All Skies Encyclopaedia - User contributions [en]

Naos

2026-05-22T20:35:07Z

IanRidpath: Wrongly positioned space

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Naos}}
Authors: IAU-WGSN Etymology Group, {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
Naos is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Greek. It is the name of HIP 39429 (ζ Pup, HR 3165) in constellation Pup.

==Etymology and History==

Applied in recent times from the word ναῦς, Greek for the "ship", used in one Renaissance discussion as a name for the ancient constellation Argo (since divided by Lacaille into Puppis, Carina, and Vela).

==Mythology==

==IAU Working Group on Star Names==
The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/08/21.

==Weblinks==
* Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

==Reference==
*[[References|References (general)]]
* Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.

[[Category:Asterism]][[Category:Star Name]][[Category:IAU-Star Name]] [[Category:Pup]] [[Category:Ancient Greek]]

Canopus

2026-05-22T20:17:34Z

IanRidpath: /* Reference */ Added anchor to link

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Canopus}}
Authors: IAU-WGSN Etymology Group, {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
Canopus is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Greek. It is the name of HIP 30438 (α Car, HR 2326) in constellation Car.

==Etymology and History==

From its ancient Greek name Κάνωβος (i.e. Kanobos – as spelled by Eratosthenes and Ptolemy), an untranslated proper name that was introduced rather late into Greek astronomy (perhaps in the 2nd century BCE). Canopus is the Latinized version. There seem to be Egyptian influences in the name's development. Reapplied in Renaissance times.

==Mythology==

==IAU Working Group on Star Names==
The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/06/30.

==Weblinks==
* Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

==Reference==
*[[References|References (general)]]
* Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.
* Ridpath, Ian. Carina: Canopus and other stars. [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/carina.html#canopus Star Tales (online edition).]

[[Category:Asterism]][[Category:Star Name]][[Category:IAU-Star Name]] [[Category:Car]] [[Category:Ancient Greek]] [[Category:European]]

Phyllon Kissinou

2026-05-22T20:13:52Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's original text: */ Typo

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Phyllon Kissinou (φύλλοv κισσίνου)}}
Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:IvyLeaf stellarium 2024.jpg|alt=Ptolemy's "Ivy Leaf" as shape of the "nebulous mass" (star cluster) of Coma Berenices, in Stellarium |thumb|Ptolemy's "Ivy Leaf" as shape of the "nebulous mass" (star cluster) of Coma Berenices, in Stellarium ]]Phyllon Kissinou is a name for an asterism in the Almagest star catalogue (137 BCE), basically the open star cluster Melotte 111. The term originates from the phrase "φύλλοv κισσίνου (phyllon kissinou, an ivy leaf)" in Ptolemy's Almagest which was the reason to use the full Greek term as a star name. Contemporary modern astronomers have used the star name "Kissin" for some stars in [[Coma Berenices]]; therefore, it has been suggested to the IAU to make the star name official.

== Etymology & History ==
The Almagest star catalogue is a dataset provided for globe makers.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Essay: On Ptolemy’s stellar magnitudes, 426-429. in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition/ OpenScienceTechnology, Hamburg/ Berlin</ref> For small or faint star clusters, Ptolemy typically does not provide lists of coordinates per star but only mentions one or a few points of the cluster and then gives the instruction to connect them as a fuzzy (nebulous) area.<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2023). ''The Rhetoric on Clouds in the Ancient Star Catalogue'' . Rhetoric & Science Vol. II, Centre for the Study of the Ancient World (CSAW), Ionian University</ref> In the case of [[Coma Berenices]], he describes the shape of the star cluster as an ivy leaf (φύλλοv κισσίνου, phyllon kissinou). After introducing the "nebulous mass" mathematically described by three pairs of coordinates, he states, "the rearmost of them [in the nebulous mass between the edges of Leo and Ursa Major, called Coma Berenices], shaped like an ivy leaf". This means his ivy leaf is described with three stars, among which 23 Com is the last in his register. Allen (1899) identifies "21 or 23 Com", and Rhoads (1971) has "Kissin" for 21 Com, but Ptolemy's coordinates fit 23 Com much better (cf. Toomer<ref name=":0" /> 1984, Grasshoff<ref>Grasshoff, Gerd (1990). The History of Ptolemy’s Star Catalogue, Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, 14, Springer, New York</ref> 1990 and all research based upon them).

=== Modern Usage of the Name ===
The name "Kissin" derived from "phyllon kissinou" has been used for different stars:

* Rhoads (1971) has "Kissin" for 21 Com, cites the Bright Star Catalog.
* Allen (1899): Hyde cited some ancient codices as applying to Fl. 21, toward the south, the title Kissīn, a species of Ivy, ''Convolvulus'' (bindweed), or perhaps the climbing Dog-rose. This appeared with Ulug Beg, evidently from Ptolemy's κίσσινος, but Ideler said that it was intended to mark c, g, and h, and Baily, that it was for Fl. 21 or 23.

=== Ptolemy's original text: ===

Stars around Leo outside the constellation:<ref name=":0">Toomer, G.J. (1984). Ptolemy's Almagest, Parlux; Revised ed. edition (19 Oct. 1998)</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! numbers !! Ptolemy's text translated !! identification
|-
| 1 || The more advanced of the 2 over the back || (41 LMi)
|-
| 2 || The rearmost of them || (54 Leo)
|-
| 3 || The northernmost of the 3 under the flank || (χ Leo)
|-
| 4 ||The middle one of these || (59 Leo)
|-
| 5 || The southernmost of them || (58 Leo)
|-
| 6 || The northernmost '''part of the nebulous mass''' between the edges of Leo and Ursa [Major], called Coma [Berenices] || (15 Com)
|-
| 7 || The most advanced of the southern outrunners of Coma || (7 Com)
|-
| 8 || The rearmost of them, '''shaped like an ivy leaf''' || (23 Com)
|}

His problem is that his catalogue only allows point coordinates but a "nebulous mass" is not described by a point. Hence, he states that there is an extended nebula with the shape of an ivy leaf, which should be drawn by the globe maker so that it contains the three stars listed. Toomer (1984) identifies these stars as 15 (c), 7 (h) and 23 (k) Com. Although only the last one has the term "ivy leaf" in its description, this term refers to an area that encompasses all three (and possibly even more, fainter) stars.

==IAU Working Group on Star Names==
In 2023, the name Kissin has been proposed for inclusion in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names due to its occurance in the contemporary literature. Based on ongoing research on the ancient star catalogue, it was proposed using Ptolemy's term "Phyllon kissinou" (the ivy leaf) to name two stars in [[Coma Berenices|Coma]]. Discussing these suggestions in 2024, the WGSN decided to name only one star with this Greek term and leave more stars unnamed for later naming with other indigenous designations of this cluster.

Following the philologists and historians, the star 23 Com is named Phyllon Kissou.

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2024/05/16.

==Weblinks==
* Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/
* Ian Ridpath [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/comaberenices.html Star Tales Coma Berenices]

== References ==

[[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek]]
[[Category:Modern]] [[Category:Single star-asterism]]
[[Category:Star Name]]
[[Category:IAU-Star Name]]
[[Category:Com]]

Virgo

2026-05-20T14:05:59Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Virgo (vir).tiff|thumb|Virgo as defined in the 1920s. IAU and Sky & Telescope]]
Virgo, The Maiden, is a constellation in the zodiac. It is documented since the 4th century BCE (at least). Prior to this, there had been the constellation of The Furrow at this place.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> The young lady is a goddess, that much is certain – but which one, the Greeks disagree. Eratosthenes lists a total of five suggestions as to who she might be!

== Etymology and History of the Constellation Name ==
The word ‘virgin’ has an old-fashioned connotation. It no longer refers to women on the marriage market, but exclusively to sexual purity – in earlier times, ideally a characteristic of unmarried women for the purpose of reliably determining paternity and thus financial responsibility, but today no longer necessarily synonymous. So let's say ‘young lady’ to this figure – or Parthenos in Greek, an adult girl.<ref name=":0" />

===Origin of Constellation===
<ref name=":0" />Hesiod and Aratos, he writes, call her Dike, goddess of justice. Others said it was Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest and fertility, Tyche, the Greek goddess of chance and luck, Isis, the most powerful Egyptian sorceress and goddess, or Atargatis, the greatest Syrian goddess. The mermaid-like Atargatis is equated with Derketo and thus also with the constellation Andromeda, the other maiden in the sky. In this case, there could be a confusion. Such confusion is supported by the fact that the constellation Virgo, for example, is missing from the Leiden Aratea from the Carolingian period, even though it is located in the zodiac and is therefore of great importance.

The reason for identifying Tyche with this constellation is supposedly that it has no head star. Ptolemy contradicts this, however, as in the Almagest two stars are indicated on the skull and two on the face – i.e. four head stars. The figure depicted in the Almagest also has wings, however. In standard iconography, none of the above-mentioned goddesses are depicted with wings. Atargatis can then be ruled out, as she is a fish-like deity. Isis and Tyche can be depicted with wings. Dike is less likely; like her Latin counterpart Justicia, her symbol is the scales. However, she has accompanying deities with wings, e.g. Nemesis, the goddess of righteous wrath.

While Artemis is the mistress of the female initiation rite, commemorated in the constellation [[Ursa Major]], Demeter is the mistress of the male initiation rite of Eleusis near Athens. The season of spring, when both constellations are visible in the sky throughout the night, may have been the archaic reason for these figures. Demeter could also be identified with the Babylonian goddess Shala, whose iconography features an ear of grain.[[File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|thumb|Leo and Virgo above the MUŠ-Dragon, two claytablet drawings from the Seleucid era (roughly 2nd century BCE), CC BY SMH based upon the drawings by E. Weidner (1967) and Thureau-Dangin (1922).]]
[[File:Kugel cnc+leo+hya+vir.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Cancer, Leo, Hydra, Virgo (drawing by SMH 2024)]]

==== Babylonian ====
In MUL.APIN in the 2nd millennium, the zodiac did not yet exist. In the zodiac precursor ‘Moon Path’, this constellation was still called ‘the furrow with the ear of grain’. It was associated with the goddess Shala, a rain goddess and wife of the storm god. Shala's ear of grain, which lies in the furrow, is the stable element in this constellation. The brightest star is called ‘the ear of corn’ not only in MUL.APIN, but also in Greek (stachys) and Latin ([[Spica]]). The Latin name is still used today.

see

* [[AB.SIN|AB.SIN2]] The Furrow
* ''Šala''

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[96] Beneath the two feet of Bootes you can observe the Maiden, who carries in her hand the radiant Spica. Whether she is the daughter of Astraeus, who, they say, was the original father of the stars, or of some other, [100] may her way be peaceful! There is, however, another tale current among men, that once she actually lived on earth, and came face to face with men, and did not ever spurn the tribes of ancient men and women, but sat in their midst although she was immortal. [105] And they called her Justice: gathering together the elders, either in the market-place or on the broad highway, she urged them in prophetic tones to judgements for the good o f the people. At that time they still had no knowledge of painful strife or quarrelsome conflict or noise of battle, [no] but lived just as they were; the dangerous sea was far from their thoughts, and as yet no ships brought them livelihood from afar, but oxen and ploughs and Justice herself, queen of the people and giver of civilised life, provided all their countless needs. That was as long as the earth still nurtured the Golden Age. [115] But with the Silver she associated little, and now not at all willingly, as she longed for the ways of the earlier folk. But nevertheless she was still with this Silver Age too. She would emerge from the sounding mountains towards evening all alone, and not engage anyone in friendly conversation. [120] But filling the broad hillsides with people, she would then speak menacingly, rebuking them for their wickedness, and say she would never more come face to face with them, even if they called her: ‘What an inferior generation your golden fathers have left! And you are likely to beget a still more evil progeny. [125] There will surely be wars, yes, and unnatural bloodshed among men, and suffering from their troubles will come upon them.’ So saying she made for the mountains, and left the people all staring after her. But when these men also had died and there were born [130] the Bronze Age men, more destructive than their predecessors, who were the first to forge the criminal sword for murder on the highways, and the first to taste the flesh of ploughing oxen, then Justice, conceiving a hatred for the generation of these men, flew up to the sky and took up her abode in that place, [135] where she is still visible to men by night as the Maiden near conspicuous Bootes.

