Star lore
Crater
Direct answer
Crater is a faint southern-equatorial constellation representing a cup set on the long body of Hydra.
Crater is the Cup, a subtle spring constellation neighboring Corvus and Hydra.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Corona Borealis, Corvus, Crux Constellation, Delphinus
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The story behind Crater
Crater was one of Ptolemy's 48 constellations and kept its cup imagery in the modern catalogue.
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The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Crater matters
Crater completes an ancient three-constellation grouping and helps define a sparsely starred region below Leo and Virgo.
Crater in practice: an example
Delta Crateris is the brightest member of the cup but is not strong enough to serve as a broad seasonal beacon.
Where readings of Crater go wrong
Crater the constellation has no connection to an impact crater despite the identical English spelling.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- International Astronomical Union: The Constellations - Official names, abbreviations, and boundaries for the 88 modern constellations.
- NASA Space Place: What Are Constellations? - NASA introduction to constellation regions, patterns, visibility, and seasonal sky changes.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Find the Cup beside the Crow
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More in Constellations & Star Lore
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Common questions
What is crater?
Crater is a faint southern-equatorial constellation representing a cup set on the long body of Hydra.
What do people get wrong about crater?
Crater the constellation has no connection to an impact crater despite the identical English spelling.
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