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Sky-Tonight.com / Constellations / Aquila
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Observation Settings

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This Earth map fragment is intended to illustrate celestial motion across the sky, emphasizing both bearing and elevational perspectives. The map's center point corresponds to the transit, showcasing celestial objects at their highest point, while elevation gradually decreases towards the map edges. This dynamic representation offers insights into the changing positions of celestial bodies with a focus on their bearing and elevational trajectories.
Your location: Ashburn, United States
Timezone:
Latitude:
39.0469
Longitude:
-77.4903

Aquila Constellation

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Aquila, the eagle, is a constellation in the northern sky, known for its bright star Altair, part of the Summer Triangle asterism.

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:
    • NGC 6751: A planetary nebula often referred to as the "Glowing Eye Nebula."
    • NGC 6709: An open cluster of stars located about 3,000 light-years away.

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

TimeElevation
Astrosession begin21:29-11°
Aquila Rise22:28
Moon Rise, 41.7% illuminated02:3145°
Aquila Transit04:4356°
Astrosession end04:4356°
Civil sunrise05:2155°
Sunrise05:5352°
Aquila Set10:57
Moon Set14:05-33°

Track Aquila Position Throughout the Night

← Wed, 21 May 2025 →

Elevation (degrees)
Time
Altitude
Azimuth
Shift the map to change the time and observe Aquila changing position in the night sky.

Annual motion of Aquila

Time
DateWed, 21 May 2025
Twighlight start22:07
Twighlight end03:56
Twighlight duration6h 49m
Rise22:28
Set10:57
Elevation at transit56°
Transit time04:43
Equatorial coordinatesRA: 19h 30m 07s", Dec: 04° 50' 20s
Magnitude-
Constellation
The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Aquila, providing a comprehensive overview of its daily appearances and transit times throughout the year.
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.