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Triangulum
Constellation | |
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Abbreviation | Tri |
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Genitive | Trianguli |
Pronunciation | /traɪˈæŋɡjʊləm/, genitive /traɪˈæŋɡjʊlaɪ/ |
Symbolism | The Triangle |
Right ascension | 01h 31.3m to 02h 50.4m [1] |
Declination | 25.60° to 37.35°[1] |
Quadrant | NQ1 |
Area | 132 sq. deg. (78th) |
Main stars | 3 |
Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 14 |
Stars with planets | 3 |
Stars brighter than 3.00m | 0 |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 0 |
Brightest star | β Tri (3.00m) |
Messier objects | 1 |
Meteor showers | None |
Bordering constellations | Andromeda Pisces Aries Perseus |
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −60°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of December. |
Triangulum is a small constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for "triangle", derived from its three brightest stars, which form a long and narrow triangle. Known to the ancient Babylonians and Greeks, Triangulum was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. The celestial cartographers Johann Bayer and John Flamsteed catalogued the constellation's stars, giving six of them Bayer designations.
The white stars Beta and Gamma Trianguli, of apparent magnitudes 3.00 and 4.00, respectively, form the base of the triangle and the yellow-white Alpha Trianguli, of magnitude 3.41, the apex. Iota Trianguli is a notable double star system, and there are three star systems with known planets located in Triangulum. The constellation contains several galaxies, the brightest and nearest of which is the Triangulum Galaxy or Messier 33—a member of the Local Group. The first quasar ever observed, 3C 48, also lies within the boundaries of Triangulum.
History and mythology[]
In the Babylonian star catalogues, Triangulum, together with Gamma Andromedae, formed the constellation known as MULAPIN (