Are you looking for Delphinus constellation facts? Do you want to know more about the myths associated with this constellation?
Delphinus, the dolphin, is a small constellation in the northern sky. It is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations.
The constellation Delphinus is associated with several myths, and it is also home to several stars and deep sky objects.
Astronomy enthusiasts enjoy learning about the Delphinus constellation, and in this article, we will explore some of the most interesting facts, myths, and objects associated with this celestial grouping.
Delphinus Constellation Facts, Myth, Location, and Stars
Delphinus Constellation Location
The constellation Delphinus is located in the fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere. Its neighboring constellations are Aquila, Aquarius, Capricornus, and Equuleus.
The constellation is visible to observers but can be hard to spot because it’s one of the smaller constellations in the night sky.
When locating Delphinus, look for a small, diamond-shaped grouping of stars.
Once located, the constellation is best seen in August and September, so this is the ideal time for constellation spotting.
What Are The Myths Incorporated In The Delphinus Constellation?
The constellation Delphinus has a few myths associated with it. One of the most popular myths is the story of Poseidon and the dolphin.
The story goes that Poseidon, the sea god, once traveled in his chariot pulled by dolphins.
One of the dolphins, Delfin, was said to help Poseidon bring back his love, Nereid Amphitrite, and upon success, turned him into a constellation so that he could be with him forever.
Another myth associated with the constellation is the story of Arion and the dolphin. Arion was a musician who was beloved by all.
One day, he was abducted by pirates and was thrown overboard to drown. As he was drowning, a dolphin heard his cries for help and came to rescue him.
Arion was so grateful that he asked the dolphin to take him back to land.
Delphinus Stars
There are several notable stars located in the constellation Delphinus.
Knowing the most prominent stars in a constellation can be helpful for amateur astronomers who are trying to locate a specific grouping of stars in the night sky.
Let’s look at five of the most notable stars in Delphinus.
Beta Delphini
The brightest star in the constellation, Beta Delphini, is also one of the stars in the Summer Triangle asterism.
This blue-white star is about 100 light years away from Earth and has a magnitude of 3.7.
The star has a mass of 1.5 times that of our sun and is about ten times brighter.
This star is a must-see for amateur astronomers.
Gamma Delphini
Gamma Delphini is the second brightest star in the constellation. This is a large binary star system that consists of two yellow-white stars.
The two stars are about 101 light years away from Earth and have a magnitude of 3.9.
Gamma Delphini is said to be one of the most beautiful binary star systems in the sky and gives off a green hue.
Delta Delphini
Delta Delphini is a white star about 223 light years from Earth.
It has a magnitude of 4.4 and is the third brightest star in the constellation.
Delta Delphini is part of an asterism called the “coffin” asterism, which is made up of five stars in the constellation.
This star is also a variable star, meaning its brightness changes over time.
Theta Delphini
The fourth brightest star in the constellation, Theta Delphini, is a yellow-white single star system that is about 2,050 light years away from Earth.
It has a magnitude of 5.6. Theta Delphini is a variable star whose brightness can change throughout time.
When looking at this star, you may notice that it twinkles more than other stars in the sky.
18 Delphini
The final star on our list, 18 Delphini, is a blue-white star about 135 light years away from Earth and has a magnitude of 5.5.
18 Delphini is also a variable star, and its brightness can change over time.
This star is one of the most interesting stars in the constellation because it seems to have companion stars that orbit around it, so it’s unsure if this star is a single star system or a binary star system.
Delphinus Deep Sky Objects
In addition to stars, the constellation Delphinus is also home to several deep sky objects.
Deep sky objects are usually galaxies, star clusters, or nebulae.
Let’s look at three of the most notable deep sky objects in Delphinus.
NGC 6934 (Caldwell 47)
NGC 6934 is a globular cluster discovered in 1784 by William Herschel. It’s about 52,000 light years away from Earth and has a magnitude of 8.9.
NGC 6934 is one of the more interesting globular clusters because it doesn’t seem to fit the typical mold of a globular cluster.
It’s believed that this cluster is the remains of a dwarf galaxy that our Milky Way galaxy has absorbed.
NGC 7006 (Caldwell 42)
NGC 7006 is a globular cluster discovered in 1784 by William Herschel. It’s about 73,000 light years away from Earth and has a magnitude of 10.1.
NGC 7006 is very large and one of the more extended globular clusters we know of.
It’s also one of the oldest globular clusters, estimated at 13 billion years.
NGC 7003
NGC 7003 is a planetary nebula about 80,000 light years from Earth. It was discovered in 1784 by William Herschel and has a magnitude of 13.
NGC 7003 is an interesting planetary nebula because it’s one of the larger ones we know of.
It is unique because it has a ring-like structure which is thought to be the result of a binary star system.
The Delphinus constellation is a wonderful constellation to study. It has a variety of stars, deep sky objects, and myths associated with it.
It’s easy to find in the night sky and a great constellation for beginners to study.
With its bright stars and interesting deep sky objects, the constellation Delphinus is fascinating.
Astronomers and stargazers will continue to find new and interesting things about this constellation for years to come, so keep an eye on it!
