Google Sky

1. Hercules Star Facts Google Sky • All the stars in the constellation Hercules are second magnitude and dimmer. • The real attraction with the Hercules constellation is its two spectacular globular clusters. • At 25,100 light-years away, M13 is often considered the best globular cluster to view from the Northern Hemisphere. • When looking at M13, you are looking at the combined light of hundreds of thousands of distant stars. Samantha Frazier http://stargazing.suite101.com/article.cfm/observing_the_stars_of_hercules April20, 2010

2. Stars How to find Hercules Story of Hercules • 109 Her – 130 light-years • 103 Her – 650 light-years • 92 Her – 160 light-years • 86 Her – 30 light-years • 65 Her – 74 light-years • Rasalgethi – composed of • two double stars • 20 Her – 140 light-years • 27 Her – 140 light-years • 58 Her – 120 light-years • 40 Her – 32 light-years • 44 Her – 96 light-years • 67 Her – 130 light-years • 91 Her – 1630 light-years • 85 Her – 650 light-years • 22 Her – 110 light-years Hercules is located next to the bright star Vega in the constellation Lyra, which lies high in summer skies. The stars of Hercules are not particularly bright, which makes it hard to pick out a distinctive shape. It appears somewhat like a pinwheel, with arms of stars emanating outward from its central keystone shape. The Hercules constellation is identified with Hercules/Heracles (Greeks), son of Alcmene and Zeus. Hercules was known for his heroisms and fearlessness. The legendary “Twelve Labors” or tasks assigned to Hercules by King Euristeus are always remembered as a great mythical story. Hercules built a funeral pile on Mount Eta, thus destroying his mortal body. His soul joined with other gods and Zeus put Hercules’ constellation in the sky. Other Objects • M13 (NGC 6205) • M92 (NGC 6341) http://www.brighthub.com/science/space/articles/30633.aspx