Copyright © 1995-2018 by David Harper and L.M. StockmanDesigned and maintained by Obliquity
http://www.obliquity.com/skyeye/88const/Tau.html
Abbreviation: Tau
Genitive: Tauri
Taurus is a member of the zodiac. This is one of the most ancient of constellations, harking back to Babylonia and perhaps even before. The bull is identified with Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. He assumed the guise of a white bull to abduct Princess Europa. When she found the bull amongst her father's herd, she climbed on his back and Zeus immediately swam to Crete where he revealed his true identity to her. Europa became the first queen of Crete.
| Designation | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| α Tau | Aldebaran | This is a first magnitude star and although it appears in the sky to be a member of the Hyades, it is unrelated to the star cluster. |
| β Tau | Elnath | Elnath was once also identified as γ Aur. |
| γ Tau | Prima Hyadum | |
| δ Tau | Secunda Hyadum | |
| ε Tau | Ain | So far one exoplanet has been found revolving around this star. |
| ζ Tau | Tianguan | |
| η Tau | Alcyone | Alcyone is the brightest member of the Pleiades. |
| θ2 Tau | Chamukuy | |
| 16 Tau | Celaeno | This is a member of the Pleiades. |
| 17 Tau | Electra | This is a member of the Pleiades. |
| 19 Tau | Taygeta | This is a member of the Pleiades. |
| 20 Tau | Maia | This is a member of the Pleiades. Maia was the eldest of the seven sisters. |
| 21 Tau | Asterope | This is a member of the Pleiades. |
| 23 Tau | Merope | This is a member of the Pleiades. Merope was the youngest of the seven sisters. |
| 27 Tau | Atlas | This is a member of the Pleiades. Atlas was the father of the seven sisters. |
| 28 Tau | Pleione | This is a member of the Pleiades. Pleione was the mother of the seven sisters. |
| M1 | Crab Nebula | This is the nebulous remnant of a supernove explosion witnessed on Earth in 1054. A small telescope is needed to see it. |
| M45 | Pleiades | Also known as the Seven Sisters, the open cluster of young stars can be seen clearly with the naked eye. Time-exposure photography reveal the stars to be embedded in gas and dust. |
| C41 | Hyades | This constellation is home to another famous open cluster, the Hyades. Much closer to us than the Pleiades, the Hyades form the V shape of the bull's head. |
Copyright © 1995-2018 by David Harper and L.M. Stockman