Constellation Bootes

1. Constellation BootesConstellation Bootes
Presented by Don CherryPresented by Don Cherry
Ox driver, plowman or herdsmanOx driver, plowman or herdsman

2. Urania’s Mirror constellation cards – London c.1825Urania’s Mirror constellation cards – London c.1825

3. Bootes FactsBootes Facts
 - Bootes is the 13- Bootes is the 13thth
largest constellation in the night skylargest constellation in the night sky
occupying an area of 907 square degreesoccupying an area of 907 square degrees
 - Bootes has five stars with known planets and does not- Bootes has five stars with known planets and does not
contain any Messier objectscontain any Messier objects
 - The brightest star in the constellation is Arcturus, which is- The brightest star in the constellation is Arcturus, which is
also the third brightest star in the night skyalso the third brightest star in the night sky
 - There are three meteor showers associated with the- There are three meteor showers associated with the
constellation Bootes: the January Bootids, the June Bootidsconstellation Bootes: the January Bootids, the June Bootids
and the Quadrantidsand the Quadrantids

4. More Bootes FactsMore Bootes Facts
 - Bootes belongs to the Ursa Major family of constellations,- Bootes belongs to the Ursa Major family of constellations,
along with Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Coma Bernices.along with Camelopardalis, Canes Venatici, Coma Bernices.
Corona Borealis, Draco, Leo minor, Lynx, Ursa Major andCorona Borealis, Draco, Leo minor, Lynx, Ursa Major and
Ursa MinorUrsa Minor

5. Bootes MythologyBootes Mythology
 Bootes is traditionally depicted as a herdsman with two huntingBootes is traditionally depicted as a herdsman with two hunting
dogs on a leash and a club in his other hand. In one story, thedogs on a leash and a club in his other hand. In one story, the
constellation represents a ploughman driving the oxen in the Ursaconstellation represents a ploughman driving the oxen in the Ursa
Major constellation, followed by his two dogs, Asterion and CharaMajor constellation, followed by his two dogs, Asterion and Chara
(represented by the constellation Canes Venatici). The(represented by the constellation Canes Venatici). The
ploughman’s oxen are tied to the polar axis and their movementploughman’s oxen are tied to the polar axis and their movement
keeps the skies in constant rotation.keeps the skies in constant rotation.
 The name Bootes was first used by Homer in his Odyssey as aThe name Bootes was first used by Homer in his Odyssey as a
celestial reference point for navigation, described as “late-setting”celestial reference point for navigation, described as “late-setting”
or “slow to set”, translated as the “Plowman”. Exactly whomor “slow to set”, translated as the “Plowman”. Exactly whom
Bootes is supposed to represent in Greek mythology is not clear.Bootes is supposed to represent in Greek mythology is not clear.
According to one version, he was a son of Demeter, Philomenus,According to one version, he was a son of Demeter, Philomenus,
twin brother of Plutus, a ploughman who drove the oxen in thetwin brother of Plutus, a ploughman who drove the oxen in the
constellation Ursa Major. This is corroborated by theconstellation Ursa Major. This is corroborated by the
constellation’s name, which itself means “ox driver” orconstellation’s name, which itself means “ox driver” or
“herdsman”.“herdsman”.

6. Major stars in BootesMajor stars in Bootes
 Arcturus – a Bootis (Alpha Bootis) Arcturus is the third brightestArcturus – a Bootis (Alpha Bootis) Arcturus is the third brightest
star in the sky and brightest star in the northern hemisphere. Itstar in the sky and brightest star in the northern hemisphere. It
has an apparent visual magnitude of -0.04. It’s often listed as thehas an apparent visual magnitude of -0.04. It’s often listed as the
forth brightest star behind Alpha Centauri, because the latter is aforth brightest star behind Alpha Centauri, because the latter is a
binary star with a combined magnitude of -0.27. Arcturus is abinary star with a combined magnitude of -0.27. Arcturus is a
type K1.5 IIIpe orange giant, one with an unusual spectrum oftype K1.5 IIIpe orange giant, one with an unusual spectrum of
light and full of emission lines. Approximately 36.7 light yearslight and full of emission lines. Approximately 36.7 light years
distant, the star has a luminosity at least 110 times that of thedistant, the star has a luminosity at least 110 times that of the
sun,sun,
 Nekkar – b Bootis (Beta Bootis) Nekkar is a yellow G-type giantNekkar – b Bootis (Beta Bootis) Nekkar is a yellow G-type giant
 Seginus – y Bootis (Gamma Bootis) Seginus is a Delta Scuti typeSeginus – y Bootis (Gamma Bootis) Seginus is a Delta Scuti type
variable star, one showing variations in brightness as a result ofvariable star, one showing variations in brightness as a result of
both radial and non-radial pulsations on it’s surface.both radial and non-radial pulsations on it’s surface.

7. Major stars continuedMajor stars continued
 Izar (Pulcherrima) – e Bootis (Epsilon Bootis) Izar is aIzar (Pulcherrima) – e Bootis (Epsilon Bootis) Izar is a
binary star located approximately 300 light years away.binary star located approximately 300 light years away.
 Muphrid (Saak) – n Bootis (Eta Bootis) Muphrid is aMuphrid (Saak) – n Bootis (Eta Bootis) Muphrid is a
spectroscopic binary star with a period of 494 days.spectroscopic binary star with a period of 494 days.
 Other stars include, Alkalurops (Mu Bootis), Merga (38Other stars include, Alkalurops (Mu Bootis), Merga (38
Bootes), Nadlat (Psi Bootis) and t Bootes (Tau Bootis)Bootes), Nadlat (Psi Bootis) and t Bootes (Tau Bootis)

8. Deep Sky Objects In BootesDeep Sky Objects In Bootes
 Bootes void – The Bootes void, also known as the GreatBootes void – The Bootes void, also known as the Great
Void or the Supervoid, is a sphere-shaped region of theVoid or the Supervoid, is a sphere-shaped region of the
sky, almost 250 million light years in diameter thatsky, almost 250 million light years in diameter that
contains few galaxies.contains few galaxies.
 Bootes I (Bootes Dwarf Galaxy) is a dwarf spheroidalBootes I (Bootes Dwarf Galaxy) is a dwarf spheroidal
galaxy located approximately 197,000 light years fromgalaxy located approximately 197,000 light years from
earth. It’s one of the faintest galaxies known, with anearth. It’s one of the faintest galaxies known, with an
absolute magnitude of -5.8 and apparent magnitude ofabsolute magnitude of -5.8 and apparent magnitude of
13.1. It was only discovered in 2006.13.1. It was only discovered in 2006.
 NGC 5466 is a globular cluster approximately 51,800 lightNGC 5466 is a globular cluster approximately 51,800 light
years from earth. It was first discovered by Britishyears from earth. It was first discovered by British
astronomer William Herschel in 1784.astronomer William Herschel in 1784.

9. NGC 5466 – Hubble ImageNGC 5466 – Hubble Image

10. The Lighter Side of BootesThe Lighter Side of Bootes

11. The EndThe End
 Questions or commentsQuestions or comments
 Thank you for your time andThank you for your time and
patiencepatience