Aquila (The Eagle) Constellation

Aquila (pronounced ˈækwɪlə) is the Latin name of a large constellation (in fact it extends itself for about 34 degrees across the sky) situated close to the celestial equator. As such, it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.

In English language this constellation is also known as "The Eagle" while in astronomical texts and literature this constellation is often abbreviated as "Aql" (according to the standard of the International Astronomical Union - IAU) or as "Aqil" (according to a naming convention used by NASA).

The Latin genitive of the constellation name is "Aquilae" (pronounced ˈækwɪliː) and it is used to identify some of the brightest stars in this constellation based on the Bayer or Flamsteed star naming convention. For instance: α Aquilae (the brightest star of Aquila based on the Bayer catalog); or 23 Aquilae (the 23th star in the constellation of Aquila based on the Flamsteed catalog).

Sky Chart of Aquila Constellation

Here we provide a simplified sky chart of the Aquila constellation. Alternatively it is possible to locate Aquila in the night sky using our Online Interactive Planetarium.

This constellation image is derivatve work based on original work by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) CC-BY-3.0.

Visibility of Aquila Constellation

Today's Aquila rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):

The rise and set times provided here are just directional indications and they refer to a point approximately placed at the center of the constellation. In case of very large constellations (like Aquila actually is) these times can have little relevance.

Bright Stars in Aquila Constellation

The table below lists the top 20 brightest stars in the Aquila constellation. See also the complete list of 131 stars brighter than magnitude 6.5 (approximate) in the constellation of Aquila. Click on each star to see more details about it.

	HR Number(*)	Star designation	Proper name	Visual magnitude	Color	Notes
	HR7557	α Aquilae	Altair	0.77	⬤	Multiple;
	HR7525	γ Aquilae	Tarazed	2.72	⬤	Double;
	HR7235	ζ Aquilae	Okab	2.99	⬤	Variable; Multiple;
	HR7710	θ Aquilae		3.23	⬤	Double;
	HR7377	δ Aquilae		3.36	⬤	Variable; Multiple;
	HR7236	λ Aquilae		3.44	⬤
	HR7602	β Aquilae	Alshain	3.71	⬤	Variable; Multiple;
	HR7570	η Aquilae		3.9	⬤	Variable;
	HR7193	12 Aquilae		4.02	⬤	Variable;
	HR7176	ε Aquilae		4.02	⬤	Multiple;
	HR7884	71 Aquilae		4.32	⬤	Variable; Double;
	HR7447	ι Aquilae		4.36	⬤	Variable; Double;
	HR7429	μ Aquilae		4.45	⬤	Variable; Multiple;
	HR7387	ν Aquilae		4.66	⬤	Variable; Double;
	HR7595	ξ Aquilae	Libertas	4.71	⬤
	HR7873	70 Aquilae		4.89	⬤
	HR7831	69 Aquilae		4.91	⬤
	HR7446	κ Aquilae		4.95	⬤	Variable;
	HR7724	ρ Aquilae		4.95	⬤
	HR7333	26 Aquilae		5.01	⬤	Double;
...go to the complete list of 131 bright stars in the constellation of Aquila

(*) HR stands for Harvard Revised Bright Star Catalogue, which is also known as the Yale Catalogue of Bright Stars.

Deep Sky Objects in Aquila Constellation

The table below lists the 20 brightest deep sky objects in the Aquila constellation. See also the complete list of 44 deep sky objects in the constellation of Aquila. The list includes objects from the Messier, New General Catalogue (NGC) and Index Catalogue (IC).

	Name	Type	Magnitude
	NGC 6709	Open Cluster	6.7 (V)
	NGC 6755	Open Cluster	7.5 (V)
	NGC 6738	Association of Stars	8.3 (V)
	NGC 6760	Globular Cluster	9.78 (V)
	NGC 6790	Planetary Nebula	10.5 (V)
	NGC 6756	Open Cluster	10.6 (V)
	NGC 6803	Planetary Nebula	11.4 (V)
	NGC 6781	Planetary Nebula	11.4 (V)
	NGC 6741 (Phantom Streak Nebula)	Planetary Nebula	11.5 (V)
	IC 4846	Planetary Nebula	11.9 (V)
	NGC 6751	Planetary Nebula	11.9 (V)
	NGC 6804	Planetary Nebula	12 (V)
	NGC 6807	Planetary Nebula	12 (V)
	NGC 6778	Planetary Nebula	12.3 (V)
	NGC 6749	Globular Cluster	12.4 (V)
	NGC 6852	Planetary Nebula	12.6 (V)
	NGC 6772	Planetary Nebula	12.7 (V)
	NGC 6941	Galaxy	13.3 (B)
	NGC 6915	Galaxy	13.77 (B)
	NGC 6926	Galaxy	13.87 (V)
...go to the complete list of 44 deep sky objects in the constellation of Aquila