Small entries in the grand scheme

For this week's visit to the skies I have chosen two small entries in the grand scheme of things instead of one of the larger, brighter, star patterns. These two (three actually), nevertheless, have as interesting a history as any of their bigger brothers and sisters.

At first glance, Crater and Corvus might sound like a new comedy team or the latest detective duo on television.

They are, however, a pair of small, rather dim, constellations located just below and to the right of Virgo which we examined last week.

As for history, mythology tells us that Corvus (a crow) was a servant of Apollo. One day Corvus was sent to get some water for Apollo, taking Crater (a cup or chalice) he sped off on his duty. However, once at the water source he found a fig tree with not quite ripe figs. Thinking he had nothing better to do, he waited for the figs to ripen and ate his fill.

Remembering then his task, he filled the cup, grabbed a passing water snake and returned to Apollo with a tale that the water snake attacked him and delayed his return. Apollo saw through the fabrication and cast them all, crow, cup, and snake into the sky where they remain until this day.

Neither constellation has any Messier objects or bright stars to attract attention and the component stars are third or less magnitude so a dark place will be needed to find the pair.

So why bother with them. Well as one man said about Mt. Everest, because they are there. To me the duo represents a challenge and once found they become old astronomical friends and are easy to return to.

To find them we must first find Virgo. If you recall from last week we first find the Big Dipper, arch down the handle to Arcturus then speed on to Spica. Spica being the brightest star in Virgo. Keep going to the west (right) and look for two box-shaped star patterns. Corvis, the Crow, is the one on the left and Crater, the Cup, is the one on the right.

Both are ancient constellations being listed in Ptolemy's star catalog so knowledge of them has been around for thousands of years.

As for the snake, it is known as Hydra and is the largest constellation in the sky. It stretches from the box shaped head (which can be found just under Cancer, the Crab) down to the southeast in a meandering line of stars and its final coil supports Corvis and Crater.

SKY WATCH:

On the evening of Wednesday, April 11, the glowing planet Venus will be at its closest approach to the star cluster Pleiades, only two degrees away. Keep watching the following week as Venus moves up toward the constellation Taurus and joins the Hyades star cluster on April 18. As you watch the planetary movement you will know why ancient astronomers called the planets "wandering stars." New Moon April 17. Iridium flares: Wednesday, April 11, 10:14 p.m. CDT, look east, Thursday, April 12, 10:07 p.m. CDT look east.

Next time, Hercules