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.

Hercules

The Son of Zeus

The stars of the constellation Hercules can be connected in an alternative way, which graphically shows the hero in an athletic pose and holding a club.

Hercules Mythology

Hercules was the demigod son of Zeus and Alcmene. One of the most widely known of the Greek heroes, he is best known for his superhuman strength, strong emotions, quickness to act, and often poorly thought out plans. Many stories are told of his life, the most important of which is the story of The Twelve Labours.

Further Information

The solar apex, i.e., the point on the sky which marks the direction that the Sun is moving in its orbit around the center of the Milky Way, is located within Hercules, close to Vega in neighboring Lyra. Hercules contains two of the most conspicuous globular clusters: M13, the brightest globular cluster in the northern hemisphere, and M92.

Hercules Photographs

Sorry, I have no photographs of this constellation yet.