Monoceros

faint constellation on the celestial equator

Monoceros (Greek: Μονόκερως) is a constellation on the celestial equator.[1] Its name is Greek for unicorn. It was described by 17th-century Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius. Orion is to the west of Monceros. Gemini is to the north. Canis Major is to the south. Hydra is to the east. Other constellations next to Monoceros are Canis Minor, Lepus and Puppis.

Monoceros
Constellation
Monoceros
AbbreviationMon
GenitiveMonocerotis
Pronunciation/məˈnɒsɪrəs/,
genitive /ˌmɒnəsɪˈrtɪs/
Symbolismthe Unicorn
Right ascension7.15
Declination−5.74
QuadrantNQ2
Area482 sq. deg. (35th)
Main stars4
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
32
Stars with planets16
Stars brighter than 3.00m0
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly)2
Brightest starβ Mon (3.76m)
Messier objects1
Meteor showersDecember Monocerids
Alpha Monocerids
Bordering
constellations
Canis Major
Canis Minor
Gemini
Hydra
Lepus
Orion
Puppis
Visible at latitudes between +75° and −90°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of February.

Notable features

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The constellation Monoceros as it can be seen by the naked eye.

Monoceros is hard to see with the naked eye. Its brightest star, Alpha Monocerotis, has a visual magnitude of 3.93. It is brighter than Gamma Monocerotis at 3.98.

Monoceros does have some interesting features to look at with a small telescope. Beta Monocerotis is a triple star system. The three stars form a triangle which looks to be in one spot. William Herschel commented that it is "one of the most beautiful sights in the heavens".[2]

Monoceros also has Plaskett's Star. It is a big binary system. Its whole mass is said to be that of almost 100 Suns put together. It is as hard to find as the cancer constellation.

References

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  1. "Monoceros Constellation on Top Astronomer". www.topastronomer.com. Archived from the original on 2014-12-18. Retrieved 2014-09-16.
  2. http://90millimeter.org/2013/02/17/monocerotis/[permanent dead link]

Further reading

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  • Levy, David H. (2005), Deep Sky Objects, Prometheus Books, ISBN 1-59102-361-0
  • Ridpath, Ian; Wil Tirion (2007). Stars and Planets Guide. London/Princeton: Collins/Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-00-725120-9. (Princeton).

Other websites

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