---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pink Mouse's Planetarium Version 1.0 (C) May 1991 to January 1994 by J.Croudy. File: PMP-Text This file contains all the information text for Pink Mouse's Planetarium. **** DO NOT ALTER THIS FILE IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER OR THE PROGRAM WILL FAIL. **** This is because this file will be out of sync with the index file PMP-Index. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- @SUN___ The Sun is an average yellow star. It appears larger than the other stars only because it is so much closer to us. It is so hot and bright that it should never be observed directly under any circumstances. The temperature and pressure at the centre of the Sun is so great that nuclear reactions are taking place there. Hydrogen is being converted into helium, and this process releases tremendous amounts of energy. This energy is what keeps the Sun shining. The Sun is about halfway through it's lifetime, and although it is losing mass at a rate of about four million tonnes per second, it still has enough fuel to keep shining for another five thousand million years. When the hydrogen fuel runs out, the Sun will begin to swell up into a red giant star. It will most probably engulf the Earth in the process. Ultimately, it will collapse and become a white dwarf star. Then slowly, over countless billions of years, the Sun will cool down and eventually go cold and dark. @MOON__ The Moon is officially classed as the Earth's natural satellite. However, since it has a relatively large diameter and mass, it can better be thought of as a companion planet. Strictly speaking, it does not revolve around the Earth, but the two bodies revolve around their common centre of gravity. Since this lies inside the Earth itself, the Moon can be thought of as orbiting the Earth. It takes 27.3 days to make one orbit, and spins once on its axis in the same time (a sidereal month). This means that it always keeps the same face towards us. This happens because the Moon has captured rotation; in the past, the Earth's gravity slowed the Moon's rotation down until it became synchronised with the orbital period. The Moon's orbit is not circular, and therefore not only does its distance from us vary, but it also changes orbital speed, moving fastest when it is nearer to the Earth. This causes an effect known as 'Libration in longitude'; the Moon seems to wobble on it's axis. Furthermore, the Moon's axis of rotation is tilted with respect to it's orbit around the Earth. This causes an effect known as 'Libration in latitude'. These effects allow us to see a total of about 59% of the Moon's surface over a period of time. The Moon shines by reflected sunlight, and as the relative positions of Sun, Moon and Earth change, we see the familiar 'Phases of the Moon'. When the Moon is more or less between the Earth and the Sun, it is 'New' and cannot be seen unless it actually passes in front of the Sun, causing a Solar Eclipse. About a week later, it appears half-lit, rising during the day, and a week after that, it is 'Full', rising as the Sun sets. At this time it may pass into the Earth's shadow and be eclipsed. In this case it does not go totally dark, but takes on a coppery hue as it is lit by sunlight which has been refracted by the Earth's atmosphere. About a week after Full Moon, it is again half-lit, this time from the other side, and rises late. The cycle is completed about a week later when the Moon is once again New. This takes about 29.5 days and is called a 'Lunation', or 'Synodic Month'. The surface of the Moon is full of detail. There are the dark, smooth areas known as maria, or 'Seas', although they do not and never have contained any water. There are also mountains, rilles (crack-like valleys), ridges, domes and many circular craters. @MERCUR Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, and is the smallest of the nine principal planets, with the possible exception of Pluto. It is not easy to see with the naked eye as it is always near the Sun in the sky and is never visible against a dark sky. The surface of Mercury is heavily cratered and looks similar to the Moon, although through a telescope it is only possible to see the phase of its pinkish disk. It revolves around the Sun once every 88 days, and takes about 58.6 days to rotate once on its axis. @VENUS_ Venus is the second planet from the Sun. Depending on its position relative to the Sun, it is either visible before sunrise, when it is known as 'The Morning Star', or after sunset, when it is known as 'The Evening Star'. It is about the same size as the Earth, but it is an unfriendly place, with an atmosphere of carbon dioxide, and a thick covering of sulphuric acid clouds. These clouds reflect sunlight so well that Venus can become bright enough to cast shadows under a clear, dark