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Constellations and Myths
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Cassiopeia
Cassiopeia was a vain queen who boasted about her unrivaled beauty, and as punishment, was placed in the sky to circle the North Star. It contains the star Schedar.
Capricornus
Capricornus is associated with the forest god Pan, who transformed into a goat-fish to escape the monster Typhon. The constellation features the star Algedi.
Centaurus
Centaurus represents Chiron, known for his wisdom and medicinal skills, unlike typical centaurs. Its notable stars are Alpha and Beta Centauri.
Andromeda
Andromeda was chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster but was saved by Perseus. The constellation has stars like Alpheratz and Mirach.
Gemini
Gemini represents the mythological twins Castor and Pollux, brothers who share a bond even after death. Includes stars Castor and Pollux.
Hydra
Hydra is the sea serpent and represents the many-headed Lernean Hydra defeated by Hercules. Alphard is the brightest star in this constellation.
Ursa Major
Ursa Major represents a Great Bear, chased by Zeus as a form of punishment. The Big Dipper is an asterism within this constellation and includes stars like Dubhe and Merak.
Aquarius
Aquarius is often identified as Ganymede, the cupbearer of the gods taken to the sky by Zeus's eagle. It contains the star Sadalsuud.
Libra
Libra represents the Scales and is associated with Dike, goddess of justice, symbolizing balance and fairness. Its bright stars include Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali.
Canis Major
Canis Major represents Orion's faithful hunting dog and is most notable for containing Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.
Pegasus
Pegasus is a winged horse that sprang from Medusa's neck after she was slain by Perseus. It includes stars like Enif and Scheat.
Taurus
Taurus symbolizes the bull form taken by Zeus to abduct Europa. Its key stars include Aldebaran and the Pleiades cluster.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius represents Chiron, the centaur archer, not to be confused with the violent centaurs, and points his bow towards the heart of Scorpius. Its notable star is Kaus Australis.
Aries
Aries represents the ram with the Golden Fleece, which was sought after by Jason and the Argonauts. Its brightest star is Hamal.
Cygnus
Cygnus represents a swan and is associated with several myths, including the story of Zeus disguising himself as a swan. Its main star is Deneb.
Virgo
Virgo is often identified with the goddess of justice and agriculture, Astraea, who left Earth in disgust at humanity's wickedness. Spica is its brightest star.
Draco
Draco represents the dragon that guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides and was slain by Hercules. Thuban was once the North Star.
Pisces
Pisces symbolizes the fish that Aphrodite and Eros transformed into to escape the monster Typhon. The circlet of Pisces is a notable asterism in this constellation.
Orion
Orion was a giant huntsman whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion. Its main stars include Betelgeuse and Rigel.
Leo
Leo represents the Nemean Lion, slain by Hercules as part of his first labor. Regulus and Denebola are among its brightest stars.
Cancer
Cancer is a crab that was sent by Hera to defeat Hercules but was crushed instead. The constellation features the Beehive Cluster.
Scorpius
Scorpius is the scorpion sent by Artemis or Gaia to kill the mighty hunter Orion. Antares is the heart of the scorpion in this constellation.
Perseus
Perseus was a hero who saved Andromeda and slew Medusa. The constellation is known for the variable star Algol, representing the Gorgon's eye.
Cetus
Cetus symbolizes the sea monster sent to devour Andromeda, eventually slain by Perseus. It includes the variable star Mira.
Ophiuchus
Ophiuchus represents Asclepius, the god of medicine, who learned the secrets of immortality and was placed in the sky holding a serpent. Rasalhague is its brightest star.
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