Pegasus constellation
Pegasus (the Winged Horse) is a constellation in the northern sky, best seen in the evening in October. Its brightest star is Enif (magnitude 2.39). It contains the Great Square. Pegasus covers 1,121 square degrees and is the 7th-largest of the 88 constellations.
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Detailed star map of Pegasus
Facts
| Latin name | Pegasus (genitive: Pegasi) |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Peg |
| Meaning | the Winged Horse |
| Area | 1,121 square degrees (7th of 88) |
| Location | right ascension 22.6 h, declination +19° |
| Visible from | latitudes 90° N to 53° S (whole constellation) |
| Best month | October (at about 9 pm) |
| Brightest star | Enif |
| Stars brighter than magnitude 6 | 98 |
| Named stars (IAU) | 11 |
| Messier objects | M15 |
| Neighbors | Andromeda, Aquarius, Cygnus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Lacerta, Pisces, Vulpecula |
How to find Pegasus
From 40° N (the USA, southern Europe, Japan) look south in October evenings: at about 9 pm Pegasus stands highest, around 69° above the southern horizon. From 35° S (Australia, South Africa, Argentina) it is highest in the north, about 36° above the horizon. The months before and after (September and November) are also good: then it is up a couple of hours earlier or later.
Pegasus borders Andromeda, Aquarius, Cygnus, Delphinus, Equuleus, Lacerta, Pisces and Vulpecula.
Asterisms with stars in Pegasus: Great Square of Pegasus.
Stars of Pegasus
Pegasus has 98 stars brighter than magnitude 6, the limit of the naked eye under a dark sky. These are the brightest:
| Star | Designation | Magnitude | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enif | ε Pegasi | 2.39 | K2Ib | 670 ly |
| Scheat | β Pegasi | 2.42 | M2.5II-III | 199 ly |
| Markab | α Pegasi | 2.49 | B9V | 140 ly |
| Algenib | γ Pegasi | 2.83 | B2IV | 469 ly |
| Matar | η Pegasi | 2.94 | G2II-III+F0V | 238 ly |
| Homam | ζ Pegasi | 3.4 | B8V | 228 ly |
| Sadalbari | μ Pegasi | 3.48 | G8+III | 115 ly |
| Biham | θ Pegasi | 3.53 | A2Vp | 89 ly |
| — | ι Pegasi | 3.76 | F5V | — |
| — | λ Pegasi | 3.95 | G8IIIa* | — |
| — | 1 Pegasi | 4.08 | K1III | — |
| — | κ Pegasi | 4.13 | F5IV | — |
Deep-sky objects in Pegasus
Pegasus contains one object from Charles Messier's catalog:
- Messier 15 (M15): globular cluster, 6.4 mag
Printable Pegasus map and outline
A black and white version for printing and a plain outline of the Pegasus figure, useful for school projects, worksheets and learning to recognize the shape.
History
Pegasus is one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the Almagest (2nd century AD). Its official boundary was drawn by Eugène Delporte for the International Astronomical Union in 1930.
Questions about Pegasus
What is the brightest star in Pegasus?
Enif, at magnitude 2.39, about 670 light-years away.
When can you see Pegasus?
Pegasus is best seen in the evening in October. The whole constellation is visible from latitudes between 90° N and 53° S.
How many stars are in Pegasus?
98 stars in Pegasus are brighter than magnitude 6 and can be seen with the naked eye under a dark sky; 11 of them have official IAU names.
What does Pegasus mean?
Pegasus means “the Winged Horse” in Latin. Its abbreviation is Peg and the genitive, used in star names such as ε Pegasi, is Pegasi.
