Taurus

Taurus refers to one of the constellations of the zodiac, the bull. It sits large and prominent in the winter sky, between Aries to the west and Gemini to the east; to the north lie Perseus and Auriga, to the southwest Orion, and to the southeast Eridanus and Cetus. In Greek mythology, this corresponds with the bull-form Zeus took in order to win Europa, a Phoenician princess.

One of the few first magnitude stars in the sky, the bright red Aldebaran?, sits in the middle of this constellation. Behind it lie the Hyades, the nearest distinct open cluster, that with it form a V in the sky marking the bull's head. The horns stretch off to the west, marked by Elnath (Beta Tauri, traditionally shared with Auriga) and Zeta Tauri. In the east of the constellation lies one of the best known open clusters, easily visible to the eye, the Pleiades?. Another well-known telescopic object is the [Crab nebula]?, a dim supernova remnant just northeast of Zeta.

Astrology

In some cosmologies, Taurus is associated with the classical element Earth, and thus called an Earth Sign (with Virgo and Capricorn). Its polar opposite is Scorpio.

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Zodiac signs : Aries -- Taurus -- Gemini -- Cancer -- Leo -- Virgo -- Libra -- Scorpio -- Sagittarius -- Capricorn -- Aquarius -- Pisces