Cygnus (the Swan)

Japanese: はくちょう座(白鳥座) - はくちょうざ（英語表記）Cygnus

Its abbreviation is Cyg. It is a major constellation in the northern sky located in the Milky Way. The sequence of stars α, γ, η, and β that runs along the Milky Way and the sequence of stars ε, γ, and δ that intersect at right angles form a large cross, resembling the shape of a swan with its wings spread. The name comes from the swan that was the incarnation of the chief god Zeus who visited Leda, the wife of King Tyndareus of Sparta in Greek mythology. It is sometimes called the Northern Cross in contrast to the Southern Cross in the southern sky. Alpha star Deneb is a supergiant with a luminosity of 1.3 magnitude and a spectral type A2, while beta star Albireo is a beautiful double star with a luminosity of 3.1 magnitude and an angular distance of 34.6 inches, with a beautiful contrast of blue and orange colors.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

略号はCyg。天の川に位置する北天の大星座。天の川にそってつづくα,γ,η,βの星列と，これと直角に交わるε,γ,δの星列とは大きな十字形を描き，翼を広げた白鳥の姿を描く。ギリシア神話のスパルタ王テュンダレオスの妃レダのもとに通う主神ゼウスの化身の白鳥の姿にちなむ。南天の南十字Southern Crossに対して北十字Northern Crossと呼ぶこともある。α星デネブは光度1.3等，スペクトル型A2の超巨星，β星アルビレオは光度3.1等，角距離34.″6，青とオレンジの色の対比の美しい二重星である。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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