Taurus (Latin for "bull") is one of the 12 houses of the zodiac, which means it intersects the plane of the ecliptic. Taurus is a large and prominent constellation in the northern hemisphere winter sky. It is one of the oldest constellations, at least dating back to the early Bronze Age, when it marked the position of the sun at the vernal equinox. Its importance to the agricultural calendar influenced various bull images in ancient Sumerian, Akkad, Assyrian, Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman myths.

There are many features of interest to astronomers. Taurus has two open clusters closest to earth, le and Hyde, visible to the naked eye. At first glance, red giant Aldebaran is the brightest star in the constellation. To the northwest of Taurus is the supernova remnant Messier 1, commonly known as the Crab Nebula. Taurus origa is one of the closest regions for active star formation, passing through the northern part of the constellation. The variable star t Tauri is the prototype of a class of pre primary stars.