The Mighty Hercules constellation is a large pattern of stars in the northern sky full of astronomical wonders and heroic stories from Greek mythology.
As you would expect, It’s one of the largest constellations, ranking 5th of the 88 officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), though it can still be tricky to find.
It often gets lost amidst the brighter stars of the constellations Lyra and Boötes, But… by the end of this article, you will know the easiest way to find this constellation, how the Hercules Constellation Myth placed Hercules into the night sky, and the many celestial deep-sky objects hidden within this special group of stars, the “kneeling man constellation”, Hercules the Hero.
Key Takeaways
- The constellation of Hercules, though large, can be challenging to spot due to its relative dimness compared to neighboring constellations.
- Hercules is visible in the night sky throughout the summer and fall, providing ample viewing opportunities.
- The constellation’s mythological significance dates back to the works of Homer in the 7th century B.C.
- By the 5th century B.C., most constellations were associated with myths, with the Catasterismi of Eratosthenes completing the mythologization of the stars.
- The Hercules constellation is rich with mythological tales and remarkable astronomical wonders.
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How Hercules the Hero
Made It Into the Stars:
The Myth
Hercules, first written as Heracles in Greek Mythology, is undoubtedly one of the most famous Roman and Greek heroes of the ancient myths.
He was the son of Zeus, king of the gods, and Alcmene, a mortal woman. A mix of the divine and human lineage made Hercules a demi-god, giving him incredible strength and bravery.
One of Hercules’s most well-known stories is the Twelve Labors.
These were a series of nearly impossible tasks given to him by King Eurystheus as penance for a crime he committed under the influence of Hera, Zeus’s jealous wife.
He had to slay the Nemean Lion with its impenetrable skin, capture the Golden Hind of Artemis, and clean the massive Augean stables in a single day, among the other eight daunting feats.
All were thought to be futile, but Hercules successfully completed them all.
One of Hercules’s 12 Labors.
But what finally put Hercules into the stars happened much later in the adventures of his mythical life.
The dying centaur Nessus tricked Hercules’s wife, Deianira, into believing that his blood would ensure Hercules’s fidelity. She took a vile of his blood to soak a piece of Hercules’s clothing.
In reality, the blood was poison, and when Hercules wore this poison-laced tunic, it soaked into his skin, causing him unbearable pain.
Unable to endure the agony, he decided to end his suffering by building a funeral pyre on Mount Oeta and lying upon it.
Zeus, witnessing his son’s suffering and acknowledging his extraordinary heroism, decided that Hercules should receive immortality.
He sent Athena to carry Hercules to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods. Once there, Hercules was granted godhood and married Hebe, the goddess of youth.
As a final honor, Zeus placed Hercules among the stars, creating the constellation that bears his name so the heavens and Earth could pay tribute to Hercules’s enduring legacy of heroism, perseverance, and strength.
The Cultural Significance and
Symbolism of Hercules
The influence of the constellation Hercules, coming from Greek and Roman culture, spread out into other regions as both empires reached far into the surrounding areas of the Mediterranean.
• Many Greek astronomical works were translated into Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age.
• Islamic astronomers adopted the Greek constellations, including Hercules, and preserved much of the knowledge about them.
• These scholars made significant contributions to astronomy, and their works were later translated into Latin, reintroducing Hercules and other constellations to Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Hercules Constellation symbolizes Strength, Courage, Perseverance, Endurance, Redemption, Suffering, Influence and Guidance.
The Constellation of Hercules Symbolizes
• Strength and Courage – Hercules is renowned for his immense physical strength and courage. The constellation reminds us of his fearless spirit and ability to face and conquer seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as in the 12 labors.
• Perseverance, Endurance – Hercules’ story is one of relentless perseverance. Despite the numerous hardships and obstacles he encountered, he never gave up.
• Redemption and Suffering – Hercules’ labors were a form of atonement for his crime under Hera’s influence. The constellation symbolizes his journey of redemption and forgiveness, illustrating that even the greatest heroes can make mistakes and must seek forgiveness and redemption through their actions.
• Influence and Guidance – The Hercules constellation serves as a celestial guide, much like the hero it represents. It inspires those who gaze upon it to strive for greatness, face their fears, and overcome their personal challenges with courage and resilience.
The Hercules Constellation
Myth in the Arts
Hercules has deep mythical connections to the origins of the cosmos. Not only is he a constellation in the stars, but he is also tied to the creation of the Milky Way in the story of “Hera’s Milk.”
As the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene, Zeus wanted to ensure Hercules received divine strength by suckling from his wife’s breast, the goddess Hera, while she slept.
When placed at Hera’s breast, Hercules suckled so vigorously that he caused her to wake in pain, pushing the baby Hercules away.
As Hera pushed Hercules away from her breast, her milk sprayed across the heavens, creating the celestial Milky Way we know and see today.
The myths and lore of Hercules are bound to the stars. Artists have captured scenes like “Hera’s Milk” or the “Kneeling Giant.”
