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Taurus

Quick Facts

Name:Taurus
TAW-russ
Meaning:Bull
Abbreviation:Tau
Genitive:Tauri
Visible in Latitudes:90° thru -65°
Viewing Season:Winter
Best Seen In:January, 9:00 pm
Transit Date:November 30
Right Ascension:4.27 hours
Declination:18.9 degrees
Area:797.249 sq. degrees

Star Diagram

Star Diagram: Taurus

About Taurus

Taurus is another of the earliest known constellations, and so probably orginated from the Babylonians. To the Greeks, Taurus was one of the two bulls with brazen feet that were tamed by Jason of the Argonauts.

In Taurean myth, Zeus swam out to Crete as a bull and seduced Eurpopa who bore a son, Minos, father of Minotaur, a half man and half bull monster. Minotaur was locked in a Labyrinth and ate human flesh. Minotaur was killed by Theseus when he was helped by Adiadne's ball of thread.

Taurus was also referred to as being rich in maidens (the Hyades and the Pleiades, all daughters of Atlas).

Named Stars

 
NameStar
AldebaranAlpha Tau
AlnathBeta Tau
Hyadum IGamma Tau
Hyadum IIDelta 1 Tau
AinEpsilon Tau
AlcyoneEta Tau
Celaeno16 Tau
Electra17 Tau
Taygeta19 Tau
Maia20 Tau
Asterope21 Tau
Sterope II22 Tau
Merope23 Tau
Atlas27 Tau
Pleione28 Tau

Messier Objects

 
NameType
M1Supernova Remant (Crab Nebula)
M45Open Cluster (Pleiades)

Neighboring Constellations

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