Pisces (Latin for fish (plural), symbol , Unicode ♓) is a zodiac constellation which lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east.

The Vernal equinox is currently located in Pisces, due south of ω Psc, and, due to precession, slowly drifting below the western fish towards Aquarius.

Mythology

The constellation resembles two roundish objects, each of which is tied to the same point by a long length of string . Generally the objects have been considered as fish, although since by including fainter stars visible to the naked eye, the strings themself take on the appearance of stick-figure bodies (with the roundish objects thus becoming heads). Some forms of early Greek mythology viewed it as men bound to a point. It is generally thought that in earlier depictions, only the constellation Piscis Austrinus was considered to be a fish.

According to one version in Greek mythology, this constellation represents fish into which Aphrodite and Eros transformed in order to escape the monstrous Typhon. The two fishes are often depicted tied together with a cord, to make sure they do not lose one another.

According to another version, since the binding point is below the ecliptic, and thus considered to represent being in the underworld, and that one

Astrology

The Western astrological sign Pisces of the tropical zodiac (February 19 - March 20) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (March 12 - April 18).

It is the domicile of Jupiter (since its discovery Neptune has been considered Pisces' ruling or co-ruling planet by many modern astrologers) and the exaltation of Venus. It is also one of the four Mutable signs (along with Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius), and is said to rule over the feet. It is associated with the Twelfth house of the horoscope, and therefore is also said to rule over drugs, secrets, and large institutions, such as prisons, hospitals, and even business or governmental organisations.

Notable Deep Sky objects

Pisces contains one galaxy that is listed in Charles Messier's catalog, namely the spiral galaxy Messier 74.

Stars

Stars with proper names:

• (113/α Psc) (double) 3.82, 4.33 Alrescha or Kaitain or Okda

  Alrescha < ? ar-riša' The ropes

  Okda < عقدة ^cuqda Knot

• (4/β Psc) 4.48 Fum al Samakah

  < فم السمكة fum/fam al-samakah Mouth of the fish

• (99/η Psc) 3.62 Alpherg or Kullat-Nunu

• (4.26/ο Psc) 4.26 Torcularis Septentrionalis

  < torculāris septemtriōnālis Of the northern wine/oil press

• van Maanen's star (HIP 3829) 12.38 – closest single white dwarf

Stars with Bayer designations:

6/γ Psc 3.70; 63/δ Psc 4.44; 71/ε Psc 4.27; 86/ζ Psc – double 5.21, 6.44; 10/θ Psc 4.27; 17/ι Psc 4.13; 8/κ Psc 4.95; 18/λ Psc 4.49; 98/μ Psc 4.84; 106/ν Psc 4.45; 111/ξ Psc 4.61; 102/π Psc 5.54; 93/ρ Psc 5.35; 69/σ Psc 5.50; 83/τ Psc 4.51; 90/υ Psc 4.74; 84/χ Psc 4.66; 85/φ Psc 4.67; 74/ψ1 Psc – double 5.33,



5.55; 79/ψ2 Psc 5.56; 81/ψ3 Psc 5.57; 28/ω Psc 4.03; 7/b Psc 5.05; 32/c Psc 5.70; 41/d Psc 5.38; 80/e Psc 5.51; 89/f Psc 5.13; 82/g Psc 5.15; 68/h Psc 5.44; 65/i Psc – double 5.55, 7.1 ; 67/k Psc 6.08; 91/l Psc 5.23; 5/A Psc 5.42

Stars with Flamsteed designations:

1 Psc 6.11; 2 Psc 5.43; 3 Psc 6.22; 9 Psc 6.26; 13 Psc 6.39; 14 Psc 5.91; 15 Psc 6.47; 16 Psc 5.68; 19/TX Psc 4.95; 20 Psc 5.49; 21 Psc 5.77; 22 Psc 5.59; 24 Psc 5.93; 25 Psc 6.29; 26 Psc 6.22; 27 Psc 4.88; 29 Psc 5.13; 30 Psc 4.37; 31 Psc 6.33; 33 Psc 4.61; 34 Psc 5.54; 35 Psc 6.02; 36 Psc 6.12; 38 Psc 6.66; 40 Psc 6.60; 42 Psc 6.25; 44 Psc 5.77; 45 Psc 6.77; 46 Psc 6.40; 48 Psc 6.05; 51 Psc 5.69; 52 Psc 5.38; 53 Psc 5.89; 54 Psc 5.88 – has a planet; 55 Psc 5.36; 57 Psc 5.36; 58 Psc 5.51; 59 Psc 6.11; 60 Psc 5.98; 61 Psc 6.51; 62 Psc 5.92; 64 Psc 5.07; 66 Psc 5.80; 72 Psc 5.64; 73 Psc 6.03; 75 Psc 6.14; 76 Psc 6.28; 77 Psc – double 6.35, 7.42; 78 Psc 6.23; 87 Psc 5.97; 88 Psc 6.04; 94 Psc 5.50; 95 Psc 7.21; 97 Psc 6.01; 100 Psc 7.05; 101 Psc 6.23; 104 Psc 6.74; 105 Psc 5.98; 107 Psc 5.24 – multiple; nearby; 109 Psc 6.27 – has a planet; 112 Psc 5.89

See also

In classical zoological taxonomy, Pisces is the scientific name of the superclass Pisces, which has been proven paraphyletic. See also "fishes".

Ryby (souhvězdí) Fiskene Fische (Sternbild) Piscis Fiŝoj Poissons 물고기자리 Pesci (astronomia) თევზი Pisces (sidus) Žuvys (astronomija) Vissen (sterrenbeeld) うお座 Ryby (gwiazdozbiór) Pisces Рыбы (созвездие) Súhvezdie Ryby Kalat (tähdistö) กลุ่มดาวปลา 双鱼座