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 | |
| Sunset | 17:10 | 52° |
| Civil sunset | 17:41 | 48° |
| Astrosession begin | 04:04 | -45° |
| Astrosession end | 06:21 | -34° |
| Aquila Rise | 09:41 | |
| Aquila transit | 15:56 | 55° |
Track Aquila Position Throughout the Night
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Annual motion of Aquila
| Date | Fri, 22 November 2024 |
| Twighlight start | 18:42 |
| Twighlight end | 05:44 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 2m |
| Rise | 09:37 |
| Set | 22:08 |
| Elevation at transit | 55° |
| Transit time | 15:52 |
| Equatorial coordinate | RA: 19h 30m 07s, Dec: 04° 50' 20" |
| 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 Aquila 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.