Auriga (constellation) horizon. A large constellation, with an area of 657 square degrees, it is half the size of the largest constellation, Hydra. Its brightest star, Capella, is an unusual multiple star system among the brightest stars in the night sky. Beta Aurigae is an interesting variable star in the constellation; Epsilon Aurigae, a nearby eclipsing binary with an unusually long period, has been studied intensively. Because of its position near the winter Milky Way, Auriga has many bright open clusters in its borders, including M36, M37, and M38, popular targets for amateur astronomers. In addition, it has one prominent nebula, the
Porphyrius the Charioteer in one's mid-40s-50s); Porphyrius was an exception. Porphyrius was the best charioteer of his time. He was the only charioteer to win the diversium twice in one day. The diversium was an honor given to one who would win the chariot race as a member of one team (Blues), and would then win again except that he would be racing as a member of the losing team (the Greens). To win the diversium, one would have to win as a member of the Blues, and then win against the Blues as a member of the Greens. Porphyrius did this twice