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Crater (constellation) - Definition and Overview |
| Related Words: Apus, Aquarius, Ara, Caelum, Cancer, Corvus, Crater, Crux, Dorado, Draco, Equuleus, Friday, Gemini, Grus, Hercules, Horologium, Hydra, Lacerta, Leo |
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Crater (Latin for cup) is one of the 88 modern constellations and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. It is said to represent the goblet of Apollo. It has no star brighter than fourth magnitude.
Stars
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Magnitude
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| δ Crateris | | 3.57
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| α Crateris | Alkes | 4.08
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| γ Crateris | | 4.08
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| β Crateris | | 4.46
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| θ Crateris | | 4.69
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| ζ Crateris | | 4.71
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| ε Crateris | | 4.81
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| λ Crateris | | 5.08
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| η Crateris | | 5.17
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| ι Crateris | | 5.49
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| κ Crateris | | 5.93
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Mythology
In Greek mythology, a crow/raven serves Zeus, and is sent to fetch water, but it rests lazily on the journey, and after finally obtaining the water in a cup, takes back a water snake as well, as an excuse. According to the myth, Zeus saw through the fraud, and angrily cast the crow, cup, and snake, into the sky. The origin of this story is likely to be the juxtaposition of this constellation with those of Crater (constellation), and Hydra (constellation), in the area of the sky known as the Sea.
See Also
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