Constellation | |
Abbreviation | Aur[1] |
---|---|
Genitive | Aurigae |
Pronunciation |
|
Symbolism | the Charioteer |
Right ascension | 6 |
Declination | +40 |
Quadrant | NQ1 |
Area | 657[3] sq. deg. (21st) |
Main stars | 5, 8 |
Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 65 |
Stars with planets | 7 |
Stars brighter than 3.00m | 4 |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 2 |
Brightest star | Capella (α Aur) (0.08m) |
Messier objects | 3[4] |
Meteor showers | |
Bordering constellations | |
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of late February to early March. |
Auriga is a constellation in the northern sky. It is the Latin word for "charioteer" - someone who drives a vehicle that is pulled by an animal. The astronomer Ptolemy listed Auriga in the 2nd century when he was writing a list of 48 constellations.