Camelopardalis-the giraffe

History and Mythology

This modern constellation was created to fill the void around Ursa Major. It was first outlined in 1624 by Jakob Bartsch. An older form of the name did exist in Greek times. Although this constellation is small, there are few bright stars in it. This constellation is best known because the Perseid meteor shower centers on the border between Perseus and this constellation.

Stars

alpha- Spectral Type-O9.5 Ia Magnitude-4.3 Distance-2,800 ly

beta- Spectral Type-G0 Ib Magnitude-4.0 Distance-1,500 ly

gamma- Spectral Type-A3 IV Magnitude-4.6 Distance-185 ly

Star Cluster

NGC 1502 is an open cluster 3,750 ly away with about 15 stars, with the brightest being of about 5th magnitude.

Nebulae

None

Galaxies

NGC 2403 is an 8th magnitude spiral is the best galaxy in the constellation. All of the others are dimmer than 11th magnitude.

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