Vulpecula
From Citizendium - Reading time: 1 min
Vulpecula is a constellation in the northern sky which was introduced by Johannes Hevelius in 1690. It is surrounded by Cygnus, Lyra, Hercules, Sagitta, Delphinus and Pegasus.
It can be found in the celestial Northern Hemisphere near Cygnus and Sagitta, its name is Latin for 'little fox'.
| Vulpecula | |
|---|---|
| Latin name | Vulpecula |
| Latin genitive | Vulpeculae |
| International abbreviation | Vul |
| Number of stars | 62 |
| Symbology | Little Fox |
Remarkable objects[edit]
- C 399 (Collinder 399)
- M 27 or NGC 6853 or Dumbbell Nebula
History and mythology[edit]
Originally the constellation was called "Vulpecula cum Ansere" (Little Fox with Goose). Old atlases depict a goose hanging lifeless in the mouth of a fleeing fox. In modern pictures only the fox remains. There is no legend about the fate of the goose.
References[edit]
| 88 Official Constellations by IAU |
|
Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula |
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