Draco constellation biography

Constellation in the northern celestial hemisphere

This article is about the constellation. For other uses, see Draco (disambiguation).

Draco is a constellation in the far northern sky.

Its name is Latin for dragon. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century Greek astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern constellations today. The north pole of the ecliptic is in Draco.

Draco constellation biography

Draco is circumpolar from northern latitudes, meaning that it never sets and can be seen at any time of year.

Features

Stars

Main article: List of stars in Draco

Thuban (α Draconis) was the northern pole star from 3942 BC, when it moved farther north than Theta Boötis, until 1793 BC.

The Egyptian Pyramids were designed to have one side facing north, with an entrance passage geometrically aligned so that Thuban would be visible at night. Due to the effects of precession, it will again be the pole star around the year AD 21000.

It is a blue-white gia