The Hercules constellation is thought to depict a scene during his 11th Labor (The Golden Apples of the Hesperides). Hercules momentarily replaced Atlas, holding up the skies and kneeling on one knee as Atlas retrieved the golden apples from the hidden garden.
The struggles and achievements of Hercules have inspired symbolic meanings in art for the beholder to interpret and identify within their own lives.
Artists have designed coins, created sculptures, paintings, and jewelry. Many of which display scenes from his mythical adventures.
The Hercules constellation for many is a symbol of inspiration, strength, determination and redemption. These attributes come from the character and values Hercules demonstrated during his adventures and pursuit of the 12 Labors.
Writers have described the Hercules constellation as representing a strong presence in the starry skies. Noted in poems, novels, and literature the Hercules constellation has had a lasting impact on the imagination of humanity.
“Though my soul may set in darkness, It will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too truly To be fearful of the night.
“The Old Astronomer to His Pupil” by Sarah Williams
Constellations come and go, In the heavens, one after one; And the mighty Hercules Moves in its eternal run.”
Body Art – Hercules Constellation Tattoo
For thousands of years, cultures have expressed meanings and symbols important to their values or beliefs through body art.
To many, the pattern of the Hercules Constellation tattoo symbolizes their own personal connection to strength, adversity, adventure, determination and redemption, a reminder to never give up!
Now, that we have explored what the Hercules Constellation has meant to the ancient stargazers. Let’s get to the astronomy and celestial wonders hidden within it!
How to find the Constellation Hercules
the bright stars Vega and Arcturus.
Hercules is considered a relatively easy-to find constellation and is best visible in the Northern Hemisphere from late spring to early autumn (around April to September). Several brighter stars in other constellations surround it. It’s helpful to identify one of these stars first.
Look over the northeast horizon and see Vega, Lyra’s brightest star. Hercules will be just above it to the right. It will be positioned between Vega and another bright star higher up, Arcturus of the Bootes constellation.
Between the stars Vega and Arcturus, you should notice a trapezoid-shaped asterism called “The Keystone,” which is the center of the Hercules constellation.
Of course, there are many stargazing apps to simplify the process. But you’ll better understand how to navigate the night sky when using stars, constellations, and asterisms as road signs to find your celestial destination.
Interesting Facts
about the Constellation Hercules
Hercules is visible in the northern and southern hemispheres between +90° and -50° latitudes. In the northern hemisphere, it’s high in the sky during the summer months. For those in the southern hemisphere, it appears low in the northern sky during winter.
In terms of size, Hercules ranks fifth out of the 88 official constellations designated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). It covers an area of 1225 square degrees, and its shape is best known for the trapezoid at its center, The Keystone Asterism.
• 5th largest constellation of the 88 (IAU) official constellations
• Hercules covers an area 1,225 square degrees
• Its shape is often referred to as a “Kneeling Man” or “Kneeling Giant”
• Hercules’s brightest star is a giant star of spectral type G7 IIIa named Beta Herculis (magnitude 2.81)
• The star Alpha Herculis is also named “Rasalgethi” meaning “the kneeler’s head” in Arabic.
The Hercules Asterism: The Keystone
The Keystone Asterism is a distinctive trapezoid shape formed by four stars at the center of the Hercules Constellation. It is very helpful when trying to identify Hercules amongst the stars in the night sky.
The Keystone‘s Four Stars
Eta Herculis
- a red giant with a spectral type of G7.5 III
- approximately 112 light-years away from Earth
- apparent magnitude of around 3.48
- 3rd brightest star of the Keystone
Zeta Herculis
- multiple star system, with the primary star a subgiant with a spectral type of G0 IV
- approximately 35 light-years from Earth
- apparent magnitude of about 2.81
- The brightest star of the Keystone
Pi Herculis
- a giant star with a spectral type of K3 II
- approximately 377 light-years away from Earth
- apparent magnitude of around 3.16
- 2nd brightest star of the Keystone
Epsilon Herculis
- multiple star system, the primary being a white giant star of spectral type A0 III.
- approximately 155 light-years from Earth
- apparent magnitude of around 3.92
- 4th brightest star of the Keystone
Deep-Sky Objects Within the
Hercules Constellation
Hercules is one of the best constellations for exploring deep-sky objects. You will find planetary nebulae, globular clusters, and unique star systems, each with fascinating features to observe.
The Great Hercules Cluster: Messier 13 (M13)
The Great Hercules Cluster, or Messier 13, is Hercules’s brightest globular cluster and one of the most impressive star clusters in the night sky. It was discovered by astronomer Edmond Halley in 1714 and later cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764.
Located approximately 25,000 light years from Earth, it’s a dense ball of stars, containing hundreds of thousands of stars packed into a region about 145 light-years across.
As one of the brightest and most densely populated clusters visible from the Northern Hemisphere, the Great Hercules Cluster offers a unique visual experience.
