Starwatch: Celestial sleuthing needed to track down Hercules the hero

The constellation contains no bright stars - but once seen seems to dominate its patch of night sky

In August, track down the constellation of Hercules, the hero. It is well placed from the northern hemisphere at this time of year, but finding it requires a little bit of celestial sleuthing owing to the fact that the constellation contains no really bright stars. Once seen, however, it seems to dominate its patch of the night sky.

The chart shows the view looking west-south-west from London on 25 August at 10pm BST. The constellation's most recognisable feature is the four stars making up the keystone shape that represents Hercules's body.