Above her two shoulders there circles a star [on her right wing: it is called again the Vintager], of similar magnitude and inset with a brightness equal to [140] that of the star which can be seen beneath the tail of the Great Bear. Impressive is the Bear, and impressive are the stars that she has nearby: once you have sighted them, you do not need any other guide, such are the stars that in beauty and magnitude move before her feet, one in front of the forelegs, one before the legs that descend from her loins, [145] and another under the hind knees. But all of them, individually in different positions, go on their way without a name. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §3) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Leo 22
|Lib 8
|Tau 14 1/2
|Cnc 9
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|of the four in the head the northern and front
|the one in the right foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 4/5 hours = 228 min = 57 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §3) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Leo 27
|Lib 26
|Sgr 11
|Cap 16
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the left wing
|the one in the northern foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 8/15 hours = 152 min = 38°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Hesiod calls her the daughter of Jove and Themis. Aratus says that she is thought to be daughter of Astraeus and Aurora, who lived at the time of the Golden Age of men and was their leader. On account of her carefulness and fairness she was called Justice, and at that time no foreign nations were attacked in war, nor did anyone sail over the seas, but they were wont to live their lives caring for their fields. But those born after their death began to be less observant of duty and more greedy, so that Justice associated more rarely with men. Finally the disease became so extreme that it was said the Brazen Race was born; then she could not endure more, and flew away to the stars. Others call her Fortune — others, Ceres, and they dispute the more about her because her head is dimly seen. Some have called her Erigone, daughter of Icarus, whom we have spoken of before. Others call her a daughter of Apollo by Chrysothemis, an infant, named Parthenos. Because she died young she was put by Apollo among the constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Παρθένου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Virgo
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν ἄκρῳ τῷ κρανίῳ β ὁ νότιος.
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the top of the skull
|nu Vir
|-
|2
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of them
|xi Vir
|-
|3
|ὁ τῶν ἐπομένων αὐτοῖς ἐν τῷ προσώπῳ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars to the rear of these, in the face
|omi Vir
|-
|4
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|pi Vir
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς νοτίου καὶ ἀριστερᾶς πτέρυγος.
|The star on the tip of the southern, left wing
|bet Vir
|-
|6
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ πτέρυγι δ ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The most advanced of the 4 stars in the left wing
|eta Vir
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος.
|The one to the rear of this
|gam Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἐπόμενος.
|The one to the rear again of this
|46 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἔσχατος καὶ ἐπόμευος τῶν δ
|The last and rearmost of the 4
|tet Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ πλευρῷ ὑπὸ τὴν ξώνηη
|The star in the right side under the girdle
|del Vir
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ καὶ βορεύῳ πτέρυψι γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars in the right, northern wing
|rho Vir
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the other 2
|32 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ βόρειος αὐτῶν καὶ καλούμενος Προτρογητήρ
|The northernmost of these, called 'Vindemiatrix'
|eps Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀκροχείρου ὁ καλούμενος Στάχυς
|The star on the left hand, called 'Spica'
|alf Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸ περίξωμα ὡς κατὰ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γλουτοῦ.
|The star under the apron, just about over the right buttock
|zet Vir
|-
|
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ μηρῷ τετραπλεύρου τῆς προηγουμένης. πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος.
|The quadrilateral in the left thigh: the northern star on the advance side
|74 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς.
|The quadrilateral in the left thigh: the southern star on the advance side
|76 Vir
|-
|
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς τῶν β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The quadrilateral in the left thigh: the northernmost of the 2 stars on the rear side
|82 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the left thigh: the southernmost star on the rear side
|68 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος
|The star on the left knee
|86 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὀπισθομήρῳ.
|The star in the back of the right thigh
|90 Vir
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ περιποδίῳ σύρματι 7’ ὁ μέσος.
|The middle star of the 3 in the garment hem round the feet
|iot Vir
|-
|
|ὁ φότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|kap Vir
|-
|
|ὁ βόρειος τῶν τριῶν
|The northernmost of the three
|phi Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ καὶ νοτίου ἀκρόποδος
|The star on the left, southern foot
|lam Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ καὶ βορεύου ἀκρόποδος.
|The star on the right, northern foot
|mu Vir
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κε, ὧν αἱ μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ς, δ’ ξ, ε'ι, ς’ β
|{26 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 6 of the third, 7 of the fourth, 10 of the fifth, 2 of the sixth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὴν Παρθένου ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars araund Virgo outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν ἀριστερὸν πῆχυν ἐπ’ εὐθείας τριῶν ὁ προἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the three in a straight line under the left forearm
|chi Vir
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|psi Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν γ
|The rearmost of the 3
|49 Vir
|-
|
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν Στάχυν ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars almost on a straight line under Spica
|53 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν καὶ διπλοῦς
|The middle one of these, which is a double star
|61 + 63 Vir
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|89 Vir
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ξ, ὥν ἐ μεγέθους ὅ, ς’ β
|{6 stars, 4 of the fifth magnitude, 2 of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Parthenos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Parthenos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Spica
|HIP 65474
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|0.97
|-
|2
|Porrima
|HIP 61941
|Constellation lines
|2.74
|-
|3
|Vindemiatrix
|HIP 63608
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.79
|-
|4
|Minelauva
|HIP 63090
|Constellation lines
|3.38
|-
|5
|Heze
|HIP 66249
|Constellation lines
|3.38
|-
|6
|* gam Vir B
|HR 4826
|Inside the hull
|3.49
|-
|7
|Zavijava
|HIP 57757
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.6
|-
|8
|μ Virginis
|HIP 71957
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.88
|-
|9
|Zaniah
|HIP 60129
|Constellation lines
|3.9
|-
|10
|ν Virginis
|HIP 57380
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.04
|-
|11
|Syrma
|HIP 69701
|Inside the hull
|4.08
|-
|12
|ο Virginis
|HIP 58948
|Constellation lines
|4.12
|-
|13
|Kang
|HIP 69427
|Constellation lines
|4.21
|-
|14
|τ Virginis
|HIP 68520
|Constellation lines
|4.237
|-
|15
|θ Virginis
|HIP 64238
|Inside the hull
|4.397
|-
|16
|Khambalia
|HIP 69974
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.52
|-
|17
|π Virginis
|HIP 58590
|Constellation lines
|4.642
|-
|18
|Apamvatsa
|HIP 66006
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|19
|ψ Virginis
|HIP 62985
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.8
|-
|20
|σ Virginis
|HIP 64852
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|21
|Elgafar
|HIP 70755
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.84
|-
|22
|ξ Virginis
|HIP 57328
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.842
|-
|23
|ρ Virginis
|HIP 61960
|Constellation lines
|4.88
|-
|24
|78 Vir
|HIP 66200
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|25
|16 Vir
|HIP 60172
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|26
|82 Vir
|HIP 66803
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|27
|υ Virginis
|HIP 70012
|Inside the hull
|5.14
|-
|28
|90 Vir
|HIP 67929
|Inside the hull
|5.159
|-
|29
|d2 Vir
|HIP 62267
|Constellation lines
|5.207
|-
|30
|76 Vir
|HIP 66098
|Constellation lines
|5.21
|-
|31
|4 Vir
|HIP 57562
|Inside the hull
|5.316
|-
|32
|7 Vir
|HIP 58510
|Inside the hull
|5.345
|-
|33
|106 Vir
|HIP 70794
|Inside the hull
|5.418
|-
|34
|84 Vir
|HIP 66936
|Inside the hull
|5.423
|-
|35
|95 Vir
|HIP 68940
|Inside the hull
|5.453
|-
|36
|g Vir
|HIP 64122
|Inside the hull
|5.564
|-
|37
|6 Vir
|HIP 58110
|Inside the hull
|5.569
|-
|38
|31 Vir
|HIP 61968
|Inside the hull
|5.573
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 62325
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|40
|136 G. Vir
|HIP 65198
|Inside the hull
|5.687
|-
|41
|80 Vir
|HIP 66320
|Inside the hull
|5.706
|-
|42
|FW Vir
|HIP 61658
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 59309
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|44
|66 Vir
|HIP 65420
|Inside the hull
|5.749
|-
|45
|44 Vir
|HIP 63414
|Inside the hull
|5.791
|-
|46
|65 Vir
|HIP 65323
|Inside the hull
|5.858
|-
|47
|64 Vir
|HIP 65241
|Inside the hull
|5.873
|-
|48
|25 Vir
|HIP 61558
|Inside the hull
|5.88
|-
|49
|13 Vir
|HIP 60030
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|50
|92 Vir
|HIP 68092
|Inside the hull
|5.898
|-
|51
|224 G. Vir
|HIP 69493
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|52
|79 G. Vir
|HIP 62103
|Inside the hull
|5.918
|-
|53
|50 Vir
|HIP 64224
|Inside the hull
|5.943
|-
|54
|146 G. Vir
|HIP 65545
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|55
|37 Vir
|HIP 62757
|Inside the hull
|6.003
|-
|56
|56 G. Vir
|HIP 61103
|Inside the hull
|6.034
|-
|57
|183 G. Vir
|HIP 67271
|Inside the hull
|6.049
|-
|58
|* 46 Vir A
|HIP 63494
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|59
|72 Vir
|HIP 65892
|Inside the hull
|6.098
|-
|60
|38 Vir
|HIP 62875
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|61
|230 G. Vir
|HIP 69747
|Inside the hull
|6.141
|-
|62
|9 G. Vir
|HIP 57629
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|63
|104 Vir
|HIP 70680
|Inside the hull
|6.161
|-
|64
|57 G. Vir
|HIP 61134
|Inside the hull
|6.172
|-
|65
|19 G. Vir
|HIP 58445
|Inside the hull
|6.176
|-
|66
|FT Vir
|HIP 60813
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|67
|2 Lib
|HIP 70336
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|68
|85 G. Vir
|HIP 62421
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|69
|IQ Vir
|HIP 58002
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|70
|112 G. Vir
|HIP 64181
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|71
|68 G. Vir
|HIP 61637
|Inside the hull
|6.334
|-
|72
|EP Vir
|HIP 62376
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|73
|51 G. Vir
|HIP 60804
|Inside the hull
|6.342
|-
|74
|129 G. Vir
|HIP 64838
|Inside the hull
|6.351
|-
|75
|225 G. Vir
|HIP 69564
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 58809
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|77
|211 G. Vir
|HIP 68739
|Inside the hull
|6.387
|-
|78
|204 G. Vir
|HIP 68380
|Inside the hull
|6.394
|-
|79
|35 Vir
|HIP 62443
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|80
|150 G. Vir
|HIP 65796
|Inside the hull
|6.419
|-
|81
|229 G. Vir
|HIP 69727
|Inside the hull
|6.434
|-
|82
|91 G. Vir
|HIP 62915
|Inside the hull
|6.439
|-
|83
|240 G. Vir
|HIP 70038
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|84
|96 Vir
|HIP 69127
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|85
|17 Vir
|HIP 60353
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|86
|233 G. Vir
|HIP 69773
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 67004
|Inside the hull
|6.498
|-
|88
|235 G. Vir
|HIP 69881
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 57636
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|}

== Transformation of constellation image ==
<gallery>
File:BabZodiac Sco-Lib-Vir-Leo MULAPIN.jpg|Sco-Lib+Furrow+Leo in Stellarium "MUL.APIN"
File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|Leo and Virgo above the MUŠ-Dragon, two claytablet drawings from the Seleucid era (roughly 2nd century BCE), CC BY SMH based upon the drawings by E. Weidner (1967) and Thureau-Dangin (1922).
File:Leo+hyaCrv+vir seleucid.jpg|Leo+Hya+Vir drawings of VAT7847+AO6884 on Stellarium map
File:Papke Vir.jpg|Drawing of the Babylonian version of the Maiden constellation by Papke (1987)
File:Leo+Vir dendera stellarium2022.jpg|Leo and Vir above Hydra on the circular Dendera Zodiac, mapped to Stellarium
File:Kugel cnc+leo+hya+vir.JPG|Cancer, Leo, Virgo above Hydra on Greek Kugel Globe (1st century)
</gallery>

== Mythology/ Religion ==
The immortal Dike, daughter of Zeus and Themis, once lived on Earth. She could not be seen by men, but she lived among women. As humans became increasingly brutal, waging wars and revolts against each other and no longer respecting justice, she first retreated to the mountains and finally disappeared into the heavens in disgust at the boundless injustice. This is reported by Hesiod, Aratus and Eratosthenes. They allude to a popular ancient fable that teaches the struggle for justice, because otherwise humanity will perish.

The story of Demeter is closely intertwined with that of her daughter Persephone. Persephone was abducted by Hades to be his wife, prompting Demeter to search for her. So Demeter is certainly not a ‘virgin’ if she has a daughter – just as Isis and Atargatis are not. If one wants to link the story of the abduction of the daughter with the constellation, Persephone herself could at best be this lady. She is also sometimes depicted with wings and assists her mother in the initiation ritual, so that the archaic context would also fit. However, she is missing from Eratosthenes' list of suggestions.

==Weblinks==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/virgo.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017064 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Virgo]

== References ==
[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:West Asian]][[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek]] [[Category:European]][[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Ursa Major

2026-05-20T14:00:45Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ἄρκτος μεγάλη. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg|alt=map|thumb|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the [[:Category:BigDipper|Big Dipper]] (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them. In Dutch and French a saucepan or casserole. For the Navajo, an indigenous people of the North American West, it represents seven human figures.

==Etymology and History==
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.

The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.

In a time when there was no bright star at the north celestial pole, seafaring peoples used this asterism for navigation because it runs quite close to the pole. At that time, the direction was not so important in astronavigation at sea, because ships always sailed close to the coast and could see land from time to time. The fact that Strabo's Greek geography book describes all the countries of the then known world not only by their position relative to the sun in winter and summer, but also by characteristic animals, explains the name of this constellation: basically, the star figure could also be called a dog, mouse or fox, because its outline can only be recognised as ‘some kind of animal’. However, as this constellation indicates the direction north, i.e. the ‘land of bears’ or the climate zone where bears live, the name was prefigured by the geographical aspect.

In Mesopotamia, the bright stars were regarded as The Chariot. However, it has not yet been clearly established where the other Babylonian chariot, the Chariot of Heaven, is located. The suggestion that the two Babylonian constellations ‘Wagon’ and ‘Wagon of Heaven’ are located in the places of the Greek Ursae seems quite possible based on Aratus' mention. However, this is not well documented due to a lack of rise and set data. It has also been suggested that the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ also refers to the Big Dipper in the constellation Ursa Major, rather than designating another constellation. The chariot is so important to the Mesopotamians because it is the seat of one of their most important gods: the god of agriculture, Enlil.

=== Origin of Constellation ===

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[MAR.GID2.DA|mul (giš)MAR.GID2.DA, ''eriqqu'']]
* [[MAR.GID2.DA.AN.NA|mul (giš)MA.GID2.DA AN.NA, ''eriqqu ša šamê'']]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
Two poles terminate it at the two ends; [25] but one is not visible, while the opposite one in the north is high above the horizon. On either side of it two Bears wheel in unison, and so they are called the Wagons. They keep their heads for ever pointing to each other’s loins, and for ever they move with shoulders leading, [30] aligned towards the shoulders, but in opposite directions. If the tale is true, these Bears ascended to the sky from Crete by the will of great Zeus, because when he was a child then in fragrant Lyctus near Mount Ida, they deposited him in a cave and tended him for the year, [35] while the Curetes of Dicte kept Cronus deceived. Now one of the Bears men call Cynosura by name, the other Helice. Helice is the one by which Greek men at sea judge the course to steer their ships, while Phoenicians cross the sea relying on the other. [40] Now the one is clear and easy to identify, Helice, being visible in all its grandeur as soon as night begins; the other is slight, yet a better guide to sailors, for it revolves entirely in a smaller circle: so by it the Sidonians sail the straightest course.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1.''' Hesiod says that she is the daughter of Lycaon; she lived in Arcadia and had chosen to spend her time in the mountains, in the company of Artemis, hunting wild beasts. Violated by Zeus, she stayed with the goddess, without the latter but later her secret was discovered when, shortly before secret was discovered when, shortly before giving birth, Artemis saw her taking a bath. The goddess, furious the goddess angrily changed her into a beast, and thus changed into a bear, she gave birth to Arcas. While she was in the mountains, she was chased hunted by goatherds and delivered her cub to Lycaon. Later, she was tempted to enter the inviolable sanctuary of Zeus, because she was unaware of the law concerning it. Her own son Arcas and the Arcadians pursued her there pursued her there and were on the point of executing her for breaking the law in question, when Zeus, because of the bond to her, removed her from the pursuers and placed her among the constellations. In view of her adventure, the god gave her the name ‘Bear ’. She has seven dull stars on her head, two on each of her ears, one shining star on her shoulders, one on her chest, two on her foreleg, one shining on her back, one shining on the belly, two on the hind legs, two on the tip of the leg and three on the tail. In all, twenty-four.

'''Var. 2:''' Hesiod tells us that the Great Bear is the daughter of Lycaon; she lived in Arcadia and had chosen to hunt in the mountains in the mountains, in the company of Artemis, to hunt wild beasts. Violated by Zeus, she began by her misadventure from Artemis, but when she was about to give, the goddess saw her taking a bath. The goddess was furious, changed her into a beast, and in this state she gave birth to a bear who was named Arcas. Amphis, the comic poet, says that Zeus took the guise of Artemis and went to the mountain and, during a common hunt, raped her. In time, her belly swelled up, but when she was questioned she said that the one responsible for her misfortune was none other than Artemis. The goddess was furious and turned her into a beast. While she was in the mountains, she was chased by goatherds, and handed over with her young to Lycaon. Later, she was tempted to enter the inviolable sanctuary of Zeus, because she was unaware of the law that concerned him. Her own son Arcas and the Arcadians pursued her there, and both she and her son were about to be put to death for having broken the law in question, when Zeus, on account of the bond which united him to them, placed her among the constellations, naming her ‘Bear’ because of her adventure. She has seven stars on her head, two on each of her ears, one on the shoulder ... a bright one, two on the hind leg, and three on the tail.</blockquote>The tale reflects the female initiation rites led by the goddess Artemis. The bathing scene is an expression of the stripping ritual (ἐκδυσία) that marks the end of a maiden's innocence. The anecdote of blaming a goddess for fathership might stem from a comedia, just to entertain the audience.

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>We begin, then as we said above, with the Great Bear. Hesiod says she is named Callisto, daughter of Lycaon, who ruled in Arcadia. Out of her zeal for hunting she joined Diana, and was greatly loved by the goddess because of their similar temperaments. Later, when made pregnant by Jove, she feared to tell the truth to Diana. But she couldn’t conceal it long, for as her womb grew heavier near the time of her delivery, when she was refreshing her tired body in a stream, Diana realized she had not preserved her virginity. In keeping with her deep distrust, the goddess inflicted no light punishment. Taking away her maiden features, she changed her into the form of a bear, called ''arktos'' in Greek . In this form she bore Arcas.

