Vulpecula - The Fox

Vulpecula is an inconspicuous northern constellation near the head of Cygnus, the Swan. It consists of stars of 4th magnitude and fainter.

History and Mythology

Vulpecula was invented in the 17th century by Johannes Hevelius. It was originally called the Little Fox. As a modern constellation, it has no mythology associated with it.

Notable Objects

Alpha Vulpeculae, also called Anser, is a 4th magnitude red giant about 290 light-years away. Along the border of Vulpecula with Sagitta, there is an unusual group of 6th and 7th magnitude that form an open cluster commonly called the Coathanger. Visible in binoculars, it is a straight line of six stars, with a curve of stars that form the Coathanger's hook.

NGC 6802 is a small open cluster visible in an 8 inch telescope. NGC 6940 is a rich open cluster in northeast Vulpecula. It consist of about 60 stars. The clusters NGC 6882 and NGC 6885 are not readily distinguishable as separate entities.

The showpiece of Vulpecula is the spectacular planetary nebula M 27, known as the Dumbbell Nebula, which it can be seen with binoculars. This is perhaps the finest planetary nebula in the sky, and the first one to be discovered. In larger telescopes, its dumbbell shape is easily visible, and the nebula has a misty green cast. The central star is difficult to see, at magnitude 13.5.

In 1967 Vulpecula was the site of the discovery of the first pulsar, or flashing radio source. It was detected by radio astronomers in Cambridge, England.