4 Christmas-themed constellations can be seen in the sky

While the biblical Star of Bethlehem is likely the first thing that pops to mind when thinking of Christmas stars, there are actually a number of Christmas-themed astronomical bodies that keen stargazers should be keeping an eye out for over winter. Alan Jones from 365Astronomy astronomical telescopes has shared the most Christmassy heavenly bodies and how you can see them in the night sky.

He said: “Stars are a common motif in Christmas decorations, but stargazing isn’t always something you think of on a cold December night. Following our guidance, however, you’ll find that the night sky is full of seasonal delights to enjoy, just don’t forget your scarf and woolly hat.”

Christmas Tree Cluster

This cluster of stars forms the shape of a Christmas tree with a bright star at the base and the ‘cone’ nebula at its point. To spot these stars, Alan says: “First, locate bright star Betelgeuse, one of Orion’s shoulder stars.

“The Christmas Tree Cluster is in the constellation of Monoceros, the Unicorn, just a little east (to the left when facing south) of Orion’s belt/shoulder region.”

This cluster is best viewed through binoculars or a low-powered telescope, with the best views occurring between 10pm and 3am.

The Manger

Alan said: “Nestled in the constellation of Cancer, the Crab, this star cluster is called Praesepe, or the Manger, but can also be known as the Beehive Cluster.

“It contains roughly 1,000 stars and is one of the closest open star clusters to Earth, located about 577 light-years away.”

While it can be seen with the naked eye, the expert recommends using binoculars or a small telescope, as you can fit more of the stars in one view with less magnification.

Rangifer (The Reindeer)

One of the faintest constellations in the sky, the Reindeer is technically an extinct constellation and is no longer officially recognised, but you can still spot the area this constellation used to occupy.

This constellation previously occupied a dim patch of the northern sky, located between Camelopardalis, the Giraffe, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Polaris (the North Star), thus lying in the far northern sky.

Its position in the sky means that it never sets for UK viewers.

Alan added: “If you still want to find where Rangifer used to be, locate Cassiopeia’s W shape high in the north.

“Move your view northward toward Polaris, and a bit east toward Camelopardalis.

“The dim patch between those two constellations is where Rangifer once stood.”

The Three Kings

One of the most recognisable group of stars, the Three Kings forms part of the constellation Orion.

His ‘belt’ of three stars was referred to as the Three Kings by 19th-century astronomers like Nicolas Camille Flammarion.

Alan added: “Look for three bright stars in a short, straight line sloping upward from left to right as you face south in the evening sky.

“Above this line are Orion’s shoulders – two very bright stars opposite each other – and below are his feet.

“Looking at the Three Kings in a telescope, you’ll see large, bright blue stars, with the rightmost star splitting into a double star on closer magnification.”