Boötes

Boötes is a constellation in the northern sky, located between 0° and +60° declination, and 13 and 16 hours of right ascension on the celestial sphere. The name comes from the Greek Βοώτης, meaning herdsman or plowman (literally, ox-driver; from βοῦς bous "cow").

History and mythology

The constellation of Boötes was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. The constellation's history, however, dates back even further, with references to Boötes found in Homer's Odyssey as well as in the work of Hesiod. In Greek mythology, Boötes is often identified with Arcas, the son of Zeus and Callisto, a nymph. After being placed in the sky by Zeus, Arcas became Boötes, the bear driver, who follows Ursa Major, the Great Bear, around the Pole.

Notable features

Boötes is home to several notable stars and other celestial objects. The brightest star in Boötes is Arcturus, the fourth brightest star in the night sky. Arcturus is an orange giant star approximately 37 light years from Earth.

Other notable stars in the constellation include Izar (also known as Epsilon Boötis), a binary star, and Muphrid (Eta Boötis), a single star in a binary system with Arcturus.

Boötes also contains the globular cluster NGC 5466, which has a magnitude of 9.1, and several galaxies, including the Boötes void, one of the largest voids in the universe, and the Boötes Dwarf Galaxy.

In culture

Boötes has been depicted in many different cultures throughout history. In Chinese astronomy, the stars of Boötes were incorporated into several different constellations, including the celestial temple, which was a symbol of the emperor's power.

In the Bible, Boötes is sometimes associated with the herdsman, a figure who watches over the flock at night. In this context, Arcturus, the brightest star in Boötes, is often associated with the herdsman's staff.

See also

• List of stars in Boötes
• Boötes Dwarf Galaxy
• Boötes void

References

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