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Encyclopedia > Sagitta
Sagitta
Sagitta
Click for larger image
Abbreviation: Sge
Genitive: Sagittae
Symbology: the Arrow
Right ascension: 19.8333 h
Declination: 18.66°
Area: 80 sq. deg. (86th)
Main stars: 4
Bayer/Flamsteed stars: 18
Stars with known planets: 0
Bright stars: 0
Nearby stars: 0
Brightest star: γ Sge (3.47m)
Nearest star: 15 Sge (57.7 ly)
Messier objects: 1
Meteor showers:
Bordering constellations: Vulpecula
Hercules
Aquila
Delphinus
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −70°
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of August
This article is about the constellation; for the trigonometric function, see versine.

Sagitta (IPA: /səˈdʒiːtə/, Latin: arrow) is the third-smallest of all constellations (only Equuleus and Crux are smaller). Ptolemy included it in his list of 48 constellations. At that time, however, it was even smaller, spanning only about 4 sq. deg. It's also on the list of 88 constellations now acknowledged by the IAU. This is a celestial map of the constellation Sagitta, the Arrow. ... The genitive case is a grammatical case that indicates a relationship, primarily one of possession, between the noun in the genitive case and another noun. ... An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. ... Equatorial Coordinates Right ascension (abbrev. ... In astronomy, declination (abbrev. ... Here is a list of the 88 modern constellations by their area in the sky, measured in square degrees. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Flamsteed designations for stars are similar to Bayer designations, except that they use numbers instead of Greek letters. ... // Headline text HEY!! HOW ARE YOU ALL?? Its nice of you to come read this page. ... 15 Sagittae (15 Sge) is a 6th magnitude star in the constellation Sagitta. ... A light-year or lightyear (symbol: ly) is a unit of measurement of length, specifically the distance light travels in vacuum in one Julian year. ... The Messier objects are a set of astronomical objects catalogued by Charles Messier in his catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters first published in 1774. ... Leonid Meteor Shower A meteor shower, also known as a meteor storm, is a celestial event where a large number of meteors are seen within a very short period. ... Vulpecula (IPA: , Latin: ) is a faint northern constellation located in the middle of the Summer Triangle, an asterism consisting of the bright stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. ... Hercules (IPA: ) is the fifth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Aquila (IPA: , Latin: ; sometimes named the Vulture), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, also mentioned by Eudoxus (4th cent. ... Delphinus, being Latin for Dolphin, is a rather small (ranked 69th) northern constellation very close to the celestial equator. ... The versed sine, also called the versine and, in Latin, the sinus versus (flipped sine) or the sagitta (arrow), is a trigonometric function versin(θ) (sometimes further abbreviated vers) defined by the equation: versin(θ) = 1 − cos(θ) = 2 sin2(θ / 2) There are also three corresponding functions: the... Not to be confused with the NATO phonetic alphabet, which has also informally been called the “International Phonetic Alphabet”. For information on how to read IPA transcriptions of English words, see IPA chart for English. ... Latin was the language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ... An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Equuleus (IPA: , Latin: Despite its smallness and lack of bright stars (none are brighter than fourth magnitude), it was also one of Ptolemys 48 constellations. ... CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized Linux distribution targeted at experienced Linux users. ... A medieval artists rendition of Claudius Ptolemaeus Claudius Ptolemaeus (Greek: ; c. ... Logo of the IAU The International Astronomical Union (French: Union astronomique internationale) unites national astronomical societies from around the world. ...


Being located not very far to the north of the equator, this constellation can be seen from everywhere on Earth except for within the Antarctic circle. Zoomable PDF of the map this is based on The Antarctic Circle is one of the five major circles of latitude that mark maps of the Earth. ...


Sagitta is surrounded by the following constellations (beginning at the north and then continuing clockwise): the little fox Vulpecula, the mythological hero Hercules, the Eagle Aquila and the Dolphin Delphinus. It lies in the Milky Way, pointing eastward and shows clearly the shape of an arrow flying towards the Swan, Cygnus. Although ancient, is insignificant, for it has no star larger than the 4th magnitude, the Five Stars, its noticeable feature. Sagitta was its common title with all the Romans who mentioned its stars. [SLM p.349]. Vulpecula (IPA: , Latin: ) is a faint northern constellation located in the middle of the Summer Triangle, an asterism consisting of the bright stars Deneb, Vega and Altair. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Heracles. ... Aquila (IPA: , Latin: ; sometimes named the Vulture), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, also mentioned by Eudoxus (4th cent. ... Delphinus, being Latin for Dolphin, is a rather small (ranked 69th) northern constellation very close to the celestial equator. ...


