Phoenix (constellation)
Phoenix is a minor constellation in the southern sky. It is named after the Phoenix, a mythical bird. The constellation stretches from roughly −39° to −57° declination, and from 23.5h to 2.5h of right ascension. The brightest star, Alpha Phoenicis is named Ankaa, an Arabic word meaning 'the Phoenix'. It is an orange giant of apparent magnitude 2.4. Next is Beta Phoenicis, actually a binary system composed of two yellow giants with a combined apparent magnitude of 3.3. The constellation boasts several stars with planets, and the recently discovered Phoenix galaxy cluster – one of the largest objects in the universe.
Read more about Phoenix (constellation): Characteristics, Notable Features, History
Famous quotes containing the word phoenix:
“Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion’s paws,
And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;
Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger’s jaws,
And burn the long-liv’d phoenix in her blood;
Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleet’st,
And do what’er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,
To the wide world and all her fading sweets;”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)