The Constellation of Achernar Eridanus
Eridanus represents the celestial river. In Sanskrit, it is called srotaswini, which means “stream,” “current,” or “torrent.” The constellation is associated with the Greek myth of Phaëton and usually depicted as a river flowing from the waters poured by Aquarius.
Eridanus was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy. Notable features in the constellation include Achernar, one of the brightest stars in the sky, the nearby star Epsilon Eridani, the Eridanus Supervoid, the largest void known, the Eridanus Group of galaxies, and the Witch Head Nebula, a well-known reflection nebula located in the constellation. Eridanus is the sixth largest constellation in the night sky, occupying an area of 1138 square degrees. The neighboring constellations are Caelum, Cetus, Fornax, Horologium, Hydrus, Lepus, Orion, Phoenix, Taurus and Tucana. Eridanus belongs to the Heavenly Waters family of constellations, along with Carina, Columba, Delphinus, Equuleus, Piscis Austrinus, Puppis, Pyxis, and Vela.
Eridanus contains seven stars with known planets and no Messier objects. The brightest star in the constellation is Achernar, Alpha Eridani. Achernar is also the ninth brightest star in the sky. There are no meteor showers associated with the constellation.
Eridanus was first catalogued by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy. Notable features in the constellation include Achernar, one of the brightest stars in the sky, the nearby star Epsilon Eridani, the Eridanus Supervoid, the largest void known, the Eridanus Group of galaxies, and the Witch Head Nebula, a well-known reflection nebula located in the constellation. Eridanus is the sixth largest constellation in the night sky, occupying an area of 1138 square degrees. The neighboring constellations are Caelum, Cetus, Fornax, Horologium, Hydrus, Lepus, Orion, Phoenix, Taurus and Tucana. Eridanus belongs to the Heavenly Waters family of constellations, along with Carina, Columba, Delphinus, Equuleus, Piscis Austrinus, Puppis, Pyxis, and Vela.
Eridanus contains seven stars with known planets and no Messier objects. The brightest star in the constellation is Achernar, Alpha Eridani. Achernar is also the ninth brightest star in the sky. There are no meteor showers associated with the constellation.
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