Name a Star in the Pisces Constellation

Pisces is represented by two fishes tied considerably far apart from each other at their extremities by a long, undulating cord or ribbon. It is such a large constellation that it was divided into smaller asterisms by astronomer Johannes Hevelius in his 1690 Star Atlas. Pisces is divided into the North Fish (Piscis Boreus), the North Cord (Linum Boreum), the South Cord (Linum Austrinum), and the South Fish (Piscis Austrinus). The sun passes through this twelfth sign in March and April. Pisces is located between Aries to the east and Aquarius to the west. The connecting knot of the cord tying the fishes, Al Rischa`(the Cord) is its brightest star. The nearest constellations to Pisces are Andromeda, Aquarius, Aries, Cetus, Pegasus, and Triangulum.  

Being one of the twelve zodiac signs, Pisces is a popular choice of celebrities and individuals to have their star named in proximity to.  Some of the celebrities and dignitaries include: Harrison Ford, Jessica Biel, William Grant Stratton, and Kurt Russell. Click here for more information.

Symbol: Psc 

Right Ascension: 12:37 

Declination: 9 

Diameter (°): 33 

Area (square °): 889 

Opposition: Oct 03 

Size Rank: 14th 

Brightness Rank: 42nd 

Genitive: Piscium 

Major stars in Pisces  

Alpherg – η Piscium (Eta Piscium) 

γ Piscium (Gamma Piscium) 

ω Piscium (Omega Piscium) 

ι Piscium (Iota Piscium) 

ο Piscium (Omicron Piscium) 

Alrescha – α Piscium (Alpha Piscium) 

ε Piscium (Epsilon Piscium) 

θ Piscium (Theta Piscium) 

δ Piscium (Delta Piscium) 

ν Piscium (Nu Piscium) 

Fumalsamakah – β Piscium (Beta Piscium) 

Van Maanen’s Star 

19 Piscium (TX Piscium) 

107 Piscium 

96 G. Piscium (HD 4638) 

54 Piscium 

6 G. Piscium (HD 217107) 

Deep Sky Objects in Pisces  

Messier 74 (M74, NGC 628) 

M74 Group 

CL 0024+1654 

NGC 7541 

NGC 7537 

3C 31 (NGC 383) 

CGCG 436-030 (PGC 4798) 

Pisces Dwarf (PGC 3792) 

Arp 284 – NGC 7714 and NGC 7715 

NGC 474 

NGC 520 

NGC 7459 

NGC 514 

NGC 57 

NGC 60  

Mythology of the Constellation Pisces  

The ancient Babylonians saw the constellation as two fishes joined by a cord. The imagery remained in Greek and Roman myths. Today, Pisces is still drawn that way as one of the 88 modern constellations. The ancient Greeks have a fable to account for the origin of almost every constellation. They say that Aphrodite and Eros (also known as Venus and her son Cupid) were on the banks of the Euphrates one day when they were greatly alarmed at the appearance of the terrible giant Typhon. Throwing themselves into the river, they were changed into fishes and thus escaped danger.  

According to Ovid, Homer and Virgil, this giant Typhon had a hundred heads like those of a serpent or dragon. Pernicious flames darted from his mouth and eyes. From the moment of birth, he made war against Heaven and so frightened the gods that they fled and assumed different shapes. Jupiter (Zeus) became a ram, Mercury an ibis, Apollo a crow, Juno a cow, Bacchus a goat, Diana a cat, Venus a fish, etc. The father of the gods, Zeus, defeated Typhon with his thunderbolts and crushed him under Mount Aetna. 

In some stories, the fishes saved Aphrodite and Eros. As a reward, Minerva immortalized the event by placing two fishes among the stars. In the Hebrew zodiac, Pisces is allotted to the escutcheon of Naphtali. The Chinese called Pisces, Tweu Tsze, the pig. Christians assigned it to St. Matthias, the successor to Judas Iscariot. Some refer to the miracle of the loaves and fishes. 

Pisces Zodiac  

Sun Enters: February 19 

Sun Leaves: March 20 

Planet: Neptune 

Trait: Open-minded 

Positives: Compassionate, emotional, unworldly, adaptable, kind, intuitive, receptive, fun 

Negatives: Undisciplined, careless, indecisive, reckless, secretive 

As a Child: Difficult to correct 

Plant: Lilac 

Emotional: Easily carried away 

Career: Actor, Inventor 

FAQ 

Q. What is Pisces? 

A. Pisces is the 14th constellation in size, occupying an area of 889 square degrees. 

Q. What is the symbol of Pisces?

A. In the sky, Pisces is represented as two fish swimming at right angles to each other, one to the north and one to the west. 

Q. Are there any celebrities that have stars in the Pisces constellation? 

A. Quite a few: Elizabeth Taylor, Harrison Ford and Jessica Beil.