Sagitta

Sagitta is visible in the northern hemisphere during the summer months. However, its faint stars may pose a challenge for visibility in areas with significant light pollution.

History

Sagitta derives its name from the Latin word for "arrow." Traditionally associated with the mythological story of Hercules, it represents the arrow or dart that Hercules used to slay the eagle Aquila. In Greek mythology, Aquila was dispatched by Zeus to retrieve Ganymede, a Trojan youth kidnapped to serve as the cupbearer to the gods. Sagitta was cataloged by the Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century.

Stars

Sagitta is modest in size and lacks particularly bright stars. Its faint stars contribute to the depiction of an arrow, and the constellation is often overlooked due to its unassuming nature.