Encyclopedia > Capella

  Article Content

Capella

The star CapellaAurigae) is the fourth-brightest star visible from inhabited northern latitudes and the sixth-brightest star in the sky. It is closer to the north celestial pole than any other bright star (Polaris is quite dim by comparison) and as a result has played a significant role in many mythological writings. A tablet dating back to 2000 BC refers to Capella. Astrologically, Capella portended civic and military honors and wealth.

Astronomically, Capella's interest lies in the fact that it is an easily-studied spectroscopic binary star with a period of 104 days. It is a giant G-class star.


(You may be looking for A cappella, a term in music.)



All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

 
  Search Encyclopedia

Search over one million articles, find something about almost anything!
 
 
  
  Featured Article
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

... political activities, to vote and to be elected to political office and similar rights legal rights: the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, the right to ...

 
 
 
This page was created in 39 ms