A
constellation located in the
Milky Way between
Pegasus and
Draco, also called the constellation of
the Swan. It lies within the Summer Triangle and is known also as the Northern Cross. The general area of the sky has long been associated with birds by different
ancient cultures. One legend states that the Swan is the hero
Orpheus transformed, who enchanted many men, beasts, trees and rocks with the music from his harp or lyre (
Lyra). In an ancient
star list from the
Euphrates region, it was called Bird of the Forest, while the
Arabs called it the Flying Eagle or the
Hen. It was also known as the Hen in early
Egypt.
The name of the constellation's brightest star,
Deneb, comes from the Arabic word which means
tail, and makes up the tail of the constellation.
Albireo, the head of the swan, is a beautiful double star which can be observed with a small telescope.
Sadir, or the bird's breast, and
Gienah, the wing, are stars which make up the rest of the constellation.
A
photograph of Cygnus can be found at http://www.slivoski.com/astronomy/cygnus.htm