What it looks like
Aquarius is a large zodiac constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere, drawn as a figure pouring water from an urn. It sits in the 'Sea' region alongside Cetus, Pisces, Capricornus and Piscis Austrinus, and its brightest stars are only third magnitude.
Brightest stars
Aquarius has no first- or second-magnitude stars; its two brightest, Sadalsuud and Sadalmelik, both sit near magnitude 3.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sadalsuud (β Aquarii) | +2.90 | 540 ly | Luckiest of the Lucky |
| Sadalmelik (α Aquarii) | +2.95 | 760 ly | Luck of the King |
| Sadachbia (γ Aquarii) | +3.86 | 158 ly | Lucky Star of Hidden Things |
| Skat (δ Aquarii) | +3.27 | 160 ly | — |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Aquarius is usually identified with Ganymede, the beautiful Trojan youth carried to Olympus by Zeus to serve as cupbearer to the gods.
Ganymede
Ganymede was the son of King Tros of Troy and was renowned for his beauty. Zeus, in the form of an eagle, carried him up to Olympus, where he replaced Hebe as cupbearer to the gods and was granted immortality. His pouring of nectar became the constellation Aquarius.
Older roots
Babylonian astronomers associated this region with their god Ea, who poured the waters of life from a great urn, and the Greeks inherited the imagery of a celestial water-pourer.
How to find it
Look for a faint Y-shaped pattern of stars in the southern sky on autumn evenings, between Capricornus and Pisces.
- Find Sadalsuud and Sadalmelik first — the two brightest stars.
- Look for the 'water jar' asterism of four faint stars.
- Best on autumn evenings from the southern hemisphere and low northern latitudes.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Aqr
- Genitive
- Aquarii
- Meaning
- The Water Bearer
- Brightest star
- Sadalsuud
- Main stars
- 10
- Area rank
- 10th
- Best visible
- October
- Declination
- -15°
- Meteor showers
- March Aquariids, Eta Aquariids, Delta Aquariids, Iota Aquariids
- Neighbours
- Pisces, Pegasus, Equuleus, Delphinus, Aquila, Capricornus, Piscis Austrinus, Sculptor, Cetus
Deep-sky objects
Aquarius hosts two notable planetary nebulae, the Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) and the Saturn Nebula (NGC 7009), plus the globular clusters M2 and M72. The constellation also gives its name to the Aquarius Dwarf galaxy and the Aquarius Stream.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Aquarius look like?
Aquarius is a zodiac constellation known as the Water Bearer, a large but faint pattern of stars in a region of the sky traditionally called the Sea.
What is the brightest star in Aquarius?
The brightest star in Aquarius is Sadalsuud, shining at around magnitude 2.90.
When is Aquarius best visible?
Aquarius is best seen from both hemispheres during October.
What is the story behind Aquarius?
In Greek myth, Aquarius is usually identified with Ganymede, the beautiful Trojan youth carried to Olympus by Zeus to serve as cupbearer to the gods.
Which constellations are near Aquarius?
Aquarius borders Pisces, Pegasus, Equuleus, Delphinus, Aquila, Capricornus, Piscis Austrinus, Sculptor and Cetus.
Capricornus
Pisces