- Lupus (constellation)
Infobox Constellation
name = Lupus
abbreviation = Lup
genitive = Lupi
symbology = theWolf
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 =NormaScorpius Circinus Centaurus
Libra
Hydra (corner)
latmax = 35
latmin = 90
month = June
notes=Lupus (pronEng|ˈljuːpəs, _la.
wolf ) is a southernconstellation . It is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 inPtolemy 'sAlmagest . It is betweenCentaurus andScorpius .Notable features
Lupus has no extremely bright
star s, 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, ablue 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 cluster sNGC 5824 andNGC 5986 , and close by the darknebula B 228 . Twoopen cluster s are to the south of the constellation,NGC 5822 andNGC 5749 . On the western border are two spiral galaxies and the Wolf-Rayetplanetary 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 exoplanetLupus-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 ofBithynia named it "Therion" (meaning "beast") in the200s 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 theZodiac sign of Virgo (specifically,Sagitta , andCentaurus ) it may have formed the basis of the tale of theErymanthian Boar , one ofThe Twelve Labours ofHeracles .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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