Aquila
Brightest star: Altair
Aquila is anchored by Altair, the 12th brightest star in the sky and the third corner of the Summer Triangle (with Vega and Deneb). Just 16.7 light-years away, Altair is one of the closest naked-eye stars and spins so fast it's visibly flattened at the poles.
When to see it
Visible in summer in the Northern Hemisphere, straddles the celestial equator.
Mythology
The eagle messenger of Zeus, who carried off young Ganymede to be cupbearer to the gods on Olympus.
Gift idea
Altair is the "star" of the Japanese Tanabata festival (July 7), where it reunites with Vega (Orihime) once a year. A poetic gift for lovers separated by distance.