Particulars:
General:
Close to the heaven equator lies the faint constellation of Equuleus.
It streches roughly from DECL=+13 degrees to DECL=0 degrees and RA=20h 55m to
RA=21h 30m. This small size makes it the second smallest constellation in the
sky.
With the brightest star showing 3.92 mag it is also a rather dim constellation.
Stars and other objects
Gamma Equ is a F0p star of 4.69 mag brightness. In binoculars a
companion of 6th mag can be revealed.
A small telescope is sufficient to show the 7th mag blue-white companion of
epsilon Equ, an F6 subgiant of 5.23 mag. This subgiant forms with
a 6th mag star a close binary system. Both star revolve each other every
101 years. To split this pair larger scopes with an aperture of at lest
15cm are required.
Mythological Background:
There seems to be a connection to the brother of
Pegasus: Celeris.