Sagittarius
Sagittarius, aiming at the center of the Milky Way. Beyond the Teapot shape hides the supermassive black hole at the galactic center.
Science
The scienceThe bright stars of Sagittarius form a shape so distinct it is nicknamed the "Teapot." This direction is precisely the center of our Milky Way, and near the teapot's spout hides "Sagittarius A*," a supermassive black hole of about 4 million solar masses. The Milky Way appears brightest and thickest here, and countless nebulae and clusters — the Lagoon Nebula (M8), the Trifid Nebula (M20), the Omega Nebula (M17), and more — are packed together, making it a treasure trove for telescope observation on summer nights.
Mythology
How it became a constellationSagittarius is said to depict Chiron, the wise centaur, part human above and part horse below. Unlike the wild centaurs, Chiron was a learned master of medicine, music, and hunting, who reared heroes such as Heracles and Achilles. He aims his bow at Antares, the heart of Scorpius (the scorpion that stung Orion), keeping watch so the dangerous scorpion cannot run wild.
Observing Guide
how to observe🔭 How to find it
On a summer evening, low in the southern sky, look for a group of six bright stars forming a "Teapot" complete with spout and handle, and you've found Sagittarius. Shift a little east from red Antares in Scorpius and the Teapot appears at once, with the Milky Way rising above it as if steam were billowing from the spout — pointing out the location. This direction is the very center of our galaxy.
✨ What to look for
Facing the center of our galaxy, Sagittarius is a "treasure house" where nebulae and clusters gather most densely in the night sky. Above the Teapot's spout lie the bright emission "Lagoon Nebula" (M8) and the three-lobed "Trifid Nebula" (M20) side by side, with the "Omega (Swan) Nebula" (M17) continuing above them. The bright globular cluster M22 and star-packed open clusters are also scattered along the Milky Way, so even just sweeping with binoculars offers an endless parade of sights.
📍 Where to see it (US · Canada · UK · Australia)
From the US, Sagittarius sits low in the southern sky on summer evenings (July–August), the Teapot reaching only about 25–30°, so a clear southern horizon is essential; from the UK and Canada it barely clears the horizon and its lower stars are largely lost. From Australia the Teapot rides high overhead during the southern winter, and the Milky Way's brightest reaches — the galactic centre — pass near the zenith, an unmatched view.