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> Constellation of Auriga

Constellation of Auriga

author: A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: a-cst19-00002

Image Size 300 DPI: 40 * 51 cm

Auriga (the Charioteer) is one of 48 constellations (out of the current 88) that that were noted by Ptolemy (83-161 CE). It represents a chariot and its driver, a shepherd, with a goat or a sheep over his shoulder. The brightest star in Auriga is Capella, which is the ancient Greek word for little goat. It is a binary star 42 light years distant and is about 75 times more luminous than the Sun. Surprisingly, Capella is one of only two conspicuous stars whose combined light is similar to that of the Sun (the other is Alpha Centauri), so appears white on this photograph. Sun-like stars are common but are generally too faint to be seen at a distance which is why there are so few visible to the eye.
Best seen in the early evening in February  

Keywords for this photo:

ASTRONOMY - AURIGA - CAPELLA - CONSTELLATION - POSTER - STAR -