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Why is the constellation Pegasus so special in ancient Greek mythology?
The Pegasus constellation has attracted the attention of many astronomers and mythologists since ancient times. This is a constellation located in the northern sky, named after the winged horse Pegasus in ancient Greek mythology. According to historians, the Pegasus constellation was one of the 48 constellations listed by the second-century astronomer Ptolemy, and is still officially recognized as one of the 88 constellations. In this vast dry sky, this constellation not only connects ancient mythology with modern astronomy, but also gives people unlimited imagination and inspiration.
Pegasus is a winged horse in Greek mythology with magical powers. His hoof prints could dig out springs, which inspired poets.
In ancient Greek legend, the birth of Pegasus is closely related to the story of Medusa. When Cyrus (Perseus) cut off Medusa's head, Pegasus was born from her blood. He was born at the same time as Chrysaor. Not only did Pegasus become the mount of the Greek hero Bellerophon, but it also helped him accomplish the arduous task of killing the Chimaera. However, as with many myths, fate was not kind to this hero and his mount. Bellerophon was abandoned because of his fall, while Pegasus eventually ascended to Mount Olympus and became part of the constellation.
Despite this glorious victory, Bellerophon's fate was tragic, which adds a sad color to the story of Pegasus.
From an astronomical perspective, Pegasus is the seventh largest of the 88 constellations, covering 1,121 square degrees of the sky. It is surrounded by several constellations, such as Andromeda, Cygnus and Aquarius, and is known for a large rectangular asterism that depicts Pegasus's figure vividly.
Among the bright stars in the Pegasus constellation, the brightest is the orange supergiant ε Pegasi (also called Enif), which represents the horse's mouth. The star is about 690 light-years away from Earth and contains several variable stars, such as φ and ψ Pegasi, which are pulsating red giants. The variability of these stars not only fascinates stargazers, but also provides more data support for scientific research.
In the 1980s, 51 Pegasi became the first Sun-like star to be discovered to have an exoplanet companion, opening a new era of human exploration of outer space.
The myth of the Pegasus constellation is not limited to Greek culture, and similar depictions can be found in other cultures as well. In Persian astronomy, al-Sufi's surprising visual depiction of a full-body horse, connecting the horse's head to the stars of the constellation Lizard, shows how different cultures viewed the celestial bodies. Furthermore, Pegasus is included in the constellation of the Northern Black Tortoise in Chinese astronomy, while in Indian astronomy it is an important constellation representing the resting place of the Moon.
In addition to its mythological and cultural significance, the Pegasus constellation also has important astronomical value. Not only are there planetary systems here, but there are also several deep sky objects, such as the M15 global star cluster and the NGC 7331 spiral galaxy. These galaxies and star clusters also provide us with an important window into the evolution of the universe, revealing the fascinating mysteries of the vast space.
The charm of the Pegasus constellation lies in the fact that its story and achievements have amazed countless people. Whether in mythology or astronomy, this constellation symbolizes power, beauty and the pursuit of knowledge, inspiring mankind to pursue knowledge. So, what is so special about the Pegasus constellation?
