images

Constellation of Eridanus

by

A.Fujii/David Malin Images/Novapix

Reference

a-cst32-00003

Date

2007-04-11

In the center of image is the Eridanus constellation. Brightest stars visible are Rigel (top in Orion), Sirius (top left), Canopus (below) and Achernar (bottom center). Eridanus (the Celestial River) is very well named, since it winds its way over an enormous area of the sky. It is the 6th largest constellation (almost 1140 square degrees) and wanders over a huge range of Declination. The river runs from close to the celestial equator (which runs through Orion's Belt) to its brightest star Achernar (a Eri, from the Arabic for 'river's end'), which is at 57° south declination.