sky. Telescopically, practically all that can be seen is it's phase. Venus takes 224.7 days to orbit the Sun, and 243 days to rotate once on its axis, which it does in a retrograde (west-to-east) direction. @EARTH_ Earth, our home planet, is the third from the Sun. It is the only planet in the Solar System known to support life. It is 12,765 km in diameter, and orbits the Sun at a mean distance of 150 million km, taking 365.86 days to do so. The plane of this orbit is called the Ecliptic. This is equivalent from an Eartly viewpoint, of the path in the sky apparently traced by the Sun once a year. The Earth rotates from west to east once every 24 hours. This rotation is called diurnal motion and is the reason why the Sun, stars and other planets rise in the east, move across the sky, and set in the west. The rotation is actually slowing down and the day is becoming longer but we do not notice this as the effect is extremely slight. However, in the very far distant future, the Earth will have "captured rotation", just as the Moon does now, and a day will be the same length as a year. The Earth will have the same face always turned toward the Sun. Some parts of the world will have eternal day, and some eternal night. The axis of rotation is a line drawn from the North Pole through the Earth's centre, to the South Pole. This axis is actually wobbling, the Earth behaving like a giant spinning top. This causes an effect called "Precession" which must be taken into account when calculating object positions for the past or future. The Earth makes one precessional rotation in about 26,000 years. The Earth's axis is also inclined at an angle to the Ecliptic of about 23.5 degrees (it varies slightly). This has very important consequences for the planet's inhabitants because it causes the Seasons. Depending on where the Earth is in it's orbit, each hemisphere will be tilted towards the Sun by a different amount. This causes the noon Sun to appear at a different altitude in the sky throughout the year. When the Sun is high in the sky it's heat is more concentrated and has to pass through only a thin layer of atmosphere. When the Sun is low in the sky it's heat is spread out over a wider area and has to pass through a much thicker layer of atmosphere. The hemisphere that tilts towards the Sun is having it's Summer, while the other hemisphere is having it's Winter. Six months later when the Earth is at the other side of it's orbit, the situation is reversed. @MARS__ Mars, "The Red Planet", is the fourth planet from the Sun. It was once thought that life may exist there, but in 1976 the Viking probes visited the planet and were unable to find any organic material. Mars has a thin atmosphere of mainly carbon dioxide. It's strong orange colour is due to the large amounts of iron oxide in it's surface rocks. The Red Planet is attended by two tiny satellites, Phobos and Deimos. They are both irregular in shape, and appear to be captured asteroids. @JUPITE Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun, and the largest of the nine principal planets. The visible surface is the top of a deep, cloudy atmosphere that is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, with large amounts of ammonia and methane. It is rapidly rotating, it's "day" being only about 10 hours long. This fast rate of rotation causes the planet to be visibly flattened, and also causes the clouds to form into various zones and belts. The most famous feature on Jupiter is the Great Red Spot. It is thought to be a giant anticyclone composed of red phosphorous. Jupiter's four largest satellites, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto, are visible in binoculars. They were discovered by Galileo, and are therefore known as the Galilean satellites. They are all very different worlds. Io is actively volcanic, Europa is smooth and icy, Ganymede is covered in craters and ice, and Callisto is very dark, dense and heavily cratered. @SATURN Saturn, "The Ringed Planet", is the sixth planet from the Sun. It is similar to Jupiter in that it has dark belts and bright zones, a gaseous surface mainly made of liquid hydrogen, and a solid core. Saturn is most famous for it's beautiful system of rings. These rings are not solid, but are actually composed of millions of tiny particles orbiting the planet at different distances. They are visible in a small telescope. There are three main rings, two of which (the A and B rings) are bright, and the third (the Crepe Ring) dimmer and semi-transparent. The A and B rings are separated from the Crepe Ring by a gap called the Cassini Division. Saturn has ten major satellites, of which Titan is the largest with a diameter of over 2600 miles. A number of smaller satellites were found by the Voyager probes, but these are not visible from Earth. Most of the satellites orbit close to the plane of the planet's