Skip to main content

By: Steve Goldberg

Original article appears in GuideStar August, 2017.

Asterism: a grouping of stars that form a recognizable pattern.

Constellation: Sagittarius                             

Right Ascension: 19 h, 04 m

Declination: -24o 44’

Magnitude:  Naked eye

Size: 8o x 4o                                     

                       

In the constellation Sagittarius, the Teapot, there are 2 asterisms that share common stars: The Lemon and The Spoon. It is the line of stars to the “upper left” of the Teapot, attached to the “handle” of the Teapot.                                                                          

 

 

The “Lemon” is the lower 3 stars: Pi π, Omicron ο and Xi ξ.

                                                                                               

 

 

 

The “Spoon” includes the “Lemon” with 2 additional stars at the top. Starting with the “highest star”, they are: Rho ρ, 43 Sgr, Pi π, Omicron ο and Xi ξ.

Since the Teapot’s spout is spewing steam or hot water creating the Milky Way, you need a Teaspoon to put the Lemon in your tea.