Summer Constellation Map (Northern Hemisphere)

How to use the map

This map shows the stars and constellations visible in the summer sky in the Northern Hemisphere. The orientation can vary depending on your location — follow the guide below to find the three brightest stars, then tilt your map to match what you see.

Enlarge the map to double size at a local copy shop if you want something easier for younger children to read together outdoors. Don't forget a torch!

Start with the Summer Triangle

The easiest starting point is the Summer Triangle — the three brightest stars in the summer sky. Look almost directly overhead for Vega, the brightest of all. Deneb is to the east of Vega, and Altair sits lower, completing the triangle. Once you've found the Summer Triangle you can locate Lyra, Cygnus, Aquila and the rest of the constellations on the map.

Stories from Greek Mythology

Lyra (The Lyre) — Orpheus the musician played his lyre so beautifully that even wild beasts would stop and listen. When he died, Zeus placed his lyre in the sky.

Cygnus (The Swan) — Orpheus was transformed into a swan after his death and placed beside his lyre. In other versions this is Zeus himself disguised as a swan.

Aquila (The Eagle) — Zeus's eagle, who carried his thunderbolts and abducted the shepherd boy Ganymede to Mount Olympus.

Pegasus — The famous winged horse, shown upside down in the sky as if tumbling from it after his rider Bellerophon fell off.

Hercules — Son of Zeus and the most famous hero of Greek mythology — also upside down in the summer sky!

Sagittarius (The Archer) — A centaur (half human, half horse) with a bow and arrow aimed at the heart of the scorpion Scorpio.

Capricornus — Pan the goat-god dived into a river to escape a monster, accidentally turning himself half-fish in the process. Zeus commemorated the confusion by placing him in the sky.

The downloadable star guide includes all of these stories plus instructions for finding the constellations — print it and take it outside with you.