equator, but Iapetus has a more inclined orbit, and Phoebe goes around Saturn the other way (retrograde). @URANUS Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun. It is just visible to the naked eye but appears as a faint "star" of magnitude 5.5. Small telescopes show it as a blue-green disk. Uranus rotates on it's side, that is, it's axis is nearly in the plane of it's orbit around the Sun. It has five satellites which are visible from the Earth, but require a large telescope to be seen. Uranus has a system of rings which were discovered when they occulted a star and caused the star to "blink" repeatedly as it passed behind them. @NEPTUN Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun. It is visible in a small telescope or binoculars as a blue-green "star", similar to Uranus. No detail can be seen except in very large instruments. Two satellites, Triton and Nereid, are visible from the Earth. @PLUTO_ Pluto is the ninth planet from the Sun. It is the smallest of all the major planets, smaller even than the Moon. It has an unusual orbit which takes it inside the orbit of Neptune. It has a single satellite, Charon, which was discovered in 1978. @CONAND Andromeda, The Chained Maiden ----------------------------- In Greek mythology, Andromeda was the daughter of King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia. The Queen offended Poseidon by saying that she and Andromeda were more beautiful than the sea nymphs. In order to appease Poseidon, Cepheus chained Andromeda to a rock in order to sacrifice her as a meal for the sea monster Cetus. However, Perseus happened to be passing by on his way home after slaying the gorgon Medusa, and he came to the rescue just in time to save Andromeda from certain death. Andromeda contains the famous spiral galaxy M31. This galaxy is the most remote object visible to the naked eye at 2 million light years distance. Even at this distance it is still the nearest spiral galaxy to us. @CONANT Antlia, The Air Pump -------------------- This constellation was created by the 18th-century French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. He named it the Air Pump after the invention of the Irish Scientist Robert Boyle. @CONAPS Apus, The Bird of Paradise -------------------------- This small southern constellation was created by Johann Bayer. @CONAQR Aquarius, The Water Bearer -------------------------- Aquarius is the 12th sign of the modern zodiac. The whole area around it was, in ancient times, associated with water, and so there are many ocean creatures like Cetus, Pisces, Capricornus and Delphinus in it's vicinity. @CONAQL Aquila, The Eagle ----------------- In Roman mythology, Aquila represents the eagle sent by Jupiter to collect Ganymede, a shepherd boy, who was to become cup-bearer of the gods. The constellation has been likened to the shape of a bird for over 3500 years. @ALPAQL Altair is the thirteenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 16 light years away, and together with Deneb (in Cygnus) and Vega (in Lyra), it makes up the famous "Summer Triangle". | @CONARA Ara, The Altar -------------- In ancient times, Ara was seen as the burning altar on which Centaurus intended to sacrifice Lupus the wolf. @CONARI Aries, The Ram -------------- Aries is the first constellation of the ancient zodiac. During the period in which classical mythology was completed (around 1000 BC to 420 AD), the vernal equinox was in Aries, and is therefore called the "First Point of Aries". This is the point at which the ecliptic (the Sun's path in the sky) crosses the celestial equator (the projection of the Earth's equator onto the celestial sphere). Due to the wobble of the Earth on it's axis (precession), this point has since moved into the constellation of Pisces. If you select both the "Ecliptic" and "Equator" preferences, and find Pisces, you will see the First Point of Aries marked where the ecliptic crosses the equator. @CONAUR Auriga, The Charioteer ---------------------- This constellation has been known as the "Charioteer" since ancient times. The bright star Capella marks the Charioteer's left shoulder. The constellation borrows the star Beta Tauri to complete it's polygon shape. @ALPAUR Capella is the sixth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 41 light years away. The ancient Greeks thought of Capella as the she-goat that suckled the infant Zeus. | @CONBOO Bootes, The Herdsman -------------------- In Greek mythology, Bootes represents Arcas, son of Callisto. Arcas almost slayed his mother after she was changed into a bear (Ursa Major), but Zeus intervened and placed them both in the sky. @ALPBOO Arcturus is the fourth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 34 light years away. | @CONCAE Caelum, The Chisel ------------------ This constellation was introduced in 1752 by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille