Auriga (constellation)

Auriga

Constellation
List of stars in Auriga
Abbreviation	Aur[1]
Genitive	Aurigae
Pronunciation	/ɔːˈraɪɡə/ Auríga genitive /ɔːˈraɪdʒiː/[2]
Symbolism	the Charioteer
Right ascension	04h 37m 54.4293s–07h 30m 56.1899s[3]
Declination	56.1648331°–27.8913116°[3]
Area	657[4] sq. deg. (21st)
Main stars	5, 8
Bayer/Flamsteed stars	65
Stars with planets	7
Stars brighter than 3.00m	4
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)	2
Brightest star	Capella (α Aur) (0.08m)
Messier objects	3[5]
Meteor showers	Aurigids Delta Aurigids
Bordering constellations	Camelopardalis Perseus Taurus Gemini Lynx[6]
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of late February to early March.

Auriga is a constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is one of the 88 modern constellations; it was among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. Its name is Latin for '(the) charioteer', associating it with various mythological beings, including Erichthonius and Myrtilus. Auriga is most prominent during winter evenings in the northern Hemisphere, as are five other constellations that have stars in the Winter Hexagon asterism. Because of its northern declination, Auriga is only visible in its entirety as far south as -34°; for observers farther south it lies partially or fully below the horizon. A large constellation, with an area of 657 square degrees, it is half the size of the largest, Hydra.

Its brightest star, Capella, is an unusual multiple star system among the brightest stars in the night sky. Beta Aurigae is an interesting variable star in the constellation; Epsilon Aurigae, a nearby eclipsing binary with an unusually long period, has been studied intensively. Because of its position near the winter Milky Way, Auriga has many bright open clusters in its borders, including M36, M37, and M38, popular targets for amateur astronomers. In addition, it has one prominent nebula, the Flaming Star Nebula, associated with the variable star AE Aurigae.

In Chinese mythology, Auriga's stars were incorporated into several constellations, including the celestial emperors' chariots, made up of the modern constellation's brightest stars. Auriga is home to the radiant for the Aurigids, Zeta Aurigids, Delta Aurigids, and the hypothesized Iota Aurigids.