The Winter Circle is a broad asterism of seven bright stars visible from December through March, with peak viewing in January and February. Betelgeuse lies near the center, while Sirius, Procyon, and Betelgeuse form the compact Winter Triangle inside the ring. To find it, start at Orion's Rigel and trace a counterclockwise path through Aldebaran, Capella, Pollux, Castor, Procyon and Sirius. For best results, observe from a dark site on a clear, moonless night; Jupiter will pass near the pattern in late 2025 and early 2026.
How to Spot the Winter Circle: A Bright Ring Of Stars Lighting Up Winter Nights
Nigel Killeen / Getty ImagesBeautiful night sky at Lake Tekapo in Canterbury, New England
The Winter Circle is a large, eye-catching asterism of very bright stars that arches across the night sky from December through March, peaking in January and February. Easy to spot once you know what to look for, it contains some of the most familiar stars visible in mid‑northern latitudes.
What Is the Winter Circle?
The Winter Circle (sometimes called the Winter Hexagon) is an informal pattern formed by seven principal stars drawn from six different constellations. The red supergiant Betelgeuse lies near the center, and the trio of Sirius, Procyon, and Betelgeuse make a smaller, striking shape known as the Winter Triangle inside the larger ring.
Which Stars Form the Ring?
The circle is made up of these bright stars: Rigel (Orion), Aldebaran (Taurus), Capella (Auriga), Pollux and Castor (Gemini), Procyon (Canis Minor), and Sirius (Canis Major). Together they span a wide portion of the sky and are easy to pick out on a clear night.
How To Find the Winter Circle
1. Locate Orion: find Orion's three-belt stars and then the bright bluish star Rigel at the lower-right of the constellation.
2. From Rigel, move counterclockwise to trace the circle: Aldebaran → Capella (northernmost point) → Pollux and Castor → Procyon → Sirius (southern point).
3. Look inward toward the center to spot the Winter Triangle formed by Sirius, Procyon, and Betelgeuse.
When And Where To Look
The Winter Circle is visible from December through March and reaches its highest, most convenient viewing in January and February. By late January it typically appears above the northeastern horizon by about 7 p.m. local time (timing varies by latitude and longitude).
Viewing Tips
For the best experience: choose a dark location away from city lights, pick a night with minimal cloud cover, and aim for a moonless or low‑moon evening. Allow your eyes 20–30 minutes to adapt to the dark. Binoculars will reveal more stars nearby but aren’t necessary to see the main pattern. Dress warmly and bring a star map or phone app to help confirm each star.
Special Note
Watch the Winter Circle in late 2025 and early 2026 when Jupiter will appear near the grouping — a nice bonus for skywatchers. Whether you’re a casual observer or an enthusiastic stargazer, the Winter Circle is a rewarding winter sight that helps orient you to the winter constellations.
