Constellations are clusters of celestial bodies that form conditional figures in the sky. In addition to the scientific explanation of their appearance in the sky, there are also myths and legends based on the observations of ancient people of the sky in an attempt to penetrate the secrets of the universe. The myths about the constellation Peacock are somewhat romanticized, but this only intensifies interest in them.
Characteristic of the constellation
Latin name: Pavo.
The official three-letter designation is Pav.
Covering an area of 378 sq. deg., Peacock is in position 44 among the 88 constellations of the sky, it covers 0.916% of the area of the celestial sphere.
Borders:
- North is the dim constellation Telescope, which contains 50 stars and is partially observed in southern Russia.
- West - constellations Bird of Paradise and Altar.
- South is a small and very dim constellation Octantus.
- East and northeast - long constellation Indus.
In 1930, the Belgian astronomer Joseph Delport established the official boundaries that define a spherical polygon with nine vertices.
The constellation is non-setting in Buenos Aires, Montevideo andMelbourne. This means that in such cities it can be observed at any time of the year.
Below is a fragment showing the constellations Peacock and Indus on the map of the southern hemisphere by I. Doppelmeier in 1742.
When is the best time to observe the constellation Peacock
You can see it at coordinates from 15 degrees north latitude. down to -90 degrees S The most favorable conditions for observation are the summer season.
As you can see in the photo below, in Russia, as well as in the territory of the post-Soviet countries, it cannot be seen, since Peacock is the constellation of the southern hemisphere, which is highlighted in yellow on the world map.
History of the constellation
Dutch navigator and astronomer Peter Keyser took part in a Dutch trading expedition bound for Indonesia. During the trip, he observed the starry sky and left notes, which were later transferred to the talented astronomer Peter Plancius. The scientist carefully studied and processed Keyser's observations made in the Southern Hemisphere and discovered the Peacock cluster. It got its name from its similarity with the bird of the same name.
The image of a constellation previously unknown to science first appeared on a celestial globe made by Plancius in 1598.
Display of the constellation in atlases and catalogs dated:
- 1600 - the globe of the Flemish cartographer Jodocus Hondius with a diameter of 34 cm.
- 1603 - star atlas "Uranometry",published by Johann Bayer.
- 1603 - in the star catalog of Frederic de Houtmann, 19 bodies that are part of the cluster first appeared.
Below is a photo of the constellation Peacock along with other celestial bodies, which are known in science under the collective name "Southern Birds". The following image first appeared in the atlas of the German astronomer Johann Bayer "Uranometriya" (1603).
Ancient Greek mythology
The legend of the constellation Peacock is found in ancient Greek mythology. It is dedicated to an episode from the life of the gods of Olympus - Hera and Zeus.
The main attribute of the goddess of marriage, Hera, was a peacock - a majestic bird, shining with the beauty of its plumage. Hera was the wife of Zeus, whose love affairs caused her great jealousy. One day, in search of her lover, Hera noticed a dark cloud near the Inach River and decided to descend to earth to dispel it and find out what was hidden inside. At this time, Zeus and his beloved, the beautiful goddess Io, hid behind a cloud from prying eyes. Seeing that the cloud was dissipating, Zeus turned Io into a white cow to hide her from his jealous wife. But Hera was wise and insightful. She wanted to take a beautiful animal, and her husband could not refuse her request.
Hundred-eyed giant Argus was assigned to look after the animal. The vigilant guard tied the cow to the olive tree and did not take his eyes off her. Outraged, Zeus called on Hermes, the god of cunning, to kill the giant and free him.beautiful Io out of control. The Roman poet Ovid wrote that, following the order of Zeus, Hermes descended to earth and began to play the magic flute, the enchanting sounds of which lulled Argus. Hermes cut off the giant's head and carried out the order of his master. Upset by the death of Argus, Hera collected all of his eyes and placed them on the tail of a beautiful peacock. Since then, they have been shining brightly like stars.
Notable objects
According to official data, 456 variable stars and many pulsating variable celestial bodies - Mirad - were found in the constellation. Separately, it is necessary to highlight the brightest point of the cluster - Alpha Pavlina. This is a powerful star, the surface temperature of which is 3 times higher than the sun. In science, she is known as Peacock, which was assigned to her in the late 30s of the XX century.
The photo below shows Alpha Pavlina.
On June 31, 1826, the globular cluster NGC 6752, also known as the Starfish, was discovered by the English astronomer James Dunlop in the constellation Peacock. Scientists estimate its age at 11 billion years, and the number of stars in it exceeds 100 thousand.
Below is a photo of the cluster. This mesmerizing sight of amazing beauty in astronomy is recognized as the fourth brightest globular constellation.
Exoplanets
Exoplanets have also been discovered in the constellation:
- in 2014 scientists discovered 7 extrasolar planets around 5 stars;
- another one discovered in 2015star with one exoplanet;
- in 2016, one planet was discovered around two stars.
The study of the constellation continues. The research involves modern telescopes designed specifically to search for extrasolar space objects.
