The figure in the sky: north is up, east is to the left. Larger dots are brighter stars.

Constellation

Aquila

The shape: a bright star with a fainter one on either side.

The eagle carried the thunderbolts of Zeus. Its star Altair spins once on its axis in just 9 hours – so fast that it is visibly flattened. Altair is part of the Summer Triangle.

The stars of the figure

From bright to faint. Brightness is given in magnitudes (mag): the smaller the number, the brighter the star.

Altair · 0.76 mag
Tarazed · 2.72 mag
ZetaAql · 2.99 mag
ThetaAql · 3.23 mag
DeltaAql · 3.36 mag
Alshain · 3.71 mag

In the 3D model

In the 3D model, under “Explore”, the sky dome shows when the constellation Aquila can be seen above Switzerland. “Constellations in 3D” shows how far apart its stars really are.

Books on this topic

PlanisphereThe Night Sky Star FinderDavid Chandler Star atlasPocket Sky AtlasRoger W. Sinnott BookThe Stars: A New Way to See ThemH. A. Rey BookBackyard Guide to the Night SkyAndrew Fazekas Children's book50 Things To See With A Telescope – KidsJohn A. Read YearbookNight Sky Guide 2027Nicole Mortillaro

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