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  • Star Sign The Dolphin

    Delphinus (the Dolphin) is a small constellation with a distinctive diamond pattern, visible in the northern sky. It can be spotted to the east of the prominent star Altair, which is in the constellation Aquila. The friendly dolphin leaps past Altair through the heavens.
     
    Shape and position:Star Sign The Dolphin
    This constellation is located in the Milky Way and is especially recognizable due to its distinctive, compact shape. A diamond of stars forms the dolphin’s body and a fifth star to the south completes the tail. Like the constellation Orion, Delphinus lies near the celestial equator and can be viewed from anywhere in the world, apart from Antarctica.
     
    Right ascension: 20h 14m to 21h 08m
    Declination: +2 to 21 degrees
     
    Brightest star: Beta Delphini (Rotanev)
     
    Mythology:
    The mythology of Delphinus tells of Arion of Lesbos, a famous Greek poet and musician who had collected a massive trove of treasure. On a sea voyage, his crew of sailors betrayed him for his wealth, granting him only one final wish: to sing his last song on the lyre. As he played his beautiful tune he was thrown into the sea, but was then rescued by a dolphin which carried him into the heavens on its back. Arion, his lyre and the dolphin now have a permanent place in the starry sky. An alternative legend tells of the sea god Poseidon and his newly married wife Amphitrite, who fled to the Atlas Mountains to protect her virginity. Poseidon sent out a dolphin as a scout to persuade Amphitrite to return. When he successfully brought her back, the god granted the dolphin a place in the heavens and the constellation was born.
     
    Best time to observe: Summer
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Fox, Arrow, Eagle, Aquarius, Pegasus, Equus

  • Star Sign The Eagle

    The Eagle is a striking constellation found in the summer and autumn sky of the Northern hemisphere. It is on the plane of our galaxy, the Milky Way. Its main star Altair has 10 times the luminosity of our sun, and its brightness makes it particularly prominent in the night sky.
     
    Shape and position:Star Sign The Eagle
    The main star of the Eagle, Altair (α Aquilae), is a very bright and prominent star. It forms part of the extended summer triangle. In the immediate vicinity are the bright stars Tarazed (γ Aquilae) and Alschain (β Aquilae). Together, the three stars form the head of the eagle. The remaining stars represent the outspread wings of the bird.
     
    Right ascension: 18h 40m to 20h 35m
    Declination: -12 to 8 degrees
     
    Brightest star: Altair has a relative magnitude of 0.8m. Together with the stars Deneb (Alpha Cygni) in the constellation Cygnus and Vega (Alpha Lyrae) the so-called Summer Triangle is created.
     
    Mythology:
    Among the twelve labors of Hercules was the procurement of the golden apples of the Hesperides. Along the way, the hero discovered the unfortunate Prometheus who was chained to a rock. The father of the gods Zeus imposed the punishment, because against his will Prometheus had helped human kind by bringing them fire and enlightenment. The eagle came every day, pulled out a piece of Prometheus' liver and ate it. Hercules killed the eagle with an arrow and released Prometheus from his agony.
     
    Best season for observation: Summer
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Aquarius, Dolphin, Arrow, Hercules, Snake, Shield, Sagittarius, Capricorn

  • Star Sign Virgin

    Virgo is an exceptionally large constellation which is located directly on the ecliptic (the line which the Sun follows across the sky over the course of the year), because of this it belongs to the 12 signs of the zodiac. One of the most outstanding features of the constellation Virgo is the large Virgo cluster of galaxies, which consists of approximately 2,000 galaxies.
     
    Shape and position:The Virgin
    Virgo is an unusually large constellation, second only to the constellation of Hydra in its proportions. Virgo is positioned between the constellation of the Lion (Leo) and the constellation Libra (Libra). In formation, Virgo appears like a woman in a sitting position.
     
