A Guide to the Hercules Constellation and Its Stars

Hercules is a fascinating constellation named after the famous hero from Greek mythology. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify Hercules, explore its most notable stars, and uncover the myths and history that make this constellation truly special.

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The Hercules constellation is one of the largest constellations in the northern hemisphere. It's not as immediately recognisable as the Big Dipper or Orion, but its sheer size and the stories connected to it make it one of the most interesting constellations to observe.

Hercules is named after the Greek mythological hero who performed 12 famous labours, and the constellation itself is often depicted as the hero kneeling in the sky, with a club in hand. Located in the northern hemisphere, Hercules spans a wide area and contains several fascinating celestial objects, including stars and clusters that are of great interest to astronomers and amateur stargazers.

The constellation Hercules represents the mythological figure of Hercules, known for his extraordinary strength and heroic feats. In the night sky, Hercules is depicted as a kneeling figure, sometimes called the "Kneeling Giant." According to Greek mythology, the constellation represents the hero in his final triumph, having completed his labours and being immortalised among the stars.

Hercules is one of the oldest constellations known, having been recorded by ancient astronomers. Its symbolic meaning of strength, perseverance, and victory makes it stand out not just for its stars but also for the stories behind them.

Although Hercules is one of the largest constellations, it can be a little tricky to spot because its stars are not as bright as those in other well-known constellations like Orion or the Big Dipper. To locate Hercules, you’ll need to focus on finding the keystone asterism, a quadrilateral of stars that forms the core of the constellation. Once you’ve spotted this shape, you can trace the remaining stars that form Hercules’ body.

As with most constellations, the stars that make up Hercules are located at various distances from Earth. Constellations are visual groupings of stars that appear close to each other from our perspective, but in reality, the stars may be hundreds or even thousands of light-years apart.

For example, Zeta Herculis, one of the stars in the keystone, is about 35 light-years away from Earth, while some of the stars in the constellation are much farther. The stars in Hercules are spread across vast distances, yet from our vantage point, they come together to form this ancient pattern.

The myth behind the Hercules constellation is rooted in ancient Greek mythology. Hercules, known for his incredible strength, is one of the most famous heroes in Greek legends. He was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, and his life was marked by a series of challenging labours. His twelve labours were feats of strength and endurance, which he performed to atone for a tragic mistake caused by the wrath of the goddess Hera.

The constellation Hercules contains several notable stars, with four standing out:

One of the most fascinating features of the Hercules constellation is the presence of a famous deep-sky object known as the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13). This massive cluster of stars contains hundreds of thousands of stars packed tightly together in a spherical shape. The Hercules cluster is a favourite among astronomers because it can be observed with a good pair of binoculars or a small telescope, appearing as a faint but beautiful patch of light in the night sky.

M13 is located about 22,000 light-years from Earth and is one of the brightest globular clusters visible from the northern hemisphere. If you’re interested in deep-sky objects, the Hercules Globular Cluster is an absolute must-see.

To get a clear view of the Hercules constellation, it’s best to stargaze during the summer months in the northern hemisphere, particularly from June to September. During this time, Hercules is at its highest point in the sky, making it easier to spot.

Start by looking between the constellations Lyra and Corona Borealis. While Hercules doesn’t have the brightest stars, its distinctive keystone asterism is a helpful guide. This quadrilateral shape forms the core of the constellation and is key to identifying Hercules. Once you locate the keystone, you can trace the rest of Hercules’ body stretching out from it.

If you’re having difficulty spotting Hercules, using a star map or a stargazing app can be incredibly useful. These tools will help you navigate the sky and locate the keystone, even if light pollution makes the stars harder to see.

For the best experience, find a dark location away from city lights. A clear, moonless night is ideal, as it will help you see Hercules in all its detail. Once you locate the keystone, the rest of the constellation will fall into place, and you’ll be able to appreciate the mythological hero shining above.

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