|
|
Auriga (constellation)
|
Auriga
Constellation
Abbreviation
Aur
Genitive
Aurigae
Pronunciation
/??'ra?g?/ Auríga* genitive /??'ra?d?i?/
Symbolism
the Charioteer
Right ascension
04h 37m 54.4293s–07h 30m 56.1899s
Declination
56.1648331°–27.8913116°
Family
Perseus
Area
657 sq. deg. (21st)
Main stars
5, 8
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
65
Stars with planets
7
Stars brighter than 3.00m
4
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)
2
Brightest star
Capella (a Aur) (0.08m)
Nearest star
QY Aur
(20.74 ly, 6.36 pc)
Messier objects
3
Meteor showers
Aurigids* Delta Aurigids
Bordering
constellations
Camelopardalis* Perseus* Taurus* Gemini* Lynx
Visible at latitudes between +90° and -40°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of late February to early March.
Auriga is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations. Located north of the celestial equator, its name is the Latin word for "charioteer", associating it with various mythological charioteers, including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere, along with the five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism. Because of its northern declination, Auriga is only visible as far as 34° south; for observers farther south it lies partially or fully below the horizon. A large constellation, with an area of 657 square degrees, it is half the size of the largest constellation, Hydra.Its brightest star, Capella, is an unusual multiple star system among the brightest stars in the night sky. Beta Aurigae is an interesting variable star in the constellation; Epsilon Aurigae, a nearby eclipsing binary with an unusually long period, has been studied intensively. Because of its position near the winter Milky Way, Auriga has many bright open clusters in its borders, including M36, M37, and M38, popular targets for amateur astronomers. In addition, it has one prominent nebula, the Flaming Star Nebula, associated with the variable star AE Aurigae.In Chinese mythology, Auriga's stars were incorporated into several constellations, including the celestial emperors' chariots, made up of the modern constellation's brightest stars. Auriga is home to the radiant for the Aurigids, Zeta Aurigids, Delta Aurigids, and the hypothesized Iota Aurigids.
^ Russell 1922, p. 469.
^ Pasachoff 2006.
^ a b IAU, The Constellations, Auriga.
^ Ridpath, Constellations.
^ RECONS, The 100 Nearest Star Systems.
^ Bakich 1995, p. 54.
^ Bakich 1995, p. 26.
|
|
Created By:
System
|
|
|
|
|