Adler
Eagle (Aquilae)
Aquila, the Eagle, is a prominent constellation straddling the celestial equator, featuring Altair, one of the closest bright stars to Earth at just 17 light-years away. Altair forms the southern vertex of the Summer Triangle and lies directly in the path of the Milky Way. The constellation has been recognized since ancient Babylonian times and plays a significant role in both Western and Eastern star lore.
📜 Mythologie
In Greek mythology, Aquila represents Zeus's eagle, which served several important purposes: carrying the god's thunderbolts, and kidnapping the beautiful youth Ganymede to serve as cupbearer to the gods on Mount Olympus. In Chinese astronomy, Altair represents Niulang, the Cowherd, who is separated from his love Zhinü (Vega) by the Milky Way. According to legend, they are permitted to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, when magpies form a bridge across the heavenly river.
💡 Fakten
- ✦Altair rotates extremely rapidly (once every 9 hours), causing it to be noticeably flattened at the poles
- ✦At 17 light-years distance, Altair is one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye
- ✦The constellation contains several beautiful planetary nebulae observable with amateur telescopes