Constellation Pisces
Pisces is one of the twelve zodiac constellations, commonly known as the Fishes. It is located in the northern celestial hemisphere. The name Pisces comes from the Latin word for fish. It is associated with the Greek myth of Aphrodite and her son Eros, who transformed themselves into fish to escape from a monster.
This constellation is fairly large and occupies an area of 889 square degrees. It is located between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east. Pisces can be easily identified by its distinct V-shaped pattern, depicting two fish swimming in opposite directions, tied together by a cord representing their tails.
Mythological Significance
The constellation Pisces is associated with various mythological tales. One of the most popular stories tells of Aphrodite and Eros, who were being pursued by a giant sea monster called Typhon. In order to escape, they transformed themselves into fish. To honor their escape, Aphrodite placed the fishes in the night sky as a constellation. It is said that those born under the sign of Pisces are thought to possess some of the characteristics of these symbolic fish, such as adaptability, intuition, and sensitivity.
Astronomical Features
Pisces contains a number of interesting celestial objects. Two notable galaxies, NGC 520 and NGC 524, can be found in the Pisces constellation. NGC 520 is a pair of colliding galaxies and forms a spectacular sight for amateur astronomers. Located around 100 million light-years away, it offers insight into celestial collisions and the formation of new stars. NGC 524 is an elliptical galaxy and can be observed with moderate telescopes.
Additionally, the Helix Nebula, a planetary nebula, is also situated in this constellation. It is the nearest example of a planetary nebula to Earth, approximately 700 light-years away. The nebula is formed by the outer layers of a dying star being expelled into space and illuminated by the hot remnant core, creating a breathtaking celestial phenomenon.
“The stars are like imagination taking flight, keeping alive the human longing for a world beyond.” – Unknown
