Which constellation is represented by a little horse?

Which constellation is represented by a little horse? Equuleus is the answer.

The name Equuleus is Latin for “little horse” or “foal.” It is a small, faint constellation just north of the celestial equator and was among the 48 constellations recorded by the 2nd-century astronomer Ptolemy. It remains one of the 88 constellations officially recognized today.

Equuleus covers only about 72 square degrees, making it the second-smallest modern constellation after Crux. Its brightest star is Alpha Equulei, traditionally called Kitalpha, a name derived from Arabic meaning “the section of the horse.” None of its stars is brighter than fourth magnitude, so the pattern can be difficult to see without dark skies.

A common mix-up is Pegasus, the much larger constellation representing a winged horse. In Greek myths, Equuleus is sometimes identified with Celeris, a foal associated with Pegasus, or with a horse created by Poseidon. Its stars are also sometimes described as a horse’s head rather than a complete animal.