Aquarius is a constellation of the zodiac, through which the Sun passes from mid February to mid March.
Aquarius represents a figure pouring water from a jar.
Aquarius contains the globular clusters, M 2 and M 72.
M 2 (NGC 7089) is a globular cluster of 6th magnitude. Binoculars and small telescopes reveal M 2 as being a hazy patch.
M 72 (NGC 6981) is difficult to detect in small telescopes. It's of 9th magnitude.
There are several nebulae contained within Aquarius.
The Saturn Nebula (NGC 7009) appears as a small greenish disk of 8th magnitude in small telescopes. It is named the Saturn Nebula because it's shape resembles the planet Saturn in large telescopes.
The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293), is the closest planetary nebula to us. It lies at a distance of around 600 light years. It is large but faint, and is best seen in binoculars or telescopes with low magnification, which show it as a circular misty patch. In long-exposure photographs, it appears like two overlapping loops of gas.
