Constellation of the Eagle: diagram. Legend of the constellation Eagle

The constellation of the Eagle is in the equatorial region. It is one of the 48 constellations that Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer, documented in the 2nd century. The Romans called it "Flying Vulture".

The constellation Eagle is located in the Milky Way. It is surrounded by the constellations of the Lesser Horse, Dolphin, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Hercules, Shield and Arrow. You can easily recognize it by three bright stars, which are almost in a straight line on the left shoulder, back and neck of a huge bird. The constellation of the Eagle in the sky covers an area of 652.5 square meters. Degree. It includes 119 stars that are visible to the naked eye.

Observation of the constellation Eagle

Above the horizon above all constellation Eagle is in August and September at night. It is at this time to observe it most conveniently. A moonless and clear night can be seen with the naked eye in this constellation up to 70 stars. Of these, 8 is brighter than the 4th magnitude.

The brightest star

The brightest star in the constellation Orla - Altair, it is referred to the stars of the 1st magnitude. If you mentally connect it with the lines of her celestial bodies located next to her, you will get a figure that resembles a floating eagle with spread wings. Not only the Greeks saw this bird of prey, but also the Arabs, which gave it the name "Altair" (that is, "flying").

Altair (constellation of the Eagle) is one of the stars closest to our planet. Only 16 light-years away is the distance to it from us. That's why it looks so bright. However, its dimensions are only 2 times larger than the dimensions of the Sun. Its radiation is 8 times stronger than the radiation of the Sun. Altair approaches the Earth at a speed of 26 km / s, but only after 12 thousand years it will be at a distance of 15 light years from our planet, that is, only 1 light year will approach the Earth. Altair together with the beta and Eagle's scale forms the body of the constellation Eagle.

Beta, gamma, zeta, eta, epsilon and delta constellations

At a distance of about 44.7 light-years from our planet is the beta constellation of the Eagle. The apparent magnitude of it is 3.71. The scale of this constellation is a huge yellow-orange star. Its apparent stellar magnitude is 2, 72. The zeta is a triple star system. Eta is a yellow-white supergiant, 3,000 times brighter than the Sun. This is one of the brightest cepheids that can be seen with the naked eye. The epsilon of this constellation is a triple star system. The orange giant heads it. The atmosphere of this giant K-type consists of barium. The delta of the constellation of interest is a triple star system. Its main celestial body is the F-type subgiant. All this you will find by looking at the constellation Eagle, the scheme of which is presented above.

The struggle of Zeus against his father, the help of Prometheus

The arrow is a small cluster of stars, located in the Milky Way. Mythology connects with the fate of Prometheus Arrow and the constellation Eagle. For children, many books are published today, in which it is possible to read a retelling of the myth about Prometheus. This story is really interesting, and not just for children. Let us recall it briefly.

When Zeus matured, he began a struggle against Kronos, his father, to gain power over the Earth and Heaven. Persistent and long was this struggle, since the mighty titans were on the side of Kronos. In them Zeus is a metal deafening thunder and fiery lightning. Calling on the aid of the hecatonhanes, handfuls as huge as mountains, he still defeated the Titans by sending them to the gloomy Tartarus. Only one of them - Prometheus - did not fight against Zeus. On the contrary, he helped him in the struggle, and also persuaded Themis, his mother, and the goddess Gaia to go over to his side. Prometheus, therefore, could live among the gods on Olympus. He was allowed to descend to Earth when he wants.

Prometheus decision to help people

However, the continuous feasts of the gods on Olympus and their carefree life of Prometheus did not attract. He descended to Earth and decided to stay among the people and help them. At the sight of how unhappy the inhabitants of the planet, his heart was bursting with pain - they froze in holes and caves, they did not have fire, they died from numerous diseases and had to defend themselves from wild animals. Prometheus decided that if people had fire, they would not be so unhappy. However, Zeus forbade him to give fire to people, because he was afraid that people would take away the gods power over the world.

Prometheus changes the life of people for the better

Prometheus realized that he was waiting for him in case of violation of the prohibition of Zeus. Nevertheless, he could not easily observe the suffering and misery of people. He decided to steal from the smithy of Hephaestus a fire, then gave it to the people. Prometheus taught them how to use fire.

People's lives quickly changed for the better. They ceased to freeze in caves, no longer ate raw meat, but began to prepare their own food. However, not only the fire gave Prometheus to people. He taught them how to extract ores in the bowels of the earth, to melt them on fire and to receive various metals, from which then to make plows and tools. Prometheus taught how to tame wild horses and bulls, harness them and cultivate land with their help. He also tamed wild goats and sheep and gave them to people so that they could use meat and milk for eating, and for clothes - animal skins. In addition, Prometheus trained people to heal diseases.

