Pisces (constellation)

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Pisces

Constellation
List of stars in Pisces
Abbreviation	Psc
Genitive	Piscium
Pronunciation	/ˈpaɪsiːz/, genitive /ˈpɪʃiəm/
Symbolism	the Fish
Right ascension	1
Declination	+15
Area	889 sq. deg. (14th)
Main stars	21
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	86
Stars with known planets	5
Bright stars	0
Nearby stars	5
Brightest star	η Psc (3.6m)
Nearest star	Van Maanen's Star (14.1 ly)
Messier objects	1
Meteor showers	Piscids
Bordering constellations	Triangulum Andromeda Pegasus Aquarius Cetus Aries
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −65°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of November.

Pisces is a constellation of the zodiac. Its name is the Latin plural for fish, and its symbol is (Unicode ♓). It lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east.

[edit] Notable features

The Vernal equinox is currently located in Pisces, due south of ω Psc, and, due to precession, slowly drifting below the western fish towards Aquarius.

Pisces contains one galaxy that is listed in Charles Messier's catalog, named the spiral galaxy Messier 74.

[edit] Named Stars

[edit] Mythology and visualizations

Pisces as depicted in Urania's Mirror, a set of constellation cards published in London c.1825.

The constellation is commonly represented as two fish, each of which is tied to the same point by a long length of string. The fish are connected at the tails. However, the 'strings' can also be interpreted as stick-figure men (with the 'fish' thus becoming their heads), and some forms of early Greek mythology viewed it as men bound to a point, with only the constellation Piscis Austrinus considered to be a fish.^{[citation needed]}

According to one Greek myth, Pisces represents the fish into which Aphrodite and her son Eros transformed in order to escape the monstrous Typhon; they are tied together with a cord on their tails, to make sure they do not lose one another.^[1]

[edit] Astrology

As of 2002^[update], the Sun appears in the constellation Pisces from March 12 to April 18. In tropical astrology, the Sun is considered to be in the sign Pisces from February 20 to March 20, and in sidereal astrology, from March 15 to April 14.

According to a majority of polled tropical astrologers,^[2] we are currently in the Age of Pisces.

[edit] References

• Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
• Richard Hinckley Allen, Star Names, Their Lore and Legenc, New York, Dover: various dates.
• Thomas Wm. Hamilton, Useful Star Names, Holbrook, NY, Viewlex: 1968.

[edit] External links

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Pisces
• Star Tales – Pisces

Astronomy | Constellations of the Zodiac
Aries	Taurus	Gemini	Cancer	Leo	Virgo	Libra	Scorpius	Ophiuchus	Sagittarius	Capricornus	Aquarius	Pisces
Astrology | Signs of the Zodiac
Aries	Taurus	Gemini	Cancer	Leo	Virgo	Libra	Scorpio	Sagittarius	Capricorn	Aquarius	Pisces

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pisces

Coordinates: 01^h 00^m 00^s, +15° 00′ 00″