Aquila (constellation)

**Aquila** is a constellation. The name means 'eagle' in Latin.  It is one of the 88 constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union.

Aquila is just a few degrees North of the celestial equator. The constellation is best seen in the summer as it is along the Milky Way. Because of this location along the line of our galaxy, many clusters and nebulae are within its borders. However, they are dim and there are not many galaxies.

Aquila is normally shown as an eagle.

## History

Aquila was one of the 48 constellations described by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. It had been earlier mentioned by Eudoxus in the 4th century BC and Aratus in the 3rd century BC.

The Greek Aquila is probably based on the Babylonian constellation of the Eagle (MUL.A.MUSHEN), which is in the same area as the Greek constellation.

### Novae

Two major novae have been observed in Aquila. The first one was in 389 BC and was recorded as being as bright as Venus. The other was in 1918 and is known as (Nova Aquilae 1918). It briefly shone brighter than Altair, the brightest star in Aquila.

### Deep-sky objects

Three interesting planetary nebulae lie in Aquila:
- NGC 6804 shows a small but bright ring
- NGC 6781 which bears some resemblance with the Owl Nebula in Ursa Major.
- NGC 6751: also known as the Glowing Eye, a planetary nebula

## Illustrations

In illustrations of Aquila that represent it as an eagle, a nearly straight line of three stars symbolizes part of the wings. The center and brightest of these three stars is Altair. The tips of the wings spread out to the southeast and northwest. The head of the eagle stretches off to the southwest.

## Mythology

In mythology, Aquila was owned by the Roman god Jupiter and did many tasks for him.

In a book by Gavin White, the Babylonian Eagle carried the constellation called the Dead Man (LU.USH) in its talons. The author also draws a comparison to the Classical stories of Antinous and Ganymede.

In classical Greek mythology, Aquila was identified as Αετός Δίας (_Aetos Dios_). He was the eagle that carried the thunderbolts of Zeus. He was sent by Zeus to carry the shepherd boy Ganymede to Mount Olympus. The constellation of Aquarius is sometimes identified with Ganymede.

In the Chinese love story of Qi Xi, Niu Lang (Altair) and his two children (β and γ Aquilae) are separated forever from their wife and mother Zhi Nu (Vega) who is on the far side of the river, the Milky Way.

In Hinduism, the constellation Aquila is identified with the half-eagle half-human deity Garuda.

## Chinese astronomy

In Chinese astronomy, ζ Aql is within the Heavenly Market Enclosure (天市垣, _Tiān Shì Yuán_), and the other stars of the constellation are placed within the Black Tortoise of the North (北方玄武, _Běi Fāng Xuán Wǔ_).

## Related pages

- Westerhout 49

## Sources

- Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). _Stars and Planets Guide_, Collins, London. . Princeton University Press, Princeton. .

## Other websites

- NightSkyInfo.com: Constellation Aquila
- Star Tales – Aquila
- The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Aquila
- WIKISKY.ORG: Aquila constellation

## Infobox (constellation)

- **name**: Aquila
- **abbreviation**: Aql
- **genitive**: Aquilae
- **pronounce**: _Áquila,_ occasionally ; genitive
- **symbolism**: the Eagle
- **ra**: 20
- **dec**: +5
- **family**: Hercules Family, Hercules
- **quadrant**: NQ4
- **areatotal**: 652
- **arearank**: 22nd
- **numbermainstars**: 8
- **numberbfstars**: 65
- **numberstarsplanets**: 7
- **numberbrightstars**: 3
- **numbernearbystars**: 2
- **brighteststarname**: Altair (star), Altair (α Aql)
- **starmagnitude**: 0.77
- **neareststarname**: Altair (α Aql)
- **stardistancely**: 16.77
- **stardistancepc**: 5.13
- **numbermessierobjects**: 0
- **meteorshowers**: June Aquilids
 Epsilon Aquilids
- **bordering**: Sagitta
 Hercules (constellation), Hercules
 Ophiuchus
 Serpens, Serpens Cauda
 Scutum
 Sagittarius (constellation), Sagittarius
 Capricornus
 Aquarius (constellation), Aquarius
 Delphinus (constellation), Delphinus
- **latmax**: 90th parallel north, 90
- **latmin**: 75th parallel south, 75
- **month**: August