Summer Constellation, Corona Borealis

Official name of constellation: Aquarius

Common Name: Aquarius

Translation of Name: “Cup Bearer” or “Water Bearer”

Myth or Story associated: In Greek mythology, Aquarius was associated with the cup bearer of the gods. He was known to serve wine or water to Zeus. In another Greek version, Aquarius was identified as the one who unleased the waters that flooded the Earth.

History of Discovery: Aquarius is a constellation of the Zodiac and one of the oldest documented constellations. It was recorded in the second century by the Greek astronomer, Ptolemy. The first recorded mentions of Aquarius are found in the Babylonian star catalogs. It was identified as “The Great One”.

How to Locate in the Night Sky: It is located near other the water-related constellations Cetus, Pisces, Delphinus, and Eridanus. This constellation can be seen in the spring in the Southern Hemisphere and in the fall of the Northern Hemisphere. It is visible between +65° and -90°. It is best viewed during the month of October around 9 o’clock in the evening

Special Stars or galaxies: The brightest star in the Aquarius constellation is a rare yellow supergiant known as beta Aquarii, or also known as Sadalsuud. It has a magnitude of 2.9, but it is 600 light-years away. Alpha Aquarii, is a giant star with a magnitude of 2.95. Aquarius includes a number of planetary nebulae, including NGC 7009-the Saturn Nebula and NGC 7293- the Helix Nebula. The Aquarius constellation is also the host of the ultracool star TRAPPIST-1.