when he travelled to the Cape of Good Hope to map the southern skies. @CONCAM Camelopardalis, The Giraffe --------------------------- This constellation was introduced by Johannes Hevelius, the Polish astronomer who drew up a star chart in 1690. Although it covers a rather large area of the northern sky, it is a very dim and inconspicuous constellation. @CONCNC Cancer, The Crab ---------------- Cancer is the 5th sign of the modern zodiac. In Greek mythology, it represents the crab that Hera, the Queen of Olympus sent to attack Hercules. Hera wanted to destroy Hercules because he was the illegitimate son of King Zeus who had had an affair with Alcmene. Hera placed the crab in the sky when Hercules trod on it and killed it. @CONCVN Canes Venatici, The Hunting Dogs -------------------------------- The Hunting Dogs are usually depicted as greyhounds held on a leash by Bootes the Herdsman. The group was created by Johannes Hevelius, the Polish astronomer in his star chart of 1690. @CONCMA Canis Major, The Great Dog -------------------------- Canis Major represents one of Orion's hunting dogs, following him in his daily journey across the heavens. The constellation contains the brightest star in the sky after the Sun, Sirius. @ALPCMA Sirius, the "Dog Star", is the brightest star in the sky after the Sun, and is 8.6 light years away. It was very important to certain ancient cultures. The ancient Egyptians used it's first appearance at dawn to signify the start of a new year, and the coming of the annual flooding of the Nile. | @EPSCMA Adhara is the twenty-second brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 570 light years away. | @CONCMI Canis Minor, The Little Dog --------------------------- The second of Orion's hunting dogs, Canis Minor, contains only two bright stars, one of which is Procyon. @ALPCMI Procyon is the eighth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 11.4 light years away. The name "Procyon" means "Before the Dog". This refers to the fact that the star rises shortly before Sirius. | @CONCAP Capricornus, The Sea Goat ------------------------- One of the fainter zodiacal constellations, Capricornus is said to represent Pan, who, in Roman mythology, is sometimes depicted as a goat. Other cultures associated the region with water, after all it does lie in the ocean-oriented part of the sky near Aquarius, Pisces and Cetus. @CONCAR Carina, The Keel ---------------- Around 200 AD, Ptolemy introduced the constellation of Argo Navis, the Ship Argo. In the 18th-century, Nicolas Louis de Lacaille split the Ship into Carina (The Keel), Vela (The Sails) and Puppis (The Poop). Carina is a southern constellation. It contains the second brightest star after the Sun, Canopus. @ALPCAR Canopus is the second brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 74 light years away. | @CONCAS Cassiopeia, The Queen --------------------- Cassiopeia is easily recognised by it's distinctive W or M shape, which represents the chair or throne in which Queen Cassiopeia is said to have sat in Greek mythology. Cassiopeia was married to King Cepheus, and had a daughter, Andromeda. The Queen is said to have angered Poseidon by saying that she and her daughter were more beautiful than any sea nymph. King Cepheus, anxious to calm Poseidon's wrath, chained his daughter to a rock so she would be killed by Cetus. Luckily, Andromeda was rescued by Perseus who happened to be passing by. All four of the characters in the story are located quite near each other in the sky. @CONCEN Centaurus, The Centaur ---------------------- The ancient Greeks portrayed Centaurus as a peaceful and wise teacher, half man, half beast. It contains the third brightest star in the sky, Alpha Centauri, and the nearest star, Proxima Centauri which is a mere 4.2 light years away. @ALPCEN Rigil Kentaurus is the third brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 4.3 light years away. | @BETCEN Hadar is the eleventh brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 320 light years away. | @CONCEP Cepheus, The King ----------------- In Greek mythology, Cepheus was the husband of Cassiopeia, and father of Andromeda. He was king of Joppa, and one of Jason's famous Argonauts who journeyed in search of the Golden Fleece. @CONCET Cetus, The Whale ---------------- Cetus is a very large constellation. In Greek mythology, it was identified with the sea monster that almost killed Andromeda when Perseus arrived in the nick of time and saved her. @CONCHA Chameleon, The Chameleon ------------------------- Introduced by Johann Bayer in 1604, Chameleon does not have any stories attached to it. It lies in the southern polar region of the sky, and contains no stars brighter than 4th magnitude. @CONCIR Circinus, The Compass --------------------- Introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752, Circinus