Pegasus Constellation
Pegasus
Pegasus is a prominent constellation in the northern sky, named after the winged horse from Greek mythology. Recognized for its large, square-shaped asterism, Pegasus has been an object of fascination in astronomy and mythology for centuries. Its stars and deep-sky objects offer rich opportunities for observation and study.
Key Features
- Bright Stars: Pegasus contains several notable stars, including:
- Asterism: The "Great Square of Pegasus" is an easily identifiable feature of the constellation, formed by four stars that create a large quadrilateral in the night sky.
- Deep-Sky Objects: Pegasus hosts several fascinating celestial objects, including:
- Messier 15 (M15): A dense globular cluster located about 33,000 light-years away, containing hundreds of thousands of stars.
- NGC 7331: A spiral galaxy often referred to as a "twin" of the Milky Way due to its similar structure.
- Stephan's Quintet: A group of interacting galaxies, offering a stunning example of galactic dynamics. The brightest member of the visual grouping is NGC7320
Mythological Background
In Greek mythology, Pegasus was a divine winged horse born from the blood of Medusa after she was slain by the hero Perseus. Pegasus played a significant role in the tale of Bellerophon, who rode the horse to defeat the Chimera, a fire-breathing monster. As a reward for his service, Pegasus was placed among the stars by Zeus, where he continues to inspire stories of heroism and adventure.
Pegasus also appears in other cultural myths and legends, symbolizing freedom, power, and creativity. Its imagery as a winged horse has persisted as a powerful symbol across art and literature.
Cultural Significance
The constellation Pegasus has long been used as a celestial marker and is associated with artistic and poetic inspiration. In ancient times, its appearance in the night sky was often linked to seasonal changes and the passage of time, serving as a guide for both farmers and navigators.
Pegasus Rise and Set Timetable
| Time | Elevation | |
| Moon Set | 12:27 | 29° |
| Pegasus Transit | 17:04 | 71° |
| Sunset | 17:08 | 71° |
| Civil sunset | 17:40 | 69° |
| Astrosession begin | 18:15 | 65° |
| Moon Rise, 57% illuminated | 23:50 | 4° |
| Pegasus Set | 00:16 | |
| Astrosession end | 06:46 | -25° |
| Pegasus Rise | 09:48 |
Track Pegasus Position Throughout the Night
← Sat, 21 December 2024 →
| Time | |
| Altitude | |
| Azimuth |
Annual motion of Pegasus
| Date | Sun, 22 December 2024 |
| Twighlight start | 18:44 |
| Twighlight end | 06:07 |
| Twighlight duration | 11h 23m |
| Rise | 09:48 |
| Set | 00:12 |
| Elevation at transit | 71° |
| Transit time | 17:00 |
| Equatorial coordinate | RA: 22h 36m 05s", Dec: 20° 30' 00s |
| 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 Pegasus 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.