Lupus
Wolf (Lupi)
Lupus, the Wolf, is an ancient southern constellation lying between Centaurus and Scorpius in a rich region of the Milky Way. It contains several bright stars and numerous deep-sky objects. In classical depictions, the wolf is often shown being held or carried by Centaurus, though this association varies in different traditions.
📜 Mythology
The Greeks knew Lupus simply as 'Therion' (the Beast), without specifying what kind. The wolf identification came later. In some interpretations, Centaurus (the wise centaur Chiron) is carrying the beast to the altar (Ara) as a sacrifice. Greek mythology associated wolves with Apollo, the god of light and sun - wolves were seen at twilight, the boundary between day and night. The constellation may also represent Lycaon, the king whom Zeus transformed into a wolf for serving human flesh to the gods.
💡 Facts
- ✦Lupus lies in a rich part of the Milky Way with many open clusters and nebulae
- ✦SN 1006, the brightest supernova in recorded history, exploded in Lupus in 1006 CE
- ✦NGC 5986 is a fine globular cluster in Lupus visible in binoculars