But as Amphis, writer of comedies, says, Jupiter, assuming the form of Diana, followed the girl as if to aid her in hunting, and embraced her when out of sight of the rest. Questioned by Diana as to the reason for her swollen form, she replied that it was the goddess’ fault, and because of this reply, Diana changed her into the shape we mentioned above. When wandering like a wild beast in the forest, she was caught by certain Aetolians and brought into Arcadia to King Lycaon along with her son as a gift, and there, in ignorance of the law, she is said to have rushed into the temple of Jove Lycaeus. Her son at once followed her, and the Arcadians in pursuit were trying to kill them, when Jupiter, mindful of his indiscretion, rescued her and placed her and her son among the constellations. He named her Arctos, and her son Arctophylax. About him we shall speak later.

Some, too, have said that when Callisto was embraced by Jove, Juno in anger turned her into a bear; then, when she met Diana hunting, she was killed by her, and later, on being recognized, was placed among the stars.

But others say that when Jupiter was pursuing Callisto in the woods, Juno, suspecting what had happened, hurried there so that she could say she had caught him openly. But Jove, the more easily to conceal his fault, left her changed to bear form. Juno, then, finding a bear instead of a girl in that place, pointed her out for Diana, who was hunting, to kill. Jove was distressed to see this, and put in the sky the likeness of a bear represented with stars.

This constellation, as many have stated, does not set, and those who desire some reason for this fact say that Tethys, wife of Ocean, refuses to receive her when the other stars come there to their setting, because Tethys was the nurse of Juno, in whose bed Callisto was a concubine.

Araethus of Tegea, however, writer of histories, says that she wasn’t Callisto, but Megisto, and wasn’t the daughter of Lycaon, but of Ceteus, and so granddaughter of Lycaon. He says, too, that Ceteus himself was called the Kneeler. The other details agree with what has been said above. All this is shown to have taken place on the Arcadian mountain Nonacris. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising and Setting ======
No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib x Cap y §10
|
|
|-
|
|
|von UMa der nördlichere von den beiden Sternen in den Vorderfüßen
|the northern one of the two stars in the front feet
|iota UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: helle an der Hüfte
|the bright one in the whip
|delta UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: der helle an der Brust
|the bright one in the chest
|beta UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: hintere Knie
|rear knee
|psi UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: Schultern
|shoulder
|alpha UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: der vorangehende in den Hinterfüßen
UMa: die vorangehenden in den Hinterfüße
|the front one in the rear feet
|nu UMa(?)
lam UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: Ende des Schwanzes
|tip of the tail
|eta UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|Große Bärin, helle in den vorderen Knieen
|the bright one in the front knees
|tet UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|Schnauze der Großen Bärin
|the snout
|omi UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: helle in Vorderbein
|the bright one in the front leg
|tet UMa
|
|
|
|}

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ἄρκτος μεγάλη. ====
{| class="wikitable"
! id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!άρκτου μεγάλης ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Ursa Major
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ῥύγχους
|The star on the end of the snout
|omi UMa
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐν τοῦς δυσὶν ὀφθαλμοῦς ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the stars in the two eyes
|2 UMa
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The one to the rear
|pi2 UMa
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐν τῷ μετώπῳ β ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The more advanced of the two stars in the forehead
|rho UMa
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The one to the rear
|sig2 UMa
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ἠγουμένου ὡτίου
|The star on the tip of the advance ear
|24 UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two stars in the neck
|tau UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The one to the rear
|23 UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ στήθει δύο ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the two stars in the chest
|ups UMa
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|phi UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος.
|The star on the left knee
|tet UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἐμπροσθίῳ ἀριστερῷ ἀκρόποδι ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the [two] in the front left paw
|iot UMa
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|kap UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπάνω τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος.
|The star above the right knee
|18 UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ὑποκάτω τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατόρ
|The star below the right knee
|15 UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐκ τῷ τετραπλεύρῳ ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ νώτου,
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the one on the back
|alf UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς λαγόνος αὐτῶν.
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the one on the flank
|bet UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the one on the place where the tail joins [the body]
|del UMa
|-
|
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὀπισθίου μηροῦ
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the remaining one, on the left hind thigh
|gam UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ὀπισθίῳ ἀριστερῷ ἀκρόποδι ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced or the [two stars] in the left hind paw
|lam UMa
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος
|The one to the rear of it
|mu UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς ἀγκύλης.
|The star on the left knee-bend
|psi UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὀπισθίῳ ἀκρόποδι ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the [two stars] in the right hind paw
|nu UMa
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|xi UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς γ’ ὁ μετὰ τὴν ἔκφυσιν πρῶτος
|The first of the three stars on the tail next to the place where it joins [the body]
|eps UMa
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one
|eps UMa
|-
|
|ὁ τρίτος καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The third, on the end of the tail
|eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κξ, ὥν μεγέθους β’ς, γ ἡ, δ’ ἡ, ε ἔ-
|{27 stars, 6 of the second magnitude, 8 of the third, 8 of the fourth, 5 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Τῶν ὑπ’ αὐτὴν ἀμορφώτων.
!Stars under [Ursa Major] outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν οὐρὰν ἄπωθεν εἰς νότου.
|The star under the tail, at some distance towards the south
|alf CVn
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος ἀμαυρότερος.
|The rather faint star in advance of it
|bet CVn
|-
|
|τῶν μεταξὺ τῶν ἐμπροσθίωυ ποδῶν τῆς άρκτου καὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Λέουτος ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the [two] stars between the front legs of Ursa [Major] and the head of Leo
|40 Lyn
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north of it
|38 Lyn
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἀμαυρῶν τ’ ὁ ἐπόμενος.
|The rearmost of the remaining three faint stars
|10 LMi
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος.
|The one in advance of this
|HR 3809
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου προηγούμενος.
|The one in advance again of the latter
|HR 3612
|-
|
|ὁ μεταξὺ τῶν ἐμπροσθίου ποδῶν καὶ τῶν Αιδύμωυ.
|The star between the front legs [of Ursa Major] and Gemini
|31 Lyn
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀμόρφωτοι ἤ, ὥν γ’ μεγέδους α, δ’ β, ε’α, ἀμαυροὶ δ.
|{8 stars outside the constellation, 1 of the third magnitude, 2 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth, 4 faint}
|
|}

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Alioth
|HIP 62956
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.77
|-
|2
|Dubhe
|HIP 54061
|Constellation lines
|1.79
|-
|3
|Alkaid
|HIP 67301
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.86
|-
|4
|Mizar
|HIP 65378
|Constellation lines
|2.22
|-
|5
|Merak
|HIP 53910
|Constellation lines
|2.37
|-
|6
|Phecda
|HIP 58001
|Constellation lines
|2.44
|-
|7
|ψ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 54539
|Constellation lines
|3.01
|-
|8
|Tania Australis
|HIP 50801
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.05
|-
|9
|Talitha
|HIP 44127
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.14
|-
|10
|θ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 46853
|Constellation lines
|3.18
|-
|11
|Megrez
|HIP 59774
|Constellation lines
|3.32
|-
|12
|Muscida
|HIP 41704
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.42
|-
|13
|Tania Borealis
|HIP 50372
|Constellation lines
|3.45
|-
|14
|Alkaphrah
|HIP 44471
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.55
|-
|15
|23 UMa
|HIP 46733
|Constellation lines
|3.67
|-
|16
|Taiyangshou
|HIP 57399
|Inside the hull
|3.72
|-
|17
|υ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 48319
|Constellation lines
|3.81
|-
|18
|26 UMa
|HIP 47006
|Inside the hull
|4.463
|-
|19
|15 UMa
|HIP 44901
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|20
|ϕ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 48402
|Constellation lines
|4.557
|-
|21
|24 UMa
|HIP 46977
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.57
|-
|22
|τ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 45075
|Constellation lines
|4.64
|-
|23
|ω Ursae Majoris
|HIP 53295
|Inside the hull
|4.664
|-
|24
|24 CVn
|HIP 66234
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|25
|ρ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 44390
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.76
|-
|26
|5 CVn
|HIP 60485
|Inside the hull
|4.761
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 51459
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|28
|σ 2 Ursae Majoris
|HIP 45038
|Constellation lines
|4.8
|-
|29
|18 UMa
|HIP 45493
|Inside the hull
|4.805
|-
|30
|ET UMa
|HIP 50933
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|31
|15 LMi
|HIP 48113
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|32
|44 UMa
|HIP 53261
|Inside the hull
|5.111
|-
|33
|σ 1 Ursae Majoris
|HIP 44857
|Inside the hull
|5.136
|-
|34
|37 UMa
|HIP 51814
|Inside the hull
|5.148
|-
|35
|21 CVn
|HIP 64906
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 52469
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|37
|16 UMa
|HIP 45333
|Inside the hull
|5.18
|-
|38
|44 Lyn
|HIP 47965
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 57477
|Inside the hull
|5.254
|-
|40
|17 UMa
|HIP 45455
|Inside the hull
|5.266
|-
|41
|31 UMa
|HIP 48682
|Inside the hull
|5.269
|-
|42
|3 CVn
|HIP 60122
|Inside the hull
|5.29
|-
|43
|Intercrus
|HIP 46471
|Inside the hull
|5.393
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 53781
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|45
|CG UMa
|HIP 45915
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 49005
|Inside the hull
|5.485
|-
|47
|70 UMa
|HIP 60212
|Inside the hull
|5.524
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 52136
|Inside the hull
|5.537
|-
|49
|6 UMa
|HIP 43903
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|50
|42 UMa
|HIP 53064
|Inside the hull
|5.562
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 56510
|Inside the hull
|5.628
|-
|52
| -
|HR 4439
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|53
|43 UMa
|HIP 53043
|Inside the hull
|5.661
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 56290
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 55797
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|56
|73 UMa
|HIP 60795
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 49363
|Inside the hull
|5.708
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 47594
|Inside the hull
|5.717
|-
|59
|5 UMa
|HIP 43644
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 44504
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|61
|32 UMa
|HIP 50448
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|62
|39 UMa
|HIP 52478
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 59920
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|64
|71 UMa
|HIP 60584
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|65
|66 UMa
|HIP 58181
|Inside the hull
|5.824
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 55086
|Inside the hull
|5.873
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 45590
|Inside the hull
|5.938
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 47401
|Inside the hull
|5.947
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 44613
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 48802
|Inside the hull
|5.959
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 50546
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 50635
|Inside the hull
|6.012
|-
|73
| -
|HR 4917
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|74
|60 UMa
|HIP 56789
|Inside the hull
|6.076
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 51448
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|76
|37 Lyn
|HIP 45836
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 56731
|Inside the hull
|6.113
|-
|78
|1 CVn
|HIP 59708
|Inside the hull
|6.171
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 53706
|Inside the hull
|6.197
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 58225
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 60988
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 61053
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 47791
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|84
|EZ UMa
|HIP 46247
|Inside the hull
|6.227
|-
|85
|11 CVn
|HIP 62516
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|86
|U UMa
|HIP 50222
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 48266
|Inside the hull
|6.262
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 57045
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 56083
|Inside the hull
|6.278
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 55936
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 48638
|Inside the hull
|6.286
|-
|92
|EE UMa
|HIP 56135
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|93
|35 UMa
|HIP 51401
|Inside the hull
|6.309
|-
|94
|68 UMa
|HIP 59458
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 48861
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 60305
|Inside the hull
|6.325
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 56944
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|98
|41 UMa
|HIP 52685
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|99
| -
|HIP 43624
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|100
| -
|HIP 49408
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 51290
|Inside the hull
|6.357
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 53860
|Inside the hull
|6.358
|-
|103
| -
|HIP 46168
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 47633
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 53798
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 50509
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 47231
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 56170
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|109
| -
|HIP 65754
|Inside the hull
|6.417
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 52929
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 53157
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 65698
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 44717
|Inside the hull
|6.435
|-
|114
| -
|HR 3725
|Inside the hull
|6.435
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 55485
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|116
| -
|HIP 50606
|Inside the hull
|6.453
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 66385
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|118
| -
|HIP 42434
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 46879
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 56809A
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 47664
|Inside the hull
|6.477
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 47521
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|123
| -
|HIP 56120
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|124
| -
|HIP 55044
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 62600
|Inside the hull
|6.495
|-
|126
| -
|HR 4098
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|127
| -
|HIP 50505
|Inside the hull
|6.65
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Greek Mythology<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2021). Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam, Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart</ref> ==
According to Hesiod, the Great Bear was the daughter of Lycaon of Arcadia and went hunting with the goddess Artemis. After being seduced and impregnated by Zeus, she managed to hide this for a long time. It was only when she took a bath shortly before or during the birth that the goddess saw her and, in her anger, transformed her into a bear. She gave birth to a son who was named Arkas. The name can be linked, in folk etymology, to both the Greek word for bear, ‘arktos,’ and Arcadia, so that Arkas can be stylised as the progenitor of the Arcadians. Hesiod's story vividly describes a female initiation rite of undressing (for bathing). If the undressed woman is already pregnant, the initiation is superfluous.

Eratosthenes then describes another event: the bear and her cub were hunted on the mountain by goat herders and finally handed over to King Lycaon. When the animal entered the cella of the temple of Zeus, it (unintentionally) broke a law and was sentenced to death along with its offspring. Zeus, however, abducted them and placed them among the stars.

Aratos presents an alternative story: the bear is Kynosura, one of Zeus's nurses. Zeus was raised in a cave in Crete because his mother hid him from his father. Bees fed him honey, a goat fed him milk, and several other animals and mountains defended him and offered him protection. They were all personified as nymphs, and the bear-like nymph Kynosura was placed in the sky out of gratitude.

== Star Names ==
[[File:RolandLafitte ArabicMap Gazelles.jpg|alt=star chart|thumb|''al-Ẓibā’'', «°les Gazelles°» (CC BY Roland Laffitte 2024)]][[File:RolandLafitte modernMap.jpg|alt=star chart|thumb|''al-Ẓibā’'', « les Gazelles » (CC BY Roland Laffitte 2024)]]
==='''''al-Ẓibā’''''' in Roland Laffitte, ''Le ciel des Arabes'', p. 112-113.===
{| class="wikitable"
| colspan="5" |''ο2ρπ2σ2d'' ''UMa +αβ CVn + α/''31 ''Lyn''
|-
|
|'''Arabic'''
|'''French'''
|'''English'''
|'''Author'''
|-
|
|''al-Ẓibā’''
|les Gazelles
|the Gazelles
|Qutayba
|-
|''Lyn''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Ḍibā’'' [p/ ''al-Ẓibā’'']
|l’Australe des Gazelles
|the southern one of the Gazelles
|Miṣrī
|-
|''31 Lyn''
|''Mutaq. al-Ḍibā’'' [p/ ''al-Ẓibā’'']
|l’Antérieure des Gazelles
|the front one of the Gazelles
|Miṣrī
|-
|''38 Lyn''
|''Šamālī ’l-Ḍibā’''
'' '' [en fait : ''al-Ẓibā’'']
|la Boréale des Hyènes
[en fait : les Gazelles]
|the northern one of of the Hyena
|Miṣrī
|-
| colspan="5" |46, 21+''β LMi''
|-
|
|''Awlād'' ''al-Ẓibā’''
|les Petits des Gazelles
|the small one of the Gazelles
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''Awlād'' ''al-Ġizlān''
|''idem''
|
|Ṣūfī
|-
| colspan="5" |''τhυφθef UMa''
|-
|
|''al-Ḥawḍ''
|l’Abreuvoir
|the Water Trough
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''al-ᶜUnq''
|l’Assemblée
|the Meeting
|Qutayba
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="5" |''ικλμνξ UMa''
|-
|
|''Qafazāt al-Ẓibā’''
|les Sauts
|the Jumps
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''al-Qafazāt''
|les Sauts [des Gazelles]
|the Jumps (of the Gazelles)
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''Qafazāt al-Ġizlān''
|les Sauts des Gazelles
|The Jumps of the Gazelles
|Ṣūfī
|-
|
|''al-Qawāfiz''
|les Bondissantes
|the Bouncings
|Marzūqī
|-
|
|''Baqarāt al-Ẓibā’''
|les Gazelles femelles
|the female Gazelles
|Fāris
|-
|''νξ UMa''
|''al-Qafazat al-Ūlā''
|le 1er Saut
|First Jump
|Ṣūfī
|-
|''λμ UMa''
|''al-Qafazat al-Ṯāniyya''
|le 2nd Saut
|Second Jump
|Ṣūfī
|-
|''ικ UMa''
|''al-Qafazat al-Ṯāliṯa''
|le 3ème Saut
|Third Jump
|Ṣūfī
|-
|''ι UMa''
|''Šamālī ’l-Qafazat al-Ūlā''
[en fait : ''al-Ṯāliṯa'']
|la Boréale du 1er Saut
[en fait : le 3ème]
|the northern one of the first jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''κ UMa''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Qafazat al-Ūlā''
[en fait : ''al-Ṯāliṯa'']
|l’Australe du Premier Saut
[en fait : le 3ème]
|the southern one of the first jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''λ UMa''
|[''Šamālī''] ''’l-Q. al-Ṯāniyya''
|[la Boréale] du 2nd Saut
|(the northern one) of the second jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''μ UMa''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Q al-Ṯāniyya''
|l’Australe du 2nd Saut
|the southern one of the second jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''ξ UMa''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Q. al-Ṯāliṯa''
[en fait : ''al- Ūlā'']
|l’Australe du 3ème Saut
[en fait le 1er]
|the southern one of the third jump
|Miṣrī
|}

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/ursamajor.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017038 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Ursa Major]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Triangulum

2026-05-20T13:57:29Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Τρίγωνον */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Triangulum IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Tri star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Tri kugel.jpg|alt=drawing of the constellation |thumb|Constellation Trianugulum on the 10 cm silver globe from the Kugel collection (Paris), dating 1st century BCE.]]
[[File:Kugel Globe Tri.JPG|thumb|Earliest known depiction of Triangulum on the Kugel Globe (first century BCE), drawing by SMH 2025.<ref>Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref> ]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. In Greek antiquity, it was called either '''Trigonon''' (Τρίγωνον; triangle), or alternatively '''Deltoton''' (Δελτωτόν; the letter Delta: Δ). The alternative name incorporates the religious connection for the ancients, but the constellation is missing from the Farnese Globe and the Mainz Globe.

