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  • Star Sign Capricorn

    Capricorn is one of the oldest known constellations. It lies on the ecliptic line and is one of the 12 zodiac signs. The ancient Babylonians called this constellation the "Goat Fish" due to its shape. The new name of Capricorn was invented by the Romans. The Capricorn has a special importance as a zodiac sign in regards to astrology.
     
    Shape and position:Star Sign Capricorn
    All in all, the Capricorn is a rather discreet constellation as only two of its stars are brighter than the size class 3. The easiest way to find the constellation of Capricorn is to search for the bright stars of the "Southern Fish" and for the Altair in the constellation of "Eagle". Once you find them, imagine a line between them - right below this imaginary line, you will see the constellation Capricorn.
     
    Right ascension: 20h 05m to 21h 55m
    Declination: -9 to-28°
     
    Brightest star: Delta Capricorni (Deneb Algedi)
     
    Mythology:
    Today's Capricorn is an extraordinary hybrid, which consists of goat and fish, whose origin dates back to the time of the Gigantomachy. In those times, during one battle, the Olympian gods took flight from the giants and turned into animals to camouflage themselves. This way, Zeus’ wife Hera turned into a white cow and Zeus himself into a sheep.
    Solitary, just like he was, improved the god of shepherds Pan his cover and transformed himself at the same time into two half- animals: the upper half was turned into a goat, and the bottom one into a fish. From that fact stems the old mythological name ""goat fish"" that shapes today's constellation Capricorn.
     
    Astrological significance: People, who are born under the sign of Capricorn, are regarded as dutiful and serious. With their diligence and their sense of reality they often come across as “hard” people. Behind their tough exterior, however, there's often a very sensitive and warm person. The element of Capricorn is the earth.
     
    Best season for observation: Fall
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Eagle, Archer, Microscope, Southern Fish, Aquarius

  • Star Sign Archer

    Sagittarius is the most southerly of the constellations of the Zodiac, putting it at the very centre of the galaxy. Lying as it does between Scorpio and Capricorn, Sagittarius is very close to the star-rich regions of the Milky Way. It can be difficult to see from countries in the northern hemisphere of the world due to its southern location in the sky. Some 22 of its stars are known to have planets, meaning that it has more planetary hosts than any other known constellation.
     
    Shape and position:The Archer
    Although its name means 'the Archer' in Latin, many contemporary star gazers feel that the constellation's shape is more reminiscent of a tea pot and the misty star clusters of the Milky Way resemble the 'steam' from the spout of the tea pot. The brightest star of the Archer, Epsilon Sagittarii, is 250 times as luminous as the sun. If you like to find the Archer in the skies the constellations of Capricorn and Scorpion can act as guidance: Capricorn is to the upper left, the Scorpion to the lower right of the Archer.
     
    Right ascension: 17h 43m to 20h 28m
    Declination: -45 to -12°
     
    Brightest star: Epsilon Sagittarii (Kaus Australis)
     
    Mythology:
    The constellation was first identified by the Babylonians and then the Sumerians, the latter identifying it with the ancestor god Pabilsag. The Greeks gave the constellation the name of Chiron, the same character as Sagittarius, who was a centaur. A centaur is a creature who has the torso of a man and the body of a horse, known for its skills with a bow and arrow. Chiron, a poet and wise mentor to mythological heroes such as Hercules, Achilles and Aesculapius, was immortal. Wounded in the hooves by a poisoned arrow, the pain made him want to die. As a result, Zeus placed him in the sky.
     
    Astrological significance: Sagittarius is a sign of the Zodiac, and astrologers assert that people born under the sign of 'the Archer' are fun-loving types, open to new experiences and with a ready sense of humor. Idealism and a fiery dedication to justice can also characterize people born under this sign. The element of Sagittarius is fire.
     
    Best season for observation: Summer
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Eagle, Scorpion, Southern Crown, Telescope, Microscope, Capricorn

  • Star Sign Cassiopeia

    The Cassiopeia is a constellation of the northern sky. The Cassiopeia is visible throughout the year, although the best time to see it is in November. The Cassiopeia has produced two supernovas, one of those is known as the Cassiopeia A. The Cassiopeia A exploded about 300 years ago and the explosion has been witnessed from Earth. The matter emitted in the explosion was scattered into space at a few percent of the light speed. The material has since continued to expand into a giant shell containing a lot of elements including oxygen. These elements may form new planets, stars or even some living organisms in the future.

    Shape and position:Star Sign Cassiopeia
    The five main stars of this constellation form a "W" form. It shows the peak in the mid west in the direction of the north polar star - so you can easily find this constellation in the sky.

    Right ascension: 22h 57m to 3h 41m
    Declination: +47 to 78 degrees

    Brightest star: Alpha Cassiopeiae (Schedir)

    Mythology:
    The Ethiopian king Cepheus and his wife Cassiopeia had committed the sin of vanity. Cassiopeia had claimed to be more beautiful than even the Nereids, aquatic goddesses of Greek mythology. The Nereids complained to the sea god Poseidon about this insult, who sent out the sea monster Ketos, that devastated the shores of the country. According to an oracle the country could only be freed from the curse if Andromeda, the only child of the royal family, would be sacrificed to the sea monster. Mercilessly Andromeda was tied to a rock next to the sea, where she had to wait for the monster to come and eat her alive. Perseus defeated the monster, saved Andromeda and married her.

    Best time to observe: Year-round, especially in fall

    Neighbouring constellations: Andromeda, Bootes, Lion, Perseus

  • Star Sign Andromeda

    Andromeda is a constellation of the Northern skies. Just like the Great Bear she can be observed all-the-year round. For astronomers Andromeda is a very well-known constellation, given that in her vicinity one can find M 31, the Andromeda galaxy, the spiral galaxy to the Milky Way.
     
    Shape and position:Star Sign Andromeda
    Andromeda is connected to the rectangle of Pegasus through the star Alpheratz (to be seen on the bottom right on the picture). The three brightest stars of Andromeda Alamak, Mirach and Sirrah, all lie on an almost perfectly straight line. Under benign weather conditions one can spot a weak gleaming nebulous dot just north of δ Andromedae. This nebular dot represents nothing else but Galaxy M 31, the famous Andromeda nebula.
     
    Right ascension: 22h 57m to 2h 33m
    Declination: +21° to +53°
     
    Brightest star: Alpha Andromedae (also Alpheratz or Sirrah)
     
    Mythology:
    The Ethiopian king Cepheus and his wife Cassiopeia had committed the sin of vanity. Cassiopeia had claimed to be more beautiful than even the Nereids, aquatic goddesses of Greek mythology. The Nereids complained to the sea god Poseidon about this insult, who sent out the sea monster Ketos, that devastated the shores of the country. According to an oracle the country could only be freed from the curse if Andromeda, the only child of the royal family, would be sacrificed to the sea monster. Mercilessly Andromeda was tied to a rock next to the sea, where she had to wait for the monster to come and eat her alive. Perseus defeated the monster, saved Andromeda and married her.
     
    Best season for observation: All year round
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Cassiopeia, Lizard, Pegasus, Fish, Triangle, Perseus

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