Scutum

For the Roman shield, see scutum (shield);

For the zootomical term, see scute.

Scutum (Latin for shield) is a small constellation, one of the 88 modern constellations. It is one of the few constellations (with Coma Berenices) that owes its name to an historical figure.

The original name Scutum Sobiescianum (Sobieski's Shield) was introduced in late 1683 by Hevelius as commemoration of the victory of the Christian forces led by Polish king and hero John III Sobieski in the battle of Vienna.

Notable features

With an area of 109 square degrees, Scutum is the fifth smallest of the 88 modern constellations. It has few bright stars; the brightest star, α Scuti, has a magnitude of 3.85. The Milky Way runs through the constellation, and the Scutum star cloud can be found in the northeastern corner of the constellation.

Notable deep sky objects

Scutum contains several open clusters, as well as a globular cluster and a planetary nebula. The two best known deep sky objects in Scutum are M11 (NGC 6705), the Wild Duck Cluster, a dense open cluster, and M26, another open cluster also known as NGC 6694. The globular cluster NGC 6712 and the planetary nebula IC 1295 can be found in the eastern part of the constellation, only 24 arcminutes apart.

Mythology

Being a modern constellation, Scutum has no mythology associated with it. It was designed to represent Janina Coat of Arms of Polish king Jan III Sobieski.

Notable and named stars

variable star; magnitude variation: 4.60–4.79 with period 4^h40^m
the prototypical Delta Scuti variable
triple star; component magnitudes: 4.72v, 9.2, 12.2

variable star; magnitude variation: 4.5–8.2 with period 140 days

double star; component magnitudes: 5.8, 9.1

pulsar

BD	Star Names and other designations	Mag.	Right ascension (J2000.0)	Declination (J2000.0)	Ly away
α	Alpha Scuti	3.85	18^h 35^m 12.4^s	−08° 14' 39"	174
β	Beta Scuti	4.22	18^h 47^m 10.5^s	−04° 44' 52"	690
ζ	Zeta Scuti	4.68	18^h 23^m 39.5^s	−08° 56' 03"	191
γ	Gamma Scuti	4.70	18^h 29^m 11.9^s	−14° 33' 57"	291
δ	Delta Scuti, ADS 11581	4.70v	18^h 42^m 16.4^s	−09° 03' 09"	187
η	Eta Scuti	4.83	18^h 57^m 03.7^s	−05° 50' 46"	207
ε	Epsilon Scuti, ADS 11601	4.90	18^h 43^m 31.3^s	−08° 16' 31"	523
	R Scuti	5.38	18^h 47^m 29.0^s	−05° 42' 18"
	Struve 2325, ADS 11414	5.72	18^h 31^m 25.7^s	−10° 47' 45"
	PSR 1829-10		18^h 32^m 40.9^s	−10° 21' 34"

Source: The Bright Star Catalogue, 5th Revised Ed., The Hipparcos Catalogue, ESA SP-1200

External links

The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Scutum

Scutum constellation

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Scutum

Notable features

Notable deep sky objects

Mythology

Notable and named stars

See also

External links