Aquarius Notable Features Notable Deep Sky Objects

Aquarius, the water bearer, is one of the oldest recognized constellations along the zodiacThis article is about the astrological concept. For other uses, see zodiac (disambiguation The zodiac (from Greek zoon "animal") is an imaginary belt in the heavens extending approximately 8 degrees on either side of the Sun's apparent path (the ecliptic), the sun's apparent path. It is found in a region often called the Sea due to its profusion of watery constellations such as CetusCetus Abbreviation Cet Genitive Ceti Meaning in English the Whale or Sea Monster Right ascension 1. 42 h Declination minus;11. 35° Visible to latitude Between 70° and −90° Best visible November Area Total Ranked 4th1,231 sq. Number of stars with app, Pisces, EridanusEridanus (the river) is the sixth largest of the 88 modern constellations. It was also one of Ptolemy's 48 constellations. At its southern end is the first magnitude star Achernar (α Eri). Achernar is a very peculiar star because it is one of the fl, etc. Sometimes, the river Eridanus is depicted spilling from Aquarius' watering pot.

1 Notable features

Some principal stars in Aquarius include:

α Aquarii, Sadalmelik ("lucky one of the king"), found nearly on the celestial equatorThe celestial equator is a great circle on the imaginary celestial sphere, which could be constructed by inflating the Earth's equator until it intersects with said sphere. The celestial equator is inclined by ~23. 5°, with respect to the ecliptic plane;;
β Aquarii, Sadalsud ("luckiest of the lucky");
γ Aquarii, Sadachbia ("lucky star of hidden things");

δ Aquarii, Skat or Scheat ("shin").

The stars γ, ζ, η, and π Aquarii compose an asterism called the Urn, representing Aquarius' watering pot.

Two meteor showers originate in Aquarius: the Eta Aquarids (near May 4) and the Delta Aquarids (near June 28), both providing about 20 meteorites per hour.

2 Notable deep sky objects

There are three deep sky objects which is on the Messier catalog, the Globular Cluster M2, Globular Cluster M72, and the Open Cluster M73.

Two planetary nebulae are found in Aquarius: NGC 7009, called the Saturn Nebula due to its resemblance to the planet, to the southeast of η Aquarii; and NGC 7293, the famous Helix Nebula, southwest of δ Aquarii.

3 History

The constellation was immortalized in the 1960s, proclaimed the Age of Aquarius. However, there is no standard definition for astrological ages, so the age of Aquarius could begin in 2150 or even 2660 , depending on the preferred definition.

4 Mythology

Aquarius has been variously identified through the ages. The best-known myth identifies Aquarius with Ganymede, a beautiful boy with whom Zeus fell in love, and whom he carried off to Olympus to be cupbearer to the gods. Crater is sometimes identified as his cup.

5 Astrology

The Western astrological sign Aquarius ( January 20 - February 18) is associated with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Aquarius is associated with the Classical Element Air, and thus called an Air Sign (with Libra and Gemini). It is also one of the four Fixed signs (along with Leo, Scorpio, and Taurus). Its polar opposite is Leo. Its ruling planet is Uranus (prior to Uranus' discovery Saturn was considered Aquarius' ruling planet). Each astrological sign is assigned a part of the body, viewed as the seat of its power. Aquarius rules the circulatory system as well as the ankles. The symbol for Aquarius is the water bearer . Aquarian qualities include an ability to see the big picture, a casual friendly nature, mental acuity (even brilliance), and inventiveness.

Astronomy | Constellations of the Zodiac | Astrology

Aries (♈) Taurus (♉) Gemini (♊) Cancer (♋) Leo (♌) Virgo (♍) Libra (♎) Scorpius/Scorpio (♏) Ophiuchus Sagittarius (♐) Capricornus/Capricorn (♑) Aquarius () Pisces ()

The 88 modern Constellations

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Constellations Aquarius constellation Astrological signs

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Aquarius

Abbreviation	Aqr
Genitive	Aquarii
Meaning in English	the Water-bearer
Right ascension	23 h
Declination	−15°
Visible to latitude	Between 65° and −90°
Best visible	October
Area - Total	Ranked 10th 980 sq. deg.
Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3	2
Brightest star - Apparent magnitude	Sadalsud (β Aqr) 2.9
Meteor showers	March Aquarids Eta Aquarids (May 4) Delta Aquarids (June 28) Iota Aquarids
Bordering constellations	Pisces Pegasus Equuleus Delphinus Aquila Capricornus Piscis AustrinusPiscis Austrinus or Piscis Australis (the southern fish) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and is also one of the 88 modern constellations. Its only bright star is Fomalhaut. Constellations. SculptorSculptor is a minor southern constellation which was introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. He originally named it after a sculptor's studio, but the name was later shortened. Sculptor contains the south galactic pole. It also contains the Sculptor Syst CetusCetus Abbreviation Cet Genitive Ceti Meaning in English the Whale or Sea Monster Right ascension 1. 42 h Declination minus;11. 35° Visible to latitude Between 70° and −90° Best visible November Area Total Ranked 4th1,231 sq. Number of stars with app

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