Equuleus, the Little Horse, is a small constellation located in the northern sky. It only has one officially named star, so the rest are available for you to name. Despite its diminutive size, it has a rich history and mythology associated with it. Let’s explore this celestial wonder.
Symbolism
Equuleus is often depicted as a small, foaling horse. This symbolism is fitting, given its Latin name, which translates to “little horse.” The constellation’s association with horses may be related to its proximity to Pegasus, the winged horse.
Mythology
The mythology surrounding Equuleus is somewhat limited compared to other constellations. Equuleus (pronounced Eh-KWOO-lee-us) was the mythological child of Pegasus the Winged Horse. Although in other mythological stories Equuleus is Celeris, the brother of Pegasus. Yet another myth says that Equuleus is a sea horse, who came into being when Neptune and Athena were having a contest showcasing their powers. In this story, Equuleus was born from Neptune’s trident.
In Chinese astronomy, the stars that correspond to Equuleus are located within the Black Tortoise of the North
When is it Visible?
The constellation Equuleus is visible in mid-September rising just before Pegasus. It can be seen throughout most of the northern and southern hemisphere at latitudes between 90 degrees and -80 degrees. It is an extremely small constellation.
How to Find It
It is a small diamond-shaped pattern of stars. It is located near the constellations of Pegasus, Aquarius, and Delphinus. Because Equuleus is the child of Pegasus, they are located next to one another in the night sky. Pegasus is easy to find if you remember its asterism, the Great Square of Pegasus. Then look between the Great Square and the Summer Triangle to find Equuleus. Another way to find Equuleus is to look under the shape of the leaping dolphin in the constellation Delphinus.
History and Science
Equuleus was one of 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. Its small size and faint stars made it a relatively inconspicuous constellation in ancient times.
In modern astronomy, Equuleus is not particularly notable. It does not contain any bright stars or notable deep-sky objects. However, its historical and mythological significance make it a fascinating constellation to explore.