Capricornus (IPA: /ˌkapriˈkɔːnəs/, Latin for "horned (male) goat" or "goat horn") is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It is commonly called Capricorn, especially when referring to the corresponding astrological sign (symbol
or
, Unicode
♑). It is also called the sea-goat, as it is in an area of the sky known as the Sea. Capricornus is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 constellations
listed by Ptolemy. Under its modern boundaries it is bordered by Aquila, Sagittarius, Microscopium, Piscis Austrinus and Aquarius.
Notable features
This constellation is the dimmest in the zodiac besides Cancer. Its brighter
stars are found on a triangle whose vertices are α2 Capricorni (Giedi),
δ Capricorni (Deneb Algiedi), and ω
Capricorni.
Notable deep sky objects
Capricorn has several galaxies and clusters. Messier 30 is a globular cluster located 1
degree south of the galaxy group, NGC 7103. The constellation also harbors the wide spiral galaxy
of NGC 6907.
History
This constellation is one of the oldest to have been identified, possibly the oldest, despite its dimness. Since it falls in
an area of the sky known as the sea, it became considered a sea-goat (in the same sense as a sea-maiden). Depictions of a goat or goat-fish have been found on Babylonian tablets dating back three thousand years. The constellation may owe its antiquity to the fact that at
that time, the northern hemisphere's Winter Solstice occurred while the sun was in Capricorn.
The concern for the sun's rebirth might have rendered astronomical and astrological observation of this region of space very
important.
For the same reason, the sun's most southerly position, which is attained at the northern hemisphere's winter solstice, is now
called the Tropic of Capricorn, a term which also applies to the line on earth where
the sun is directly overhead at noon on that solstice.
Due to early Greek beliefs that sin accumulated throughout the year, causing the
darkness to increase, together with the sun's descent and pause at the Solstice, the ancient Greeks referred to this area of sky
as the Augean Stable, where they considered the sun stabled during the year. The cause of the association with the
location or name of Augeas is not currently known. Perhaps an association could be made with the Labours of Hercules (or Heracles) who had to clean out the Augean
Stables which had never been cleaned out before. The gradually accumulated dung could be synonymous with the gradually
accumulated sins. However, during the classical period of Greek history, this name gradually fell out of use.
Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the December solstice no longer takes place while
the sun is in Capricorn, but the astrological period called Capricorn begins at approximately the same time as the solstice.
The planet Neptune was discovered in this constellation by German astronomer Johann Galle, near Deneb Algedi (δ Capricorni) on September
23, 1846, which is reasonable as Capricornus can be seen best at 4:00am in September.
Mythology
Early 1800 rendition of Capricornus as a sea-goat.
This constellation is sometimes identified as Amalthea, the goat that suckled
the infant Zeus after his mother Rhea saved him from
being devoured by his father Cronos in Greek
mythology. The goat's broken horn was transformed into the cornucopia or horn of
plenty. Some ancient sources claim that this derives from the sun "taking nourishment" while in the constellation, in preparation
for its climb back northward.
However, the constellation is often depicted as a sea-goat, a goat with a fish's tail. One myth that deals with this says that
when the goat-god Pan was attacked by the monster Typhon, he dove into the Nile; the parts above the water remained a goat,
but those under the water transformed into a fish.
In Sumer, the constellation was associated with the god Enki
(Babylonian Ea), who brought culture out of the sea to humankind.
The Greeks regarded the constellation area with an alternative interpretation, namely the Augean
Stable – a stable full uncleanliness – representing the concept of sin accumulated during the year. The constellation of
Aquarius, who was said to have poured out a river, then represent the yearly
cleaning rains, associating to one of The Twelve Labours of Hercules.
The constellation is located in an area of sky called the Sea or Water, consisting of
many watery constellations such as Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus.
Astrology
-
The Western astrological sign Capricorn of the tropical
zodiac (December 22–January 19) differs from the
astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac
(January 19–February 15).
Diagram of an alternative way to connect the stars of the Capricornus constellation.
Graphic visualization
The stars of the constellation Capricorn can be connected in an alternative way, which graphically shows a goat.[1]
The goat's head is formed by the triangle of stars ι Cap, θ Cap, and ζ Cap. The goat's horn sticks out with stars
γ Cap and δ Cap. Star δ Cap, at the tip of
the horn, is of the third magnitude.
The goat's tail consists of stars β Cap and α2 Cap: star β Cap being of the third magnitude.
The goat's hind foot consists of stars ψ Cap and ω
Cap. Both of these stars are of the fourth magnitude.
Other interpretations have been offered, notably Ptolemy's.
See also
IC 1337
References
- ^ Rey,
H. A. (1997). The Stars — A New Way To See Them, Enlarged World-Wide Edition, Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN
0-395-24830-2.
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Collins Stars and Planets Guide, HarperCollins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
zh-yue:摩羯座
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)