Pegasus, the Winged Horse (the Great Square)

The stars of Pegasus (PEG-uh-suss) supposedly form the shape of a winged horse (only the horse's front half is in the sky); in fact, its shape more closely resembles a great square in the sky (FCPS Starfinder, No. 16, Southern Sky). Pegasus is the seventh largest constellation. To the east, Pegasus is bordered by Andromeda; on the west, Pegasus is bordered by Delphinus and Cygnus.

For more information about Pegasus, read the transcript of Pegasus, the 24 August 2001 StarDate, the daily astronomy-related radio program produced by the McDonald Observatory, University of Texas.

Associated Mythology - Pegasus, created by the power of Poseidon, sprang from the blood of Medusa after Perseus had decapitated her.

Capricornus, the Sea Goat

Sign of the Zodiac for birthdates between 22 December and 19 January; it is the leading constellation of the "wet" or "water" constellations. Capricornus (KAP-rih-KOR-nus) has a symmetrical shape resembling a bikini bottom (how appropriate, for a "water" constellation!), but the stars of Capricornus (FCPS Starfinder, No. 11, Southern Sky) are very faint with no star brighter than third magnitude. Capricornus appears low in the southern sky (never at higher altitudes).

The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees South latitude) is named after Capricornus; on 22 December (on average), the Sun is directly overhead (at the zenith) at Noon along the Tropic of Capricorn.

Associated Mythology - For a time, the Greeks identified Capricornus with the god of nature, Pan, who was pictured as half-man, half-goat. In fear, Pan escaped the giant Typhon by leaping into the Nile River and changing his tail to that of a fish. This is the origin of the word, "panic."

Credits: CoM entries excerpted from Your Guide to the Constellations, by Lowell L. Koontz, former Planetarium Teacher at Edison High School, Fairfax County Public Schools.

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