Cygnus (constellation)

Cygnus (constellation)

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Cygnus (constellation)

Cygnus (, , ) is a northern constellation. It was one of Ptolemy's 48 constellations, and is also one of the 88 modern constellations. Because of the pattern of its main stars, it is sometimes known as the Northern Cross (in contrast to the Southern Cross).

One of the most recognizable constellations of the northern summer and autumn, it resembles a swan flying south along the Milky Way. Albireo, a double star with blue and yellow components is at the "head". Deneb, its brightest star, is at the tail and is one star of the summer triangle.

The two component stars of Albireo are easily distinguished, even in a small telescope.

Notable deep sky objects
History and mythology
Musical References
See also
References
External links

Notable deep sky objects

Several star clusters and nebulae are found in Cygnus due to its position on the Milky Way. The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) is found a bit to the east of Deneb. Its resemblance to the continent is best appreciated in photographs. The Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) is nearby.

To the south of Epsilon Cygni is the Veil Nebula (NGC 6960, 6962, 6979, 6992, and 6995) which is an ancient supernova remnant covering approximately 3 degrees of the sky.

Also of note is the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888), located between Gamma and Eta Cygni, which was formed by the Wolf-Rayet star HD 192163.

More supernovae have been seen in the Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946) than in any other galaxy.

The constellation also contains the X-ray source Cygnus X-1, which is now known to be caused by a black hole accreting matter in a binary star system. The system is located close to the star Eta Cygni on star charts.

Drawing of Cygnus by Hevelius, 1690.

History and mythology

The constellation bears a resemblance to a wide winged, long necked bird, in graceful flight . In Greek mythology, the constellation represents several different legendary swans. Zeus disguised himself as a swan to seduce Leda, who gave birth to the Gemini, Helen of Troy, and Clytemnestra.

Orpheus was transformed into a swan after his murder, and was said to have been placed in the sky next to his lyre (Lyra).

Finally, it is said that a king named Cycnus was a relative or lover of the ill-fated Phaëthon. The son of Apollo, Phaethon tricked his father into allowing him to ride the chariot of the Sun, but lost control and was struck down by Zeus. Grief-stricken after Phaëthon's death, and determined to give his remains a proper burial, Cycnus dove to the bottom of the river Eridanus to find him. He dove so many times into the river that he was transformed into the swan Cygnus, and is visible in the sky today.

Cygnus, together with other constellations in the Zodiac sign of Sagittarius (specifically Lyra and Aquila, together with Sagittarius itself), may be a significant part of the origin of the myth of the Stymphalian Birds, one of The Twelve Labours of Heracles.

In Chinese mythology, the constellation Cygnus is the site of the once-a-year magpie bridge (??, Que Qiao) which connects the lovers Niu Lang and Zhi Nu (see Qi Xi).

In Ovid's Metamorphoses, there are three people named Cygnus, all of whom are transformed into swans. The first is the relative of Phaethon mentioned above, who is the son of Sthenelus and king of Liguria. The second is a boy from Tempe, to whom Phyllius gives several tamed animals as gifts. When Phyllius refuses to give Cygnus a tamed bull that the boy demands, Cygnus throws himself off a cliff in a fit of spite. Instead of falling to his death, Cygnus is transformed into a swan and flies away. The third person named Cygnus is a son of Neptune. He is a warrior in the Trojan War who is invulnerable to all stabbing weapons, much to the frustration of his enemy, Achilles. Achilles finally kills him by smashing his face in with his shield, but Neptune saves Cygnus by transforming him into a swan.

Musical References

Sonata Arctica's song "Fly With The Black Swan," and Rush's song "Cygnus X-1" are references to Cygnus.

References

Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.