Lupus (constellation)

Lupus (constellation)

Infobox Constellation
name = Lupus
abbreviation = Lup
genitive = Lupi
symbology = the Wolf
RA = 15.3
dec= −45
areatotal = 334
arearank = 46th
numbermainstars = 9
numberbfstars = 41
numberstarsplanets = 0
numberbrightstars = 3
numbernearbystars = 1
brighteststarname = α Lupi
starmagnitude = 2.3
neareststarname = Nu2 Lupi
stardistance = 47.5
numbermessierobjects = 0
meteorshowers =
bordering =Norma
Scorpius
Circinus
Centaurus
Libra
Hydra (corner)
latmax = 35
latmin = 90
month = June
notes=

Lupus (pronEng|ˈljuːpəs, _la. wolf) is a southern constellation. It is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 in Ptolemy's Almagest. It is between Centaurus and Scorpius.

Notable features

Lupus has no extremely bright stars, but has around thirty stars of second and third magnitude and 70 of greater than sixth, including a number of binary or multiple stars. Among the stars which make up the constellation figure, only a few are named stars, the brightest is α Lupi, or Men, a blue giant. β Lupi has the name Ke Kouan.Most of the brightest stars in Lupus are massive members of the nearest OB association: Scorpius-Centaurus [cite journal|title=The Nearest OB Association: Scorpius-Centaurus (Sco OB2)|author=Preibisch, T., Mamajek, E.|year=2008|journal=Handbook of Star-Forming Regions|volume=2|pages=0|url=http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008arXiv0809.0407P] .

Notable deep sky objects

Towards the north of the constellation are globular clusters NGC 5824 and NGC 5986, and close by the dark nebula B 228. Two open clusters are to the south of the constellation, NGC 5822 and NGC 5749. On the western border are two spiral galaxies and the Wolf-Rayet planetary nebula IC 4406, containing some of the hottest stars in existence. Another planetary nebula, NGC 5882, is towards the centre of the constellation. The transiting exoplanet Lupus-TR-3b lies in this constellation.

Mythology and history

The constellation has no clear mythology, but is sometimes associated with the tale of King Lycaon. Although known from ancient times no particular animal was associated with it until the Latin translation of Ptolemy's work identified it with the wolf. It was not separated from Centaurus until Hipparchus of Bithynia named it "Therion" (meaning "beast") in the 200s BC. Prior to its separation it was considered an asterism of Centaurus, and was considered to have been an arbitrary animal, killed, or about to be killed, on behalf of, or for, Centaurus. As such, together with other constellations in the Zodiac sign of Virgo (specifically, Sagitta, and Centaurus) it may have formed the basis of the tale of the Erymanthian Boar, one of The Twelve Labours of Heracles.

References

* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/lupus.htm Star Tales – Lupus]


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