Image: E. Slawik/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Zamani, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
As the days have shortened and temperatures have dropped on Mount Teide National Park, the Winter season is in full swing and the impressive constellation of the winged horse, Pegasus is flying high in the night sky of Tenerife for all to see.
Being the 7th largest constellation of all the International Astronomical Union’s catalogue, means that it is an easily spotted group of bright stars that depict the head, body and front 2 legs of the flying horse which originated in the great myth of Perseus. Its most defining characteristic when stargazing is a diamond or square shaped asterism known as the great square of pegasus.
An easy way to find this colossal spectacle is to star hop using Cassiopeia’s M shaped configuration which always points in the direction of her daughter, Andromeda. Follow this lovely constellation up it’s 4 main stars to the last one, which shares a star that leads into the great square of Pegasus called Alpharatz. If you can’t see a flying stallion in that area, try again, imagination is always key when stargazing.
Pegasus has intrigued astronomers, mythologists, and pop culture for centuries, often appearing in stories, films and books as an impressive sight to behold associated with beauty, grace and freedom.
It is a common misconception that Perseus was the great Greek hero to tame and ride pegasus after slaying the gorgon Medusa from whence forth sprung to life the winged stallion. This is most probably due to depictions in movies and novels such as Clash of the Titans, portraying this variation, but it was in fact another Greek hero named Bellerophon who was the one to tame and befriend Pegasus but more on that later.
The origin of Pegasus in Greek mythology is tied into the myth of Perseus who beheaded Medusa as part of a quest he was given by King Polydectes of Seriphus. Polydectes wanted to marry Perseus’s mother, Danaë, but he knew that Perseus would resist so to get rid of him, Polydectes tricked Perseus into promising to bring him the head of Medusa, one of the three Gorgon sisters. Medusa was a powerful monster whose gaze could turn anyone to stone, making her a fearsome and dangerous creature.
With the help of the Gods, including Athena, Hermes, and others, Perseus was given magical items: a reflective shield, winged sandals, a sword, and a bag to safely contain Medusa’s head. Using the shield to avoid looking directly at Medusa, Perseus was able to behead her without being turned to stone and from Medusa’s death came the miraculous birth of Pegasus and his brother, Chrysaor which spawned from her blood.
The birth of Pegasus and Chrysaor from Medusa’s neck represents a paradoxical combination of destruction and creation, showing how even in death, great and divine things can arise.
After Pegasus sprang from Medusa’s blood, he was initially wild and free, but his first major act was helping Perseus to fly to the realm of the gods and deliver Medusa’s head to King Polydectes of Seriphus.
Later, Pegasus became associated with the hero Bellerophon. After taming the wild horse with the help of the goddess Athena, Bellerophon rode Pegasus to defeat the monstrous Chimera, a terrible fire-breathing creature.
With the aid of Pegasus, Bellerophon succeeded in his quest, but his ambition grew. He attempted, foolishly, to fly to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, which greatly angered Zeus and as punishment, Zeus sent a gadfly to sting Pegasus, causing him to throw Bellerophon off and sending him tumbling back to Earth. Pegasus, however, continued his journey to the heavens, where Zeus turned him into a constellation.
In modern science fiction, the name Pegasus has been applied to various fictional spacecraft, underscoring the sense of adventure. The USS Pegasus is a starship in the popular series Star Trek, embodying the spirit of space exploration that echoes the themes of escape and discovery linked to the original myth.
Beyond mythology, Pegasus’ image also resonates with exploration and innovation, even in the realm of popular brands and logos, the image of a winged horse is used to symbolize speed, power, and efficiency. The most notable example is the logo of Mobil Oil, featuring a red winged horse, a modern nod to the ancient creature’s symbolism of strength and transcendence.
If you would like to see the constellation of Pegasus and many other wonders of the night sky, don’t hesitate to book a tour with us to come and experience one of the best night skies in the world here on Tenerife. Our experienced guides will explain and bring to life the wonders of the celestial plane for you to enjoy.
Written by Phil Cruz
