kids encyclopedia robot

Sagitta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Sagitta
Constellation
Sagitta
List of stars in Sagitta
Abbreviation Sge
Genitive Sagittae
Pronunciation Sagítta,
genitive
Symbolism the Arrow
Right ascension 19.8333
Declination +18.66
Quadrant NQ4
Area 80 sq. deg. (86th)
Main stars 4
Bayer/Flamsteed
stars
19
Stars with planets 2
Stars brighter than 3.00m 0
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) 1
Brightest star γ Sge (3.51m)
Messier objects 1
Bordering
constellations
Vulpecula
Hercules
Aquila
Delphinus
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −70°.
Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of August.

Sagitta is a dim but distinctive constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for "arrow", and it should not be confused with the significantly larger constellation Sagittarius, the archer. Although Sagitta is an ancient constellation, it has no star brighter than 3rd magnitude and has the third-smallest area of all constellations (only Equuleus and Crux are smaller). It was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains one of the 88 modern constellations defined by the International Astronomical Union. Located to the north of the equator, Sagitta can be seen from every location on Earth except within the Antarctic circle.

The red giant Gamma Sagittae is the constellation's brightest star, with an apparent magnitude of 3.47. Two star systems have been found to have planets.


Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sagitta para niños

kids search engine
Sagitta Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.