represents the navigational tool which was used by the early voyagers in their journeys to the southern regions of the world. @CONCOL Columba, The Dove ----------------- Augustin Royer introduced Columba in 1679. It represents the dove that was released from Noah's ark. @CONCOM Coma Berenices, Berenice's Hair ------------------------------- Although it was created as recently as 1602, by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, this constellation still has a legend associated with it. Berenice, the wife of King Ptolemy Euergetes of Egypt, vowed to sacrifice her hair if her husband successfully returned from making war on the Assyrians. He returned triumphant, and Berenice kept her promise by placing her hair in the temple of Aphrodite. Zeus later placed the hair among the stars. @CONCRA Corona Australis, The Southern Crown ------------------------------------ This is one of the 15 southern constellations listed by Ptolemy. It has always been associated with a crown or garland in western mythology. @CONCRB Corona Borealis, The Northern Crown ----------------------------------- In Greek mythology, Corona Borealis represents a crown given by Dionysus to the daughter of Minos of Crete, Ariadne. @CONCRV Corvus, The Crow ---------------- In Greek mythology, Apollo sent a white crow to watch over his lover, Coronis, who he suspected of being unfaithful. The crow failed to perform it's task adequately, and Apollo punished it by changing it into a black crow. @CONCRT Crater, The Cup --------------- In Greek mythology, this constellation represents the cup that Dionysus used to drink wine from. @CONCRU Crux, The Southern Cross ------------------------ In ancient times, this constellation was considered to be part of Centaurus's feet. As Catholic nations ventured south in the 15th and 16th centuries, the pattern became a constellation in it's own right. The familiar cross shape was an important inspiration to navigators and soldiers alike as they explored the southern hemisphere. @ALPCRU Acrux is the twelfth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 510 light years away. | @BETCRU Mimosa is the nineteenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 460 light years away. | @GAMCRU Gacrux is the twenty-fourth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 120 light years away. | @CONCYG Cygnus, The Swan ---------------- Legend has it that Cygnus represents the bird which Zeus transformed himself into when he visited Leda, the wife of the King of Sparta. Apparently, Leda laid an egg, which hatched Castor, Pollux and Helen of Troy! @ALPCYG Deneb is the twentieth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 1500 light years away. Deneb is circumpolar (ie: never sets) for anyone living north of +45 degrees latitude. Together with Altair (in Aquila) and Vega (in Lyra), it makes up the famous "Summer Triangle". | @CONDEL Delphinus, The Dolphin ---------------------- According to Greek mythology, a dolphin helped Poseidon in his love affair with the mermaid Amphitrite, and in return the god of the sea placed an image of the dolphin in the sky. @CONDOR Dorado, The Swordfish --------------------- This constellation was created by Johann Bayer in 1603. @CONDRA Draco, The Dragon ----------------- In mythology, Hercules' eleventh labour was to fetch the golden apples from the garden of the Hesperides. These apples were guarded by a beast which has been identified with Draco. Hercules killed the beast and an image of it was placed in the sky. @CONEQU Equuleus, The Little Horse -------------------------- Equuleus is associated with the legend of Mercury giving Castor as a gift. @CONERI Eridanus, The River ------------------- Since Biblical times, Eridanus has been associated with the Nile and the Euphrates. In Greco-Roman times it has been associated with the Granicus and Po. It is one of the largest groups in the sky, winding it's way from the celestial equator to the bright star Achernar at declination -57 degrees. @ALPERI Achernar is the ninth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 69 light years away. Achernar, meaning "End of the River" in Arabic, is a zero magnitude blue giant star. | @CONFOR Fornax, The Furnace ------------------- Nicolas Louis de Lacaille created this constellation in 1752. He wanted to celebrate the "Refiner's Fire" which made possible the recent development of Steel. @CONGEM Gemini, The Twins ----------------- This constellation has been associated with the stars Castor and Pollux since ancient times. In Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were born of an egg laid by Leda, wife of the King of Sparta. Castor was the King's son, and Pollux the son of Zeus, who used to visit Leda disguised as a swan (Cygnus). @ALPGEM Castor is the twenty-third brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 49 light years