Charioteer · pronounced Auriga. Auriga, meaning “Charioteer,” is an official IAU constellation centred near right ascension 5.5 hours and declination 37°. Its observing character is defined by the named stars and targets below. Auriga was one of Ptolemy’s 48 figures. Greek identifications varied, commonly linking the charioteer with Erichthonius, while Capella represented the she-goat Amalthea and the nearby Haedi were her kids. The line figure is only a guide: the IAU boundary is the scientifically meaningful region, while historical and cultural interpretations require their own context.
About Auriga
Auriga is one of the 88 constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its standard three-letter abbreviation is Aur, and astronomers use the genitive form Aurigae when naming stars associated with it. The constellation's reference position lies around right ascension 5.5 hours and declination +37 degrees.
Its location places it in the northern sky. For a typical mid-latitude observer, this part of the celestial sphere is especially well placed during winter evenings. Exact visibility depends on latitude, local horizon, date and time.
History and mythology of Auriga
Origins and cultural history
Auriga was one of Ptolemy’s 48 figures. Greek identifications varied, commonly linking the charioteer with Erichthonius, while Capella represented the she-goat Amalthea and the nearby Haedi were her kids.
From figure to official region
The IAU retained Charioteer as one of 88 official constellations in 1922; Eugène Delporte’s boundaries later turned the traditional figure into an exact cataloguing region.
How to find Auriga
- Find brilliant Capella north of Taurus.
- Trace the large pentagon through Menkalinan, Mahasim and stars shared visually with Taurus.
- Sweep the Milky Way line between Capella and Elnath for M36, M37 and M38.
- Observe on winter evenings; binoculars show all three Messier clusters from a dark site.
Bright stars in Auriga
Capella
Notable star- Magnitude
- 0.08
- Distance
- 42.9 light-years
Four-star system whose two bright yellow giants make it the sixth-brightest night-sky star.
Menkalinan (Beta Aurigae)
Notable star- Magnitude
- 1.90
- Distance
- about 81 light-years
Eclipsing binary of two similar white subgiants.
Mahasim (Theta Aurigae)
Notable star- Magnitude
- 2.65
- Distance
- about 173 light-years
Chemically peculiar white star and close binary.
Almaaz (Epsilon Aurigae)
Notable star- Magnitude
- about 3.0
- Distance
- about 2,000 light-years
Long-period eclipsing system involving an opaque disk.
Deep-sky objects in Auriga
Messier 36
Young compact cluster, sometimes compared with a small Pleiades.
Messier 37
Richest of Auriga’s three Messier clusters, with a central reddish giant.
Messier 38
Broad cross-shaped cluster near NGC 1907.
Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)
Dust and hydrogen glowing around runaway star AE Aurigae.
Meteor showers associated with Auriga
Alpha Aurigids
Peak: around 1 SeptemberUsually minor shower that has produced occasional outbursts.
Interesting facts about Auriga
- Auriga’s traditional name refers to charioteer, while its official IAU boundary defines a precise region of the sky.
- Capella, at magnitude 0.08, is a key star in Auriga. Four-star system whose two bright yellow giants make it the sixth-brightest night-sky star.
- Messier 36 is a notable open cluster in Auriga. Young compact cluster, sometimes compared with a small Pleiades.
- The Alpha Aurigids meteor shower peaks around 1 September. Usually minor shower that has produced occasional outbursts.
- Auriga was one of Ptolemy’s 48 figures.