Pisces

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Pisces
Pisces constellation.
Abbreviation	Psc
Genitive	Piscium
Meaning in English	the Fishes
Right ascension	1 h
Declination	15°
Visible to latitude	Between 65° and −90°
Best visible	November
Area  - Total	Ranked 14th 889 sq. deg.
Number of stars with apparent magnitude < 3	0
Brightest star  - Apparent magnitude	η Psc 3.6
Meteor showers	Piscids
Bordering constellations	Triangulum Andromeda Pegasus Aquarius Cetus Aries

Pisces (the fishes) is a zodiac constellation which lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east.

Notable features

Pisces is quite a dim constellation; the brightest star, η Piscium, is only of magnitude 3,6. α Piscium is called Alrisha, "the knot," being the knot that ties the two fishes together.

The point at which the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator heading northward, the vernal equinox, is found about 8° south of the star ω Piscium.

Notable deep-sky objects

M74, an attractive but dim spiral galaxy, is found just northeast of η Piscium.

Mythology

According to one version in Greek mythology, this constellation represents fish into which Aphrodite and Eros transformed in order to escape the monstrous Typhon. The two fishes are often depicted tied together with a cord, to make sure they do not lose one another.

Astrology

The constellation also gives its name to the astrological sign Pisces, (February 19 - March 20). Its ruling planet is Neptune (prior to Neptune's discovery Jupiter was considered Pisces' ruling planet).

In classical zoological taxonomy, Pisces is the scientific name of the superclass Pisces, which has been proven paraphyletic. See also "fishes".

de:Fische (Sternbild) es:Piscis eo:Fiŝoj fr:Poissons (constellation) it:Pesci (astronomia) nl:Pisces (sterrenbeeld) ja:うお座 pl:Ryby (gwiazdozbiór) pt:Pisces