Bootes

Bootes is a prominent constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere. Its name is derived from the Greek word for "herdsman" or "plowman." Bootes is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy and remains one of the 88 modern constellations.

Characteristics

Bootes is best known for its brightest star, Arcturus, which is the fourth brightest star in the night sky and the brightest in the northern celestial hemisphere. Arcturus is a red giant star located approximately 36.7 light-years from Earth. The constellation is also home to several other notable stars, including Izar, a binary star system, and Muphrid, a subgiant star.

Mythology

In Greek mythology, Bootes is often associated with various myths. One of the most common associations is with the story of Arcas, the son of Zeus and Callisto. According to the myth, Arcas was transformed into a bear and placed in the sky as the constellation Ursa Major. Bootes is said to be the herdsman who drives the bears around the pole.

Notable Features

• Arcturus: The brightest star in Bootes and the fourth brightest in the night sky.
• Izar: A binary star system also known as Epsilon Bootis.
• Muphrid: A subgiant star also known as Eta Bootis.
• NGC 5466: A globular cluster located in Bootes.

Deep-Sky Objects

Bootes contains several deep-sky objects, including the Bootes Void, one of the largest known voids in the universe. The constellation also hosts several galaxies and clusters, such as NGC 5466, a globular cluster.

Observing Bootes

Bootes is visible in the northern hemisphere from March to October. The best time to observe the constellation is during the month of June when it is highest in the sky. The constellation is bordered by Hercules, Corona Borealis, Serpens Caput, Virgo, Coma Berenices, Canes Venatici, and Draco.

Related Pages

• Arcturus
• Izar
• Muphrid
• NGC 5466
• Bootes Void
• Ursa Major
• Ptolemy
• Greek mythology

See Also

• List of constellations
• Celestial sphere
• Star classification

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