Constellation | |
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Abbreviation | Aqr |
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Genitive | Aquarii |
Pronunciation | /əˈkwɛəriəs/, genitive /əˈkwɛəriaɪ/ |
Symbolism | the Water-Bearer |
Right ascension | 20h 38m 19.1706s–23h 56m 23.5355s[1] |
Declination | 03.3256676°–−24.9040413°[1] |
Area | 980 sq. deg. (10th) |
Main stars | 10, 22 |
Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 97 |
Stars with planets | 12 |
Stars brighter than 3.00m | 2 |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 7 |
Brightest star | β Aqr (Sadalsuud) (2.91m) |
Messier objects | 3 |
Meteor showers | March Aquariids Eta Aquariids Delta Aquariids Iota Aquariids |
Bordering constellations | Pisces Pegasus Equuleus Delphinus Aquila Capricornus Piscis Austrinus Sculptor Cetus |
Visible at latitudes between +65° and −90°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of October. |
Aquarius is an equatorial constellation of the zodiac, between Capricornus and Pisces. Its name is Latin for "water-carrier" or "cup-carrier", and its old astronomical symbol is (♒︎), a representation of water. Aquarius is one of the oldest of the recognized constellations along the zodiac (the Sun's apparent path).[2] It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations. It is found in a region often called the Sea due to its profusion of constellations with watery associations such as Cetus the whale, Pisces the fish, and Eridanus the river.[3]
At apparent magnitude 2.9, Beta Aquarii is the brightest star in the constellation.