Peg - Pegasus the Flying Horse

Andromeda contains one corner of the Great Square of Pegasus (the star Alpheratz). Andromeda’s dress flows outward from the corner along three pairs of stars, with each pair slightly farther apart than the previous pair. Perhaps she is petting Pegasus, who bore the hero Perseus across the ocean on his mighty wings to save her from the sea monster Cetus.

Water jar pattern near Pegasus.

Find the bowl of the big dipper and locate the two stars nearest the handle. A line running through these stars, tracing away from it above the open bowl. This line runs to Deneb, the tail of the constellation Cygnus the Swan. With wings abreast, and long neck outstretched, Cygnus flies along the milky river.

Located between Pegasus and Aquila, look for four stars in a diamond.

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

Between Cepheus and Pegasus; no bright stars, but within the Milky Way.

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.

South of Pegasus and Andromeda, near Aquarius. Pisces represents two fish tied together by two cords:

• The western fish, a pentagon of stars just south of Pegasus, is an asterism known as the circlet.
• The other fish lies on the opposite side of Pegasus, just under Andromeda.

The brightest star, alpha-Piscium, is known as El-Rischa or the "knot" because it ties the two cords together with the two fish on the opposite ends. Alpha-Piscium lies nestled up next to Mira, a bright variable star of the constellation Cetus the Whale.

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