Pisces (constellation): Difference between revisions
TheLetterM (talk | contribs) |
|||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
notes=}} |
notes=}} |
||
'''Pisces''' ({{pronEng|ˈpaɪsiːz}}) is a [[constellation]] of the [[zodiac]]. Its name is the [[Latin]] [[plural]] for [[fish]], and its symbol is [[Image:Pisces.svg|20px]] ({{Unicode|Unicode ♓}}). It lies between [[Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]] to the west and [[Aries (constellation)|Aries]] to the east. |
'''Pisces''' ({{pronEng|ˈpaɪsiːz}}) is a [[constellation]] of the [[zodiac]]. Its name is the [[Latin]] [[plural]] for [[fish]], and its symbol is [[Image:Pisces.svg|20px]] ({{Unicode|Unicode ♓}}). It lies between [[Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]] to the west and [[Aries (constellation)|Aries]] to the east. |
||
==Notable features== |
|||
The [[Vernal equinox]] is currently located in Pisces, due south of ω Psc, and, due to [[precession]], slowly drifting below the western fish towards [[Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]. |
|||
Pisces contains one [[galaxy]] that is listed in [[Charles Messier]]'s catalog, named the [[spiral galaxy]] [[Spiral Galaxy M74|Messier 74]]. |
|||
===Named Stars=== |
|||
{| class="wikitable" border="1" |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[Bayer_designation|Bayer designation]] |
|||
! Name |
|||
! Language |
|||
! Meaning |
|||
|- |
|||
| α |
|||
| [[Al Rischa]] |
|||
| [[Arabic]] |
|||
| the cord |
|||
|- |
|||
| β |
|||
| Samaka |
|||
| Arabic |
|||
| fish |
|||
|- |
|||
| δ |
|||
| Linteum |
|||
| Latin |
|||
| line |
|||
|- |
|||
| ο |
|||
| Torcular |
|||
| Latin |
|||
| tube shaped |
|||
|- |
|||
| ε |
|||
| Kaht |
|||
| Persian |
|||
| astrological |
|||
|- |
|||
| η |
|||
| Kullat Nunu |
|||
| [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] |
|||
| fish |
|||
|- |
|||
| ζ |
|||
| Revati |
|||
| [[Hindi]] |
|||
| wealthy |
|||
|- |
|||
| colspan="4" align="center" | In addition, [[van Maanen's Star]], at 12.36 magnitude, is located in this constellation. |
|||
|} |
|||
==Mythology and visualizations== |
==Mythology and visualizations== |
||
Revision as of 15:30, 30 March 2009
| Constellation | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | Psc |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Piscium |
| Right ascension | 1 |
| Declination | +15 |
| Area | 889 sq. deg. (14th) |
| Main stars | 21 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 86 |
| Stars with planets | 5 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 0 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 5 |
| Brightest star | η Psc (3.6m) |
| Messier objects | 1 |
| Meteor showers | Piscids |
| Bordering constellations | Triangulum Andromeda Pegasus Aquarius Cetus Aries |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −65°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November. | |
Pisces (Template:PronEng) is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is the Latin plural for fish, and its symbol is 
(Unicode ♓). It lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east.
Mythology and visualizations
The constellation is commonly represented as two fish, each of which is tied to the same point by a long length of string. The fish are connected at the tails. However, the 'strings' can also be interpreted as stick-figure men (with the 'fish' thus becoming their heads), and some forms of early Greek mythology viewed it as men bound to a point, with only the constellation Piscis Austrinus considered to be a fish.[citation needed]
According to one Greek myth, Pisces represents the fish into which Aphrodite and her son Eros transformed in order to escape the monstrous Typhon; they are tied together with a cord on their tails, to make sure they do not lose one another.[1]
Astrology
As of 2002[update], the Sun appears in the constellation Pisces from March 12 to April 18. In tropical astrology, the Sun is considered to be in the sign Pisces from February 20 to March 20, and in sidereal astrology, from March 15 to April 14.
According to a majority of polled tropical astrologers,[2] we are currently in the Age of Pisces.
References
- ^ Star Tales – Pisces
- ^ Nicholas Campion, The Book of World Horoscopes
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
- Richard Hinckley Allen, Star Names, Their Lore and Legenc, New York, Dover: various dates.
- Thomas Wm. Hamilton, Useful Star Names, Holbrook, NY, Viewlex: 1968.
External links
