As the nights get colder and longer in September, the Pisces constellation, also known as the fishes, starts to appear in the eastern sky. If you look towards the east from London at 9:30pm BST on 30 September, you will be able to see the full constellation rising above the horizon.
Pisces is considered one of the zodiacal constellations, which means it crosses the sun’s annual path in the sky. It is made up of faint stars, so it may take some patience and a clear, dark sky to spot it. The constellation forms a V-shape with a loop at the end of each arm, representing the two fish. One of the most distinctive features of Pisces is the “Circlet” asterism, a small ring of stars that forms the head of the western fish.
The symbolism of Pisces dates back to the Greco-Roman era, where it was associated with the myth of Aphrodite (or Venus) and her son Eros (or Cupid). According to Greek mythology, the pair transformed into fish to escape the serpent-monster Typhon. In Roman mythology, they were carried to safety on the backs of two fish.
For those in the southern hemisphere, the Pisces constellation can also be seen in the north-eastern evening sky. Keep an eye out for this fascinating constellation as the autumn season progresses, as it will continue to rise earlier and earlier in the night sky. Enjoy stargazing and exploring the wonders of the cosmos!
