Del - Delphinus the Dolphin

Between Cygnus and Sagittarius, with Altair (its brightest star) making the south end of the Summer Triangle (along with Deneb of Cygnus and Vega of Lyra). As the night sky changes, Aquila the Eagle and Cygnus the Swan swing slowly westward across the sky towards the horizon. The Eagle sets tail first, followed closely by the Swan, who dives beak first below the western horizon.

Skylore and Literature

Water jar pattern. Near Pegasus.

An ancient Babylonian constellation which contained the September equinox in the fourth millenium B.C. Aquarius is included in the ancient star catalogs of Eudoxos of Knidos, Aratos of Soli, and Ptolemy.

M2 (Globular cluster), mag. 6.4.

M72 (Globular cluster), mag. 9.3.

M73 (Galactic cluster), mag. 9.1.

Located between Pegasus and Aquila, look for four stars in a diamond (also called Job’s Coffin).

Delphinus is included in the ancient star catalogs of Eudoxos of Knidos, Aratos of Soli, and Ptolemy.

Delphinus rescued Arion, a singer, after pirates threw him overboard. After Arion rode the dolphin to shore, the pirates were captured and executed.

Adjacent to Pegasus toward Aquila, one of the smallest of the 88 constellations.

Equuleus is included in the ancient star catalog of Ptolemy, but not in those of Eudoxos of Knidos and Aratos of Soli.

Foal of Pegasus, or seahorse.

Farther along on the line from the Pointers to Polaris and Cassiopeia is a large, nearly perfect square of four stars. This is the Great Square of Pegasus. Pegasus, the Winged Horse, lies almost directly overhead in autumn. Located east of Andromeda; signals the coming of Fall. Because Pegasus flies so fast, his hind quarters can’t be seen.

Pegasus is included in the ancient star catalogs of Eudoxos of Knidos, Aratos of Soli, and Ptolemy.

Skylore and Literature:  See Andromeda and Perseus.

A small, faint constellation, located in the Milky Way between Aquila and Vulpecula. Arrow-shaped. Shot by Sagittarius. Sagitta is included in the ancient star catalogs of Eudoxos of Knidos, Aratos of Soli, and Ptolemy.

Star Clusters

M71 (Globular cluster), mag. 7.6.

Located between Cygnus and Aquila, where the Milky Way divides into two branches.

Contains the first-discovered pulsar (a rapidly-pulsing radio source).

M27, Dumbbell Nebula (Planetary nebula), mag. 7.6.