Pisces

Pisces (♓, Latin for fish (plural)) is a zodiac constellation which lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east.

Notable features

Pisces is quite a dim constellation; the brightest star, η Piscium, is only of magnitude 3,6. α Piscium is called Alrisha, "the knot," being the knot that ties the two fishes together.

The point at which the ecliptic crosses the celestial equator heading northward, the vernal equinox, is found about 8° south of the star ω Piscium.

Notable deep-sky objects

M74, an attractive but dim spiral galaxy, is found just northeast of η Piscium.

Mythology

The constellation resembles two roundish objects each of which is tied to the same point by a long length of string [1]. Generally the objects have been considered as fish, although since by including fainter stars visible to the naked eye, the strings themself take on the appearance of stick-figure bodies (with the roundish objects thus becoming heads), some forms of early Greek mythology viewed it as men bound to a point. It is generally thought that in earlier depictions, only the constellation Piscis Austrinus was considered to be a fish.

According to one version in Greek mythology, this constellation represents fish into which Aphrodite and Eros transformed in order to escape the monstrous Typhon. The two fishes are often depicted tied together with a cord, to make sure they do not lose one another.

According to another version, since the binding point is below the ecliptic, and thus considered to represent being in the underworld, and that one of the figures (the one on the left) appears to escape, but the other (on the right) seems to head back toward the ecliptic, then, together with Cetus (another constellation in the Zodiac sign of Pisces), this may have formed the basis of the myth of the capture of Cerberus, one of The Twelve Labours of Herakles.

Astrology

The constellation also gives its name to the astrological sign Pisces, (February 19 – March 20). It is the domicile of Jupiter (since its discovery Neptune has been considered Pisces' ruling or co-ruling planet by many modern astrologers) and the exaltation of Venus. Pisces is a mutable water sign, and rules over the feet. It is associated with the Twelfth house of the horoscope, and therefore also rules over drugs, secrets, and large institutions, such as prisons, hospitals, and even business or governmental organisations.

See Also

In classical zoological taxonomy, Pisces is the scientific name of the superclass Pisces, which has been proven paraphyletic. See also "fishes".

External links