Aquarius Constellation
Aquarius (The Water Bearer)
Aquarius is a prominent constellation representing a water-bearer, often depicted as a young man pouring water from a jar. It is one of the twelve zodiac signs and is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Known for its distinct shape, Aquarius is also famous for its association with water, although the constellation itself has no actual connection to water bodies.
Key Features
- Bright Stars: Aquarius has a few notable stars, although it is not particularly known for its brightness:
- Alpha Aquarii (Sadalsuud): The brightest star in Aquarius, a yellow giant located about 540 light-years away.
- Beta Aquarii (Sadalmelik): A yellow giant star located about 105 light-years away.
- Gamma Aquarii (Sadachbia): A star in the eastern part of Aquarius, located about 136 light-years away.
- Deep-Sky Objects: Aquarius is home to several interesting deep-sky objects:
- Messier 2 (M2): A large globular cluster located about 37,500 light-years away.
- Messier 73 (M73): A small, open cluster of stars.
- NGC 7009 (The Saturn Nebula): A planetary nebula that appears similar in shape to the planet Saturn, located about 2,500 light-years away.
Mythological Background
In Greek mythology, Aquarius is often associated with Ganymede, a beautiful young boy who was abducted by Zeus and taken to Olympus to serve as the cupbearer to the gods. Ganymede was tasked with pouring water (nectar) for the gods, a role that made him immortal and placed him among the stars as Aquarius. The water-pouring symbol represents the flow of life and the nourishment of the gods.
Another mythological interpretation connects Aquarius with the ancient god of water, who was believed to bring water to the earth during floods or droughts. This connection emphasizes Aquarius' association with change, renewal, and the balance of nature's elements.
Cultural Significance
Aquarius is traditionally seen as a sign of progress, intellectualism, and humanitarianism in astrology. People born under this sign (between January 20 and February 18) are often associated with innovative thinking, originality, and a desire to bring about social change. Aquarius is considered a symbol of reform, especially in regard to social justice and environmental concerns.
In ancient cultures, the water-bearer was a figure of great importance, symbolizing the life-giving force of water, which is essential for survival and prosperity. In the night sky, Aquarius is a relatively faint constellation but one that is rich in history, symbolism, and meaning.
Aquarius (The Water Bearer)
Aquarius is a prominent constellation representing a water-bearer, often depicted as a young man pouring water from a jar. It is one of the twelve zodiac signs and is located in the Southern Hemisphere. Known for its distinct shape, Aquarius is also famous for its association with water, although the constellation itself has no actual connection to water bodies.
Key Features
- Bright Stars: Aquarius has a few notable stars, although it is not particularly known for its brightness:
- Alpha Aquarii (Sadalsuud): The brightest star in Aquarius, a yellow giant located about 540 light-years away.
- Beta Aquarii (Sadalmelekh): A yellow giant star located about 105 light-years away.
- Gamma Aquarii (Sadachbia): A star in the eastern part of Aquarius, located about 136 light-years away.
- Deep-Sky Objects: Aquarius is home to several interesting deep-sky objects:
- Messier 2 (M2): A large globular cluster located about 37,500 light-years away.
- Messier 73 (M73): A small, open cluster of stars.
- NGC 7009 (The Saturn Nebula): A planetary nebula that appears similar in shape to the planet Saturn, located about 2,500 light-years away.
Mythological Background
In Greek mythology, Aquarius is often associated with Ganymede, a beautiful young boy who was abducted by Zeus and taken to Olympus to serve as the cupbearer to the gods. Ganymede was tasked with pouring water (nectar) for the gods, a role that made him immortal and placed him among the stars as Aquarius. The water-pouring symbol represents the flow of life and the nourishment of the gods.
Another mythological interpretation connects Aquarius with the ancient god of water, who was believed to bring water to the earth during floods or droughts. This connection emphasizes Aquarius' association with change, renewal, and the balance of nature's elements.
Cultural Significance
Aquarius is traditionally seen as a sign of progress, intellectualism, and humanitarianism in astrology. People born under this sign (between January 20 and February 18) are often associated with innovative thinking, originality, and a desire to bring about social change. Aquarius is considered a symbol of reform, especially in regard to social justice and environmental concerns.
In ancient cultures, the water-bearer was a figure of great importance, symbolizing the life-giving force of water, which is essential for survival and prosperity. In the night sky, Aquarius is a relatively faint constellation but one that is rich in history, symbolism, and meaning.
Aquarius Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Moon Set | 12:27 | 20° |
| Aquarius Transit | 16:24 | 45° |
| Sunset | 17:08 | 44° |
| Civil sunset | 17:40 | 42° |
| Astrosession begin | 18:15 | 38° |
| Aquarius Set | 22:07 | |
| Moon Rise, 57% illuminated | 23:50 | -20° |
| Astrosession end | 06:46 | -42° |
| Aquarius Rise | 10:37 |
Track Aquarius Position Throughout the Night
← Sat, 21 December 2024 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Annual motion of Aquarius
| Date | Sun, 22 December 2024 |
| Twighlight start | 18:44 |
| Twighlight end | 06:07 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 23m |
| Rise | 10:37 |
| Set | 22:03 |
| Elevation at transit | 45° |
| Transit time | 16:20 |
| Equatorial coordinate | RA: 21h 56m 06s", Dec: -4° 52' 28s |
| Magnitude | - |
| Constellation |
The graph is structured with the vertical axis showing the hours of the day, ranging from 12 AM to 12 AM the next day, while the horizontal axis spans each day of the year.
The reddish shaded area indicates the periods when the Aquarius is above the horizon, visible to observers. The white line marks the times when the celestial object reaches its highest point in the sky each day, known as the transit.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries, which provide a consistent framework for celestial mapping.
Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for their collaboration in producing the charts and tables. The constellation patterns, drawn by Alan MacRobert, were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and thoughtfully adjusted to align with earlier traditions.