Constellation Equuleus

Constellation Equuleus, also known as The Little Horse, is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). It is the second smallest constellation in the sky, just behind Crux (The Southern Cross). Equuleus lies in the northern hemisphere, visible mainly from latitudes between +90° and -60°.

The name Equuleus comes from the Latin word for “little horse.” Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greek mythology. One popular mythological account associates Equuleus with the foal Celeris, the offspring of the mighty flying horse Pegasus. According to the story, Celeris was given by Zeus to Castor, the mortal twin brother of Pollux and member of the Gemini constellation.

The constellation’s main stars usually form a small, elongated asterism that somewhat resembles a leaning letter “Y.” However, Equuleus lacks any bright stars. Its brightest star, Alpha Equulei, has an apparent magnitude of only +3.92, making it fairly faint compared to other stars visible in the night sky. Nevertheless, Equuleus still carries its own cultural and astronomical significance.

Among other interesting objects within Equuleus is the notable deep-sky object known as the Equuleus Galaxy (also referred to as NGC 7040). Discovered by William Herschel in 1784, this galaxy sits approximately 100 million light-years away from Earth. It is a spiral galaxy visible through larger telescopes, offering astronomers captivating views of celestial wonders.

To find Equuleus in the night sky, locate the larger constellation of Pegasus, which represents the great winged horse. Equuleus lies just below Pegasus, forming a distinctive pair when observed together. With its subtle charm, the Equuleus constellation invites stargazers to explore the vastness of the universe and connect with the rich mythology of ages past.

Image source: Freepik