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> Constellation of Scutum

Constellation of Scutum

author: A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: a-cst31-00002

Image Size 300 DPI: 40 * 51 cm

Scutum (The Shield) was originally Scutum Sobiescianum, Sobieski's Shield, and was introduced in 1690 by the astronomer/cartographer Johannes Hevelius, one-time mayor of Gdansk (Danzig), in honour of Polish warrior-King John Sobieski. King John distiguished himself in defending his land against the Turks in 1683, turning them back at the gates of Vienna. For this he was hailed by the Pope and others as the savior of Vienna and Western European Civilization. Scutum was created in honor of this victory, and alpha Scuti named Ioannina (Greek for John) in his honor. Scutum is small, 84th in size out of the 88 modern constellation. It contains no bright stars, and seems to have been carved out of adjoining Aquila and Serpens simply embrace a fine piece of the Milky Way. However, the open clusters M11 and M26 can be found here.  

Keywords for this photo:

ASTRONOMY - CONSTELLATION - M11 - MILKY WAY - NEBULA - NIGHT - POSTER - SCUTUM - STAR - STARRY SKY -