Taurus

Taurus - this constellation takes its name from the Greek Tauros, meaning the Bull.

Taurus, the bull

The constellation Taurus may also allude to the Greek story of Europa and the Bull. Europa was daughter of King Agenor. One fine spring day, Princess Europa went to the seashore to gather flowers. Zeus, who had fallen in love with Europa, seized the opportunity.

Zeus transformed himself into a magnificent white bull and Europa noticed the wonderful white beast, and his misterious eyes.

Europa wove wreathes of flowers for the beast, and wrapped them around his horns. She led him around the meadow, and he was as docile as a lamb. Then, as he trotted down to the seashore, she jumped onto his shoulders. Suddenly, to her surprise and fright, he plunged into the sea and carried the princess to Crete.

As they reached the Cretan shore, Zeus then turned into an eagle and ravaged Europa. She bore three sons, the first of which was Minos.

Minos is said to have introduced the bull cult to the Cretans. He had Daedalus build a labyrinth in the depths of his palace at Knossus, which became the home of the Minotaur Seven young men and seven maidens were ritually sacrificed to the Minotaur until Theseus killed it.

How to find Taurus in the night sky

During the winter months, the Constellation Taurus is located in the night sky of the northern hemisphere.. Taurus is one of the easiest constellations in the sky to identify. Is northeast of Orion the Hunter and appears to actually be charging Orion. It is easily recognized by its V shape. The brightest star found in Taurus is Aldebaran, which forms the eye of the bull when traced in profile, with the Hyades cluster of stars forming the line along the edge of the face. On the western side of the constellation, Beta Tauri and Zeta, two separate star systems both bright and easily visible with the naked eye, form the two horns of the bull.