10 lines
1.3 KiB
Markdown
10 lines
1.3 KiB
Markdown
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name: Auriga
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created_by: skybber
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created_date: 2021-06-02 18:57:03.133087
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updated_by: skybber
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updated_date: 2023-12-21 08:28:57.984117
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The prominent constellation of the northern sky occupies an interesting portion of the winter Milky Way. Bright stars form a distinctive pattern resembling a horseshoe between the constellations of Gemini and Perseus. Its northern part is circumpolar in our latitudes, with the entire constellation not setting below the northern horizon until 60 degrees north latitude. The constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer, is easily located thanks to the bright star Capella, accompanied slightly to the south by three stars: ε, ζ, and η Aurigae, known as the Kids (Haedus). They form a small triangle of stars, easily visible. It is precisely at this point that the Milky Way regains brightness and continues beside the "Staircase" (a notable line of closely spaced stars of 5th magnitude: 16, 17, 18, 19, and IQ Aurigae) in the form of an interesting narrow band towards the south. Within the distinctive horseshoe pattern formed by the five brightest stars of the constellation hides the so-called "Great Trio in Auriga" – the trio of Messier star clusters M36, M37, and M38. These clusters can all be visible without a telescope under excellent conditions.
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