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The Origin of the Little Horse Constellation


The Little Horse constellation, also known as Equuleus, is a relatively unknown constellation located between Pegasus, Delphinus, and Aquarius. While most obscure constellations were invented after the invention of the telescope, Equuleus appears in Ptolemy’s second-century CE list of constellations, indicating its ancient origins. The constellation was originally called Hippou Protome, referring to the forequarters of a horse, by Ptolemy but was later Latinized to Equuleus.

Despite its ancient origins, scholars have struggled to find mythological connections to Equuleus, leading to speculative theories about its origins. Some believe it represents the Roman god Saturn in his equine form, while others suggest it could be related to the Greek myth of Philyra and Cronos. The constellation contains faint galaxies discovered by astronomers in the 19th century, including NGC 7046 and NGC 7040.

While Equuleus may not hold much interest for stargazers today, it serves as a reminder of ancient astronomical knowledge and the efforts of early astronomers to map the night sky. The constellation’s history and mysterious origins continue to intrigue scholars and astronomers, shedding light on the evolution of our understanding of the stars above.

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Photo credit www.delgazette.com

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