Pegasus (astronomy)

The seventh-largest constellation, conspicuous in the N hemisphere, and best known for its large square of four stars, one of which actually belongs to the neighbouring constellation of Andromeda.

In Greek mythology, Pegasus (Greek: Πήγασος (Pégasos)) was a winged horse that was the son of Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and the Gorgon Medusa.

Descriptions vary as to the winged stallion's birth and his brother the giant, Chrysaor; Athena caught and tamed Pegasus, and presented him to the Muses at Parnassus.

Hesiod connects the name Pegasos with the word for "spring, well", pēgē; everywhere the winged horse struck hoof to earth, an inspiring spring burst forth: one on the Muses' Mount Helicon, the Hippocrene ("horse spring"), at the behest of Poseidon to prevent the mountain swelling too much and another at Troezen. The actual etymology of the name is most likely from Luwian pihassas "lightning", or pihassasas, a weather god (the god of lightning).

Pegasus aided the hero Bellerophon, who is a double in some way for Perseus, in his fight against both the Chimera and the Amazons. There are varying tales as to how Bellerophon found Pegasus; The next morning, still clutching the bridle, he found Pegasus drinking at the Pierian spring.

Prior to aiding Bellerophon, Pegasus brought thunderbolts to Zeus, and following Bellerophon's death he returned to Mount Olympus to aid the gods. In his later life, Pegasus took a wife, Euippe (or Ocyrrhoe) This family is the origin of the winged horses.

Pegasus was eventually turned into a constellation, but a single feather fell to the earth near the city of Tarsus (hence its name).

The word "pegasus" is sometimes used to refer to any winged horse.