Capricornus

(Redirected from Capricorn)

Capricornus
larger map
Abbreviation	Cap
Genitive	Capricorni
Meaning in English	the Goat or Sea-Goat
Right ascension	21 h
Declination	−20°
Visible to latitude	Between 60° and −90°
Best visible	September
Area - Total	Ranked 40th 414 sq. deg.
Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3	1
Brightest star - Apparent magnitude	Deneb Algedi (δ Cap) 3.0
Meteor showers	Alpha Capricornids Chi Capricornids Sigma Capricornids Tau Capricornids Capricorniden- Sagittariids
Bordering constellations	Aquarius Aquila Sagittarius Microscopium Piscis Austrinus

Capricornus is one of the constellations of the zodiac. It is commonly called Capricorn, especially in astrology. It represents a horned goat, although it is commonly called the sea-goat. Capricornus is one of the 88 modern constellations, and was also one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy. Under its modern boundaries it is bordered by Aquila, Sagittarius, Microscopium, Piscis Austrinus and Aquarius.

Table of contents

1 Notable features

2 History

3 Mythology

4 Astrology

Notable features

This constellation is the dimmest in the zodiac besides Cancer. Its brighter stars are found on a triangle whose vertices are Giedi (α), Deneb Algedi (δ), and ω Capricorni.

History

This constellation is one of the oldest to have been identified, possibly the oldest, despite its dimness. Depictions of a goat or goat-fish have been found on Babylonian tablets dating back three thousand years. The constellation may owe its antiquity to the fact that at that time, the northern hemisphere's Winter Solstice occurred while the sun was in Capricorn. The concern for the sun's rebirth might have rendered astronomical and astrological observation of this region of space very important.

For the same reason, the sun's most southerly position, which is attained at the northern hemisphere's winter solstice, is called the Tropic of Capricorn, a term which also applies to the line on earth where the sun is directly overhead at noon on that solstice.

Due to the precession of the equinoxes, the December solstice no longer takes place while the sun is in Capricorn, but the astrological period called Capricorn begins at approximately the same time as the solstice.

The planet Neptune was discovered in this constellation by German astronomer Johann Galle, near Deneb Algedi (δ Capricorni) on September 23, 1846.

Mythology

This constellation is sometimes identified as Amalthea, the goat that suckled the infant Zeus after his mother Rhea saved him from being devoured by his father Cronos in Greek mythology. The goat's broken horn was transformed into the cornucopia or horn of plenty. Some ancient sources claim that this derives from the sun "taking nourishment" while in the constellation, in preparation for its climb back northward.

However, the constellation is often depicted as a sea-goat, a goat with a fish's tail. One myth that deals with this says that when the goat-god Pan was attacked by the monster Typhon, he dove into the Nile; the parts above the water remained a goat, but those under the water transformed into a fish.

In Sumeria, the constellation was associated with the god Ea or Enki, who brought culture out of the sea to humankind.

The constellation is located in an area of sky called the Sea or Water, consisting of many watery constellations such as Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus.

Astrology

The astrological sign Capricorn (December 22-January 19) is associated with the constellation. In some cosmologies, Capricorn is associated with the classical element Earth, and thus called an Earth Sign (with Taurus and Virgo). Its polar opposite is Cancer.

Astronomy | Astrology | Constellations of the zodiac

Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpius (Ophiuchus) Sagittarius Capricornus Aquarius Pisces

The Only Astrology Book You'll Ever Need	The Gnostic Gospels	The Templar Revelation: Secret Guardians of the True Identity of Christ	The Secret Language of Birthdays: Personology Profiles for Each Day of the Year
Sextrology: The Astrology of Sex and the Sexes	Sexual Astrology : A Sign-by-Sign Guide to Your Sensual Stars	Many Lives, Many Masters	Chart Interpretation Handbook: Guidelines for Understanding the Essentials of the Birth Chart
Astrology for the Soul

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricorn

◄◄ Jump More→ 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|Astrology Links|More Guides Everything Astrology Astrology Directory

This custom Guide To The Internet produced by Siql. Visit us today, and find out how to get your own custom guide to the Internet, and how to get your site listed in our guides.