    Right ascension: 11h 37m to 15h 11m
    Declination: -23 to +14°
     
    Brightest star: Spica
     
    Mythology:
    There are two popular myths which explain the origin of constellation of Virgo. In one Greek myth, Persephone the fertility goddess and a virgin is kidnapped one day by Hades the god of the underworld. Her mother Demeter tries in vain, to find her and finally decides to ruin the harvest out of despair. In an effort to appease her, Hades lets Persephone return each year in the spring in order to help her with the harvest. This explains the appearance of the constellation Virgo, which is only visible between the months of March through to August every year. Continuing with the virginal theme, the goddess Astraea, the daughter of Zeus, the King of the Gods, grows tired of man’s endless warring and decides to ascend to heaven, thus becoming the constellation of Virgo, where she holds the scales of justice (Libra), in her hands.
     
    Astrological significance: The star sign Virgo is an Earth sign, and like all Earth signs, people under its sign are down to Earth and practical in manner. In particular Virgo people like order and due procedure, they tend towards perfectionism and are intolerant towards frivolous behavior.
     
    Best season for observation: Spring
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Lion, Crater, Crow, Sea Serpent, Libra, Snake, Herdsman

  • Star Sign Arrow

    The Arrow is a constellation that consists of only a few stars - and actually looks like a flying arrow. This makes the constellation striking and memorable. Overall, the arrow is the third smallest constellation in the sky. On the other hand, the constellation has been the list of Ptolemy and thereby it is one of the oldest constellations.
     
    Shape and position:Star Sign Arrow
    The Arrow is in the sky north of the constellation Aquarius and actually looks like a flying arrow from west to east. This is by four stars of size classes 3 and 4. The constellation arrow itself lies on our Milky Way, namely between the constellations Swan and Eagle. Other neighbors of the constellation are the Fox, Hercules and the Dolphin.
     
    Right ascension: 18h 57m to 20h 20m
    Declination: +16 to +21 degrees
     
    Brightest star: Gamma Sagittae
     
    Mythology:
    Prometheus is said to have stolen fire from heaven. Zeus had punished him for this, as he caught Prometheus who was placed in desert Caucasus. He had tied him to a rock above a precipice. Without eating, drinking and sleeping, he had to wait there as a thief. Every day an eagle came, called Ethon, and ate of Prometheus' liver. But it renewed again every day, as Prometheus was immortal. The greek hero Heracles then came, and killed the eagle with a Sagitta (Arrow), which is why it now has an honourary place in the sky. This is however only one of several possible myths of this constellation. Another representation refers to the arrow as a cosmic light.
     
    Best season for observation: Summer
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Hercules, Eagle, Dolphin

  • Star Sign Lyre

    The Lyre is a small but distinctive constellation, which can easily be seen on the summer and autumn sky. The Lyre is on the northern hemisphere. One can find this constellation rather easily, especially when you know that the lyre is north of the Milky Way. The name of the constellation Lyra comes from an ancient stringed instrument, which is also called lyra.
     
    Shape and position:Star Sign Lyre
    The Lyre has the form of a uniform parallelogram, the strings of a lyre. At its very bright main star, Vega, the lyre is very beautiful to see. This is the second brightest star in the northern hemisphere and the fifth-brightest star of entire night sky. The lyre is north of the Milky Way and is already relatively easy to see. In this constellation there can be many different galactic clouds at different brightness levels.
     
    Right ascension: 18h 13m to 19h 28m
    Declination: +25 ° to +47 °
     
    Brightest star: Alpha Lyrae (Wega)
     
    Mythology:
    The stringed instrument lyre, is said to have been invented by Hermes, the Greek god. This musical instrument was given to Apollo, his half-brother. Apollo was later called Orpheus, the famous singer with the instrument. Orpheus with the lyre beguiled the god of the underworld Hades to rescue his bride Eurydice from the underworld. Eurydice was killed by a snake bite. However, when leaving, Orpheus disobeyed the commandment of the underworld, not looking back. He died, and at his death the lyre was placed at the sky in his honour. Eurydice remained in the underworld.
     
    Best season for observation: Summer
     
    Neighbouring constellations: Dragon, Hercules, Fox, Swan

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