As the hot summer days turn to cool summer nights, several prominent constellations and planets will illuminate the night sky. Whether you’re out camping in the mountains, on the coast or in your backyard, here are some spectacular constellations you can see in the night sky this summer. 

Scorpius: Appearing low in the southern sky is Scorpius, the scorpion. This constellation is recognized by its distinct curved shape and red star Antares, which resembles the heart of the scorpion. 

Sagittarius: Next to Scorpius is Sagittarius, the centaur archer. This constellation features an asterism, or shape within the constellation, known as the “Teapot.”

Cygnus: The celestial swan, Cygnus is found high in the summer sky. This constellation features the bright star Deneb, which marks the tail of the swan.

Summer Triangle: The Summer Triangle is an asterism that is formed from the three bright stars Vega, Deneb and Altair. The Summer Triangle is in the eastern sky and will shift higher in the sky as the summer progresses. 

More to See: Venus will continue to dominate the western sky after sunset and will be seen very close to Mars in the evenings. Saturn and Jupiter will rise in the early mornings, giving stargazers a nice prize for staying up late or waking up early. 

Interested in capturing photos of the night sky? Grab your smartphone and learn a few astrophotography tips from Discovery Place scientists!