==Etymology and History==
=== Origin of Constellation ===
The triangle constellation is ancient Greek.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> It did not exist in Mesopotamia; the stars probably belonged to the Babylonian constellation of the Hired Man, mul lu2[[ḪUN.GA2|ḪUN.GA2]] ([[Aries]]). Although it was consistently present as a separate constellation in Greece, the authors disagree about its meaning. Aratos calls it ‘the sign’; the mathematical astronomers call it ‘triangle’. Accordingly, Eratosthenes notes that some interpret it as the initial letter of the word ‘Dios’, i.e., as the Greek capital letter Δ (Delta). Dios is the genitive of the name of Zeus. The astronomer reports that when Hermes arranged the constellations in the sky, he inserted ‘of Zeus’ as a possessive inscription - i.e. ‘constellations of Zeus’, the highest god.

Alternatively, Eratosthenes, the librarian of Alexandria and teacher of the princes of Egypt, reported that the constellation was the Nile Delta. He says that the Nile created a triangular outline of Egypt. The constellation, therefore, symbolises the land that the Nile shapes.

The constellation is missing on the globe of the Atlas Farnese, but it is mentioned in all star catalogues: by Eudoxos, Hipparchus, Eratosthenes and Ptolemy. So, it was probably only omitted because it was too delicate or too tiny for the stonemason to fit between the ram and the princess. Interestingly, according to the Almagest, the triangle (Τρίγωνον) consists of four stars, with the fourth star located on one of the connecting lines. In contrast to the (equilateral) southern triangle, this classic triangle is very small and pointed: the fourth star, therefore, does not have to mark the baseline but is located on the smallest of the three edges.

In modern times, the constellation is called ‘the triangle’ by Johann E. Bode, for example. Whether he is referring to the small musical instrument remains a mystery, as the shape of the constellation is not changed. Mathematically, it makes no difference whether this geometry is called ‘three angles’ or ‘three corners’, so that the words "tri-angel" and "drei-eck(en)" are equivalent.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>There is yet another constellation formed near by beneath Andromeda: [235] the Triangle is measured out on three sides, recognisably isosceles; the third side is shorter, but it is very easy to find, for it is well starred compared to the other two. Its stars are a little to the south of those of the Ram. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>[[File:Tri Duerer.JPG|thumb|Triangulum in Dürer (1515) named "Deltoton".]]

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1 (περὶ τοῦ Δελτωτοῦ):''' This is the constellation above the head of Aries, and it is said that it is to compensate for its lack of brilliance is an easily recognisable letter, taken from the initial of the name of Zeus, and placed there by Hermes who organised the entire arrangement of the constellations. In fact, some say that Egypt derives its triangular shape from the triangle of the constellation, and that the Nile shape it has given to the contours of the country, not only guarantees its security, but also makes it easier to sow and provide a favourable climate for harvesting the fruits of the earth.

The Triangle has three stars, one on each of its angles, all three shining brightly.

'''Var. 2 (Δελτωτοῦ):''' This is the constellation above the head of Aries; it is said that the latter is quite dull, and that an easily recognisable letter is located above him, taken from the initial of the name of Zeus, and placed by Hermes who organised arrangement of the constellations. Some say that Egypt derives its triangular shape from the triangle of the constellation, and that the Nile, by this very shape it has given to the contours of the country, not only guarantees its security, but also makes it easier to sow easier and provide a favourable climate for harvesting the fruits of the earth.

The Triangle has three bright stars, one on each angle. (Pamias and Zucker 2013)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

* not in Hipparchus's lists of rising and setting constellations

* but γ Tri is mentioned as simultaneous culmination with the setting of Aquila, The Eagle

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This constellation, which has three angles like the Greek letter Delta, is so named for that reason. Mercury is thought to have placed it above the head of Aries, so that the dimness of Aries might be marked by its brightness, wherever it should be, and that it should form the first letter in the name of Jove (in Greek, Dis). Some have said that it pictures the position of Egypt; others, that of Aethiopa and Egypt where the Nile marks their boundaries. Still others think that Sicily is pictured there. Others, say that three angles were put there because the gods divided the universe into three parts. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Τρίγωνον ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Τριγώνου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Triangulum
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῇ κορουφῇ τοῦ Τριγώνου
|The star in the apex of the triangle
|α Tri
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς βάσεως 7 ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 on the base
|β Tri
|-
|3
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one of these
|δ Tri
|-
|4
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|γ Tri
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες δ', ὥν γ’ μεγέθους γ', δ’ ἄ.
|{4 stars, 3 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth}
|
|}
[[File:Trigonos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Trigonos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Alaybasan
|HIP 10064
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3
|-
|2
|Mothallah
|HIP 8796
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.42
|-
|3
|Apdu
|HIP 10670
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4
|-
|4
|Deltoton
|HIP 10644
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.83
|}

=== Arabic Culture ===

According to Laffitte (2025), there are two star names in the Arabic version of the Greek triangle. One is derived from the translation of the Greek term for "Triangle", the other is of unknown origin:<ref>Roland LAFFITTE (2025). Nommer les étoiles. 500 noms hérités des Arabes. Apport de l'uranographie arabe. Lyon: Orient-des-Mots </ref> <blockquote>The Arabs of the classical period borrowed from the Greeks the figure of ''Δελτωτόν / Deltaton'', the ‘Triangle’ introduced by Eudoxus, under the name ''al-Mutallat'', with the same meaning (Ar. ''al-Muṯallaṯ'', al-Ḥağğāğ & Isḥāq. Lat. ''Triangulum'', Gerard of Cremona.), whereas the ancient Arabs considered only the pair called ''al-Anīsān'', ‘the Two Companions,’ (Ar.: ''al-Anīsān'', Ibn Qutayba, al-Ṣūfī > ''“al-anîsaïn”'' (ind. case) Schjellerup; ''al-Šimālī min al-Anisayn'', al-Marrākuši > “the second of the ''Anisaïne''”, J. J. Sédillot) in this region of the celestial vault ''βγ Tri'', which became ''al-Ubaysān'', ‘the 2 Arms [of''al-Ḥamal'']’, in some manuscripts by al-Ṣūfī.

'''''Mothallah''''' ''(α Tri: 3.4) /'' '''رأس]''' '''المثلّث''']

Borrowed at the beginning of the 19th century and validated by the IAU, this is a truncation of ''Ra's al-Muṯallaṯ'', ‘the Summit of the Triangle’, in the Greco-Arabic sky and marked on the astrolabe in classical times; Ar. : al-Ḥağğāğ, al-Ṣūfī, then Uluġ Bēg and Al-Tīzīnī. Lat. “''Râs AlMothállath”'', Hyde, then ''“râs el-motsallats”'', Lach > ''Râs el-motsallats'', Bode, and ''Mothallah'', Piazzi, abs. in Francœur. ''Ras Al Mothallah'', Benhamouda. Var.: not. ''Mothallah'', ''Metallah'' and ''Elmuthalleh'', ''Rassalmotthallah'', Allen, not forgetting ''Caput Trianguli'' and ''Tête du Triangle'', which are calques of the Arabic name, then Nit. 01. After Allen, ''Mothallah'', Hoffleit, ''Simbad'', UAI. ''Caput Trianguli'', Rhoads.

'''''Mizan''''' ''[Trianguli] (β Tri: 3.4) /'' '''الميزان'''

Recently introduced, this is the Arabic ''al-Mīzān'', ‘the Balance’, of unknown origin.

Ar. ''al-Mīzān'', ‘the Balance’. Allen gives ''“Al Mīzān”'' c/ the Arabs, but does not indicate any source. After him, ''Al Mizan'', Rumrill p/ ''αβ Tri'', and ''Mizan'' p/ ''β Tri'', Rhoads.</blockquote>

=== Medieval and Early Modern Variants ===
[[File:Tri Plancius16112.JPG|thumb|Triangulum in Plancius (1612).]]

==== Instrument (Triquetrum) ====
Plancius on his 1612 globe preserves a name variant for Triangulum:

* Triquetrum.

This is a an ancient instrument for astrometrical measurements.

The brightest star he names '''Almutaleth''' which is a derivative of Arabic "Mothallah", The Triangle, adopted for α Trianguli because the phrase the descibes it in the Almagest ends with the word Τριγώνου "triangle".

==== Many Triangles ====
[[File:Triangulum+Fly+Aries Hevelius1690.jpg|thumb|Trianguli in Hevelius (1690).]]
Hevelius (1690) created a second triangle from fainter stars which was taken up by several authors.

Ian Ridpath writes:<ref>Ian Ridpath, Star Tales (Online Edition). [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/triangulumminus.html Triangulum Minus.]</ref> <blockquote>One of the least imaginative constellations, Triangulum Minus was invented in 1687 by Johannes Hevelius and first depicted on his star atlas, Firmamentum Sobiescianum, published posthumously in 1690. It was formed from three 5th-magnitude stars first catalogued by Hevelius himself. Triangulum Minus lay just south of the existing celestial triangle, Triangulum, which Hevelius renamed Triangulum Majus.</blockquote><blockquote>The little triangle achieved surprisingly wide acceptance among astronomers, including Johann Bode who showed it on his Uranographia in 1801. On some charts the pair were jointly named Triangula. Ultimately, though, the little triangle was deemed superfluous to requirements when the constellations came to be rationalized. Its stars were transferred to Triangulum proper where they are now known as 6, 10, and 12 Trianguli.</blockquote>.

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Perseus et Triangulum - Mercator.jpeg|Perseus et Triangulum - Mercator 1551
File:Tri Plancius16112.JPG|Triangulum in Plancius (1612).
File:Johannes Hevelius - Triangulum Majus, Triangulum Minus & Musca (also shows Aries, Andromeda, Piscis Boreus and Perseus).jpg|Johannes Hevelius - Triangulum Majus, Triangulum Minus & Musca (also shows Aries, Andromeda, Piscis Boreus and Perseus)
File:Aries and Fleur-de-lis (Ignace Gaston Pardies-Plate 2).jpg|Aries and Fleur-de-lis (Ignace Gaston Pardies-Plate 2)
File:MITRAE PONTIFICALIS S PETRI.jpg
File:Ari-Tri etc Capture Tri-hi.JPG|Triangulum in Young (1807): A Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy and the Mechanical Arts.
File:Lilium, Triangulum - Corbinian Thomas.jpg|Lilium, Triangulum - Corbinian Thomas
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Gloria Frederici, Andromeda, and Triangula.jpg|Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Gloria Frederici, Andromeda, and Triangula
File:IauWGSN Triangulum SadeghFaghanpour2025.jpg|Triangulum with WGSN-names (CC BY Sadegh Faghanpour and Susanne M Hoffmann for WGSN 2025).
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
Even Eratosthenes does not narrate any story or mythology.

== IAU WGSN naming ==

# [[File:IauWGSN Triangulum SadeghFaghanpour2025.jpg|thumb|Triangulum with WGSN-names (CC BY Sadegh Faghanpour and Susanne M Hoffmann for WGSN 2025).]]The main star, α Trianguli (3.42 mag), got a name in the early days of WGSN review of star names in 2016: The name "[[Mothallah]]" derives the term for "triangle" (al-muthallath) in Arabic and is, therefore, documented in Kunitzsch and Smart (2006).
# Multiple Arabic names for the brightest star, β Tri (3.00 mag), were being reviewed by WGSN before "[[Alaybasan]]" was adopted.
# For the third star of the prominent triangle, γ Tri, the ancient Egyptian name "[[Apdu]]" was adopted.
# The original Ancient Greek term "[[Deltoton]]" was considered for one of the other unnamed stars among the 4 stars listed in the Almagest and adopted for Delta Tri, as WGSN likes to pun.
# "[[Triminus]]" - a shortened version of Hevelius's "Triangulum Minus" has also been proposed as a name for one of the three stars Iota/6 Tri, 10 Tri, and 12 Tri -- of which 6 Tri is the brightest (a quadruple dominated by a G giant).

== Weblinks ==
*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017058 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Triangulum]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:European]][[Category:Tri]]

Taurus

2026-05-20T13:55:05Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ταῦρος */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Taurus (tau).jpg|alt=sstar chart of Taurus|thumb|Taurus, The Bull, modern definition. credit: IAU and Sky & Telescope]]
One of the 88 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Union IAU] constellations. For the star cluster-asterisms of the [[Pleiades]] and the [[Hyades]] see separate entry.

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Fig7 taurueschen 800dpi.jpg|thumb|Taurus as drawn on a clay tablet (VAT 7851) from Seleucid time, new drawing published by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref>.]]
[[File:TauAll+year.jpg|thumb|Mesopotamian terms in the sign of Taurus; the diagram shows that the terminology was changed around 320±10 BCE (Hoffmann and Hunger 2024).<ref>Hoffmann, S. M. and Hunger, H. (2024). Terminology in Taurus, The Bull. Nouvelles Assyriologiques Brèves et Utilitaires, 4, 121</ref>]]
[[File:Fig1 taurus tablet 150dpi sciLogs.jpg|thumb|Taurus sign with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; drawing by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref> ]]
The shape of a bull is quite easily recognisable in the sky in this asterism. Two open star clusters stand out prominently: the Hyades and the Pleiades.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> They are sometimes seen as the pillars of a gate through which the sun, moon and planets pass. By adding further stars, they become the figure of half a bull. Greek mythology explains the absence of the back of the bull by the fact that it is swimming.

