11 lines
1.4 KiB
Markdown
11 lines
1.4 KiB
Markdown
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name: Aquarius
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created_by: skybber
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created_date: 2021-06-01 19:55:32.313056
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updated_by: skybber
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updated_date: 2023-12-19 10:13:34.236110
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---
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The extensive and inconspicuous constellation of Aquarius lies almost entirely in the southern sky, below Pegasus, between Pisces and Capricornus. It consists of only moderately bright and faint stars, arranged relatively irregularly, forming no distinct shape. The Sun's transition into Aquarius marked the arrival of rainy weather for ancient peoples in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Currently, the Sun passes through Aquarius from February 16 to March 11, making it a typical constellation of autumn evenings.
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With the naked eye, a small group of orange stars known as ψ AQR may catch your attention in the constellation, creating a false impression of a looser star cluster. Also notable is the pitcher or "Aquarius's pitcher" located on the celestial equator, represented by four stars: η, π, γ, and ζ Aquarii arranged in the shape of the letter Y. Only a few other stars deserve special attention. As the constellation is farther from the Milky Way, it naturally lacks star clusters and nebulae. However, it contains three interesting globular clusters, two of which are in the Messier catalog, and two well-known planetary nebulae—Saturn and Helix. The most numerous deep-sky objects are galaxies, although most of them have low brightness.
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