Star Sign Journey: Pisces
The Mythological Tale of Pisces
Remember the story of Capricorn from earlier? When the gods were feasting by the Nile, the monstrous Typhon appeared, scattering them in panic. Today, we explore Pisces, another constellation born from a divine escape. Which two deities transformed into fish to flee?
In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, captivated the Olympian gods upon her arrival. Zeus repeatedly pursued her, but she rejected his advances. In retaliation, Zeus married her to Hephaestus, the unattractive and lame god of craftsmanship. However, Aphrodite’s heart belonged to Ares, the god of war, with whom she had several children.
Among their offspring was a famous figure: Eros, the god of love. Often depicted with small wings, he accompanied Aphrodite everywhere, carrying a quiver with two types of arrows. Silver arrows caused rejection of love, while golden ones ignited passion. Yes, this is Eros—known as Cupid in Roman mythology!
On the day of the feast, Aphrodite and Eros were strolling by the Nile when Typhon’s sudden appearance forced the gods to transform and flee. The mother and son turned into two fish, tying themselves together with a ribbon to avoid separation, and dove into the river to escape. To commemorate their clever evasion, the gods placed their intertwined forms among the stars, creating the constellation Pisces.
Pisces in Astronomy
Pisces lies south of Andromeda and Pegasus, west of Taurus, and between Aquarius and Aries, with Cetus to its rear. This constellation lacks bright stars, making it subtle yet intriguing.
The stars κ, γ, λ, ω, ι, and θ form a polygonal shape known as the “Circlet,” representing the western fish. Another set—σ, φ, Ï…, and τ—outlines the second fish. The stars η, ο, α, ν, μ, ζ, ε, and δ depict the ribbon connecting them. Along this ribbon lies the faint spiral galaxy M74, visible through a 200mm telescope, showcasing its delicate arms.
As one of the 48 ancient Greek constellations and a member of the zodiac, Pisces holds astronomical significance as the location of the vernal equinox. Each March, the sun crosses the celestial equator here, marking the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Originally in Aries, the equinox point has shifted to Pisces due to axial precession.
Best viewing months: October and November. Location: Southeastern quadrant.
Key Stars of Pisces
Alrescha (α Piscium): A white main-sequence binary star with magnitudes 4.2 and 5.2, located 151 light-years from Earth.
Fum al Samakah (β Piscium): A blue-white main-sequence star of magnitude 4.5, 408 light-years away.
Gamma Piscium (γ Piscium): A yellow giant star shining at magnitude 3.7, 138 light-years distant.
Eta Piscium (η Piscium): A yellow supergiant with a magnitude of 3.6, situated 350 light-years from Earth.
Deep-Sky Objects
M74: A spiral galaxy notable for its well-defined structure.
NGC 520: A pair of merging galaxies, offering a glimpse into cosmic collisions.
NGC 7714: A distorted spiral galaxy, evidence of gravitational interactions.
Pisces, though faint, invites stargazers to explore its mythological charm and celestial wonders. Whether you’re drawn to its stories or its science, this constellation reminds us of the timeless connection between the heavens and human imagination.
