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Stars and Sticks| Abbreviation | Aql |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Eagle |
| Pronunciation Guide is based on “Pronouncing Astronomical Names,” published in 1943 by the American Astronomical Society. | ACK-will-uh |
| Genitive The genitive is the Latin possessive form used in star names. For example, Alpha Orionis means “the Alpha of Orion.” | AK-wih-lee |
| Best Month | August |
| Visibility | Global |
| Origin | AncientThese figures are rooted in the classical Greek and Mesopotamian traditions cataloged by Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. |
| Author | PtolemyPtolemy, a 2nd-century Greco-Egyptian astronomer, cataloged the 48 classical constellations in his landmark work, the Almagest. These form the core of the 88 modern constellations recognized today. |
| Type | constellation |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Description | The great Eagle of Zeus was one of the most sacred animals in the Greek pantheon, serving as the god's personal messenger and weapon-bearer. It was the eagle that swooped down and snatched the Trojan prince Ganymede from Mount Ida to serve the gods on Olympus. In other traditions it is the eagle that tormented Prometheus, pecking at his liver daily as punishment for stealing fire. The constellation's brightest star, Altair, is one of the closest naked-eye stars to Earth at just 17 light-years and spins so rapidly — once every nine hours — that it is noticeably flattened at its poles. Altair forms one corner of the famous Summer Triangle alongside Vega and Deneb. |
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Monthly sky charts courtesy of What's Out Tonight? — Copyright ©2026 Ken Graun. Star charts are optimized for mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Click a chart to view or download the PDF. For guidance on using the chart, or to purchase a planisphere and astronomy books, visit kenpress.com.
Images: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/E. Slawik · IAU and Sky & Telescope · Stellarium — Full credits →
