Draco
A quite extended constellation of the northern hemisphere. The four stars forming the dragons head (beta Dra, gamma Dra, xi Dra and nu Dra), build a conspicuous asterism called the Lozenge. Draco belongs to the few constellations which really resemble the object they were named after.
The northern boundary reaches higher than DECL=+80 degrees, the southern border streches along DECL=+50 degrees; to the east and the west it extends from RA=10h to RA=20h. It looks like Draco is encircling the Little Bear, Ursa Minor.
Long time ago, about 3500 years B.C., alpha Dra, also called Thuban (arab. meaning 'the dragon'), has been the Pole Star.
BACK to Constelations
BACK to the List of Lists
BACK to the Quiz Bowl Main Page
BACK to Mrs. Merwin's Main Page