Transcript Cygnus - columbusastronomy

Cygnus
Amber Lorentz, Tyler Laney,
Spencer Smith
Mythology / Lore
Cygnus is identified with many different
legendary swans:
• Zeus disguised himself as a swan to seduce
Leda, Spartan King of Tyndareus’s wife, who
gave birth to the Gemini, Helen of Troy, and
Clytemnestra.
• Orpheus was transformed into a swan after
his murder and was placed in the sky next to
his lyre (Lyra).
• King Cygnus was transformed into a swan.
Brightest Stars
Northern Cross: ( Asterism )
• Deneb, Alpha Cygni
• Albireo, Beta Cygni
• Delta Cygni
• Gienah, Epsilon Cygni
• Sadr, Gamma Cygni
A visual of the Northern Cross.
• Deneb: tail of the swan
• Albireo: bottom of the cross
A picture of the star Albireo.
Interesting Objects
• Cygnus X-1: black hole candidate;
60-70 light years from the sun
• Messier objects:
 M29
 M39
An artist’s impression of Cygnus X-1.