Capricornus

Zodiacal constellation in the southern hemisphere next to Sagittarius. It is represented as a sea-goat, and its brightest stars are third magnitude. The Sun passes through it from late January to mid-February. In astrology, the dates for Capricornus (popularly known as Capricorn) are between about 22 December and 19 January (see precession).

In Chaldaean and Platonist philosophy Capricornus was regarded as the ‘Gate of the Gods’ through which souls ascended to heaven, their descent having been through Cancer.

Capricornus contains the globular cluster M30.