Lupus (constellation)
| Constellation | |
 List of stars in Lupus |
|
| Abbreviation | Lup |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Lupi |
| Pronunciation | /ˈljuːpəs/, genitive /ˈljuːpaɪ/ |
| Symbolism | the Wolf |
| Right ascension | 15.3 h |
| Declination | −45° |
| Quadrant | SQ3 |
| Area | 334 sq. deg. (46th) |
| Main stars | 9 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
41 |
| Stars with planets | 2 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 3 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
| Brightest star | α Lup (Men) (2.30m) |
| Nearest star | LHS 397 (19.35 ly, 5.93 pc) |
| Messier objects | 0 |
| Bordering constellations |
Norma Scorpius Circinus Centaurus Libra Hydra (corner) |
| Visible at latitudes between +35° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of June. |
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Lupus (
/ˈljuːpəs/) is a constellation in the southern sky. Its name is Latin for wolf. Lupus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It lies between Centaurus and Scorpius.
Contents |
[edit] Notable features
[edit] Stars
Lupus has no extremely bright stars, but has around 30 of 2nd and 3rd magnitude and 70 of greater than 6th, including a number of binary or multiple stars. In his catalogue, Patrick Moore gives the names Men for α Lupi, the brightest star in Lupus, and KeKouan for the blue giant β Lupi.[1] They also have the Chinese names （南）門 and 騎官.
Most of the brightest stars in Lupus are massive members of the nearest OB association, Scorpius-Centaurus.[2]
[edit] Deep-sky objects
Towards the north of the constellation are globular clusters NGC 5824 and NGC 5986, and close by the dark nebula B 228. To the south are two open clusters, NGC 5822 and NGC 5749, as well as globular cluster NGC 5927 on the eastern border with Norma. On the western border are two spiral galaxies and the Wolf-Rayet planetary nebula IC 4406, containing some of the hottest stars in existence. Another planetary nebula, NGC 5882, is towards the centre of the constellation. The transiting exoplanet Lupus-TR-3b lies in this constellation. The historic supernova SN 1006 is described by various sources as appearing on April 30 to May 1, 1006, in the constellation of Lupus.
[edit] Mythology and history
In ancient times, the constellation was considered an asterism within Centaurus, and was considered to have been an arbitrary animal, killed, or about to be killed, on behalf of, or for, Centaurus.[citation needed] It was not separated from Centaurus until Hipparchus of Bithynia named it Therion (meaning beast) in the 200s BCE. No particular animal was associated with it until the Latin translation of Ptolemy's work identified it with the wolf.
The Greek constellation is probably based on the Babylonian figure known as the Mad Dog (UR.IDIM). This was a strange hybrid creature that combined the head and torso of a man with the legs and tail of a lion (the cuneiform sign 'UR' simply refers to a large carnivore; lions, wolves and dogs are all included). It is often found in association with the sun god and another mythical being called the Bison-man, which is supposedly related to the Greek constellation of Centaurus.[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Moore, P., (1983). The Guinness Book of Astronomy Facts and Feats (Second ed.). Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 223. ISBN 0851122944.
- ^ Preibisch, T., Mamajek, E.; Mamajek (2008). "The Nearest OB Association: Scorpius-Centaurus (Sco OB2)". Handbook of Star-Forming Regions 2: 0. arXiv:0809.0407. Bibcode 2008hsf2.book..235P.
- ^ Babylonian Star-lore by Gavin White, Solaria Pubs, 2008, page 145 & 59ff
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
- ^ Moore, P., (1983). The Guinness Book of Astronomy Facts and Feats (Second ed.). Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 223. ISBN 0851122944.
- ^ Preibisch, T., Mamajek, E.; Mamajek (2008). "The Nearest OB Association: Scorpius-Centaurus (Sco OB2)". Handbook of Star-Forming Regions 2: 0. arXiv:0809.0407. Bibcode 2008hsf2.book..235P.
- ^ Babylonian Star-lore by Gavin White, Solaria Pubs, 2008, page 145 & 59ff
[edit] External links
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