Scutum

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Scutum is a small constellation in the southern celestial hemisphere. Its name is Latin for "shield," and it was introduced in the late 17th century by the Polish astronomer Johannes Hevelius. Scutum is one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

History

Scutum was originally named "Scutum Sobiescianum" (Sobieski's Shield) in honor of the Polish king John III Sobieski and his victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683. The name was later shortened to Scutum.

Characteristics

Scutum is a small constellation, ranking 84th in size among the 88 constellations. It covers an area of 109 square degrees. The constellation is bordered by Aquila, Serpens, and Sagittarius.

Notable Features

Stars

Scutum contains several notable stars:

• Alpha Scuti - The brightest star in Scutum, a yellow giant with a magnitude of 3.85.
• Beta Scuti - A binary star system with a combined magnitude of 4.22.
• Delta Scuti - A variable star and the prototype of the Delta Scuti variable stars.

Deep-Sky Objects

Scutum is home to several interesting deep-sky objects:

• Messier 11 (M11) - Also known as the Wild Duck Cluster, it is one of the richest and most compact open clusters known.
• Messier 26 (M26) - Another open cluster, though less dense than M11.
• NGC 6712 - A globular cluster located in the constellation.

Observation

Scutum is best observed during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. The constellation is located near the Milky Way, making it a rich area for star clusters and other deep-sky objects.

Mythology

Unlike many other constellations, Scutum is not associated with any particular mythological story. Its creation was purely to honor a historical figure and event.

See Also

• List of constellations
• Johannes Hevelius
• Delta Scuti variable