Zeta Aqr

ZETA AQR (Zeta Aquarii). Though Aquarius is not among the sky's brighter constellations, it has one of the most prominent and loved of all asterisms (the set of informal constellations, of the which the Big Dipper is the finest example), ...

The double zeta Aqr consists of a tight pair of F stars (F6IV and F3V). Both components are nearly of equal brightness showing 4.59 mag and 4.42 mag. To separate the stars are telescope with an aperture of at least 75mm is necessary.

There are many interesting celestial objects in this large constellation, including (M2 and M72), (NGC 7009 and NGC 7293), the star group M73, a double star (zeta Aqr).

The stars Sadachbia (Gamma), Eta Aqr, Zeta Aqr, and Pi Aqr form a small Y-shaped asterism, called the Water Jar or Urn, thought to mark the Water-bearer's cup.

The most notable asterism is of the water jug itself, tipped and pouring water. This small asterism, which fits nicely into a binocular field of view, is just west of alpha Aquarii and made up of zeta Aqr and three other stars.

See also: Magnitude, Aquarius, Constellation, Star, Delta