Dorado ( /dɒˈreɪdoʊ/) is a constellation in the southern sky. It was named in the late 16th century and is now one of the 88 modern constellations. Its name refers to the dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), which is known as dorado in Spanish, although it has also been depicted as a swordfish. Dorado is notable for containing most of the Large Magellanic Cloud, the remainder being in the constellation Mensa. The South ecliptic pole also lies within this constellation.
Even though the name Dorado is not Latin but Spanish, astronomers give it the Latin genitive form Doradus when naming its stars; they are treating it (like the adjacent constellation Argo Navis) as if it were a feminine proper name of Greek origin ending in -ō (like Io or Callisto or Argo), names that have a genitive ending in -ūs.
Read more about Dorado: History, Equivalents, Namesakes
Famous quotes containing the word dorado:
“The only way to get along is to seek the difficult job, always do it well, and see that you get paid for it properly. Oh, yes, and don’t forget to exploit men all you can. Because if you don’t they will exploit you.”
—El Dorado Jones (1861–1932)