argo
Proper noun 1. A former constellation: "Argo" was the name of a large constellation in the southern hemisphere, representing the ship of Jason and the Argonauts from Greek mythology. It is no longer recognized as a single constellation by modern astronomy.
"Argo" is used almost exclusively in historical or mythological contexts related to astronomy. It is a proper noun and is always capitalized. * In ancient star charts, the constellation Argo Navis represented the ship Argo. * The stars of Argo were so extensive that astronomers later subdivided it.
- Argo Navis: The full historical name, meaning "the ship Argo" in Latin.
- Ptolemy cataloged Argo Navis as one of the 48 classical constellations.
- Carina, Pyxis, Puppis, Vela: These are the four modern constellations that were created from the stars of the former Argo Navis.
- The bright star Canopus is now part of the constellation Carina, which was once part of Argo.
- Argo Navis: The full historical name.
The word "Argo" refers specifically to the mythological ship and its representation in the stars. It is not used in general language. In modern astronomy, the term is obsolete, having been replaced by its constituent parts.
- formerly a large constellation in the southern hemisphere between Canis Major and the Southern Cross; now divided into Carina and Pyxis and Puppis and Vela