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Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Crater
Origin:
One of the 48 constellations described by Ptolemy in the Almagest
(A.D. 140). In Western mythology, Crater has been associated with a
cup, chalice, or goblet.
Information:
Crater is a small spring constellation west of the trapezoid of Corvus, the Crow. Corvus is south of Virgo and west of the Spica (the brightest star in
Virgo. Crater is highest in the southern sky about May 9 at 9 pm.
Mythology:
In one myth, Apollo sent the crow (Corvus)
with a cup (Crater) to obtain the "water of life". At the
spring of the water of life was a fig tree. The crow waited until
the figs were ripe and, after feasting on the fresh fruit, went back to
Apollo. Realizing that Apollo would be angry for the delay, the crow
explained that the water-snake (Hydra) prevented
him from getting back with the water earlier. Apollo saw through the
lie and banished the crow, cup, and water-snake to the sky. It is
interesting that Hydra is also the many-headed water-snake that Hercules killed.
Crater has also been identified with chalice from which Dionysus drank his wine. |
