Taurus (constellation)
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| List of stars in Taurus | |
| Abbreviation: | Tau |
| Genitive: | Tauri |
| Symbolism: | the Bull |
| Right ascension: | 4 h |
| Declination: | 15° |
| Area: | 797 sq. deg. |
| Main stars: | 7 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars: |
130 |
| Stars with known planets: |
3 |
| Bright stars: | 4 |
| Nearby stars: | 2 |
| Brightest star: | Aldebaran (α Tau) (0.9m) |
| Nearest star: | 10 Tau (44.7 ly) |
| Messier objects: | 2 |
| Meteor showers: | Taurids Beta Taurids |
| Bordering constellations: |
Auriga Perseus Aries Cetus Eridanus Orion Gemini |
| Visible at latitudes between +90° and −65° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of January |
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Taurus (pronounced /ˈtɔrəs/) is one of the constellations of the zodiac. Its name is Latin for bull, and its symbol is 
(Unicode ♉), a stylized bull's head. Taurus is a large and prominent constellation in the northern hemisphere's winter sky, between Aries to the west and Gemini to the east; to the north lie Perseus and Auriga, to the southeast Orion, to the south Eridanus, and to the southwest Cetus.
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[edit] Notable features
Behind Aldebaran lie the Hyades, the nearest distinct open star cluster, that with it form a V, or an A, in the sky marking the bull's head.
In the west of the constellation lie the Pleiades, one of the best known open clusters, easily visible to the eye.
Another object, visible in a telescope, is the Crab Nebula (M1), a supernova remnant northwest of ζ Tauri. The explosion, seen on Earth on July 4, 1054, was bright enough to be seen by day. It is mentioned in Chinese history texts.
[edit] History and mythology
- See also: Bull (mythology)
The identification of the constellation of Taurus with a bull is very old, and may even be prehistoric. Michael Rappenglück of the University of Munich believes that Taurus is represented in a cave painting at the Hall of the Bulls in the caves at Lascaux, which he believes is accompanied by a depiction of the Pleiades,[1] though his ideas have not been widely accepted. The paintings date to approximately 15,000–13,000 BCE.[2].
In ancient Babylon, Taurus was called Shũr.[3] In Greek mythology, Taurus was identified with Zeus, who assumed the form of a magnificent white bull to abduct Europa, a legendary Phoenician princess. The tale informs the names of constellations since it is necessary to traverse the area of sky known as the Sea to reach it. When passing through the Zodiac, it forms the origin of the myth of the Cretan Bull, one of The Twelve Labors of Heracles.[original research?]
[edit] Astrology
As of 2002[update], the Sun appears in the constellation Taurus from May 14 to June 19. In tropical astrology, the Sun is considered to be in the sign Taurus from April 21 to May 21, and in sidereal astrology, from May 16 to June 15.
[edit] Citations
- ^ Institute for Interdisciplinary Science
- ^ BBC News | Ice Age star map discovered
- ^ Allen, Richard Hinckley, "STAR NAMES Their Lore and Meaning", pg 382, Dover Publications, 1899 (1963) ISBN 0-486-21079-0
[edit] References
- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide, Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Taurus |
- The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Taurus
- BBC article on the possibility of Taurus being represented in Lascaux
- Star Tales – Taurus
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| Astronomy | Constellations of the Zodiac | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpius | Ophiuchus | Sagittarius | Capricornus | Aquarius | Pisces |
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| Astrology | Signs of the Zodiac | ||||||||||||
| Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces | |
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