- Scutum
Infobox Constellation
name = Scutum
abbreviation = Sct
genitive = Scuti
symbology = theShield
RA = 18.7
dec= −10
areatotal = 109
arearank = 84th
numbermainstars = 2
numberbfstars = 7
numberstarsplanets = 0
numberbrightstars = 0
numbernearbystars = 0
brighteststarname = α Scuti
starmagnitude = 3.85
neareststarname = α Scuti
stardistance = 174
numbermessierobjects = 2
meteorshowers =June Scutids
bordering = Aquila
Sagittarius
Serpens Cauda
latmax = 80
latmin = 90
month = August
notes=:"For the Romanshield , seescutum (shield) ; ":"For the zootomical term, seescute ."Scutum (IPAEng|ˈskjuːtəm, _la.shield ) is a smallconstellation , one of the 88 modern constellations. It is one of the few constellations (along withComa Berenices ) that owes its name to a historical figure instead of a mythological being or object.The original name Scutum Sobiescianum (Sobieski's Shield) was introduced in late
1683 byHevelius as commemoration of the victory of the Polish forces led by Polish king and heroJohn III Sobieski in thebattle of Vienna .__TOC__
Notable deep sky objects
Scutum contains several
open cluster s, as well as aglobular cluster and aplanetary nebula .The two best knowndeep sky object s in Scutum are
M11 (NGC 6705), the Wild Duck Cluster, a dense open cluster, and
M26, another open cluster also known as NGC 6694.The globular clusterNGC 6712 and the planetary nebulaIC 1295 can be found in the eastern part of the constellation, only 24 arcminutesapart.Mythology
Being a modern constellation, Scutum has no mythology associated with it.It was designed to represent
Janina Coat of Arms of Polish king John III Sobieski withcross ofJesus Christ .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.allthesky.com/constellations/scutum/ The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Scutum]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/scutum.htm Star Tales – Scutum]
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