In reality, of course, the zodiacal constellation - like all the others - is taken from Mesopotamia.
[[File:Kugel aur+tau.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Auriga and Taurus (drawing by SMH 2024)<ref>Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref>]]

=== Origin of Constellation ===

Originally, the celestial bull is part of the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh was king of Sumer, the southern part of Mesopotamia, in the 3rd millennium. It is unclear how long this king actually lived and ruled, but he is documented in a list of kings. Perhaps several kings (of the same name) are mixed up there. The figure of Gilgamesh in literature symbolises a number of cultural upheavals or as a founder of culture.

==== Babylonian ====
The most important city in Sumer was Uruk, whose city goddess is Inanna/Ishtar. After Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu had already performed other heroic deeds, they fight together in Uruk against the celestial bull sent by Ishtar: the Bull of Heaven ([[GU4.AN.NA|mulGU4.AN.NA]]) belonged to Ishtar's father, the sky god Anu, and was therefore a deity or mythical creature. The heroes succeed in defeating the beast when Enkidu grabs the bull from behind and Gilgamesh grabs it from the front. This explains the bisected constellation.

Some researchers see the Mesopotamian constellations Hired Man ([[ḪUN.GA2|lúḪUN.GA2]], today: [[Aries]]) and True Shepherd of the Heavens ([[SIPA.ZI.AN.NA]], today: [[Orion]]) as a representation of this bullfight between Enkidu (Hired Man on the invisible hindquarters of the bull) and Gilgamesh. The figure of Orion stretches out one hand towards the bull's head and, according to the Almagest, swings a club with the other as if to hit the bull between the horns - as reported in the Epic of Gilgamesh (tablet 6). In addition, the shepherd figure (for humans) is a metaphor for rulers, which can be traced back to Sumerian times for kings and lives on today in the symbolism of Christian bishops. However, the divine shepherd is typically Dumuzi, Ishtar's husband, assigned to the labourer's constellation. The connection between the constellations Ori-Tau-Ari is therefore very speculative without written evidence. Writing as a cultural technique had only just been invented at this time. Only a few commercial documents and no astronomical texts have survived from the 3rd millennium.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Near the feet of the Charioteer look for the horned Bull crouching. This constellation is very recognisable, so clearly defined is its head: one needs no other sign to identify the ox’s head, so well do the stars themselves model both sides of it as they go round. Their name is also very popular: the Hyades are not just nameless. They are set out all along the Bull’s face; the point of its left horn and the right foot of the adjacent Charioteer are occupied by a single star, and they are pinned together as they go. But the Bull is always ahead of the Charioteer in sinking to the horizon, though it rises simultaneously. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes<ref>Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, translated by Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud, Les Belles Lettres, Paris 2013</ref> =====
From Pamias and Zucker (2013) translated to English by us.

Variant 1 (p. 45-46)<blockquote>It is said that he was placed among the constellations for having carried Europa across the sea from Phoenicia to Crete, as Euripides recounts in his Phrixos. This earned him Zeus's distinction and a place among the most visible constellations. Others claim that it is a cow, the replica of Io, and that it was out of consideration for the latter that it [the constellation] received this privilege from Zeus.</blockquote><blockquote>The stars named Hyades define the contours of the forehead and face of Taurus. At the break in the image of Taurus, at the height of the back, is the Pleiades, which has seven stars, and that is why it is also given the name ‘Heptaster’ (seven stars). In reality, only six are visible, as the seventh is completely unremarkable.</blockquote><blockquote>Taurus has seven stars, and it moves backwards with its head tucked towards its body: one at the base of each of its horns —the brightest being the one on the left—, one above each eye, one above each nostril, one above each shoulder: these are called ‘the Hyades’; it also has one on its left front knee, two on its hooves, one on its right knee, two on its neck, three on its back —the last of which is bright—, one under its belly, and one bright star on its chest. In all, eighteen. </blockquote>Variant 2 (p.47)<blockquote>It is said that he was placed among the constellations for having carried Europa safely across the sea from Phoenicia to Crete, as Euripides recounts in his Phrixos. This earned him Zeus's distinction and a place among the most visible constellations. Others claim that it is a cow that is among the constellations, the replica of Io; out of consideration for the latter, she received this privilege from Zeus.</blockquote><blockquote>The stars named ‘Hyades’ define the contours of the bull's forehead and face; Phercydes of Athens says that they are the nurses of Dionysus, known as the ‘nymphs of Dodona’. Taurus has a star on each of its horns, two on its forehead, one on each eye, one on each nostril (the latter are called ‘the Hyades’); it also has one on its front knee, two on its neck, three on its back, one on its hoof, one on its right knee, two on its belly, and one on its chest. Eighteen in all.</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §11) ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 7°
|Tau 29°
|Cap 21.5°
|Psc 9°
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southernmost of the four at the cut-off
|the one at the tip of the right horn
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/8 hours = 67.5 min = 16 7/8 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §11) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Psc 20°
|Tau 26°
|Cnc 22°
|Vir 7°
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southernmost of the four at the cut-off
|the one at the tip of the left horn
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
| align="left" |Der im rechten Fuß [Aur]
|
|beta Tau
|
|rising, east, last [Aur]
|
|-
|
|
| align="left" |rechter Fuß
|
|
|
|culm [Cet, set, first]
|
|-
|
|
| rowspan="2" align="left" |südlichste am Abschnitt des Stiers
|
| rowspan="2" |omi Tau
|
|culm [Arg, ]
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|rising [Tau], east, first
|
|-
|
|
| align="left" |der hellste in den Hyaden
|
|alf Tau
|
|culm [Leo, end]
|
|-
|
|
| align="left" |Spitze des rechten Hornes
|
|zeta Tau
|
|rising [Tau], east, last
|
|-
|
|
| align="left" |Tau: Schulterblatt
|
|lam Tau
|
|setting [Aqr], culm, last
|
|-
|
|
| align="left" |Hyaden: Stierschnauze
|
|gam Tau
|
|setting [Aqr], culm, last
|
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The Bull was placed among the stars because it carried Europa safely to Crete, as Euripides says. Some say that when Io was transformed into a heifer, Jupiter, to seem to make amends, put an image among the constellations which resembled a bull in its fore parts, but was dim behind. It faces towards the East, and the stars which outline the face are called Hyades. These, Pherecydes the Athenian says, are the nurses of Liber, seven in number, who earlier were nymphae called Dodonidae. Their names are as follows: Ambrosia, Eudora, Pedile, Coronis, Polyxo, Phyto, and Thyone. They are said to have been put to flight by Lycurgus and all except Ambrosia took refuge with Thetis, as Asclepiades says. But according to Pherecydes, they brought Liber to Thebes and delivered him to Ino, and for this reason Jove expressed his thanks to them by putting them among the constellations.

The Pleiades were so named, according to Musaeaus, because fifteen daughters were born to Atlas and Aethra, daughter of Ocean. Five of them are called Hyades, he shows, because their brother was Hyas, a youth dearly beloved by his sisters. When he was killed in a lion hunt, the five we have mentioned, given over to continual lamentation, are said to have perished. Because they grieved exceedingly at his death, they are called Hyades. The remaining ten brooded over the death of their sisters, and brought death on themselves; because so may experienced the same grief, they were called Pleiades. Alexander says they were called Hyades because they were daughters of Hyas and Boeotia, Pleiades, because born of Pleio, daughter of Ocean, and Atlas.

The Pleiades are called seven in number, but only six can be seen. This reason has been advanced, that of the seven, six mated with immortals (three with Jove, two with Neptune, and one with Mars); the seventh was said to have been the wife of Sisyphus. From Electra and Jove, Dardanus was born; from Maia and Jove, Mercury; from Taygete and Jove, Lacedaemon; from Alcyone and Neptune, Hyrieus; from Celaeno and Neptune, Lycus and Nycteus. Mars by Sterope begat Oinomaus, but others call her the wife of Oinomaus. Merope, wed to Sisyphus, bore Glaucus, who, as many say, was the father of Bellerophon. On account of her other sisters she was placed among the constellations, but because she married a mortal, her star is dim. Others say Electra does not appear because the Pleiades are thought to lead the circling dance for the stars, but after Troy was captured and her descendants through Dardanus overthrown, moved by grief she left them and took her place in the circle called Arctic. From this she appears, in grief for such a long time, with her hair unbound, that, because of this, she is called a comet.

But ancient astronomers placed these Pleiades, daughters of Pleione and Atlas, as we have said, apart from the Bull. When Pleione once was travelling through Boeotia with her daughters, Orion, who was accompanying her, tried to attack her. She escaped, but Orion sought her for seven years and couldn't find her. Jove, pitying the girls, appointed a way to the stars, and later, by some astronomers, they were called the Bull's tail. And so up to this time Orion seems to be following them as they flee towards the west. Our writers call these stars Vergiliae, because they rise after spring. They have still greater honour than the others, too, because their rising is a sign of summer, their setting of winter — a thing is not true of the other constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

==== Almagest Ταῦρος ====
{| class="wikitable"
! id
! Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
! English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ταύρου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Taurus
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀποτομῇ δ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 4 stars in the cut-off
|5 Tau
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐχόμενος αὐτοῦ.
|The one close by this
|4 Tau
|-
|3
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου ἐχόμενος.
|The one close again to the latter
|xi Tau
|-
|4
|ὁ νοτιώτατος τῶν δ
|The southernmost of the 4
|omi Tau
|-
|5
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμενος ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς ὡμοπλάτης
|The one to the rear of these, on the right shoulder-blade
|30 Tau
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐε τῷ στήθει
|The star in the chest
|lam Tau
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόρατος
|The star on the right knee
|mu Tau
|-
|8
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ σφυροῦ
|The star on the right hock
|nu Tau
|-
|9
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος
|The star on the left knee
|90 Tau
|-
|10
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ πήχεως
|The star on the left lower leg
|88 Tau
|-
|11
|τῶν ἐν τῷ προσώπῳ καλουμένων Τάδων ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν μυκτήρων
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one on the nostrils
|gam Tau
|-
|12
|ὁ μεταξὺ τούτου καὶ τοῦ βορεύου ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one between this and the northern eye
|del1 Tau
|-
|13
|ὁ μεταξὺ αὐτοῦ καὶ τοῦ φοτύου ὀφδαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the one between it [no. 11] and the southern eye
|tet1 Tau
|-
|14
|ὁ λαμπρὸς τῶν Ῥάδων ἐπὶ τοῦ νοτίου ὀφθαλμοῦ ὑπόκιρρος
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the bright star of the Hyades, the reddish one on the southern eye
|alf Tau
|-
|15
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ βορεύου ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The stars in the face, called 'the Hyades': the remaining one, on the northern eye
|eps Tau
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος καὶ τοῦ ὠτίου
|The star on the place where the southern horn and the ear join [the head]
|97 Tau
|-
|17
|ὁ τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοτίου κέρατος β ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars on the southern horn
|104 Tau
|-
|18
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of these
|106 Tau
|-
|19
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος
|The star on the tip of the southern horn
|zet Tau
|-
|20
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ βορείου κέρατος.
|The star on the place where the northern horn joins [the head]
|tau Tau
|-
|21
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ βορείου κέρατος ὁ αὐτὸς τῷ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδὸς τοῦ Ἡνιόχου.
|The star on the tip of the northern horn, which is the same as the one on the right foot of [[Auriga]]
|bet Tau
|-
|22
|τῶν ἐν τῷ βορείῳ ὠτίῳ β σύνεγγυς ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close together in the northern ear
|ups Tau
|-
|23
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|kap Tau
|-
|24
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β μικρῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 small stars in the neck
|37 Tau
|-
|25
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|omega Tau
|-
|26
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ αὐχένι τετραπλεύρου τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the southernmost star on the advance side
|44 Tau
|-
|27
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the northernmost star on the advance side
|psi Tau
|-
|28
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the southernmost star on the rear side
|chi Tau
|-
|29
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς.
|The quadrilateral in the neck: the northernmost one on the rear side
|phi Tau
|-
|30
|τῆς Πλειάδος τὸ βόρειου πέρας τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The Pleiades: the northern end of the advance side
|19 Tau
|-
|31
|τὸ νότιον πέρας τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The Pleiades: the southern end of the advance side
|23 Tau
|-
|32
|τὸ ἐπόμενου καὶ στεηότατον πέρας τῆς Πλειάδος.
|The Pleiades: the rearmost and narrowest end of the Pleiades
|27 Tau
|-
|33
|ὁ ἔκτος καὶ μικρὸς τῆς Πλειάδος ἀπ’ ἄρκτων
|The Pleiades: the small star outside the Pleiades, towards the north
|HR 1188
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λβ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθουςα, γ’ς, δ’ ἴἄ, ε φ, ς’ α.
|{32 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 6 of the third, 11 of the fourth, 13 of the fifth, 1 of the sixth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Ταῦρον ἀμόρφωτου.
!Stars around Taurus outside the constellation:
!
|-
|34
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸν δεξιὸν πόδα καὶ τὴν ὡμοπλάτην.
|The star under the right foot and the shoulder-blade
|10 Tau
|-
|35
|τῶν ὑπὲρ τὸ νότιον κέρας γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 stars over the southern horn
|iot Tau
|-
|36
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|109 Tau
|-
|37
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|114 Tau
|-
|38
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ ἄκρου τοῦ νοτίου κέρατος β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars under the tip of the southern horn
|126 Tau
|-
|39
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|129 Tau
|-
|40
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ βόρειον κέρας ἓ ἐπομένων ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The 5 stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the most advanced
|121 Tau
|-
|41
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος.
|The 5 stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the one to the rear of this
|125 Tau
|-
|42
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἐπόμενος.
|The 5 stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the one to the rear again of the latter
|132 Tau
|-
|43
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἐπομένωυ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The 5 stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the northernmost of the remaining, rearmost 2
|136 Tau
|-
|44
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The 5 stars under and to the rear of the northern horn: the southernmost of these two
|139 Tau
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ιὰ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἄ, 8 ἱ.
|{11 stars, 1 of the fourth magnitude, 10 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Tauros Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Tauros (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Aldebaran
|HIP 21421
|Inside the hull
|0.86
|-
|2
|Elnath
|HIP 25428
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.65
|-
|3
|Alcyone
|HIP 17702
|Inside the hull
|2.87
|-
|4
|Tianguan
|HIP 26451
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.03
|-
|5
|λ Tauri
|HIP 18724
|Constellation lines
|3.41
|-
|6
|Chamukuy
|HIP 20894
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|7
|Ain
|HIP 20889
|Inside the hull
|3.53
|-
|8
|ο Tauri
|HIP 15900
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.6
|-
|9
|Atlas
|HIP 17847
|Inside the hull
|3.63
|-
|10
|Prima Hyadum
|HIP 20205
|Constellation lines
|3.65
|-
|11
|ξ Tauri
|HIP 16083
|Constellation lines
|3.75
|-
|12
|Secunda Hyadum
|HIP 20455
|Constellation lines
|3.76
|-
|13
|θ 1 Tauri
|HIP 20885
|Inside the hull
|3.84
|-
|14
|5 Tau
|HIP 16369
|Constellation lines
|4.1
|-
|15
|Merope
|HIP 17608
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.18
|-
|16
|κ 1 Tauri
|HIP 20635
|Constellation lines
|4.201
|-
|17
|τ Tauri
|HIP 21881
|Constellation lines
|4.258
|-
|18
|υ Tauri
|HIP 20711
|Constellation lines
|4.282
|-
|19
|δ 3 Tauri
|HIP 20648
|Inside the hull
|4.298
|-
|20
|37 Tau
|HIP 19038
|Constellation lines
|4.37
|-
|21
|71 Tau
|HIP 20713
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|22
|ι Tauri
|HIP 23497
|Inside the hull
|4.615
|-
|23
|ρ Tauri
|HIP 21273
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.65
|-
|24
|σ 2 Tauri
|HIP 21683
|Inside the hull
|4.665
|-
|25
|π Tauri
|HIP 20732
|Constellation lines
|4.69
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 21029
|Inside the hull
|4.764
|-
|27
|δ 2 Tauri
|HIP 20542
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|28
|114 Tau
|HIP 25539
|Inside the hull
|4.868
|-
|29
|m Tau
|HIP 23835
|Constellation lines
|4.89
|-
|30
|ω 2 Tauri
|HIP 19990
|Constellation lines
|4.914
|-
|31
|109 Tau
|HIP 24822
|Inside the hull
|4.948
|-
|32
|ϕ Tauri
|HIP 20250
|Constellation lines
|4.951
|-
|33
|75 Tau
|HIP 20877
|Inside the hull
|4.969
|-
|34
|30 Tau
|HIP 17771
|Constellation lines
|5.07
|-
|35
|σ 1 Tauri
|HIP 21673
|Inside the hull
|5.076
|-
|36
|97 Tau
|HIP 22565
|Constellation lines
|5.085
|-
|37
|Pleione
|HIP 17851
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|38
|4 Tau
|HIP 16322
|Constellation lines
|5.124
|-
|39
|41 Tau
|HIP 19171
|Inside the hull
|5.172
|-
|40
|ψ Tauri
|HIP 19205
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.2
|-
|41
|58 Tau
|HIP 20261
|Inside the hull
|5.242
|-
|42
|κ 2 Tauri
|HIP 20641
|Inside the hull
|5.264
|-
|43
|l Tau
|HIP 23871
|Constellation lines
|5.28
|-
|44
|56 Tau
|HIP 20186
|Inside the hull
|5.346
|-
|45
|χ Tauri
|HIP 20430
|Constellation lines
|5.378
|-
|46
|44 Tau
|HIP 19513
|Constellation lines
|5.387
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 17776
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|48
|81 Tau
|HIP 21039
|Inside the hull
|5.454
|-
|49
|118 Tau
|HIP 25695
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|50
|53 Tau
|HIP 20171
|Inside the hull
|5.482
|-
|51
|103 Tau
|HIP 23900
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|52
|ω 1 Tauri
|HIP 19388
|Inside the hull
|5.504
|-
|53
|36 Tau
|HIP 19009
|Inside the hull
|5.512
|-
|54
|72 Tau
|HIP 20789
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|55
|80 Tau
|HIP 20995
|Inside the hull
|5.552
|-
|56
|57 Tau
|HIP 20219
|Inside the hull
|5.568
|-
|57
|32 Tau
|HIP 18471
|Inside the hull
|5.617
|-
|58
|63 Tau
|HIP 20484
|Inside the hull
|5.625
|-
|59
|51 Tau
|HIP 20087
|Inside the hull
|5.631
|-
|60
|13 Tau
|HIP 17309
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|61
|60 Tau
|HIP 20400
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 20842
|Inside the hull
|5.711
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 21819
|Inside the hull
|5.729
|-
|64
|89 Tau
|HIP 21588
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|65
|98 Tau
|HIP 23088
|Inside the hull
|5.785
|-
|66
|99 Tau
|HIP 23068
|Inside the hull
|5.806
|-
|67
|HU Tau
|HIP 21604
|Inside the hull
|5.842
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 18735
|Inside the hull
|5.865
|-
|69
|76 Tau
|HIP 20873
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|70
|39 Tau
|HIP 19076
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|71
|105 Tau
|HIP 23883
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 19376
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 19284
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 18170
|Inside the hull
|5.946
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 20417
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 22697
|Inside the hull
|5.961
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 20614
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 22176
|Inside the hull
|5.981
|-
|79
|V1141 Tau
|HIP 20493
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|80
|V1156 Tau
|HIP 24019
|Inside the hull
|5.997
|-
|81
|85 Tau
|HIP 21137
|Inside the hull
|5.998
|-
|82
|V1116 Tau
|HIP 21459
|Inside the hull
|6.019
|-
|83
|33 Tau
|HIP 18485
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 17921
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 19261
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 17453
|Inside the hull
|6.074
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 19641
|Inside the hull
|6.087
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 20255
|Constellation lines
|6.094
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 24820
|Inside the hull
|6.107
|-
|90
|V1137 Tau
|HIP 19672
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|91
|14 Tau
|HIP 17408
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 20284
|Inside the hull
|6.141
|-
|93
|95 Tau
|HIP 21961
|Inside the hull
|6.151
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 17900
|Inside the hull
|6.153
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 18508
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 17058
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 23589
|Inside the hull
|6.188
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 21689
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|99
| -
|HIP 24977
|Inside the hull
|6.205
|-
|100
|108 Tau
|HIP 24512
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|101
|* 24 Tau
|HD 23629
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 25806
|Inside the hull
|6.291
|-
|103
|48 Tau
|HIP 19877
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|104
|84 Tau
|HIP 21082
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 18717
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 22949
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 22128
|Inside the hull
|6.329
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 24984
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|109
|62 Tau
|HIP 20533
|Inside the hull
|6.337
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 22850
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 18201
|Inside the hull
|6.349
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 21408
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|113
|SZ Tau
|HIP 21517
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|114
|V766 Tau
|HIP 18033
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|115
|NGC 1647
|NGC 1647
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|116
| -
|HIP 16924
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|117
|70 Tau
|HIP 20661
|Inside the hull
|6.439
|-
|118
|26 Tau
|HIP 17832
|Inside the hull
|6.464
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 21053
|Inside the hull
|6.491
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 23949
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 19960
|Constellation lines
|6.56
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 24252
|Inside the hull
|6.79
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Little BULL (drawn by Weidner 1967).png|Bull of Heaven drawn on the clay tablet VAT 7851, drawing by Weidner (1967, reproduced by SMH).
File:Taurus umzeichnung nicer.jpg|clay tablet VAT 7851, microzodiac tablet with drawings for the zodiac sign of Taurus, The Bull
File:Fig1 taurus tablet 150dpi sciLogs.jpg|alt=Taurus sign with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; drawing by Hoffmann (2025)|Taurus sign on clay tablet VAT 7851 with drawings of Pleiades (Bristle), Hyades (Chariot), Bull, and the Moon during a total lunar eclipse in the Moon's hypsoma; drawing by Hoffmann (2025)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2025). Image Analysis of VAT 7851, [https://orientalistik.univie.ac.at/publikationen/afo/ Archiv für Orientforschung (AfO)] 56, 45-53</ref>
File:HeavenlyBull JessicaGullberg stellarium.jpg|Front part of the Bull of Heaven, painted by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium.
File:FarneseSMH2017 web 33.jpg|Taurus as shown on the marble Farnese Globe (drawing SMH)
File:Aratea fol. 24v.jpg|Taurus in the Leiden Aratea, 9th century, the Pleiades marked with six dots
File:Aratea fol. 42v.jpg|Pleiades as Seven Sisters in the Leiden Aratea
File:Tau uranometria.png|Taurus in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
</gallery>

