October Constellations

Pronunciation:  (uh-KWER-ee-us) 
Abbreviation:  Aqr   Genitive:  Aquarii
Right Ascension:  22.71 hours   Declination:  -10.19 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  980
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, October 10

Aquarius is visible in the fall in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. It is represented as a man pouring water from a bucket. This ancient constellation has its roots in many a number of cultures. In Greek mythology, Aquarius was Ganymede, the cupbearer to the gods. 

Pronunciation:  (SEE-fee-us) 
Abbreviation:  Cep   Genitive:  Cephei
Right Ascension:  22.52 hours   Declination:  71.59 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  588
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, October 15

Cepheus, the King, is visible all year in the northern hemisphere. It was named after the king of Ethiopia. Cepheus was the husband of Cassiopeia and the father of Andromeda.

Pronunciation:  (GRUS) 
Abbreviation:  Gru   Genitive:  Gruis
Right Ascension:  22.61 hours   Declination:  -44.52 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  366
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, October 10

Grus, the Crane, is visible in latitudes south of 33 degrees north from July through September. It was named by Johann Bayer and represents the crane, which was the symbol for the office of astronomer in ancient Egypt.

Pronunciation:  (luh-SER-tuh) 
Abbreviation:  Lac   Genitive:  Lacertae
Right Ascension:  22.46 hours   Declination:  44.82 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  201
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, October 10

Lacerta extends from the head of Cepheus to the foot of Perseus, between Cygnus and Andromeda. It is one of seven constellations created by Johannes Hevelius in the 17th century. 

Pronunciation:  (OK-tanz) 
Abbreviation:  Oct   Genitive:  Octantis
Right Ascension:  21.31 hours   Declination:  -83.76 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  291
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, September 20

Octans, the Octant, is visible in latitudes south of the equator. It is a circumpolar and is visible all night long. Octans contains the South Celestial Pole. It is named after the octant, a navigational tool used to locate Polaris, the North Star. 

Pronunciation:  (PEG-uh-sus) 
Abbreviation:  Peg   Genitive:  Pegasi
Right Ascension:  22.75 hours   Declination:  19.53 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  1121
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, October 20

Pegasus is visible from August through December. It represents the son of Neptune and Medusa who eventually became the thundering horse of Zeus and the carrier of his lightning bolts.

Pronunciation:  (PY-sis ahs-TRY-nus) 
Abbreviation:  PsA   Genitive:  Piscis Austrini
Right Ascension:  22.29 hours   Declination:  -30.66 degrees
Area in Square Degrees:  245
Crosses Meridian:  9 PM, October 10

Piscis Austrinus, the Southern Fish, is  visible in latitudes south of 53 degrees north from July through September. This is an ancient constellation that may have been the original Pisces. It is represented as a fish lying on its back drinking the waters pouring from the jar of Aquarius.