Crater is a small constellation in the southern sky, representing a cup or goblet. Its name is Latin for "cup," and it is often depicted as the cup of the Greek god Apollo. The constellation is not particularly bright and is somewhat challenging to spot, but it forms a distinct, roughly semi-circular shape.
Key Features
Crater is a relatively faint constellation, with its brightest stars forming a semicircle that resembles a cup. It occupies an area of 282 square degrees and ranks 53rd in size among the 88 modern constellations. It is bordered by the constellations Leo, Virgo, Hydra, Corvus, and Sextans.
Mythology
In Greek mythology, Crater is associated with the story of Apollo and a crow. According to the myth, Apollo sent a crow to fetch water in a cup (the Crater). The crow, however, delayed its task and instead waited by a fig tree for the fruit to ripen. When it finally returned with the water, the crow brought along a water snake (represented by the constellation Hydra) as an excuse for its tardiness. Enraged by the crow's deceit, Apollo cast the crow, the cup, and the water snake into the sky, where they became the constellations Corvus, Crater, and Hydra, respectively.
Notable Stars
Crater does not contain any particularly bright stars. The brightest star in the constellation is Delta Crateris, a giant star of magnitude 3.56. Another star of note is Alpha Crateris, also known as Alkes, which means "the cup" in Arabic. Alkes is an orange giant star with a magnitude of 4.08.
Visibility
Crater is best seen in the southern hemisphere during the months of March through May. It is visible in the northern hemisphere at latitudes between +65° and -90°, but it is relatively low in the sky and can be challenging to spot due to its faint stars.
Tips for Observing
To locate Crater, first find the constellation Hydra, which stretches across the sky. Crater is situated just above the middle section of Hydra. It is easier to observe Crater in dark skies, away from city lights, as the faint stars can be washed out by light pollution. A pair of binoculars or a small telescope can help in distinguishing its stars, particularly in less ideal viewing conditions. Observers should also be familiar with the neighboring constellation Corvus, which can help guide the eye toward Crater's position in the sky.