It has been regarded as the traditional weapon which Hercules used to kill the eagle (Aquila) of Jove that perpetually gnawed Prometheus' liver. The Arrow is located slightly above the Eagle. Some see the Arrow pointing to the east, others to the west. In conjunction with the story of Aquila it should be seen pointing to the west, aimed at the Eagle. Others believe the arrow to be the one shot by Hercules towards the adjacent Stymphalian birds (6th labor) who had claws, beaks and wings of iron, and who lived on human flesh in the marshes of Arcadia - Aquila the Eagle and Cygnus the Swan, and Lyra the Vulture - and still lying between them, whence the title Herculea. Eratosthenes claimed it as the arrow with which Apollo exterminated the Cyclopes. It sometimes was the Arrow of Cupid's bow.

Contents

Notable features

Here are some of Sagitta's brightest stars

  • α Sge: also known as Sham, this yellow bright giant star of spectral class G1 II (with 4.37m) lies at a distance of 610 light-years and together with β Sge (also 4.37m) forms either the feathers of the shaft or the two-pointed arrow once used in the Roman army.
  • γ Sge: this cool giant (M0 III, 3.47m) represents with the stars δ Sge and ε Sge the shaft. It lies at a distance of merely 170 light-years.
  • δ Sge: M2 II+A0 V (suspected visual double; probably single image, composite spectrum), 3.82m
  • ε Sge: G8 III, 5.66m, multiple star (4 components; component B is optical)
  • η Sge: this star of spectral class K2 III with 5.1m belongs to the Hyades moving group.

Alpha Sagittae (α Sge) is a star in the constellation Sagitta. ... In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based initially on photospheric temperature and its associated spectral characteristics, and subsequently refined in terms of other characteristics. ... In astronomy, a moving group or moving cluster is a group of stars that have a common origin. ...

Notable deep sky objects

  • M71: this object is a very loose globular cluster mistaken for quite some time for a dense open cluster. It lies at a distance of about 13,000 light-years from Earth and was first discovered by the French astronomer Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in the year 1745 or 1746.

Globular Cluster M71 (also known as Messier Object 71, Messier 71, M71, or NGC 6838) is a globular cluster in the Sagitta constellation. ... The Globular Cluster M80 in the constellation Scorpius is located about 28,000 light years from the Sun and contains hundreds of thousands of stars. ... The Pleiades is one of the most famous open clusters. ... Adjectives: Terrestrial, Terran, Telluric, Tellurian, Earthly Atmosphere Surface pressure: 101. ... Portrait of Jean-Phillippe de Chesaux Jean-Philippe Loys de Cheseaux (1718–1751) was an astronomer from Lausanne in Switzerland. ... // Events May 11 - War of Austrian Succession: Battle of Fontenoy - At Fontenoy, French forces defeat an Anglo-Dutch-Hanoverian army including the Black Watch June 4 – Frederick the Great destroys Austrian army at Hohenfriedberg August 19 - Beginning of the 45 Jacobite Rising at Glenfinnan September 12 - Francis I is elected... // Events Catharine de Ricci (born 1522) canonized. ...

History

In the past Sham designated the whole constellation instead of only α Sge. This constellation is one of those cases where Johann Bayer failed to name the stars in the correct order, in this case even degrading the brightest star to mere γ-status. Another example for such misjudgement is the constellation Sagittarius. Alpha Sagittae (α Sge) is a star in the constellation Sagitta. ... Johann Bayer (1572 – March 7, 1625) was a German astronomer. ... For other uses, see Sagittarius. ...


Mythology

Although Sagitta doesn't contain any bright stars, many cultures have seen an arrow in it [1], among them the Persians, Hebrews, Greeks and Romans. So there are various stories trying to explain the meaning of Sagitta. The two most important ones both take into account the neighbouring constellations Hercules, which had in earlier times been identified as a stag, (to the west) and Aquila (to the east). Hercules (IPA: ) is the fifth largest of the 88 modern constellations. ... Aquila (IPA: , Latin: ; sometimes named the Vulture), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, also mentioned by Eudoxus (4th cent. ...