away. | @BETGEM Pollux is the seventeenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 40 light years away. | @CONGRU Grus, The Crane --------------- Johann Bayer introduced this constellation in 1604. Before that, the Arabs identified it as a fish. @CONHER Hercules, The Giant ------------------- In Greek mythology, Hercules was the son of Zeus, and he had a mortal mother. He was given twelve tasks, or labours to perform, each of which at first appeared to be impossible. When Hercules successfully completed them all, he was made a god. @CONHOR Horologium, The Clock --------------------- After Eridanus and Caelum were created, some stars were "left over". These were later used to form Horologium, a small and inconspicuous southern constellation. @CONHYA Hydra, The Sea Monster ---------------------- Hydra, the largest constellation in the sky, has a number of legends associated with it. The Greeks identified it with the monster killed by Hercules as his second labour. It has also been identified with Jason's famous Argonauts. The Egyptians saw it as the river Nile. @CONHYI Hydrus, The Water Snake ----------------------- Introduced by Johann Bayer in 1603, Hydrus celebrates the newly discovered Water Snake from South America at the time. @CONIND Indus, The Indian ----------------- This constellation was probably inspired by the native North and South American Indians who were brought to Europe by explorers at the time of Johann Bayer. @CONLAC Lacerta, The Lizard ------------------- The Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius created this constellation in 1687, although he did not depict a Lizard, but an Otter or Mink. @CONLEO Leo, The Lion ------------- This constellation has been associated with a lion since ancient times. It represents the Nemaean Lion which Hercules had to kill as his first labour. @ALPLEO Regulus is the twenty-first brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 69 light years away. | @CONLMI Leo Minor, The Little Lion -------------------------- Introduced by Hevelius in 1679, Leo Minor is a rather undistinguished constellation. @CONLEP Lepus, The Hare --------------- This celestial hare lies close in the sky to Orion the Hunter, and is chased across the sky by Orion's Great Dog, Canis Major. @CONLIB Libra, The Scales ----------------- The seventh sign of the zodiac, Libra appears to have been created in Roman times, perhaps indicating an association with Roman law. @CONLUP Lupus, The Wolf --------------- The history of Lupus is somewhat confused. The name appears to be the result of an error in translation in medieval times. It has been associated with the Centaur who is supposed to be taking it to the altar (Ara) for sacrifice. @CONLYN Lynx, The Lynx -------------- Johannes Hevelius introduced this faint constellation in 1690. Perhaps it is meant to represent the prey of Ursa Major who is hunting nearby in the sky. @CONLYR Lyra, The Lyre -------------- This grouping is very old, and was known long before the ancient Greeks. It was originally depicted as a bird of prey. When musical instruments were invented, the group was given the name Lyre or Harp. According to mythology, one of the Argonauts made a lyre from a tortoise shell. Apollo, pleased by its music, placed it in the heavens. Orpheus is said to have played it to charm the keepers of the underworld. @ALPLYR Vega, the Harp Star, is a brilliant blue-white gem. It is the fifth brightest star in the sky after the Sun, and is 25 light years away. About 10,000 BC it was the north pole star. It will again be the pole star in AD 14,500 when the Earth has made one whole precessional rotation (wobble). Together with Deneb (in Cygnus) and Altair (in Aquila), Vega makes up the famous "Summer Triangle". | @CONMEN Mensa, The Table ---------------- This constellation was created by the 18th-century French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. Apparently, he named it after the famous Table Mountain near Cape Town. @CONMIC Microscopium, The Microscope ---------------------------- This constellation was created by the 18th-century French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. @CONMON Monoceros, The Unicorn ---------------------- This constellation was formed at an unknown time in the past. It has no mythological connection with the legendary unicorn. It appears on a map by Bartschius in 1624 and on a much earlier Persian globe. @CONMUS Musca, The Fly -------------- Musca appears on Nicolas Louis de Lacaille's map of 1763 as a fly, but originally it was called Apis, The Bee. @CONNOR Norma, The Level ---------------- The French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille introduced this constellation in 1752. @CONOCT Octans, The Octant ------------------ Introduced by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752, this constellation commemorates the invention