Pronunciation:

(ee-KWOO-lee-us)

Abbreviation:

Equ

  Genitive:

Equulei 

Right Ascension:

21 hours

  Declination:

10 degrees

Area in Square Degrees:

72

Crosses Meridian:

9 PM, September 20

Visible Between Latitudes:

90 and -70 degrees

The constellation Equuleus, the little horse, is visible in mid-September rising just before Pegasus. It can be seen throughout most of the northern and southern hemisphere at latitudes between 90 degrees and -80 degrees. It is an extremely small constellation. With an area of only 72 square degrees, it is the second smallest constellation in the night sky. It is bordered by Aquarius, Delphinus and Pegasus.

Equuleus is one of the 48 constellations cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the second century. The name Equuleus is Latin for “little horse.” It is a very old constellation that has its roots in many cultures. In ancient China, the stars were part of a constellation known as the Black Tortoise of the North. In Greek mythology, it represents Cerleris, the brother of Pegasus, who was given to Castor by Mercury. In another myth it was Cyllarus, which was given to Pollux by Juno. Because the stars in Equuleus rise before Pegasus, it is sometimes called Equus Primus, or the First Horse.