3 Facts About the Taurus Constellation

Taurus is a constellation of the zodiac and one of the oldest documented constellations in the sky. Its name is derived from the Latin word “taurus,” which means “bull.” Taurus is located in the northern celestial hemisphere and is visible throughout the world, except for parts of Antarctica.

Mythological Significance

In Greek mythology, Taurus is associated with the story of the hero Perseus and the creature known as the Gorgon, Medusa. According to the myth, Perseus was sent on a quest to slay Medusa, who had the power to turn anyone who looked at her face to stone. In order to avoid being turned to stone, Perseus used his shield as a mirror and beheaded Medusa while looking at her reflection. After completing his quest, Perseus placed Medusa’s head in the sky, where it became the constellation of Taurus.

Astronomical Features

Taurus is home to a number of notable celestial objects, including the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, and the Hyades. The Pleiades is an open star cluster located within Taurus that is easily visible to the naked eye. It consists of seven stars, although it appears to have many more due to the presence of dust and gas that reflects the light of the stars. The Hyades is another open star cluster located within Taurus and is one of the nearest to Earth. It is also notable for being the closest star cluster to the solar system.

Notable Stars

Taurus is home to several notable stars, including Aldebaran, the brightest star in the constellation. Aldebaran is an orange giant star located about 65 light years from Earth. It is one of the brightest stars in the sky and is easily visible to the naked eye. Taurus is also home to the star cluster known as the Pleiades, which is made up of seven bright stars. Other notable stars in Taurus include El Nath, which is a blue giant star, and Alcyone, the brightest star in the Pleiades.

The Bottom Line

Taurus is a constellation with a rich history and cultural significance. It is home to a number of notable celestial objects, including the Pleiades and the Hyades, and is home to several bright stars, including Aldebaran and El Nath. Whether you are an astronomer or just enjoy looking up at the night sky, Taurus is a constellation that is well worth exploring.