Delphinus - The Dolphin

Learn about the constellation Delphinus - The Dolphin, location, facts, mythology, meteor showers and deep space objects.

Delphinus is a rather small northern constellation very close to the celestial equator. It was already included in Ptolemy's list of 48 constellations and also forms part of the modern list of 88 constellations approved by the IAU.

Location: Northern Summer 20h RA 13° Dec

It looks remarkably like a leaping dolphin and thus can easily be recognized in the sky. Delphinus is surrounded (clockwise from north) by the little fox Vulpecula, the flying arrow Sagitta, the eagle Aquila, the water carrier Aquarius, the little horse Equuleus and finally the flying horse Pegasus.

Delphinus Mythology

According to the first one, the Greek god Poseidon wanted to marry Amphitrite, a Nereid. She, however, wanting to protect her virginity, fled to the Atlas mountains. Her suitor then sent out several searchers, among them a certain Delphinus. Delphinus accidentally stumbled upon her and was able to persuade Amphitrite to accept Poseidon's wooing. Out of gratitude, the god placed the image of a dolphin among the stars.

Delphinus Deep Space Objects

Because it is in a rich Milky Way star field, Delphinus has several deep-sky objects. NGC 6891 is a planetary nebula of magnitude 10.5 and one more notable planetary nebula is NGC 6905 or the Blue Flash nebula. NGC 6934 is a globular cluster of magnitude 9.75.

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.