Aquarius: Difference between revisions
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'''Aquarius''' is a constellation in the southern sky. | '''Aquarius''' is a constellation in the southern sky. It is part of the [[zodiac]], the apparent path of the sun along the celestial sphere. | ||
{{Infobox Constellation | {{Infobox Constellation | ||
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|sym = Cup-bearer | |sym = Cup-bearer | ||
}} | }} | ||
===Named stars=== | |||
There are several named stars within Aquarius. The two brightest being [[Alpha Aquarii|''α Aqr.'']] or ''Sadalmelik'' and [[Beta Aquarii|''β Aqr.'']] or ''Sadalsuud'', both around magnitude +2.9. Other named stars include [[Gamma Aquarii|''γ Aqr.'']] (''Sadalachbia''), [[Delta Aquarii|''δ Aqr.'']] (''Skat'') and [[Epsilon Aquarii|''ε Aqr.'']] (''Albali'').<ref>Bright Star Catalogue, 5th revised edition, 1991</ref> | |||
===Remarkable objects=== | ===Remarkable objects=== | ||
Aquarius contains three deep-sky objects that are on the list of comet-like "nebulae" catalogued by the French comet hunter [[Charles Messier]]. They are the [[globular cluster]]s [[NGC 7089]] (Messier 2) and [[NGC 6981]] (Messier 72) and the asterism known as [[NGC 6994]] (Messier 73) which was mistakenly regarded as a small open cluster with nebulosity by Messier. | |||
Two well studied [[planetary nebula]]e are also within this constellation. [[NGC 7009]] is also known as the ''Saturn Nebula'' while [[NGC 7293]] has received the common name ''Helix Nebula''. | |||
===History and mythology=== | ===History and mythology=== | ||
Aquarius is sometimes regarded as being [[Ganymede]], the youth who was carried to Mt. Olympus by [[Zeus]] to be the cup bearer to the gods. The figure is usually depicted as being Ganymede pouring water from a cup. This stream of water is sometimes depicted as being the river [[Eridanus (constellation)|Eridanus]], represented by the constellation of the same name. | |||
===References=== | ===References=== | ||
Revision as of 08:36, 12 June 2008
Aquarius is a constellation in the southern sky. It is part of the zodiac, the apparent path of the sun along the celestial sphere.
| Aquarius | |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Aquarius |
| Latin genitive | Aquarii |
| International abbreviation | Aqr |
| Number of stars | 276 |
| Symbology | Cup-bearer |
Named stars
There are several named stars within Aquarius. The two brightest being α Aqr. or Sadalmelik and β Aqr. or Sadalsuud, both around magnitude +2.9. Other named stars include γ Aqr. (Sadalachbia), δ Aqr. (Skat) and ε Aqr. (Albali).[1]
Remarkable objects
Aquarius contains three deep-sky objects that are on the list of comet-like "nebulae" catalogued by the French comet hunter Charles Messier. They are the globular clusters NGC 7089 (Messier 2) and NGC 6981 (Messier 72) and the asterism known as NGC 6994 (Messier 73) which was mistakenly regarded as a small open cluster with nebulosity by Messier.
Two well studied planetary nebulae are also within this constellation. NGC 7009 is also known as the Saturn Nebula while NGC 7293 has received the common name Helix Nebula.
History and mythology
Aquarius is sometimes regarded as being Ganymede, the youth who was carried to Mt. Olympus by Zeus to be the cup bearer to the gods. The figure is usually depicted as being Ganymede pouring water from a cup. This stream of water is sometimes depicted as being the river Eridanus, represented by the constellation of the same name.
References
- ↑ Bright Star Catalogue, 5th revised edition, 1991
| 88 Official Constellations by IAU |
|
Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula |