Hawaiian Astronomical Society

Constellations: Pegasus -- The Medusa's "Child"

Myth

Pegasus is the famous winged horse who sprang to life from the blood of the Medusa, slain by Perseus. Later, he was tamed and ridden by Bellerophon, who used a golden bridle provided by Athena. Riding Pegasus, Bellerophon proved hard to conquer. He slew one beast called the Chimera. Pegasus was faithful to Bellerophon, until he attempted to ride the horse to Mount Olympus. This Pegasus knew he should not do, and he threw his rider. Bellerophon ended his days blind and lame for his hubris. The Gods, however, rewarded Pegasus by placing him among the stars.

Maps

Each map can be clicked on to produce a 916x1200 version of it. They sport red labels, which look good on screen, but which disappear when used with red flashlights. Each map, therefore has a second link to a map better suited for printing in a graphics program, and using in the field. While they are quite large, they are all about 50k, and so are easy to view at today's modem speeds. The first map is a wide area view of the constellation, suitable for naked eye browsing. The next views are binocular width, showing stars to mag. 10, deepsky objects to mag. 12.9, and labeling deepsky objects to magnitude 12.

Interactive, wide area map of Pegasus

Click the map for a 916x1200 version of the above. Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Northeast Section

This a more detailed view of the constellation. The map displays stars to magnitude 10, and deepsky objects to magnitude 12. Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Southwest Section

Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Northwest Section

Click here for a map better suited for use in the field.

Images

38k JPEG.Photographer's notes: Five exposures of NGC7331 (Best 78, Caldwell 30), each of ten minutes, were combined in MiPS to bring out much detail, particularly the 'cotton wool' structures in the spiral arms.

Located 4° NNW of Matar, NGC7331 is a fairly bright (mag. 9.5), elongated (position angle 163°), galaxy that brightens considerably toward the middle. The "cotton wool" mentioned above is just visible in a good 8".

Map Printable Map

Thumbnail image 450k JPEG This image contains NGC7331 and five other galaxies collectively called Stephan's Quintet, located .5° to the SSW. 6" telescopes from a dark site might glimpse a dim fuzzy patch that appears mottled with averted vision. An 8-10" telescope distinguishes 4 of the five galaxies. Larger telescopes are needed to split NGC7318 into its two components. The galaxies range from mags. 14-14.8. All range between 1-2' in size. Images from the Digital Sky Survey.

Map Printable Map 85k labeled image

Thumbnail image 9k JPEG Located 2.5° WNW of Algenib (Gamma Pegasi) in the Great Square, Caldwell 43 (NGC7814) is a quite large (5'x2.5'), quite bright (mag. 10.5), elongated, edge on spiral galaxy with a not too pronounced core. Large scopes might spot the central dust lane.

Map Printable Map

Thumbnail image 29k JPEG Caldwell 44 (NGC7479) is a barred spiral galaxy located 2.7° south of Markab (Alpha Pegasi). Dreyer calls it quite large (4'x3.3'), fairly bright (mag. 11), much elongated (PA 25°). Amateurs will see the galaxy sitting between two stars.

Map Printable Map

Thumbnail image 102k JPEG M15 (NGC7078) is a fine, powdery globular cluster located 4.2° NW of the mag. 2.1 star Enif (Epsilon Pegasi). Dreyer calls it very bright (mag. 6.4), very large (12'), irregular, and highly condensed. A 6" telescope is needed to resolve individual stars easily. Obviously a Hubble Space Telescope image.

Map Printable Map More info.

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