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Capricornus
Capricornus [Lat.,=the goat horn], inconspicuous southern constellation lying on the ecliptic (the sun's apparent path through the heavens) between Sagittarius and Aquarius; it is one of the constellations of the zodiac . Known as the Sea Goat, it has been depicted from earliest times either as a goat or as a figure with its forepart like that of a goat and its hind part like the tail of a fish. The tropic of Capricorn takes its name from this constellation, in which the winter solstice was located about 2,000 years ago. Now, because of the precession of the equinoxes , the winter solstice has moved westward into Sagittarius. Capricornus contains a globular star cluster that can be seen on a very clear night. The constellation reaches its highest point in the evening sky in late September. |
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"Capricornus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Capricornus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Capricor.html "Capricornus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Capricor.html |
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Capricornus
Capricornus (abbr. Cap, gen. Capricorni) The smallest constellation of the zodiac, through which the Sun passes from late January to mid-February. Capricornus represents a goat with a fish's tail. Its brightest star is Delta Capricorni (Deneb Algedi), magnitude 2.9. Alpha Capricorni (Algedi or Giedi) is a wide but unrelated double of magnitudes 3.6 and 4.2.
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"Capricornus." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Capricornus." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Capricornus.html "Capricornus." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Capricornus.html |
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Capricornus
Capricornus (Sea Goat) Southern constellation situated on the ecliptic between Sagittarius and Aquarius; the tenth sign of the zodiac, identified with the Greek god Pan. Usually referred to as Capricorn only for astrological purposes, this constellation contains the faint globular cluster M30 (NGC 7099).
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Cite this article
"Capricornus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 25 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Capricornus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 25, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Capricornus.html "Capricornus." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 25, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Capricornus.html |
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