Taurus Constellation

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Taurus, the bull, is a zodiac constellation containing the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters and the bright star Aldebaran.

Taurus (The Bull)

Taurus is a prominent and easily recognizable constellation in the northern sky, symbolizing a bull. It is one of the 13 ecliptic constellations and plays a significant role in mythology, astronomy, and cultural history. Known for its bright stars and fascinating deep-sky objects, Taurus is a favorite among stargazers.

Key Features

Bright Stars: Taurus is home to some of the most notable stars:
- Aldebaran: The brightest star in Taurus, a red giant that represents the eye of the bull. It is located approximately 65 light-years away.
- Elnath: A blue-white star marking one of the bull's horns, shared with the constellation Auriga.
Deep-Sky Objects: Taurus contains several well-known celestial features:
- The Pleiades (Messier 45): A stunning open star cluster often called the "Seven Sisters," visible to the naked eye.
- Crab Nebula (Messier 1): The remnant of a supernova explosion observed in 1054 AD, located near the bull's horn.
- The Hyades: The closest open star cluster to Earth, forming a V-shape around Aldebaran.

Mythological Background

In Greek mythology, Taurus is associated with the bull form of Zeus. According to legend, Zeus transformed into a magnificent white bull to win the affection of Europa, a Phoenician princess. Enchanted by the bull’s beauty, Europa climbed onto its back, and Zeus carried her across the sea to Crete. This tale is one of the most famous myths involving Taurus.

Taurus also appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh, where it represents the Bull of Heaven sent by the goddess Ishtar to punish Gilgamesh. The constellation's association with a bull has been significant across various cultures, including Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Indian traditions.

Cultural Significance

Taurus has been a key reference for agricultural societies, marking the arrival of spring and the planting season. The Pleiades and Hyades clusters were particularly important in ancient times, serving as indicators for navigation and the calendar.

Taurus Rise and Set Timetable

	Time	Elevation
Moon Set	12:27	-31°
Taurus Rise	16:15
Sunset	17:08	10°
Civil sunset	17:40	16°
Astrosession begin	18:15	22°
Taurus Transit	23:13	67°
Moon Rise, 57% illuminated	23:50	65°
Taurus Set	06:10
Astrosession end	06:46	-6°

Track Taurus Position Throughout the Night

← Sat, 21 December 2024 →

Time
Altitude
Azimuth

Shift the map to change the time and observe Taurus changing position in the night sky.

Annual motion of Taurus

Date	Sun, 22 December 2024
Twighlight start	18:44
Twighlight end	06:07
Twighlight duration	11h 23m
Rise	16:11
Set	06:06
Elevation at transit	67°
Transit time	23:09
Equatorial coordinate	RA: 04h 46m 02s", Dec: 16° 50' 09s
Magnitude	-
Constellation

The graph illustrates the annual visibility pattern of a Taurus, 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 Taurus 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.

Observation Settings