CONSTELLATIONS- PART 3

Outlined below some of the well known Constellations of the Universe:



1. LYRA

Lyra is a small constellation. It is one of the 48 constellations discovered by the 2nd century astronomer, Ptolemy and is also one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Represented on star maps, Lyra was often shown as a vulture or an eagle carrying a Lyre, and hence is sometimes referred to as Vultur Cadens or Aquila Cadens ("Falling Vulture" or "Falling Eagle" respectively). 

Vega is the brightest star of the constellation Lyra and also one of the brightest star in the night sky. It forms the corner of the framed Summer Triangle Asterism. The other stars of the constellation are Alafadar, Sheliak, Sulafat, Xihe, and Chason. 


Ring Nebula, also known as NGC 6720 and M57 is the best known planetary Nebula and the second to be discovered 2000 light years away from Earth is also hosted by Lyra. Lyra also contains Dumbbell Nebula, another planetary Nebula called Abell 46, NGC 6791 which is a cluster of Stars in Lyra, NGC 6745 and some other deep sky objects.

2. CANCER

Cancer is one of the 12 constellations of the Zodiac and is located in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere. It is also one of the 88 modern constellations. Bordered by Gemini to the west, Lynx to the north, Leo to the east, Hydra to the south, and Canis Minor to the southwest Cancer is a medium sized constellation. Cancer is invisible to the naked eyes. 


Altarf or Tarf is the brightest star in Cancer. The other stars are Acubens, Asellus Austrails, Asellus Borealis, Copernicus, Gakyid, Meleph, Nahn, Piautos, and Tegmine. Cancer ia well known to the stargazers as the home of Praesepe (Messier 44), an open cluster commonly known as the Beehive Cluster, which is located in the Constellation's center. It is one of our Solar System's closest open clusters, located around 590 light-years away. M 44 is made up of around 50 stars, the brightest of which are of sixth magnitude.

3. LIBRA

Libra is a constellation of the Zodiac and is located in the Southern Celestial Hemisphere. Libra lies between Virgo to the west and Scorpius to the east. Beta Librae, also known as Zubeneschamali, is the brightest star in the constellation. The brightest stars in Libra form a quadrangle that distinguishes it for the unaided observer. The other major star in Libra is Zubenelgenubi. Libra is the sign of Justice, balance, harmony, and the human ability to connect with others.


Libra is the home to one bright globular cluster, NGC 5897. It is a loose cluster, 50,000 light years from Earth; it is fairly large and has an integrated magnitude of 9. IC 1059 is a galaxy in the Constellation Libra. Bordered by the head of Serpens to the North, Virgo to the northwest, Hydra to the Southwest, the corner of Centaurus to the southwest, Lupus to the South, Scorpius to the east and Ophiuchus to the Northeast, Libra covers an area of 538.1 square degrees and it ranks 29th of the 88 modern constellations in size.

THANKYOU FOR VISITING.....



 

 

  

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