== Greek Mythology ==
[[File:Grch2EuroMuenze GR-2008-KAT-300x300.jpg|alt=photograph of a coin|thumb|Greek 2 Euros coin, reverse, princess Europa riding a Bull]]
The most famous of the Greek myths about the bull is the abduction of Princess Europa of Phoenicia. Zeus had transformed himself into a bull, she played with him, sat on his back and then he galloped into the water and swam to Crete. Euripides tells this story and also found its way into astronomical literature via Eratosthenes. Today, the motif is depicted on Greek 2 euro coins.

Mythographers favour the Pleiades story of the nymph Pleione and her seven daughters, who supposedly want to remain virgins but are pursued by the lustful Orion. They apparently do not achieve their goal of eternal virginity, because each of them becomes pregnant: none by Orion. Six of them give birth to sons of the gods, one of them - Merope - marries the mortal Sisyphus (from the Greek ‘merops’, mortal).

In Mesopotamia, the Celestial Bull is undoubtedly from the Epic of Gilgamesh:

Gilgamesh was a cruel ruler under whom his subjects suffered. The gods therefore created a companion for him. This one, Enkidu, had grown up among animals and represents the moral antithesis to Gilgamesh: He criticises the ruler's cruelty. After a wrestling match, they become friends and set off together to cut down trees in the sacred cedar forest. First they have to defeat the guardian of this forest, which they succeed in doing, but afterwards Enkidu regrets the deed because the forest is no longer so beautiful and is inhabited and ‘animated’ by animals. Next they come to Uruk, where the city goddess offers Gilgamesh to become her husband. He refuses, pointing out that her other suitors have fared badly. Ishtar then complains to her father Anu and asks him for the Bull of Heaven to set him on Gilgamesh, who has insulted her. Anu points out that the city of Uruk and its inhabitants are threatened with great famine if he is brought down to earth, but Ishtar says that she has made provisions for the people. Nevertheless, 300 men fall victim to this bull before Enkidu and Gilgamesh slaughter it and sacrifice it to the sun god.

Enkidu must atone for this deed with death and Gilgamesh, who initially sets out in search of the herb of life for immortality, finally realises that there are more important things than power and violence and that immortality can only be achieved through good deeds. He invents the city wall to pacify Uruk and becomes a good king.

A bull associated with the sun is a fairly common religious motif: it also appears in the contemporary Egyptian deity Apis and later in the cult of Mithras.

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/taurus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017060 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Taurus]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Serpens

2026-05-20T13:47:31Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ὅφις. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Serpens Cauda IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Ser Cauda star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Serpens Caput IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Ser Caput star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
Serpens, The Snake, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]] is divided in two parts: Serpens Caput (the head) and Serpens Cauda (the tail), separated by [[Ophiuchus]]. Hence, these constellations form a super-constellation.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
In Greek times, the area of the Babylonian Harnesses was reinterpreted as serpent held by a strong man. This image, then, becomes the Serpent Carrier - Ophiuchus/ Serpentarius - associated with the Greek half-god Asklepios (Latin Aesculap).