of the Octant by John Hadley in 1730. @CONOPH Ophiuchus, The Serpent Bearer ----------------------------- Ophiuchus has been identified with several mythological figures. According to Greek mythology, Asclepius, the god of medicine, was the son of Apollo and Coronis. During his earthly years as a doctor he was able to bring the dead back to life. He is usually depicted as a mature figure holding a serpent. @CONORI Orion, The Hunter ----------------- This is one of the most obvious and best known constellations. It was already known as Orion by 425 BC. Many legends are associated with it. According to one, Orion was the son of Neptune and Euryale. He boasted that he could conquer any animal that the earth could produce. Juno, who was jealous of Orion, caused a giant scorpion to appear and kill him. Diana, the goddess of hunting, arranged for Orion to be placed in the sky opposite the scorpion (Scorpius) where he would be safe from it for all time. Another story tells how Diana was in love with Orion, and this angered Apollo. He tricked Diana into accidently killing Orion with an arrow while she was practising archery. Diana subsequently placed Orion in the heavens. @ALPORI Betelgeuse is a red giant. It is the tenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun, and about 1,400 light years away. It is so large that if it was placed where the Sun is, it would extend to the orbit of Mars. | @BETORI Rigel is a hot blue supergiant. It is the seventh brightest star in the sky after the Sun, and is about 1,400 light years away. It is 57,000 times more luminous than the Sun. | @CONPAV Pavo, The Peacock ----------------- This constellation was created by Johann Bayer in 1603. In mythology, Pavo was Hera's favourite bird. When her servant, the giant Argus, was murdered by Hermes, Hera gave his hundred eyes to Pavo. @CONPEG Pegasus, The Winged Horse ------------------------- In mythology, after Perseus had killed Medusa and cut off her head, she gave birth to Pegasus! Bellerophon tamed him and together they slayed the monster Chimaera. Later, Pegasus became Zeus' packhorse, and his job was to carry lightning to wherever it was required. @CONPER Perseus, The Champion --------------------- In mythology, Perseus was the hero who killed Medusa. This was no mean feat since Medusa was a Gorgon and one look at her face turned anyone into stone. He managed to kill her by using a reflective shield which enabled him to see her without looking at her, so he could aim his sickle. After killing Medusa, Perseus rescued Andromeda from a sea monster and married her. @CONPHE Phoenix, The Phoenix -------------------- This constellation was introduced by Johann Bayer. In mythology, Phoenix was a creature that was able to regenerate from its own ashes after being incinerated. @CONPIC Pictor, The Easel ----------------- This constellation was created in 1752 by the 18th-century French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. @CONPSC Pisces, The Fishes ------------------ These celestial fishes represent Venus and her son Cupid who fell into the river Euphrates when the monster Typon attacked. @CONPSA Piscis Austrinus, The Southern Fish ----------------------------------- This is an ancient constellation which represents the parent of Pisces. @ALPPSA Fomalhaut is the eighteenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is about 22 light years away and 14 times more luminous than the Sun. | @CONPUP Puppis, The Poop ---------------- Formerly part of the ancient constellation Argo Navis, Puppis represents the raised stern part of the ship Argo which carried Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage to bring back the Golden Fleece. @CONPYX Pyxis, The Compass ------------------ Formerly part of the ancient constellation Argo Navis, Pyxis represents the compass of the ship Argo that guided Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage to bring back the Golden Fleece. @CONRET Reticulum, The Reticle ---------------------- This constellation was once known as The Rhombus, but Lacaille renamed it The Reticle after the cross hairs in his telescope eyepiece. The constellation is sometimes also known as The Net. @CONSGE Sagitta, The Arrow ------------------ This little constellation has been identified with an arrow shot by Hercules, and also with Cupids arrow. @CONSGR Sagittarius, The Archer ----------------------- This zodiacal constellation is often depicted as an archer holding a bow and arrow, aiming at Antares, the heart of Scorpius. @CONSCO Scorpius, The Scorpion ---------------------- This constellation represents the scorpion that was sent by Apollo to kill Orion. @ALPSCO Antares is the fifteenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is about 520 light years away. | @LAMSCO Shaula is the twenty-fifth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 330 light years