Scutum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the Roman shield, see scutum (shield);
- For the zootomical term, see scute.
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| Abbreviation: | Sct |
| Genitive: | Scuti |
| Symbology: | the Shield |
| Right ascension: | 19 h |
| Declination: | −10° |
| Area: | 109 sq. deg. (84th) |
| Main stars: | 2 |
| Bayer/Flamsteed stars: | 7 |
| Stars with known planets: | 0 |
| Bright stars: | 0 |
| Nearby stars: | 0 |
| Brightest star: | α Scuti (3.85m) |
| Nearest star: | α Scuti (174 ly) |
| Messier objects: | 2 |
| Meteor showers: | June Scutids |
| Bordering constellations: | Aquila Sagittarius Serpens Cauda |
| Visible at latitudes between +80° and −90° Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of August |
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Scutum (IPA: [ˈskjutəm], Latin: shield) is a small constellation, one of the 88 modern constellations. It is one of the few constellations (with Coma Berenices) that owes its name to an historical figure.
The original name Scutum Sobiescianum (Sobieski's Shield) was introduced in late 1683 by Hevelius as commemoration of the victory of the Christian forces led by Polish king and hero John III Sobieski in the battle of Vienna.
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[edit] Notable features
With an area of 109 square degrees, Scutum is the fifth smallest of the 88 modern constellations. It has few bright stars; the brightest star, α Scuti, has a magnitude of 3.85. The Milky Way runs through the constellation, and the Scutum star cloud can be found in the northeastern corner of the constellation.
[edit] Notable deep sky objects
Scutum contains several open clusters, as well as a globular cluster and a planetary nebula. The two best known deep sky objects in Scutum are M11 (NGC 6705), the Wild Duck Cluster, a dense open cluster, and M26, another open cluster also known as NGC 6694. The globular cluster NGC 6712 and the planetary nebula IC 1295 can be found in the eastern part of the constellation, only 24 arcminutes apart.
[edit] Mythology
Being a modern constellation, Scutum has no mythology associated with it. It was designed to represent Janina Coat of Arms of Polish king Jan III Sobieski.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| The 88 modern Constellations |
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| Andromeda • Antlia • Apus • Aquarius • Aquila • Ara • Aries • Auriga • Boötes • Caelum • Camelopardalis • Cancer • Canes Venatici • Canis Major • Canis Minor • Capricornus • Carina • Cassiopeia • Centaurus • Cepheus • Cetus • Chamaeleon • Circinus • Columba • Coma Berenices • Corona Australis • Corona Borealis • Corvus • Crater • Crux • Cygnus • Delphinus • Dorado • Draco • Equuleus • Eridanus • Fornax • Gemini • Grus • Hercules • Horologium • Hydra • Hydrus • Indus • Lacerta • Leo • Leo Minor • Lepus • Libra • Lupus • Lynx • Lyra • Mensa • Microscopium • Monoceros • Musca • Norma • Octans • Ophiuchus • Orion • Pavo • Pegasus • Perseus • Phoenix • Pictor • Pisces • Piscis Austrinus • Puppis • Pyxis • Reticulum • Sagitta • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Sculptor • Scutum • Serpens • Sextans • Taurus • Telescopium • Triangulum • Triangulum Australe • Tucana • Ursa Major • Ursa Minor • Vela • Virgo • Volans • Vulpecula |
