Taurus (constellation) Facts for Kids

This page is about the astronomical constellation. For the astrological sign, see Taurus (astrology). For other uses, see Taurus (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Taurus
Constellation
List of stars in Taurus
Abbreviation	Tau
Genitive	Tauri
Pronunciation	TOR-əs
Symbolism	the Bull
Brightest star	Aldebaran (^m)
Messier objects	2
Meteor showers	Taurids

Taurus is a famous constellation in the night sky. Its name means "the Bull" in Latin. People in the Northern Hemisphere can spot it easily during clear winter evenings. It is also an ancient member of the zodiac.

Bright Stars in Taurus
Amazing Deep-Sky Objects
Stories and History
Images for kids
See also

Bright Stars in Taurus

The stars of Taurus form a bull shape in the sky.

The brightest star in Taurus is Aldebaran, a giant orange star. It represents the angry eye of the bull facing the hunter Orion. Aldebaran is part of a V-shaped group of stars called the Hyades. At the tips of the bull's long horns shine Beta Tauri and Zeta Tauri. Another famous star is T Tauri, a young variable star that changes its brightness over time.

Amazing Deep-Sky Objects

A glowing gas cloud inside the constellation.

Taurus contains several wonders that astronomers love to study through telescopes. Near the shoulder of the bull sits the Pleiades, an open cluster also known as the "Seven Sisters". You can easily see these glittering stars without any equipment. Taurus also contains the famous Crab Nebula, numbered Messier 1. This colorful supernova remnant is a giant cloud left behind when a massive star exploded long ago.

Stories and History

Long ago in Greek mythology, people believed Taurus was the god Zeus disguised as a gentle white bull. Many other cultures celebrated this star group too. Ancient stargazers in the Early Bronze Age watched for Taurus to know when the spring equinox arrived. During autumn, you might even spot shooting stars called the Taurid meteor shower zooming across this part of space.