away. | @CONSCL Sculptor, The Sculptor ---------------------- This constellation was introduced by the 18th-century French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. @CONSCT Scutum, The Shield ------------------ This is also known as Sobieski's Shield. It was created by Johannes Hevelius to commemorate King John Sobieski III who led the army that saved Vienna from the Turkish invasion of 1683. @CONSER Serpens, The Serpent -------------------- This constellation is in two parts as you can see from the diagram. Serpens Caput is the head of the serpent and Serpens Cauda is the tail. It appears to have been broken in two by Ophiuchus who stands between the two portions. @CONSEX Sextans, The Sextant -------------------- This constellation was introduced by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius. It represents the astronomical instrument used to measure altitude. @CONTAU Taurus, The Bull ---------------- This is the second sign of the ancient zodiac. In mythology, it represents the white bull that carried Europa off, and was later found to be Zeus in disguise. @ALPTAU Aldebaran is the fourteenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is 60 light years away and marks the eye of Taurus the Bull. It's name means 'The Follower', so called because it follows the Pleiades across the sky. | @16TAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @17TAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @19TAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @20TAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @23TAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @27TAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @BUTAU_ This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @ETATAU This star is one of the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, the beautiful open cluster which marks the bull's shoulder. | @CONTEL Telescopium, The Telescope -------------------------- This constellation was introduced in 1752 by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille. @CONTRI Triangulum, The Triangle ------------------------ This little constellation has been associated with several forms of triangle through the ages. It was once called Deltotron by the Greeks, since its shape resembles the Greek letter Delta. @CONTRA Triangulum Australe, The Southern Triangle ------------------------------------------ This prominent southern constellation was first shown by Johann Bayer in 1603, but it had been used for navigation purposes long before that. @CONTUC Tucana, The Toucan ------------------ Introduced by Johann Bayer in 1603, Tucana celebrates the newly discovered Toucan from South America at the time. @CONUMA Ursa Major, The Great Bear -------------------------- This constellation has been identified with a bear from ancient times. In Greek mythology, it represents Callisto, mother of Arcas, who was changed into a bear. The brightest and most famous part of the constellation is known as the Plough or Big Dipper. This is the bear's rear body and tail. The two stars Alpha and Beta Ursae Majoris can be used as pointers to Polaris, the Northern Pole Star. @ALPUMA One of the "Pointers" to Polaris. | @BETUMA One of the "Pointers" to Polaris. | @ZETUMA Mizar is one of the most famous double stars in the sky. It is a naked-eye double with Alcor, and closer inspection reveals it to be double itself. | @80UMA_ Alcor is the naked-eye companion of Mizar. | @CONUMI Ursa Minor, The Little Bear --------------------------- This constellation was probably formed by the Greek philosopher Thales in the 6th century BC. The star Polaris is at the end of the bear's tail. @ALPUMI Polaris is the North Polar Star at the time of writing. Due to precession (the wobbling of the Earth's axis), this was not always the case. The Earth takes about 26,000 years to make one precessional rotation. | @CONVEL Vela, The Sails --------------- Formerly part of the ancient constellation Argo Navis, Vela represents the sails of the ship Argo which carried Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage to bring back the Golden Fleece. @CONVIR Virgo, The Virgin ----------------- Virgo was seen by the ancient Greeks as Astraea, daughter of Zeus and Themis. She is usually depicted holding a sheaf of wheat in honour of the harvest. @ALPVIR Spica is the sixteenth brightest star in the sky after the Sun. It is about 220 light years away, and marks the ear of wheat held by virgo. | @CONVOL Volans, The Flying Fish ----------------------- This constellation was introduced by Johann Bayer in 1603 to accompany the ship Argo. @CONVUL Vulpecula, The Little Fox ------------------------- Created by Johannes Hevelius, this constellation was originally known as the Little Fox and the Goose. The goose has since been dropped. @CON___ Pink Mouse has not assigned this star to a constellation.