Cygnus
Discover amazing facts about Cygnus, the swan constellation that looks like a giant cross flying along the Milky Way
Cygnus can be seen as either a flying swan or a large cross in the northern sky
Cygnus the Swan is one of the most beautiful constellations in the summer sky! This magnificent star pattern looks like a giant swan flying along the bright band of the Milky Way with its wings outstretched and neck extended. Cygnus is also known as the "Northern Cross" because its main stars form a large, distinctive cross shape that's easy to spot on clear summer nights. The bright star Deneb marks the tail of the swan (or the top of the cross) and is one of the most luminous stars we can see with the naked eye.
Cygnus flies right through the richest part of our galaxy's star clouds, making it a fantastic area to explore with binoculars or telescopes. The constellation contains many double stars, star clusters, and colorful nebulae. According to Greek mythology, Cygnus represents several different swans from various stories, but the most popular tale says it's Zeus disguised as a swan. The constellation is best seen during summer and early fall evenings when it soars high overhead in the northern sky.
