Auriga: A constellation with many myths and stars. Auriga is a northern constellation that has been recognized since ancient times. It has various mythological associations, such as a charioteer, a goat-herd, or a hero. It contains many bright stars and star clusters, including Capella, the sixth-brightest star in the night sky.
Capella and the Kids: An asterism with a goat and her offspring. Capella is the brightest star in Auriga and represents a she-goat in Greek mythology. It forms a small group of stars with Epsilon, Zeta, and Eta Aurigae, which are known as the Kids or the goat's children. Capella has also been linked to other myths and cultures, such as a nymph, a Gorgon, or a celestial emperor's chariot.
Auriga's depiction: A chariot, a cart, or a rider. Auriga has been traditionally illustrated as a charioteer holding a goat and two kids, but there have been variations over the years. Some depictions show a four-wheeled cart, a two-wheeled cart, or a mule instead of a chariot. Some identify Auriga as different characters, such as Bellerophon, the rider of Pegasus, or Adam, the first human.
Auriga's history and boundaries: A constellation from Ptolemy to the IAU. Auriga was one of the 48 constellations listed by Ptolemy in the 2nd century. It was later merged with the constellation of the Goats by Ptolemy, and sometimes split into smaller constellations by other astronomers. In 1922, the International Astronomical Union standardized its abbreviation as "Aur", and in 1930, it defined its official boundaries as a polygon of 20 segments.
Read about other constellations