23 Vulpeculae is an orange giant of spectral type K3III located 329 light-years from the solar system; it is the second brightest star in the constellation Vulpecula with magnitude +4.52.

It is the third brightest star in the constellation with a magnitude of +4.58; it is a double star whose main component is a bluish-white giant.

Vulpecula is also home to deep sky objects. Deep-sky objects are celestial bodies different from stars, such as nebulae (interstellar cloud bodies) or galaxies.

In the case of Vulpecula, it is a tiny constellation that only has five identifiable deep-sky bodies, these are:

• M27 Planetary Nebula or Dumbbell Nebula was the first planetary nebula discovered. It has a magnitude of +7.5 and an estimated age of 9,800 years.
• NGC 6820 is an emission nebula surrounding the open cluster NGC 6823.
• SNR G057.2+00.8: Supernova remnant hosts magnetar, the most active known.
• NGC 6885: Distant open cluster 1950 light-years.
• NGC 7052: An elliptical galaxy with an apparent magnitude of 13.4, approximately 191 million light-years away. This galaxy is an essential source of radio signals.
• Asterism Collinder  399: Also known as "The Perch" due to its shape, it is an open cluster of distant stars.

Vulpecula is a constellation of the northern celestial hemisphere; its name comes from Latin and means "Little Fox."

Although it is in the Northern Hemisphere, Vulpecula can be observed from all countries in the world except Antarctica.

The best month to see the constellation Vulpecula Is in September.

Vulpecula's brightest star is Anser (α Vulpeculae/α V ul/6 Vulpeculae) with a magnitude of +4.44.

The best way to find the constellation Vulpecula is with the help of the constellation Cygnus. Vulpecula is a few degrees near the star Gaia DR2 2026 of the constellation Cygnus, so once you find Cygnus, you'll also find Vulpecula.

Vulpecula does not have any associated meteor showers.

1. https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/vulpecula-constellation/
2. https://theplanets.org/constellations/vulpecula-constellation/
3. http://www.seasky.org/constellations/constellation-vulpecula.html
4. https://www.universeguide.com/constellation/vulpecula
5. https://in-the-sky.org/data/constellation.php?id=90