What it looks like
Aquila is a prominent equatorial constellation, drawn as an eagle flying along the Milky Way. Its brightest star, Altair, is flanked by two fainter stars that together form the eagle's head. Altair forms one corner of the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.
Brightest stars
Aquila is anchored by Altair, the twelfth-brightest star in the night sky, with several other stars visible to the naked eye nearby.
| Star | Magnitude | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altair (α Aquilae) | +0.76 | 17 ly | The Flying Eagle |
| Tarazed (γ Aquilae) | +2.72 | 395 ly | — |
| Alshain (β Aquilae) | +3.71 | 45 ly | — |
| Deneb el Okab (ζ Aquilae) | +2.99 | 83 ly | Tail of the Eagle |
Mythology and history
In Greek myth, Aquila is the eagle that carried Zeus's thunderbolts and bore Ganymede up to Olympus to serve as cupbearer to the gods.
The eagle of Zeus
Aquila was the great eagle who carried Zeus's thunderbolts and served as his messenger. When Zeus wished to bring the beautiful Trojan prince Ganymede to Olympus, he sent the eagle, who swooped down and carried the boy up to the gods. Aquila was placed in the sky in reward, and his stars have been linked to an eagle since Babylonian times.
How to find it
Look for Altair flanked by two fainter stars on summer evenings, one corner of the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.
- Find the Summer Triangle first; Altair is its southernmost corner.
- Look for the close pair of stars either side of Altair — the eagle's head.
- Best on summer evenings from both hemispheres.
Key facts
- Abbreviation
- Aql
- Genitive
- Aquilae
- Meaning
- The Eagle
- Brightest star
- Altair
- Main stars
- 10
- Area rank
- 22nd
- Best visible
- August
- Declination
- +5°
- Meteor showers
- June Aquilids, Aquilids
- Neighbours
- Sagitta, Hercules, Ophiuchus, Serpens Cauda, Scutum, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, Delphinus
Deep-sky objects
Aquila lies along the Milky Way and contains several open clusters and nebulae, including NGC 6709 and NGC 6755. The constellation also contains the binary star Eta Aquilae, a Cepheid variable used to measure cosmic distances.
Frequently asked questions
What does the constellation Aquila look like?
Aquila is an equatorial constellation known as the Eagle, marked by the bright star Altair, one corner of the Summer Triangle.
What is the brightest star in Aquila?
The brightest star in Aquila is Altair, shining at around magnitude 0.76.
When is Aquila best visible?
Aquila is best seen from both hemispheres during August.
What is the story behind Aquila?
In Greek myth, Aquila is the eagle that carried Zeus's thunderbolts and bore Ganymede up to Olympus to serve as cupbearer to the gods.
Which constellations are near Aquila?
Aquila borders Sagitta, Hercules, Ophiuchus, Serpens Cauda, Scutum, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius and Delphinus.
Lyra
Sagittarius