Triangulum

Infobox Constellation
name = Triangulum
abbreviation = Tri
genitive = Trianguli
symbology = The Triangle
RA = 2
dec= +30
areatotal = 132
arearank = 78th
numbermainstars = 3
numberbfstars = 15
numberstarsplanets = 0
numberbrightstars = 0
numbernearbystars = 1
brighteststarname = β Tri
starmagnitude = 3.00
neareststarname = δ Tri
stardistance = 35.4
numbermessierobjects = 1
meteorshowers = None
bordering = Andromeda
Pisces
Aries
Perseus
latmax = 90
latmin = 60
month = December
notes=

Triangulum (pronEng|traɪˈæŋgjʊləm, _la. 'Triangle') is a small northern constellation whose three brightest stars, of third and fourth magnitude, form a nearly-isosceles long and narrow triangle. It is one of the 88 modern constellations, and also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy.

Notable features

Triangulum doesn't have stars of the first magnitude. Its brightest star is the white giant star β Trianguli (3.00^m) with a close, dimmer companion. Its second-brightest star, the yellow-white subgiant star α Trianguli (3.41^m) with a close dimmer companion, is also known as Caput Trianguli, and is at the apex of the triangle. 6 Trianguli, (known in some older sources as ι), is an "attractive double star with a noticeable color contrast" that can be split by medium-sized telescopes into a strong yellow and a pale blue star. Both components are themselves close binaries. [Robert Burnham, Jr (1978). "Burnham's Celestial Handbook", Dover Publications, New York. ISBN 0-486-24065-7]

Notable deep sky objects

Triangulum is the location of the Triangulum Galaxy, M33, also known as the great Pinwheel Galaxy. A distant member of the Local Group, it is about 2.9 million light years away, and at magnitude 5.8, it is bright enough to be seen by the naked eye under the darkest skies. Under light-polluted skies, it is challenging or invisible even in a small telescope or binoculars. Because of its low surface brightness, low power is required.

In addition to M33, there are several NGC galaxies, all with magnitudes fainter than 11. The largest of these include the 10 arcminute long magnitude 12 NGC 925 spiral galaxy and the 5 arcminute long magnitude 11.6 NGC 672 barred spiral galaxy.

History and mythology

An early name of the constellation was "Sicilia", because Ceres, patron goddess of Sicily, was claimed to have begged Jupiter that the island be placed in the heavens.

ee also

*Triangulum Australe
*Triangulum Minor

Citations

References

* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.

External links

* [http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/aries/ The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Triangulum]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/triangulum.htm Star Tales – Triangulum]