Vulpecula — the Little Fox (northern constellation)

Location and visibility

Situated roughly at the center of the well-known Summer Triangle, Vulpecula lies between the bright stars Vega (in Lyra), Deneb (in Cygnus) and Altair (in Aquila). Its compact area makes it convenient to find once the triangle is identified. The constellation is best viewed from mid-northern latitudes during the late summer months when the Summer Triangle stands high at night.

Stars and asterisms

Vulpecula lacks prominent beacon stars: none of its members shine brighter than fourth magnitude, so the pattern is subtle to the unaided eye. It contains a modest group of stars used in small-field star charts and several cataloged stars visible with binoculars or a small telescope.

Notable deep-sky objects

• M27 (Dumbbell Nebula) — A bright planetary nebula often seen in small telescopes; it was one of the first such objects discovered and remains a favorite for amateur observers.
• Brocchi's Cluster (the Coathanger) — An easily recognized asterism that resembles an upside-down coathanger and is a popular target for binoculars.

History and naming

The constellation was introduced in the 17th century and originally called Vulpecula cum Anser, the "little fox with the goose." Over time the goose figure (often referred to as Anser) fell out of common depiction and the constellation became known simply as Vulpecula, the fox. Its modern boundaries were standardized in the 20th century, making it one of the recognized constellations used in astronomy today.

Observing tips and significance

• Use the Summer Triangle as a guide: once Vega, Deneb and Altair are located, sweep the interior area to find Vulpecula's faint stars and its deep-sky objects.
• Binoculars will reveal Brocchi's Cluster easily; a small telescope or long-exposure photography brings out the Dumbbell Nebula's shape and color.
• Because it contains few bright stars, Vulpecula is best appreciated from dark sites where contrast for nebulae and asterisms is higher.