Constellations are memorable maps to the stars, dating back many thousands of years.

Many of the constellations are associated with the Gods and Godesses of ancient Greek mythology.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has divided the sky into 88 official constellations with exact boundaries, so that every direction or location in the sky belongs to one constellation. Astronomers use this as a rough guideline for location objects, e.g. when they say that Mars is in the constellation of Gemini, it can be found within the borders of the constellation. The constellations that the Sun pass through each year are known as the Zodiac.

Cygnus

The Swan

Cygnus is a northern constellation. It was one of Ptolemy's 48 constellations. Because of the pattern of its main stars it is sometimes known as the Northern Cross asterism.

Cygnus Mythology

In Greek mythology, the constellation represents several different legendary swans. Zeus disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda, who gave birth to the Gemini, Helen of Troy, and Clytemnestra. Orpheus was transformed into a swan after his murder, and was said to have been placed in the sky next to his lyre (Lyra).

Further Information

Cygnus contains several bright stars.

Deneb, a Cygni, is an extremely brilliant star, very prominent despite its distance (1 800 light years). The blue super giant forms the swan's tail, the upper end of the Northern Cross, and one of the vertices's of the so-called 'Summer Triangle'.

Albireo, ß Cygni, is at the swan's beak. It is one of the most beautiful double stars of the sky, a golden star easily distinguishable in a small telescope from its blue companion.

Cygnus Photographs

 

Taken on 2005-11-04, 1 views