The Constellation Aquarius
by Dominic Ford
The constellation Aquarius.
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Source: Stellarium.
Source: Stellarium.
Aquarius is the tenth largest constellation, visible just south of the celestial equator in the months around August.
It is one of the fainter zodiacal constellations, lacking any stars brighter than third magnitude, but does have a dozen stars of fourth magnitude. It is also home to the bright globular cluster M2.
Aquarius is usually depicted pouring water from a jar. The stream of water ends in the mouth of the southern fish, Piscis Austrinus, marked by the star Fomalhaut beneath Aquarius' feet. The meandering path of the stream itself is marked by a line of 20 faint stars.
He is usually identified as Ganymede, in classical mythology the wine-waiter to the gods and one of Zeus' many lovers.
Date First Appeared
Ancient
Ancient
Sky Area
2.4% of the sky
979.9 square degrees
2.4% of the sky
979.9 square degrees
Neighbors
The following constellations neighbor Aquarius: Aquila, Capricornus, Cetus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Pegasus, Pisces, Piscis Austrinus, Sculptor.
The following constellations neighbor Aquarius: Aquila, Capricornus, Cetus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Pegasus, Pisces, Piscis Austrinus, Sculptor.
| Stars | Open Clusters | Globular Clusters | Galaxies |
| Stars | Open Clusters | Globular Clusters | Galaxies |
| Sadalsuud (mag 2.9) | Messier 73 (mag 8.9) | Messier 2 (mag 6.6) | NGC 7727 (mag 10.7) |
| Sadalmelik (mag 2.9) | NGC 7005 | Messier 72 (mag 9.2) | NGC 7606 (mag 10.8) |
| Skat (mag 3.3) | NGC 7492 (mag 11.2) | NGC 7723 (mag 11.1) | |
| c²-Aqr (mag 3.7) | NGC 7184 (mag 11.2) | ||
| λ-Aqr (mag 3.8) | NGC 6978 (mag 11.3) | ||
| Albali (mag 3.8) | NGC 7721 (mag 11.8) | ||
| Sadachbia (mag 3.9) | NGC 7392 (mag 11.8) | ||
| b¹-Aqr (mag 4.0) | NGC 7252 (mag 12.1) | ||
| η-Aqr (mag 4.0) | NGC 7218 (mag 12.1) | ||
| τ²-Aqr (mag 4.0) | NGC 7302 (mag 12.1) | ||
| ζ¹-Aqr (mag 4.1) | NGC 7371 (mag 12.1) | ||
| Ancha (mag 4.2) | NGC 6962 (mag 12.1) | ||
| φ-Aqr (mag 4.2) | NGC 7416 (mag 12.3) | ||
| ψ¹-Aqr (mag 4.2) | NGC 7171 (mag 12.3) | ||
| ι-Aqr (mag 4.3) | NGC 7309 (mag 12.5) | ||
| b²-Aqr (mag 4.4) | NGC 7180 (mag 12.5) | ||
| ψ²-Aqr (mag 4.4) | IC 1438 (mag 12.6) | ||
| ζ²-Aqr (mag 4.4) | NGC 7377 (mag 12.8) | ||
| EN Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 6967 (mag 12.8) | ||
| c¹-Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 7285 (mag 12.8) | ||
| ω²-Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 7300 (mag 12.9) | ||
| ν-Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 7183 (mag 12.9) | ||
| g-Aqr (mag 4.7) | NGC 7284 (mag 13.0) | ||
| ξ-Aqr (mag 4.7) | NGC 6964 (mag 13.0) | ||
| b³-Aqr (mag 4.7) | NGC 7576 (mag 13.0) |