Cygnus (constellation) facts for kids
| Constellation | |
List of stars in Cygnus
|
|
| Abbreviation | Cyg |
|---|---|
| Genitive | Cygni |
| Pronunciation | genitive |
| Symbolism | swan, The Northern Cross |
| Right ascension | 20.62 h |
| Declination | +42.03 |
| Quadrant | NQ4 |
| Area | 804 sq. deg. (16th) |
| Main stars | 9 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars |
84 |
| Stars with planets | 57 |
| Stars brighter than 3.00m | 4 |
| Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
| Brightest star | Deneb (α Cyg) (1.25m) |
| Messier objects | 2 |
| Meteor showers | October Cygnids Kappa Cygnids |
| Bordering constellations |
Cepheus Draco Lyra Vulpecula Pegasus Lacerta |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of September. |
|
Cygnus is a constellation in the northern sky. Cygnus means "swan" in Greek. There is a pattern of stars in Cygnus that is called the Northern Cross. This is because the pattern of stars looks like a cross. The constellation Crux (constellation) has a pattern of stars that is called the Southern Cross. The astronomer Ptolemy listed Cygnus in the 2nd century when he made a list of constellations.
Deep-sky objects
Famous stars
Images for kids
-
Cygnus as depicted in Urania's Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825. Surrounding it are Lacerta, Vulpecula and Lyra.
-
V1331 Cygni is located in the dark cloud LDN 981.
-
The two component stars of Albireo are easily distinguished, even in a small telescope.
-
The North America Nebula (NGC 7000) is one of the most well-known nebulae in Cygnus.
-
NGC 6992 (Eastern Veil Nebula – center) and NGC 6960 (Western Veil Nebula – upper right) photographed from a dark site
-
Cygnus X, a large region of star-formation in Cygnus
See also
In Spanish: Cygnus (constelación) para niños
