The Constellation Aquarius
The Waterbearer
Need A Drink?
The constellation Aquarius comes from the Gods
kidnapping of a young boy.
In ancient Greek mythology, Zeus sent his eagle
Aquila
to capture Ganymede and have him serve the Gods as cupbearer.
Ganymede became Aquarius The Waterbearer. The constellation
Crater is thought to symbolize the cup used by Aquarius.
The Aquarius constellation was also thought of as the bringer
of floods since the sun rose in this sign during the rainy
season in many parts of the world.
Where To Look
Aquarius is best viewed in the southern sky during
the autumn months.
Aquarius is one of the dimmest of the 12 zodiac constellations.
Right Ascension: 23 hours
Declination: -15 degrees
Visible between latitudes 65 and -90 degrees
Best seen in October (at 9:00 PM)
Named Stars:
SADALMELIK (Alpha Aqr)
Sadalsuud (Beta Aqr)
Sadalachbia (Gamma Aqr)
Skat (Delta Aqr)
Albali (Epsilon Aqr)
Ancha (Theta Aqr)
Situla (Kappa Aqr)
Globular clusters M2 and M72 are visible in Aquarius
through small telescopes.
The Saturn nebula, so named because it looks like
Saturn the planet
and the Helix nebula are also visible in Aquarius in small telescopes.
Constellation Aquarius to zodiac homepage
constellations and backyard stargazing home
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