Page:The Music of the Spheres.djvu/171

 Halfway between Antares and Akrab (β on the end of the upper claw), lies a very rich and condensed cluster of stars. This cluster, which is one of the finest known, may be easily seen in a small telescope. On the eastern side of the cluster is a dark nebula. Akrab is a triple star of the 2nd, 4th and 10th magnitudes. The little star 2 degrees east of Akrab is of the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th magnitudes and is claimed by some to be the most beautiful quadruple in the heavens. Many other interesting stars may be seen around this conspicuous figure with a 2½- or 3-inch telescope, and a handy little reference book for the amateur fortunate enough to possess such a telescope is William Tyler Alcott's "In Starland with a Three-Inch Telescope."



Formalhaut is called the "Fish's Mouth" star because it is supposed to shine on the mouth of Piscis Australis, the Southern Fish. This Fish is represented in the star-maps as holding open its mouth in utter contentment while a long line of small, glittering stars wash down in a stream of water. This water flows from the Urn of Aquarius, the Water-bearer, who stands just below the head of Pegasus, the Winged Horse. The Urn is formed by a little Y of 3rd and 4th magnitude stars, and, to the Egyptians, was an emblem of the rainy season.

The Southern Fish must not be confused with the two tied fishes of the constellation of Pisces, known as the "Northern Fish,"