Constellation BootesConstellation BootesPresented by Don CherryPresented by Don Cherry

Ox driver, plowman or herdsmanOx driver, plowman or herdsman

Urania’s Mirror constellation cards – London c.1825Urania’s Mirror constellation cards – London c.1825

Bootes FactsBootes Facts - Bootes is the 13- Bootes is the 13thth largest constellation in the night sky largest constellation in the night sky

occupying an area of 907 square degreesoccupying an area of 907 square degrees

- Bootes has five stars with known planets and does not - Bootes has five stars with known planets and does not contain any Messier objectscontain any Messier objects

- The brightest star in the constellation is Arcturus, which is - The brightest star in the constellation is Arcturus, which is also the third brightest star in the night skyalso the third brightest star in the night sky

- There are three meteor showers associated with the - There are three meteor showers associated with the constellation Bootes: the January Bootids, the June Bootids constellation Bootes: the January Bootids, the June Bootids and the Quadrantidsand the Quadrantids

More Bootes FactsMore Bootes Facts - Bootes belongs to the Ursa Major family of constellations, - Bootes belongs to the Ursa Major family of constellations,

along with Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Coma Bernices. along with Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Coma Bernices. Corona Borealis, Draco, Leo minor, Lynx, Ursa Major and Corona Borealis, Draco, Leo minor, Lynx, Ursa Major and Ursa MinorUrsa Minor

Bootes MythologyBootes Mythology Bootes is traditionally depicted as a herdsman with two hunting Bootes is traditionally depicted as a herdsman with two hunting

dogs on a leash and a club in his other hand. In one story, the dogs on a leash and a club in his other hand. In one story, the constellation represents a ploughman driving the oxen in the Ursa constellation represents a ploughman driving the oxen in the Ursa Major constellation, followed by his two dogs, Asterion and Chara Major constellation, followed by his two dogs, Asterion and Chara (represented by the constellation Canes Venatici). The (represented by the constellation Canes Venatici). The ploughman’s oxen are tied to the polar axis and their movement ploughman’s oxen are tied to the polar axis and their movement keeps the skies in constant rotation.keeps the skies in constant rotation.

The name Bootes was first used by Homer in his Odyssey as a The name Bootes was first used by Homer in his Odyssey as a celestial reference point for navigation, described as “late-setting” celestial reference point for navigation, described as “late-setting” or “slow to set”, translated as the “Plowman”. Exactly whom or “slow to set”, translated as the “Plowman”. Exactly whom Bootes is supposed to represent in Greek mythology is not clear. Bootes is supposed to represent in Greek mythology is not clear. According to one version, he was a son of Demeter, Philomenus, According to one version, he was a son of Demeter, Philomenus, twin brother of Plutus, a ploughman who drove the oxen in the twin brother of Plutus, a ploughman who drove the oxen in the constellation Ursa Major. This is corroborated by the constellation’s constellation Ursa Major. This is corroborated by the constellation’s name, which itself means “ox driver” or “herdsman”. name, which itself means “ox driver” or “herdsman”.

Major stars in BootesMajor stars in Bootes Arcturus – a Bootis (Alpha Bootis) Arcturus is the third brightest Arcturus – a Bootis (Alpha Bootis) Arcturus is the third brightest

star in the sky and brightest star in the northern hemisphere. It star in the sky and brightest star in the northern hemisphere. It has an apparent visual magnitude of -0.04. It’s often listed as the has an apparent visual magnitude of -0.04. It’s often listed as the forth brightest star behind Alpha Centauri, because the latter is a forth brightest star behind Alpha Centauri, because the latter is a binary star with a combined magnitude of -0.27. Arcturus is a binary star with a combined magnitude of -0.27. Arcturus is a type K1.5 IIIpe orange giant, one with an unusual spectrum of light type K1.5 IIIpe orange giant, one with an unusual spectrum of light and full of emission lines. Approximately 36.7 light years distant, and full of emission lines. Approximately 36.7 light years distant, the star has a luminosity at least 110 times that of the sun,the star has a luminosity at least 110 times that of the sun,

Nekkar – b Bootis (Beta Bootis) Nekkar is a yellow G-type giantNekkar – b Bootis (Beta Bootis) Nekkar is a yellow G-type giant

Seginus – y Bootis (Gamma Bootis) Seginus is a Delta Scuti type Seginus – y Bootis (Gamma Bootis) Seginus is a Delta Scuti type variable star, one showing variations in brightness as a result of variable star, one showing variations in brightness as a result of both radial and non-radial pulsations on it’s surface.both radial and non-radial pulsations on it’s surface.

Major stars continuedMajor stars continued

Izar (Pulcherrima) – e Bootis (Epsilon Bootis) Izar is a binary Izar (Pulcherrima) – e Bootis (Epsilon Bootis) Izar is a binary star located approximately 300 light years away.star located approximately 300 light years away.

Muphrid (Saak) – n Bootis (Eta Bootis) Muphrid is a Muphrid (Saak) – n Bootis (Eta Bootis) Muphrid is a spectroscopic binary star with a period of 494 days.spectroscopic binary star with a period of 494 days.

Other stars include, Alkalurops (Mu Bootis), Merga (38 Other stars include, Alkalurops (Mu Bootis), Merga (38 Bootes), Nadlat (Psi Bootis) and t Bootes (Tau Bootis)Bootes), Nadlat (Psi Bootis) and t Bootes (Tau Bootis)

Deep Sky Objects In BootesDeep Sky Objects In Bootes

Bootes void – The Bootes void, also known as the Great Bootes void – The Bootes void, also known as the Great Void or the Supervoid, is a sphere-shaped region of the sky, Void or the Supervoid, is a sphere-shaped region of the sky, almost 250 million light years in diameter that contains few almost 250 million light years in diameter that contains few galaxies.galaxies.

Bootes I (Bootes Dwarf Galaxy) is a dwarf spheroidal Bootes I (Bootes Dwarf Galaxy) is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy located approximately 197,000 light years from galaxy located approximately 197,000 light years from earth. It’s one of the faintest galaxies known, with an earth. It’s one of the faintest galaxies known, with an absolute magnitude of -5.8 and apparent magnitude of absolute magnitude of -5.8 and apparent magnitude of 13.1. It was only discovered in 2006.13.1. It was only discovered in 2006.

NGC 5466 is a globular cluster approximately 51,800 light NGC 5466 is a globular cluster approximately 51,800 light years from earth. It was first discovered by British years from earth. It was first discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1784.astronomer William Herschel in 1784.

NGC 5466 – Hubble ImageNGC 5466 – Hubble Image

The Lighter Side of BootesThe Lighter Side of Bootes

The EndThe End

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