According to the first one the Titan Prometheus stole the fire from the Gods and brought it to the mortals, thereby irritating Zeus so much that he was chained to a rock where an eagle (represented by Aquila) ate his liver each day; as Prometheus was immortal his liver grew back each day, and the eagle would return and eat it again... Herakles (identical to the Roman Hercules) saved him from this never ending punishment during one of his Twelve Labours by killing the bird with an arrow shot and then setting him free. Prométhée enchaîné (Prometheus Bound) by Nicolas-Sébastien Adam (1762) For other uses, see Prometheus (disambiguation). ... For the son of Alexander the Great, see Heracles (Macedon). ... Hercules and the Hydra by Antonio Pollaiuolo The Twelve Labours (Greek: dodekathlos) of Heracles (Latin: Hercules) are a series of archaic episodes connected by a later continuous narrative, concerning a penance carried out by Heracles, the greatest of the Greek heroes. ...


Another story relates how Herakles killed the Stymphalian Birds, that terrorized Arcadia, with a rattle. The Stymphalian Birds themselves were identified with the constellations Aquila, Cygnus and Lyra. Aquila (IPA: , Latin: ; sometimes named the Vulture), is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, also mentioned by Eudoxus (4th cent. ... Cygnus (IPA: , Latin: ) is a northern constellation. ... For other uses, see Lyra (disambiguation). ...


Sagitta was further interpreted by some as Cupid's Arrow or as an arrow shot by Sagittarius at Scorpius. Other interpretations considered the arrow to have been shot by Centaurus at Aquila, since Centaurus faces the correct direction and is at an appropriate angle to the arrow, whereas Sagittarius is immediately below it facing in the opposing direction (i.e. towards Centaurus). It has been suggested that Cupid (holiday character) be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Sagittarius. ... Scorpius (Latin for scorpion, symbol , Unicode ♏) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. ... Centaurus (Latin for centaur) was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy, and counts also among the 88 modern constellations. ...


As a result of the interpretations where Centaurus shot the arrow, may have come the myth in which Chiron (who was usually identified as Centaurus), having been painfully wounded by Herakles, gives up his immortality to rid himself of the pain, and takes the place of Prometheus, Herakles/Chiron then killing Aquila so that Chiron doesn't suffer as Prometheus did. As such, together with Lupus, this may have formed the basis of the tale of the Erymanthian Boar (which was one of Herakles' labours). Lupus is Latin for wolf. It may refer in various languages, including English, to: several diseases: Lupus anticoagulant, an antibody causing a delay in coagulation Lupus erythematosus, the autoimmune disease (also known as systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) Drug-induced lupus erythematosus, a drug-induced form of SLE Lupus nephritis... Hercules Carrying the Boar by Giambologna In Greek mythology, the Erymanthian Boar is remembered in connection with The Twelve Labours, in which Heracles, the (reconciled) enemy of Hera, visited in turn all the other sites of the Goddess throughout the world, to conquer every conceivable monster of nature and rededicate...


See also

This is the list of notable stars in the constellation Sagitta, sorted by decreasing brightness. ...

External links

  • The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Sagitta
The 88 modern Constellations
Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
Sagitta

  Results from FactBites:
 
Sagitta - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (644 words)
Sagitta, being Latin for Arrow, is the third-smallest of all constellations (only Equuleus and Crux are smaller).
Sagitta is surrounded by the following constellations (beginning at the north and then continuing clockwise): the little fox Vulpecula, the mythological hero Hercules, the Eagle Aquila and the Dolphin Delphinus.
Sagitta was further interpreted by some as Cupid's Arrow or as an arrow shot by Sagittarius at Scorpius.
Sagitta (2224 words)
Sagitta, the Arrow, is a very small constellation lying south of the Fox, Vulpecula, and north of the Eagle, Aquila, the third smallest constellation in the sky.
In the Upanishads, the arrow is mainly a symbol of swiftness and of lightning intuition.
Sagitta, The Arrow, will bestow the skill of hurling the javelin with the arm, of shooting the arrow from the string and missiles from rods, and of hitting a bird on the wing in the sky that is its home or piercing with three-pronged spear the fish that deemed itself so safe.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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