BellaOnline Forums Education Astronomy Delphinus the Dolphin *new article*

Delphinus (the Dolphin) sounds like one of the southern sea constellations invented by early European navigators. However it's an ancient northern constellation first catalogued by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. Small and made up of faint stars, its diamond is still easily visible in a clear dark sky.

Delphinus the Dolphin

Here is Delphinus, as depicted in the 18th century Urania's Mirror. You can also see its neighbors Sagitta (the Arrow) and Aquila (the Eagle). The third one Antinous is now an obsolete constellation. It's stars are part of Aquila.

Here's a lovely photo of Albrechtsberg castle in the town of Melk, Austria. In the August sky are constellations that include Aquarius. Aquila and Delphinus (above and right of center). There is also a bright meteor - part of the Perseid shower - above the castle walls.

Photo credit: Sebastian Voltmer

I love the photo. I've been there but not at night.

Last night we had dinner at a little restaurant that with an outlook on Cardigan Bay in West Wales. I know there are dolphins in Cardigan Bay, yet I'd never seen any. However last night there were two (maybe three) frolicking off shore. What an amazing treat! "Delphinus," I thought.

There is a Dolphin Nebula (SH2-188), though it's not in the constellation Delphinus. It's a planetary nebula, about 850 light years from Earth, in the constellation Cassiopeia.

Photo credit: Peter Goodhew