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) | NGC 7005 (mag 0.0) | Messier 2 (mag 6.2) | NGC 7001 (mag 0.0) |
| Sadalmelik (mag 2.9) | Messier 73 (mag 9.0) | Messier 72 (mag 9.0) | NGC 7108 (mag 0.0) |
| Skat (mag 3.3) | NGC 7492 (mag 10.5) | NGC 7198 (mag 0.0) | |
| c²-Aqr (mag 3.7) | NGC 7246 (mag 0.0) | ||
| λ-Aqr (mag 3.8) | NGC 7284 (mag 0.0) | ||
| Albali (mag 3.8) | NGC 7308 (mag 0.0) | ||
| Sadachbia (mag 3.9) | NGC 7406 (mag 0.0) | ||
| b¹-Aqr (mag 4.0) | NGC 7494 (mag 0.0) | ||
| η-Aqr (mag 4.0) | NGC 7719 (mag 0.0) | ||
| τ²-Aqr (mag 4.0) | NGC 7758 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ζ¹-Aqr (mag 4.1) | IC 1347 (mag 0.0) | ||
| Ancha (mag 4.2) | IC 1381 (mag 0.0) | ||
| φ-Aqr (mag 4.2) | IC 1401 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ψ¹-Aqr (mag 4.2) | IC 1436 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ι-Aqr (mag 4.3) | IC 1451 (mag 0.0) | ||
| b²-Aqr (mag 4.4) | IC 1495 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ψ²-Aqr (mag 4.4) | IC 5194 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ζ²-Aqr (mag 4.4) | IC 5334 (mag 0.0) | ||
| EN Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 6968 (mag 0.0) | ||
| c¹-Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 7051 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ω²-Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 7121 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ν-Aqr (mag 4.5) | NGC 7183 (mag 0.0) | ||
| g-Aqr (mag 4.7) | NGC 7288 (mag 0.0) | ||
| ξ-Aqr (mag 4.7) | NGC 7341 (mag 0.0) | ||
| b³-Aqr (mag 4.7) | NGC 7381 (mag 0.0) |