Aquila Constellation
Aquila (The Eagle)
Aquila, or "The Eagle," is a prominent constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is best known for its bright star Altair, one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle asterism. Aquila represents the eagle that carried Zeus’s thunderbolts in Greek mythology. The constellation is visible during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere.
Key Features
- Bright Stars: Aquila contains several notable stars:
- Altair (Alpha Aquilae): The brightest star in Aquila and one of the closest stars to Earth, located only 16.7 light-years away. It is a fast-rotating white star that appears slightly flattened due to its rotation.
- Tarazed (Gamma Aquilae): A bright orange giant star located near Altair, approximately 460 light-years away.
- Alshain (Beta Aquilae): A yellow subgiant star situated about 44 light-years away, forming a triangle with Altair and Tarazed.
- Deep-Sky Objects: Aquila hosts several intriguing celestial objects:
Mythological Background
In Greek mythology, Aquila represents the eagle that served Zeus, carrying his thunderbolts and performing various tasks for the king of the gods. One story connects Aquila to the tale of Ganymede, a mortal boy of extraordinary beauty whom Zeus brought to Olympus to serve as his cupbearer. Aquila was said to have carried Ganymede to the heavens.
The eagle’s association with Zeus and its role as a celestial messenger made Aquila a symbol of strength, authority, and divine favor in various cultures.
Cultural Significance
Aquila's brightest star, Altair, is a key feature of the Summer Triangle, an important asterism for navigation and stargazing. In East Asian traditions, Altair is part of the myth of the Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, a love story celebrated during the Qixi Festival.
The constellation's position along the Milky Way and its deep-sky objects make it a popular target for amateur astronomers. Its mythological and cultural associations further enhance its appeal as one of the key constellations of the summer sky.
Aquila Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Aquila rise | 14:18 | |
Moonrise, 67.7% illuminated  | 14:44 | 5° |
| Sunset | 17:49 | 41° |
| Civil sunset | 18:17 | 45° |
| Astronomical observing session begins | 18:50 | 50° |
| Aquila transit | 20:31 | 57° |
| Moonset | 23:53 | 34° |
| Aquila set | 02:45 | |
| Astronomical observing session ends | 03:31 | -9° |
Track Aquila Position Throughout the Night
← 23 August 2026 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Nebulae in the constellation Aquila
Annual motion of Aquila
| Date | Mon, 24 August 2026 |
| Twilight start | 19:22 |
| Twilight end | 02:55 |
| Twilight duration | 8h 34m |
| Rise | 14:14 |
| Set | 02:41 |
| Elevation at transit | 57° |
| Transit time | 20:27 |
| Equatorial coordinates | RA: 19h 30m 07s", Dec: 04° 50' 20s |
| Magnitude | - |
| Constellation |
The vertical axis shows the hours of the day, while the horizontal axis spans the days of the year.
The reddish area marks when the constellation is above the horizon. The white line shows when it reaches its highest point in the sky. View detailed visibility information in a table with rise, transit, and set times for each date.
Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for defining and standardizing the official constellation boundaries used in celestial mapping.
Special thanks to Sky & Telescope Magazine and contributors Roger Sinnott and Rick Fienberg for producing the charts and tables. Alan MacRobert’s constellation patterns were influenced by the work of H. A. Rey and adjusted to align with earlier traditions.