What it looks like
Vulpecula is a small, faint northern constellation introduced by Johannes Hevelius in 1687, originally drawn as a fox carrying a goose. Despite its faint stars, it is famous for two things: the Dumbbell Nebula (M27), one of the brightest planetary nebulae in the sky, and the discovery of the first pulsar by Jocelyn Bell Burnell in 1967.
Brightest stars
Vulpecula has no bright stars; its brightest, Anser, sits near magnitude 4.4.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anser (α Vulpeculae) | +4.44 | 297 ly | The Goose |
| 23 Vulpeculae | +4.50 | 328 ly | — |
| 31 Vulpeculae | +4.56 | 216 ly | — |
| 13 Vulpeculae | +4.57 | 360 ly | — |
Mythology and history
Vulpecula has no ancient mythology. It was created by Hevelius in 1687 as 'Vulpecula cum Ansere' — the Little Fox with the Goose.
Hevelius's little fox
The constellation was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in his 1687 star atlas, drawn as a fox carrying a goose in its jaws. The goose, Anser, was later given to the brightest star in the constellation. Because the fox and goose are modern additions rather than ancient figures, Vulpecula has no classical myth — but its position in the Milky Way makes it scientifically rich, and it was here that the first pulsar (PSR B1919+21) was discovered in 1967.
How to find it
Look for a faint region between Albireo in Cygnus and Altair in Aquila, on summer and autumn evenings.
- Find Albireo at the foot of the Northern Cross, then look south for Vulpecula.
- The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is visible in binoculars as a fuzzy patch.
- Best on summer and autumn evenings from the northern hemisphere.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Vul
- Genitive
- Vulpeculae
- Meaning
- The Little Fox
- Brightest star
- Anser
- Main stars
- 5
- Area rank
- 55th
- Best visible
- September
- Declination
- +25°
- Meteor showers
- —
- Neighbours
- Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules, Sagitta, Delphinus, Pegasus
Deep-sky objects
The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is one of the brightest planetary nebulae in the sky, easily visible in binoculars. The constellation is also home to the Coathanger asterism (Collinder 399) and to the first pulsar ever detected, PSR B1919+21, discovered by Jocelyn Bell Burnell in 1967.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Vulpecula look like?
Vulpecula is a faint northern constellation known as the Little Fox, home to the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) and the site of the first pulsar ever detected.
What is the brightest star in Vulpecula?
The brightest star in Vulpecula is Anser, shining at around magnitude 4.44.
When is Vulpecula best visible?
Vulpecula is best seen from both hemispheres during September.
What is the story behind Vulpecula?
Vulpecula has no ancient mythology. It was created by Hevelius in 1687 as 'Vulpecula cum Ansere' — the Little Fox with the Goose.
Which constellations are near Vulpecula?
Vulpecula borders Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules, Sagitta, Delphinus and Pegasus.
Cygnus
Lyra