The Capricornus constellation
Cap · Catalogue stars: 17
Why this name?
Capricornus is traditionally depicted as a sea-goat, with a goat’s forequarters and a fish’s tail. The Greeks associated this figure with the god Pan.
A little history
The goat-fish was already known in Mesopotamia. The name Tropic of Capricorn recalls the era when the Sun lay in this constellation at the winter solstice.
Data
- IAU code
- Cap
- Catalogue stars
- 17
- Messier objects
- 1
- Brightest star
- Deneb Algedi · 2.9ᵐ
Messier objects
Stars
Stars (HIP)
- HIP 105881 · 3.8ᵐ · G4Ibp...
- HIP 104139 · 4.1ᵐ · A1V
- HIP 102978 · 4.1ᵐ · K4III
- HIP 102485 · 4.1ᵐ · F5V
- HIP 105515 · 4.3ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 100027 · 4.3ᵐ · G3Ib
- HIP 104234 · 4.5ᵐ · K5/M0III
- HIP 106039 · 4.5ᵐ · K0III
- HIP 106723 · 4.5ᵐ · B3V:p
- HIP 107188 · 4.7ᵐ · G8III
- HIP 101027 · 4.8ᵐ · F3V
- HIP 104019 · 4.8ᵐ · A5V
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 10° | 132° |
| +55° | 15° | 126° |
| +45° | 25° | 118° |
| +30° | 40° | 113° |
| 0° | 70° | 110° |
| −35° | 75° | 114° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 13:17 |
| February | 11:10 |
| March | 09:25 |
| April | 07:31 |
| May | 05:37 |
| June | 03:31 |
| July | 01:27 |
| August | 23:26 |
| September | 21:33 |
| October | 19:44 |
| November | 17:43 |
| December | 15:35 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.
Neighbouring constellations
In brief
Which is the brightest star in Capricornus?
Deneb Algedi — 2.9ᵐ.