When viewed through a telescope, it presents as a sparkling swarm of stars, with its brightest stars forming a distinctive Y-shaped pattern.
One of the fascinating things about M13 is its age. The stars in the cluster are estimated to be around 11.65 billion years old, making them some of the oldest stars in our galaxy. These ancient stars give astronomers clues about the early stages of the Milky Way and the universe’s history.
You can easily spot M13 with binoculars or a small telescope. It lies between the stars Eta and Zeta Herculis and is best viewed in the summer months when Hercules is high in the night sky.
Messier 92 (M92): Globular Cluster
Messier 92, often abbreviated as M92, is one of the oldest and brightest globular clusters visible from Earth. Discovered by the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1777 and later cataloged by Charles Messier in 1781, M92 sits about 26,700 light-years away from our planet.
M92 is slightly smaller than its nearby neighbor, the Great Hercules Cluster (M13), but it is still an impressive sight. This cluster spans roughly 109 light-years in diameter and contains several hundred thousand stars.
Because these stars are packed so densely together, M92 appears as a brilliant ball of light through telescopes.
The stars are ancient, with an estimated age of about 13.8 billion years, making them almost as old as the universe itself.
For stargazers, M92 can be found between the stars Pi and Rho Herculis. It’s best observed during the spring and summer months when Hercules is high in the night sky. While visible to the naked eye under very dark skies, binoculars or small telescopes reveal its full beauty, showing a densely packed core with a halo of stars.
While visible to the unaided eye in very dark skies, binoculars or small telescopes reveal its full beauty, showing a densely packed core with a halo of stars.
Turtle Nebula: NGC 6210
Another intriguing object found in the Hercules Constellation is The Turtle Nebula, also known as NGC 6210. It’s a dazzling planetary nebula located about 6,500 light-years away from Earth and was discovered by the German-British astronomer William Herschel in 1825.
It gets its name from its unique shape, which, through telescopes, resembles a turtle’s shell. Planetary nebulas like NGC 6210 are formed when a dying star expels its outer layers into space, creating a glowing cloud of gas and dust.
At the center of the nebula is the hot, dense core of the star, known as a white dwarf, which illuminates the surrounding gas.
This nebula is relatively small compared to other nebulas, spanning about 0.5 light-years across. Despite its size, it is quite bright and can be observed with medium-sized telescopes.
The Turtle Nebula is best viewed in the summer months when Hercules is high in the sky.
Spherical Planetary Nebula:
Abell 39
This remarkable and nearly perfect spherical planetary nebula is about 7,000 light-years away from Earth and was discovered by the American astronomer George O. Abell in 1966.
Its spherical shape and symmetry make it one of the most unique and fascinating planetary nebulas observed.
Planetary nebulas like Abell 39 are formed when a star similar to our Sun reaches the end of its life cycle, expelling its outer layers into space.
The core of the star, now a white dwarf, remains at the center and illuminates the ejected gas, creating a glowing shell.
Abell 39 is relatively large for a planetary nebula, spanning about 5 light-years in diameter. Its faint blue-green color is primarily due to the ionized oxygen in the gas shell.
Despite its beauty, Abell 39 is quite faint and requires a large telescope to observe in detail. It is best viewed in the spring and early summer months when Hercules is prominently visible in the night sky.
Hercules Family of Constellations
The Hercules Family of Constellations is a group of (19) nineteen constellations (including Hercules) first identified by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century as an effort to catalog the stars and constellations.
The fascinating group of constellations is based on their positions in the sky and their mythological connections to the stories and adventures of Hercules.
Most of these constellations are located primarily in the northern hemisphere near Hercules, though some extend further into the southern hemisphere.
Constellations in the Hercules Family
| Aquila (The Eagle) | Ara (The Altar) | Centaurus (The Centaur) |
| Corona Australis (The Southern Crown) | Corvus (The Raven) | Crater (The Cup) |
| Crux (The SouthernCross) | Cygnus (The Swan) | Hercules (The Hero) |
| Hydra (The Water Serpent) | Lupus (The Wolf) | Lyra (The Lyre) |
| Ophiuchus (The Serpent Bearer) | Sagitta (The Arrow) | Scutum (The Shield) |
| Serpens (The Serpent) | Sextans (The Sextant) | Triangulum Australe (The Southern Triangle) |
| Vulpecula (The Little Fox) |
Conclusion
The Hercules constellation is a stargazer’s buffet with so many celestial delights. Its definitely worth becoming familiar with it when stargazing.
On a clear starry night, look up at the Key Stone within the constellation of Hercules and imagine all the generations who have gazed upon it before you . The stories of Hercules and his 12 labors are forever woven into the Hercules Constellation myth.
Understanding the importance our ancestors placed on these celestial patterns of stars creates a deeper appreciation of the stars and their heavenly beauty. Mixing science and mythology connects our humanity to the mysteries and wonders of this amazing and special universe.
