Cygnus

Cygnus is a constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for "swan," and it is one of the most recognizable constellations of the northern summer and autumn, featuring a prominent asterism known as the Northern Cross. Cygnus was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations.

Characteristics

Cygnus is a large and easily identifiable constellation in the northern hemisphere. It is bordered by the constellations Draco to the north, Lyra to the west, Vulpecula to the south, and Pegasus to the east. The constellation is best seen in the summer months, particularly in July and August.

Notable Features

Cygnus contains several notable stars and deep-sky objects:

• Deneb (Alpha Cygni) is the brightest star in Cygnus and one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle asterism. It is a blue-white supergiant and one of the most luminous stars known.
• Albireo (Beta Cygni) is a famous double star, easily resolved in small telescopes, with a striking color contrast between its components.
• Cygnus X-1 is a well-known X-ray binary and one of the strongest X-ray sources seen from Earth. It is believed to be a black hole.

Deep-Sky Objects

Cygnus is rich in deep-sky objects, including:

• The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) is an emission nebula that resembles the continent of North America.
• The Pelican Nebula (IC 5070) is an H II region associated with the North America Nebula.
• The Veil Nebula is a large supernova remnant that includes several distinct components, such as the Western Veil (NGC 6960) and the Eastern Veil (NGC 6992).

Mythology

In Greek mythology, Cygnus is often associated with the story of Zeus and Leda, where Zeus transformed into a swan to seduce Leda. Another myth involves Orpheus, who was transformed into a swan after his death and placed in the sky next to his lyre, represented by the constellation Lyra.

Related Pages

• Constellation
• Northern Cross
• Summer Triangle
• Deneb
• Albireo
• Cygnus X-1
• North America Nebula
• Veil Nebula
• Greek mythology

See Also

• List of constellations
• Astronomy
• Star
• Nebula