What it looks like
Taurus is a large, prominent zodiac constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere, drawn as the front half of a bull. Aldebaran marks its eye, the Hyades form its face, and the Pleiades cluster sits on its shoulder.
Brightest stars
Taurus contains one first-magnitude star, Aldebaran, plus several bright cluster members and the brilliant naked-eye Pleiades.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldebaran (α Tauri) | +0.86 | 65 ly | The Follower |
| Elnath (β Tauri) | +1.65 | 134 ly | The Butting One |
| Alcyone (η Tauri) | +2.87 | 444 ly | Pleiades leader |
| Zeta Tauri | +3.00 | 440 ly | Horn tip |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Taurus is Zeus in the form of a white bull, who carried Europa across the sea to Crete.
Zeus and Europa
Zeus transformed himself into a gentle white bull and mingled with the herd of Europa, a Phoenician princess. When she climbed onto his back, he leapt into the sea and swam to Crete, where she bore him Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon. The bull was placed among the stars as a reward.
Older roots
The constellation is one of the oldest recorded, appearing on the Sumerian 'Bull of Heaven' tablets and in Babylonian star catalogues over 3,000 years ago.
How to find it
Follow the three stars of Orion's Belt up and to the right — they point straight at Aldebaran and the V of the Hyades.
- Orion's Belt points to Aldebaran — a bright orange star hard to miss.
- Look left of Aldebaran for the compact fuzzy knot of the Pleiades.
- Best on winter evenings from either hemisphere.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Tau
- Genitive
- Tauri
- Meaning
- The Bull
- Brightest star
- Aldebaran
- Main stars
- 19
- Area rank
- 17th
- Best visible
- January
- Declination
- +15°
- Meteor showers
- Taurids, Beta Taurids
- Neighbours
- Aries, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Orion, Eridanus, Cetus
Deep-sky objects
Taurus is rich in clusters: the Pleiades (M45), the Hyades, and the Crab Nebula (M1) — the remnant of a supernova recorded by Chinese astronomers in 1054 AD.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Taurus look like?
Taurus is a zodiac constellation known as the Bull, marked by the bright orange star Aldebaran and the V-shaped Hyades cluster forming its face.
What is the brightest star in Taurus?
The brightest star in Taurus is Aldebaran, shining at around magnitude 0.86.
When is Taurus best visible?
Taurus is best seen from both hemispheres during January.
What is the story behind Taurus?
In Greek myth, Taurus is Zeus in the form of a white bull, who carried Europa across the sea to Crete.
Which constellations are near Taurus?
Taurus borders Aries, Perseus, Auriga, Gemini, Orion, Eridanus and Cetus.
Aries
Gemini