==== Babylonian ====
see

*[[ŠUDUN.ANŠE]]
* [[ZA.BA4.BA4|ZA.BA4.BA4]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Lib 8
|Sgr 1/2
|Cnc 7 1/2
|Vir 14
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|of those in the head the northern of the leading ones (iota)
|the one at the tip of the tail (theta)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 1/2 hours = 270 min = 67 1/2 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Lib 8
|Sgr 1/2
|Cnc 7 1/2
|Vir 14
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|of those in the head the northern of the front ones
|the one at the tip of the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 1/2 hours = 270 min = 67 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ὅφις. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ὅφεως Ὀφιούχου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Serpens
!
|-
|1
|τοῦ ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ τετραπλεύρου ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς γένυος.
|Stars on the quadrilateral in the heads: the one on the end of the jaw
|iot Ser
|-
|2
|ὁ τῶν μυκτήρων ἀπτόμενος.
|Stars on the quadrilateral in the heads: the one touching the nostrils
|rho Ser
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐν τῷ κροτάφῳ.
|Stars on the quadrilateral in the heads: the one in the temple
|gam Ser
|-
|4
|ὁ πρὸς τῇ ἐκφύσει τοῦ τραχήλου
|Stars on the quadrilateral in the heads: the one where the neck joins [the head]
|bet Ser
|-
|5
|ὁ μέσος τοῦ τετραπλεύρου καὶ ἐν τῷ στόματι
|Stars on the quadrilateral in the heads: the one in the middle of the quadrilateral, in the mouth
|kap Ser
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐκτὸς καὶ ἀπ’ ἄρκτον τῆς κεφαλῆς
|The star outside the head, to the north of it
|pi Ser
|-
|
|ὁ μετὰ τὴν πρώτην καμπὴν τοῦ τραχήλου
|The one after the first bend in the neck
|del Ser
|-
|
|τῶν ἐφεξῆς τούτου τριῶν ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 following this
|lam Ser
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|alf Ser
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|eps Ser
|-
|
|ὁ μετὰ τὴν ἐξῆς καμπὴν προηγούμενος τῆς ἀριστερᾶς χειρὸς τοῦ Ὀφιούχου
|The star after the next bend, which is in advance of the left hand of Ophiuchus
|mu Ser
|-
|
|ὁ τοῦς ἐν τῇ χειρὶ ἐπόμενος
|The star to the rear of those in the hand [of Ophiuchus]
|ups Oph
|-
|
|ὁ μετὰ τὸ δεξιὸη ὀπισθόμηροη τοῦ Ὀφιούχου
|The one after the back of the right thigh of Ophiuchus
|nu Ser
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπομένων αὐτῷ β ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 to the rear of the latter
|xi Ser
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|omi Ser
|-
|
|ὁ μετὰ τὴν δεξιὰν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τῆς οὐραίας καμπῆς
|The one after the right hand [of Ophiuchus], on the bend in the tail
|zet Ser
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμενος ὁμοίως ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The one to the rear of this, likewise on the tail
|eta Ser
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The star on the tip of the tail
|tet Ser
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες τπ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους ἓ, δ’ ἱβ, εἱ ἄ.
|{18 stars, 5 of the third magnitude, 12 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Ophis Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Ophis (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Unukalhai
|HIP 77070
|Constellation lines
|2.63
|-
|2
|Yed Prior
|HIP 79593
|Inside the hull
|2.75
|-
|3
|Cebalrai
|HIP 86742
|Inside the hull
|2.75
|-
|4
|Rasalgethi
|HIP 84345
|Inside the hull
|2.78
|-
|5
|κ Ophiuchi
|HIP 83000
|Inside the hull
|3.2
|-
|6
|η Serpentis
|HIP 89962
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.25
|-
|7
|μ Serpentis
|HIP 77516
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.53
|-
|8
|Zhou
|HIP 77233
|Constellation lines
|3.67
|-
|9
|ϵ Serpentis
|HIP 77622
|Constellation lines
|3.693
|-
|10
|Bake-eo (or Bake Eo)
|HIP 87108
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|11
|γ Serpentis
|HIP 78072
|Constellation lines
|3.84
|-
|12
|Marfik
|HIP 80883
|Inside the hull
|3.9
|-
|13
|67 Oph
|HIP 88192
|Inside the hull
|3.93
|-
|14
|70 Oph
|HIP 88601
|Inside the hull
|4.03
|-
|15
|Gudja
|HIP 77450
|Inside the hull
|4.09
|-
|16
|* del Ser A
|HIP 76276
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.14
|-
|17
|* 70 Oph A
|HD 165341A
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|18
|σ Ophiuchi
|HIP 85355
|Inside the hull
|4.31
|-
|19
|ι Ophiuchi
|HIP 82673
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|20
|λ Serpentis
|HIP 77257
|Inside the hull
|4.42
|-
|21
|68 Oph
|HIP 88290
|Inside the hull
|4.429
|-
|22
|ι Serpentis
|HIP 76852
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.505
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 85365
|Inside the hull
|4.54
|-
|24
|Alya
|HIP 92946
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.57
|-
|25
|Cujam
|HIP 80463
|Inside the hull
|4.58
|-
|26
|66 Oph
|HIP 88149
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|27
|ζ Serpentis
|HIP 88175
|Constellation lines
|4.616
|-
|28
|μ Ophiuchi
|HIP 86284
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.62
|-
|29
|ρ Serpentis
|HIP 77661
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.78
|-
|30
|* 41 Oph A
|HIP 84514
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|31
|30 Oph
|HIP 83262
|Inside the hull
|4.812
|-
|32
|σ Serpentis
|HIP 80179
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|33
|29 Her
|HIP 81008
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|34
|74 Oph
|HIP 89918
|Inside the hull
|4.856
|-
|35
|60 Her
|HIP 83613
|Inside the hull
|4.871
|-
|36
|M 10
|M 10
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|37
|32 Oph
|HIP 83430
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|38
|Marsic
|HIP 79043
|Inside the hull
|4.994
|-
|39
|4 Aql
|HIP 91975
|Inside the hull
|5.005
|-
|40
|66 Her
|HIP 84671
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|41
|b Ser
|HIP 77660
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 78481
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|43
|43 Her
|HIP 82073
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|44
|ω Serpentis
|HIP 77578
|Inside the hull
|5.217
|-
|45
|23 Oph
|HIP 82730
|Constellation lines
|5.23
|-
|46
|45 Her
|HIP 82216
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|47
|16 Ser
|HIP 76425
|Inside the hull
|5.253
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 90441A
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|49
|χ Serpentis
|HIP 76866
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|50
|37 Oph
|HIP 84177
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|51
|43 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 79195
|Constellation lines
|5.378
|-
|52
|21 G. Oph
|HIP 80693
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|53
|146 G. Oph
|HIP 85537
|Inside the hull
|5.412
|-
|54
|208 G. Oph
|HIP 89772
|Inside the hull
|5.412
|-
|55
|183 G. Oph
|HIP 87847
|Inside the hull
|5.439
|-
|56
|QY Ser
|HIP 77902
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|57
|9 Her
|HIP 79488
|Inside the hull
|5.453
|-
|58
|47 Her
|HIP 82402
|Inside the hull
|5.469
|-
|59
|202 G. Oph
|HIP 89065
|Inside the hull
|5.489
|-
|60
|21 Oph
|HIP 82480
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|61
|ϕ Serpentis
|HIP 78132
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|62
|22 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 77163
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|63
|152 G. Oph
|HIP 85749
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|64
|153 G. Oph
|HIP 85922
|Inside the hull
|5.607
|-
|65
|82 G. Oph
|HIP 83635
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 82028
|Inside the hull
|5.619
|-
|67
|n Her
|HIP 81007
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|68
|45 Ser
|HIP 79007
|Inside the hull
|5.635
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 89000
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|70
|44 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 90497
|Inside the hull
|5.699
|-
|71
|υ Serpentis
|HIP 77336
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|72
|14 Oph
|HIP 81734
|Inside the hull
|5.724
|-
|73
|47 Ser
|HIP 79072
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|74
|M 14
|M 14
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|75
|BD+02 4211
|BD+02 4211
|Inside the hull
|5.755
|-
|76
|180 G. Oph
|HIP 87558
|Inside the hull
|5.759
|-
|77
|37 Her
|HIP 81641
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|78
|134 G. Oph
|HIP 85139
|Inside the hull
|5.763
|-
|79
|12 Oph
|HIP 81300
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|80
|τ 7 Serpentis
|HIP 76878
|Inside the hull
|5.792
|-
|81
|3 Her
|HIP 78442
|Inside the hull
|5.804
|-
|82
|53 Oph
|HIP 85998
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|83
|21 Her
|HIP 80351
|Inside the hull
|5.819
|-
|84
|V2052 Oph
|HIP 87812
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|85
|187 G. Oph
|HIP 88101
|Inside the hull
|5.832
|-
|86
|ψ Serpentis
|HIP 77052
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|87
|33 Oph
|HIP 83478
|Inside the hull
|5.908
|-
|88
|41 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 79120
|Inside the hull
|5.909
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 82350
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|90
|179 G. Oph
|HIP 87491
|Inside the hull
|5.917
|-
|91
|* 73 Oph A
|HIP 88964
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|92
|U Oph
|HIP 84500
|Inside the hull
|5.921
|-
|93
|164 G. Oph
|HIP 86575
|Inside the hull
|5.952
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 79137
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 77412
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|96
| -
|HR 6516
|Inside the hull
|5.981
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 83601
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|98
|τ 6 Serpentis
|HIP 76810
|Inside the hull
|5.991
|-
|99
|28 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 89587
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|100
|V2392 Oph
|HIP 89527
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|101
|16 Oph
|HIP 82037
|Inside the hull
|6.018
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 76372
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|103
|142 G. Oph
|HIP 85333
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|104
|16 G. Oph
|HIP 80558
|Inside the hull
|6.049
|-
|105
|34 Oph
|HIP 83504
|Inside the hull
|6.054
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 90487
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 81659
|Inside the hull
|6.061
|-
|108
|43 Ser
|HIP 78685
|Inside the hull
|6.068
|-
|109
|M 12
|M 12
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|110
|19 Oph
|HIP 82162
|Inside the hull
|6.077
|-
|111
|48 Ser
|HIP 79332
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|112
|109 G. Oph
|HIP 84524
|Inside the hull
|6.084
|-
|113
|Gliese 678
|HIP 85667
|Inside the hull
|6.089
|-
|114
|Cl Collinder 350
|Cl Collinder 350
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 80514
|Inside the hull
|6.103
|-
|116
|39 Ser
|HIP 77801
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|117
|8 Her
|HIP 79102
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|118
|NW Ser
|HIP 89977
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|119
|τ 8 Serpentis
|HIP 77111
|Inside the hull
|6.136
|-
|120
|V986 Oph
|HIP 88522
|Inside the hull
|6.147
|-
|121
|8 G. Oph
|HIP 79781
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|122
|162 G. Oph
|HIP 86476
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|123
|V2368 Oph
|HIP 84479
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|124
|61 Oph
|HIP 86831
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|125
|67 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 92254
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|126
|37 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 90253
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|127
|Y Oph
|HIP 87495
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|128
| -
|HIP 76733
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|129
| -
|HIP 77835
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|130
|173 G. Oph
|HIP 87150
|Inside the hull
|6.225
|-
|131
|κ Herculis B
|HIP 79045
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 83853
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|133
|V2542 Oph
|HIP 82693
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|134
|10 G. Oph
|HIP 80227
|Inside the hull
|6.241
|-
|135
|159 G. Oph
|HIP 86391
|Inside the hull
|6.253
|-
|136
|5 G. Oph
|HIP 79463
|Inside the hull
|6.255
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 77995
|Inside the hull
|6.257
|-
|138
|41 G. Oph
|HIP 81687
|Inside the hull
|6.259
|-
|139
|40 Ser
|HIP 77910
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|140
|38 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 78840
|Inside the hull
|6.269
|-
|141
|185 G. Oph
|HIP 87866
|Inside the hull
|6.277
|-
|142
|131 G. Oph
|HIP 85042
|Inside the hull
|6.278
|-
|143
| -
|HIP 77782
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|144
|2 G. Her
|HIP 79581
|Inside the hull
|6.289
|-
|145
|51 G. Oph
|HIP 82405
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|146
| -
|HIP 81425
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|147
| -
|HR 6367
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|148
|122 G. Oph
|HIP 84801
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|149
|167 G. Oph
|HIP 86768
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|150
|176 G. Oph
|HIP 87428
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|151
|97 G. Oph
|HIP 84113
|Inside the hull
|6.333
|-
|152
|23 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 77186
|Inside the hull
|6.337
|-
|153
|V644 Her
|HIP 82798
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|154
|21 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 88671
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|155
|192 G. Oph
|HIP 88213
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|156
|84 G. Oph
|HIP 83738
|Inside the hull
|6.351
|-
|157
|V773 Her
|HIP 81337
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|158
|87 G. Oph
|HIP 83906
|Inside the hull
|6.356
|-
|159
| -
|HIP 82989
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|160
|19 G. Oph
|HIP 80610
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|161
|V2126 Oph
|HIP 88148
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|162
|83 G. Oph
|HIP 83677
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|163
| -
|HIP 82241
|Inside the hull
|6.379
|-
|164
| -
|HIP 83688
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|165
|72 G. Oph
|HIP 83342
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|166
|42 G. Oph
|HIP 81691
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|167
| -
|HIP 82516
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|168
|205 G. Oph
|HIP 89347
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|169
|63 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 91499
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|170
|MV Ser
|HIP 90858
|Inside the hull
|6.407
|-
|171
|138 G. Oph
|HIP 85307
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|172
|45 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 79522
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|173
| -
|HIP 80708
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|174
|174 G. Oph
|HIP 87224
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|175
| -
|HR 6512
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|176
|FR Ser
|HIP 91142
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|177
|11 G. Her
|HIP 81404
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|178
| -
|HIP 85622
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 85666
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|180
|V2114 Oph
|HIP 85450
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|181
| -
|HIP 82526
|Inside the hull
|6.488
|-
|182
| -
|HIP 79834
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|183
| -
|HIP 88770
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|184
| -
|HIP 76985
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|185
| -
|HIP 80964
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|186
| -
|HIP 81991
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017701 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Serpens]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Super-Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Scorpius

2026-05-20T13:44:29Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Σκορπίος */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Scorpius IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Sco star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Skopion xs.jpg|thumb|a scorpion in the Sahara desert (2007).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. In contemporary history it was adopted from Ptolemy's Almagest (c. 137 CE) but this classical constellation has Babylonian roots (cf. [[GIR2.TAB|GÍR.TAB]]) The Italian form "Scorpio" is frequently used in astrology-pop culture but the Latin form "Scorpius" (a Greek loanword) is the name of both constellation and zodiac sign.

The southern part of the constellation, i.e. the tail and sting of the scorpion, extend very far south from the ecliptic. Essentially, only the claws and head lie within the zodiac. Since the claws were split off and renamed, Scorpius now covers only about 5° of the ecliptic, even though the zodiac signs are supposed to be 30° long. The Sun therefore does not remain in this constellation for a month, but only for about 5 days (24 to 29 November).<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref name=":0" />The scorpion came to Greece with the zodiac from Mesopotamia. In the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, parts of which can be traced back to the 3rd millennium, scorpion men guard the entrance and exit of the sun. Scorpions or scorpion people are important in the sun cult.

Since scorpions are also common in the Mediterranean region and the constellation has relatively clear outlines, there has been little change over the millennia – with the exception of the reinterpretation of its northern parts. Because the Babylonian constellation Libra was reintroduced into the zodiac in Roman times, stars from Scorpius were used for this purpose. The problem was that the reclining Greek virgin was wider than the standing Babylonian goddess. This meant that there was no room for [[Libra]] next to the Greek maiden [[Virgo]].

==== Brightest Star ====
<ref name=":0" />The reddish star in the heart of Scorpius had a proper name in Mesopotamia, but this was not passed down. It was called Lisi ([[LI9.SI4|LI4.SI9]]), a deity regarded as the mother goddess's child and understood in early sources as a daughter, later as a son. The Greek name [[Antares]] (anti-ares, counterpart or rival of Mars) is only documented in Roman times; it is one of the few star names in the Almagest.

Horowitz ( ) suggested that the Greek name "anti ares" roots in a misunderstanding or pun from the Babylonian term [[AN.TA.GUB]], as GUB can also be read RE6.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[AN.TA.GUB]]
* [[GIR2.TAB|GÍR.TAB]]
* Lisi ([[LI9.SI4|LI4.SI9]])

[[File:Kugel Sgr+CrA+Sco.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Sco and Sgr with CrA.]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Now the point o f the Serpent’s jaw lies close to the Crown, but under its coil you can look for the great Claws, [90] though these are lack-lustre and not at all brilliant. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1:''' Given its large size, it can be divided into two dodecatamories. The pincers occupy one sign, and the body and stinger another. Artemis, it is said, made it rise from the summit of the island of Chios so that it could sting Orion and the latter would die, because Orion, in defiance of everything, had tried to rape the goddess during a hunt. Zeus placed Scorpius among the brilliant constellations, so that men of later generations would know its power and its effects. Scorpius has two stars on each claw - those in front are large, those behind are dim - three on the forehead - one of which is bright, the middle one - three bright stars on the back, two on the belly, five on the tail and two on the sting. These stars are led by the most beautiful of all, the bright star on the northern pincer. In all, nineteen.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Var. 2:''' Given its large size, it can be divided into two dodecatamories. The claws occupy one sign, and the body and stinger another. Orion is thought to have been killed by Gè, because he had proclaimed before Artemis that no beast would escape him; this sign appears as a symbol of the event. It is said that he stung Orion and that Orion died. Zeus placed Scorpius among the constellations because it was an extraordinary work of Gè, so that future generations would know its stature and power. know its stature and power. Scorpius has two stars on each of its claws - those in front are large and the other two are dim - and three on its forehead. three on the forehead - one of which is bright, the middle one three bright stars on the back, two on the belly, five on the tail, and two shiny ones on the sting. In all, there were nineteen. (Pamias and Zucker 2013)</blockquote>
===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 3
|Sgr 9
|Leo 7 1/2
|Vir 22 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northernmost auf those in the forehead (bet)
|the third tail segment of the stars (lam,ups)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 9/10 hours = 274 min = 43 1/2 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Lib 12 1/2
|Sco 6
|Cap 6 1/2
|Cap 22
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the third tail segment (zet)
|the northern one of those in the forehead (bet)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 hours = 60 min = 15°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This sign is divided into two parts on account of the great spread of the claws. One part of it our writers have called the Balance.

But the whole of the constellation was put in the sky, it is said, for the following reason: Orion since he used to hunt, and felt confident that he was most skilled of all in that pursuit, said even to Diana and Latona that he was able to kill anything the produced. Earth, angered at this, sent the scorpion which is said to have killed him. Jove, however, admiring the courage of both, put the scorpion among the stars, as a lesson to men not to be too self-confident. Diana, then, because of her affection for Orion, asked Jove to show to her request the same favour he had given of his own accord to Earth. And so the constellation was established in such a way that when Scorpion rises, Orion sets. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====
[[File:Sco Farnese stellarium.jpg|thumb|Scorpius as drawn on the Farnese Globe, holding the Balance in its Claws and partially covered by the hand of Atlas. The stick figures outline the constellations as described in the Almagest in comparison (drawings and mapping by SMH 2021, Stellarium)]]