The Wrath of Zeus

Zeus, of course, was angry at the disobedient titan. The servants of this god Prometheus were chained in heavy chains. They took him to the Caucasus - to the very edge of the Earth. From here the rocky peaks rose to the clouds, and on the seashore there was neither a tree nor a blade of grass. Only formidable rocks were everywhere, to which sea waves with a deafening crash brought down their fury.

Hephaestus came here by order of Zeus and chained Prometheus to the cliff with an iron hammer. In his chest he scored an iron tip. So many centuries have passed.

Oceanians visit Prometheus

Once the sea waves subsided. On golden chariots with a breeze of wind came to Prometheus Oceanides, the daughter of the Ocean. Hesion, one of them, was the wife of this titan. The wise Ocean himself appeared on the winged chariot behind them. He wanted to persuade Prometheus to make peace with the angry god, but he did not want to hear about it. Only Prometheus knew the secret of what exactly threatened his power on the planet.

Titan is drowned in gloom

Once Hermes, the messenger of the gods, rushed to learn the mystery of the fate of Zeus. However, Prometheus was adamant. Then Zeus brought down the thunder and lightning on the rock with Prometheus, and she collapsed into everlasting darkness. After millennia, God decided to lift the disobedient titan from the darkness and subject him to grave suffering. The rays of Helios burned his body, the rock in the summer heat was heated white-hot. Rains and hail slashed on his emaciated body, and in winter flakes of snow fell.

Eagle pecking the liver of Prometheus

Zeus every day, when on a fiery chariot in the sky appeared Helios, sent his huge eagle to Prometheus. The eagle, buzzing with powerful wings, flew to the rock. He sat down on Prometheus's chest. With his sharp claws, he tore the titan's chest and pecked his liver. Blood flowed streams, prigryayaya rock. The eagle flew only when Helios on his knee went down to the Ocean in the west. Prometheus' wounds healed overnight, the liver grew, but the next morning everything repeated. 30 thousand years, these tortures continued.

Hercules liberates Prometheus

To the titan once came Themis, his mother. She begged Prometheus to reconcile with Zeus and tell him his secret. However, the adherent remained titanium. He knew that the hero, called to put an end to his torment, was already born. It was Hercules, who had bypassed many countries and had saved people from many monstrosities and disasters. He finally came to the far end of the Earth. Hercules, standing in front of the rock, looked at Prometheus, chained to her, and listened to his story.

Suddenly there was a noise of wings, a huge eagle appeared in the sky. He was already preparing to pounce on the titanium. Hercules took the bow and dropped the bowstring. The arrow whistled and pierced the eagle. He fell with a rock in the sea. Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, rushed from Olympus. He appealed to Prometheus and promised titan liberation, if he agreed to reveal the secret, how Zeus can escape an evil fate. Finally, Prometheus agreed and said that the Thunder God would not marry Thetis, the sea goddess, since the gods of fate decided that she would have a son who would be more powerful than her father.

Hercules broke the chains of Prometheus and tore the iron point from his chest. In the summer nights and today Hercules is visible in the sky. He looks at the bloodthirsty Eagle, and the Arrow is above him. In the sky there is only Prometheus, but people will never forget the one who gave them knowledge and fire - tools against the power of the gods.

The Legend of Prometheus in Art and Literature

It is with this story that the mythology is associated with the constellation of the Eagle. The legend presented above is still very well known today. In art and literature, it is especially popular. Aeschylus, for example, created a series of tragedies related to the name of the great titan: "Prometheus Chained," "Prometheus the Firebearer," "Prometheus Exempt." Aristophanes wrote the comedy "Birds", The shares - the tragedy "Prometheus." The humanistic features of this image of the rebel martyr developed in poetry (Shelley, Byron, Ogaryov, Gauthier, Shevchenko and others), in music (Scriabin, Liszt, etc.), fine arts (Gordeev, Titian, etc.). In the drama "Enlightenment" of Calderon, as well as in the works of Beethoven and Goethe, a late version of this myth was reflected. Prometheus in it acts as the creator of the people whom he molded from the earth.

Festival "Constellation of the Eagle"

In the city of Orel, annually, in November, there is a festival named after this amazing constellation. Performers and creative teams from Russia and abroad participate in it. "Constellation of the Eagle" - competition of variety vocal, variety and fashion theaters, choreography for young talented people from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Indonesia. There are 4 age groups - up to 6 years, from 7 to 11 years, from 12 to 15 years and from 16 to 25 years. This competition over the past years has gone a long way of becoming and has become a real exciting show. It gathers more and more viewers and participants, including through its bright, memorable name.