Star lore
Vulpecula
Direct answer
Vulpecula is a faint northern Milky Way constellation representing a little fox between Cygnus, Sagitta, and Delphinus.
Vulpecula is the Little Fox, a subtle summer region containing the Dumbbell Nebula.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Constellations & Star Lore
- Related
- Virgo Constellation, Volans, Alpha Centauri, Proxima Centauri
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The story behind Vulpecula
Johannes Hevelius introduced Vulpecula cum Ansere, the Little Fox with the Goose, in the seventeenth century.
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The Road of the Sun
Where the twelve signs came from, and why they carry the names they do.
Why Vulpecula matters
Vulpecula’s rich Milky Way field contains M27, the first planetary nebula recorded, and the loose Coathanger asterism nearby.
How to read Vulpecula
Search between Albireo and Sagitta with binoculars, then use a telescope to find M27.
Vulpecula in practice: an example
The Dumbbell Nebula appears as a softly pinched oval in a small telescope under dark skies.
Where readings of Vulpecula go wrong
The Coathanger is an asterism projected partly near Vulpecula and is not a physical star cluster.
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 Dumbbell in the Little Fox
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Common questions
What is Vulpecula?
Vulpecula is a faint northern Milky Way constellation representing a little fox between Cygnus, Sagitta, and Delphinus.
What do people get wrong about Vulpecula?
The Coathanger is an asterism projected partly near Vulpecula and is not a physical star cluster.
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