==== Almagest Σκορπίος ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Σκορπίου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Scorpius
!
|-
| 1
|τῶν ἐν τῷ μετώπῳ λαμπρῶν φ’ ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 bright stars in the forehead
|bet Sco
|-
|2
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|del Sco
|-
| 3
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τῶν τριῶν
|The southernmost of the three
|pi Sco
|-
| 4
|ὁ τούτου ἔτι νοτιώτερος ἐφ’ ἑνὸς τῶν ποδῶν
|The star south again of this, on one of the legs
|rho Sco
|-
|5
|τῶν β τῶν παρακειμένων τῷ βορειοτάτῳ τῶν λαμπρῶν ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars adjacent to the northernmost of the bright ones
|nu Sco
|-
|6
|ὁ φότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of these
|ome1 + ome2 Sco
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐν τῷ σώματι φ’ λαμπρῶν ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The most advanced of the 3 bright stars in the body
|sig Sco
|-
|8
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν καὶ ὑπόκιρρος καλούμενος Ἀντάρης.
|The middle one of these, which is reddish and called 'Antares'
|alf Sco
|-
|9
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν γ.
|The rearmost of the 3
|tau Sco
|-
|10
|τῶν ὑπ’ αὐτοὺς β ὡς ἐπὶ τοῦ ἐσχάτου ποδὸς ὁ ἠγούμενος.
|The advance star of the 2 under these, approximately on the last leg
|13 Sco
|-
|11
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of these
|HR 6070
|-
|12
|ὁ ἐν τῷ α’ ἀπὸ τοῦ σώματος σπουδύλῳ
|The star in the first [tail-] joint from the body
|eps Sco
|-
|13
|ὁ μετὰ τοῦτον ἐν τῷ β’ σπονδύλῳ
|The one after this, in the 2nd joint
|mu1 + mu2 Sco
|-
|14
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ γ’ σπονδύλῳ διπλοῦ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northern star of the double-star in the 3rd joint
|zet2 Sco
|-
|15
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τοῦ διπλοῦ
|The southern star of the double-star
|zet1 Sco
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐφεξῆς ἐν τῷ δ’ σπουδύλῳ
|The one following, in the 4th joint
|eta Sco
|-
|17
|ὁ ἐφεξῆς ἐν τῷ δ’ σπουδύλῳ
|The one after that, in the 5th joint
|tet Sco
|-
|18
|ὁ ἔτι ἐφεξῆς ἐν τῷ ς’ σπουδύλῳ
|The next one again, in the 6th joint
|iot1 Sco
|-
|19
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ξ’ σπουδύλῳ τῷ παρὰ τὸ κέντρου.
|The star in the 7th joint, the joint next to the sting
|kap Sco
|-
|20
|τῶν ἐν τῷ κέντρῳ β’ ὁ ἑπόμενος.
|The rearmost of the 2 stars in the sting
|lam Sco
|-
|21
|ὁ ἠγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of these
|ups Sco
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κα, ὥυ β’ μεγέθους α, γ’ φ, δ’ ε, ε β
|{21 stars, 1 of the second magnitude, 13 of the third, 5 of the fourth, 2 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Σκορπίου ἀμόρφωτοι
!Stars around Scorpius outside the constellation
!
|-
|22
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῷ κέντρῳ νεφελοειδήρ
|The nebulous star to the rear of the sting
|G Sco
|-
|23
|τῶν ἀπ’ ἄρκτων τοῦ κέντρου β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 2 stars to the north of the sting
|45 Oph
|-
|24
|ὁ ἑπόμευος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|3 Sgr
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες 7, ὥν ε μεγέθους β, νεφελοειδὴς ἂ.
|{3 stars, 2 of the fifth magnitude, 1 nebulous}
|
|}
[[File:Skorpios Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Skorpios (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Antares
|HIP 80763
|Constellation lines
|0.91
|-
|2
|Shaula
|HIP 85927
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.63
|-
|3
|Sargas
|HIP 86228
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.85
|-
|4
|Larawag
|HIP 82396
|Constellation lines
|2.29
|-
|5
|Dschubba
|HIP 78401
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.32
|-
|6
|κ Scorpii
|HIP 86670
|Inside the hull
|2.386
|-
|7
|[SC96] Mis 162
|[SC96] Mis 162
|Inside the hull
|2.51
|-
|8
|Acrab
|HIP 78820
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.62
|-
|9
|Lesath
|HIP 85696
|Constellation lines
|2.65
|-
|10
|Paikauhale
|HIP 81266
|Constellation lines
|2.81
|-
|11
|Alniyat
|HIP 80112
|Constellation lines
|2.89
|-
|12
|Fang
|HIP 78265
|Constellation lines
|2.91
|-
|13
|Xamidimura
|HIP 82514
|Inside the hull
|2.98
|-
|14
|ι 1 Scorpii
|HIP 87073
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.992
|-
|15
|η Scorpii
|HIP 84143
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.33
|-
|16
|[SC96] Mis 190
|[SC96] Mis 190
|Inside the hull
|3.4
|-
|17
|C 1652-407
|C 1652-407
|Inside the hull
|3.4
|-
|18
|Pipirima
|HIP 82545
|Constellation lines
|3.542
|-
|19
|ζ 2 Scorpii
|HIP 82729
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.62
|-
|20
|Iklil
|HIP 78104
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.86
|-
|21
|ω 1 Scorpii
|HIP 78933
|Inside the hull
|3.97
|-
|22
|Jabbah
|HIP 79374
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4
|-
|23
|H Sco
|HIP 81304
|Inside the hull
|4.156
|-
|24
|N Sco
|HIP 80911
|Inside the hull
|4.23
|-
|25
|Q Sco
|HIP 86170
|Inside the hull
|4.267
|-
|26
|ω 2 Scorpii
|HIP 78990
|Inside the hull
|4.33
|-
|27
|13 Sco
|HIP 79404
|Inside the hull
|4.568
|-
|28
|ο Scorpii
|HIP 80079
|Inside the hull
|4.57
|-
|29
|ρ Ophiuchi
|HIP 80473
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 79881
|Inside the hull
|4.782
|-
|31
|22 Sco
|HIP 80815
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|32
|V1073 Sco
|HIP 83574
|Inside the hull
|4.87
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 78650
|Inside the hull
|4.966
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 83336
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 79302
|Inside the hull
|5.102
|-
|36
|* alf Sco B
|HD 148479
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 82493
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|38
| -
|HIP 79050
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|39
|[SC96] Mis 382
|[SC96] Mis 382
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|40
|* tet Sco B
|HD 159532B
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|41
|M 4
|M 4
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|42
|CD-29 12513B
|HIP 80399
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 82676
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 82135
|Inside the hull
|5.481
|-
|45
|27 Sco
|HIP 82960
|Inside the hull
|5.49
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 79980
|Inside the hull
|5.502
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 84401
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 84150
|Inside the hull
|5.655
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 82775
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|50
|* 12 Sco A
|HIP 79399
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|51
|CD-29 12513A
|HR 6106
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 81741
|Inside the hull
|5.836
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 85889
|Inside the hull
|5.838
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 79098
|Inside the hull
|5.88
|-
|55
|Gliese 667 A
|HIP 84709
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|56
|V923 Sco
|HIP 83491
|Inside the hull
|5.902
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 81523
|Inside the hull
|5.914
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 85048
|Inside the hull
|5.914
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 79596
|Inside the hull
|5.918
|-
|60
|V929 Sco
|HIP 78877
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 83235
|Inside the hull
|5.934
|-
|62
|[SC96] Mis 177
|[SC96] Mis 177
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 84425
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|64
|[SC96] Mis 213
|[SC96] Mis 213
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 83693
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 81992
|Inside the hull
|5.982
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 85543
|Inside the hull
|5.985
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 81904
|Inside the hull
|6.046
|-
|69
|Shengong
|HIP 83100
|Inside the hull
|6.048
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 79622
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 78575
|Inside the hull
|6.056
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 80910
|Inside the hull
|6.081
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 82691
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|74
|RR Sco
|HIP 82912
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 84489
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 83706
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|77
|[SC96] Mis 165
|[SC96] Mis 165
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 78699
|Inside the hull
|6.211
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 82453
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|80
|V861 Sco
|HIP 82911
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 82783
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 86246
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 84151
|Inside the hull
|6.285
|-
|84
|[SC96] Mis 208
|[SC96] Mis 208
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 82554
|Inside the hull
|6.315
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 82855
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 79031
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 82731
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|89
|[SC96] Mis 201
|[SC96] Mis 201
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|90
| -
|HR 6426
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|91
|V900 Sco
|HIP 82669
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 79599
|Inside the hull
|6.405
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 85019
|Inside the hull
|6.419
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 79530
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 84332
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 85020
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|97
| -
|HD 152249
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 81891
|Inside the hull
|6.452
|-
|99
| -
|HIP 80324
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|100
|[SC96] GC 33
|[SC96] GC 33
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 80799
|Inside the hull
|7.81
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
As Scorpius are also widespread in the Mediterranean region and the constellation is characterised by relatively clear outlines, hardly any changes have occurred over the millennia - with the exception of the occasional reinterpretation of its northern parts ([[Libra]]).

==== Scorpius in the Zodiac ====
The southern part of the constellation, i.e. the tail and sting of the scorpion, extend very far southwards from the ecliptic. Essentially, only the scissors and the head lie in the zodiac. Because the Babylonian constellation Libra was reinserted into the zodiac in Roman times, stars from Scorpius were used for it. The problem was that the recumbent Greek Virgo was wider than the upright Babylonian goddess. This meant that there was no more room for Libra next to the Greek Virgo. Since the scissors were split off and renamed "Libra" in modern time, the scorpion today only covers about 5° of the ecliptic, although the zodiac signs are supposed to be 30° long. The sun is, therefore, not in this constellation for a month, but only for about 5 days (24 to 29 November). The rest of the zodiac sign (section of the ecliptic) is covered by the constellation [[Ophiuchus]].<gallery>
File:Kugel Sgr+CrA+Sco.JPG|Scorpius as drawn on the Kugel Globe (1st c. BCE, drawing by SMH 2024)
File:Sco mainz.jpg|Scorpius on the Mainz Globe (2nd c. CE), drawing by SMH 2021
File:Sco Farnese stellarium.jpg|Scorpius as drawn on the Farnse Globe, holding the Balance in its Claws and partially covered by the hand of Atlas. The stick figures outline the constellations as described in the Almagest in comparison (drawings and mapping by SMH 2021, Stellarium)
File:Aratea 10v.jpg|Scorpius with Ophiuchus in the Leiden Aratea (c.830 CE)
File:Scorpio et Libra - Mercator.jpeg|Scorpius in Mercator Globe (1551)
File:Uranometria Scorpius.png|Scorpius in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
File:Scorpius Hevelius.jpg|Scorpius in Hevelius (1690)
File:Johann Elert Bode - Scorpio & Libra.jpg|Scorpius in Bode (1782/1805)
File:XV. Sagittarius, Scorpius, Corona Australis, Ara, Lupus, Tubus, Norma Regula, Astronomicus.jpg|Scorpius and Sagittarius in Bode's Uranographia (1801)
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Scorpio and Libra.jpg|Scorpius in Jamieson (1822)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
For Eratosthenes, the scorpion is part of the mythological complex surrounding Orion. In the chapter on the scorpion, he reports the same legend as Aratos: Artemis had the scorpion emerge from a hill to prevent the impetuous Orion from getting too close to her. Artemis and Orion were hunting together on the island of Chios when he was struck by the scorpion's sting and mortally wounded.

In the chapter for Orion himself, however, it is said that Mother Earth sent the scorpion to punish Orion's arrogance and poaching.

In Mesopotamia, this male figure is certainly one of the oldest constellations. It is connected to the oldest myth that we can currently reconstruct: the Gilgamesh epic. In its prehistory, a deluge is reported. Flood stories have been handed down in several cultures. The Babylonian story is very similar in some topoi to the biblical story of Noah. This is no coincidence, as a transfer through the exile of the Jewish elite under the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar is documented and attested in the Bible: the Greek and Jewish Flood stories can therefore certainly be traced back to the Sumerian story.

Our hero only appears much later: Gilgamesh, King of Uruk. He loses his friend and comrade Enkidu after they have freed Uruk together from the beast called the Heavenly Bull ([[Taurus]]). Gilgamesh then goes in search of eternal life, which is not normally granted to humans. He learns that his ancestor Utnapishtim (the Babylonian Noah) was, however, exceptionally granted eternal life by the gods because he had saved humanity from the Flood. Gilgamesh therefore sets off in search of Utnapishtim to ask him about this. Along the way, he comes to Mount Mashu, which he had to cross. The passage through the mountain took 12 double hours and the entrance to the mountain was guarded by a male and a female scorpion-being. They were horrible to look at, but Gilgamesh was brave enough to stop and talk to them. Then they let him pass.

After a few more paths, Gilgamesh finds Utnapishtim and the realisation that eternal life is not achieved through a magic herb or gods, but only through one's own deeds, with which one remains in people's memories - preferably in a positive way.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017066 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Scorpio (sic)]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Sagittarius

2026-05-20T13:41:55Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Τοξότης. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Sagittarius IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Sgr star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. Originally, it depicted the Mesopotamian god Pabilsaĝ ([[PA.BIL.SAG]]), a god of agriculture and war, later equated with Ninurta and depicted as a mixed creature of a human body attaced to horse body with wings and an additional scorpion tail. This complex image was simplified in Greek reception, and there drawn as a centaur.

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Pabilsag, ancêtre mésopotamien du Sagittaire,.jpg|thumb|profile of the figure of Pabilsag from a 12th century BCE kudurru. è.c. (Roland Laffitte 2023)]]
[[File:Kugel cen-lup-ara+sgr-sco.JPG|thumb|earliest known Greek depiction: Kugel Globe (1st c. BCE): two centaurs in Cen and Sgr with Lup+Ara in between (drawing by SMH 2024).]]

===Origin of Constellation<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>===
This figure came to Greek culture from Mesopotamia as a zodiac sign. Since MUL.APIN, it has been called Pabilsang ([[PA.BIL.SAG]]). This is a deity depicted as a hybrid creature: a male upper body sits on a horse's body, which has a scorpion's tail and wings. Pabilsang is equated with Ninurta, a god of agriculture and war. This explains why he holds a bow and arrow – either for hunting or for defence.

Such a hybrid creature was unknown to the Greeks. The most similar creature in Greek culture and mythology is a centaur, which at least combines horse and human (although it does not have a scorpion's tail and wings). However, Eratosthenes questions whether this is a centaur: He has illustrations in which the archer has only two legs – horse legs. For this reason, and because centaurs cannot use bows and arrows, Eratosthenes prefers the opinion that this is the satyr Krotos, the son of the nurse of the Muses. He is considered a cultural founder, having invented the bow and arrow and used it to hunt animals.

Eratosthenes' belief that Sagittarius has a ship with him also points to a Babylonian influence and an accidental equation of the two-legged and four-legged figures. The Babylonian constellation Ship ([[MA2.GUR8|MA2.GUR8]]) refers to a river boat and must have been located near Sagittarius. Based on depictions of Babylonian river boats, the constellation [[Corona Australis]] is usually equated with the Babylonian ship. However, centaurs do not travel on ships, which is why, according to Eratosthenes, the ship is another argument against the centaur.

Eratosthenes' claim that Sagittarius is bipedal may seem surprising at first, as today he is depicted as a four-legged centaur in all common star charts.

The Almagest mentions three feet, a horse's body and a human torso, from which we can conclude that Ptolemy also thought of Sagittarius as a centaur. So how did Eratosthenes come to the conclusion that it could be a man with horse's legs?

On the zodiac of Dendera, a depiction in an Egyptian temple that was restored in the Ptolemaic period in the 1st century (i.e. only about 100 to 150 years after Eratosthenes), there are two Sagittarians: one with two legs and one with four legs. The four-legged one is in the part of the sky where the constellation Sagittarius is located. The two-legged archer stands next to the star [[Sirius]]. This is significant in that [[Sirius]] and the stars around it formed the two Babylonian constellations ‘Arrow’ ([[KAK.SI.SA2|KAK.SI.SA]]) and ‘Bow’ ([[PAN]]). The strong Babylonian influences are not surprising here, as there is evidence of a significant transfer of Babylonian mathematical astronomy to Greek astronomy in Egypt, especially in the 2nd century BCE.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[PA.BIL.SAG]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>[300] After much suffering at sea even in the previous month, when the sun inflames the bow and the Drawer of the bow, you should put ashore in the evening and not continue to trust the night. A sign of that season and that month will be the rising of the Scorpion at the end of night. [305] The Archer actually draws his great bow near the sting; the rising Scorpion stands a little ahead of him, and he then rises shortly after. At that time the head of Cynosura runs very high up at the end of night, and just before dawn Orion sets entirely, and Cepheus from hand to waist. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 5 1/2
|Cap 18
|Vir 19 1/2
|Sco 8 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|at the tip of the arrow
|the bright one in the hind feet
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §6) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 3
|Sgr 26 1/2
|Cap 20
|Psc 4 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one in the front foot
|the northern one of those in the upper garment
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Many have called this sign the Centaurus; others deny the name, for the reason that no Centaurus makes use of arrows. The question is raised, too why he is formed with horse flanks but a Satyr's tail.

Some say that he is Crotus, son of Eupheme, nurse of the Muses. As Sositheus, writer of tragedies, says, he had his home on Mount Helicon and took his pleasure in the company of the Muses, sometimes even following the pursuit of hunting. He attained great fame for his diligence, for he was very swift in the woods, and clever in the arts. As a reward for his zeal the Muses asked Jove to represent him in some star group, and Jove did so. Since he wished to display all his skills in one body, he gave him horse flanks because he rode a great deal. He added arrows, since these would show both his keenness and his swiftness, and he gave him a Satyr's tail because the Muses took no less pleasure in Crotus than Liber did in the Satyrs. Before his feet are a few stars arranged in a circle, which some said were a wreath, thrown off as by one at play. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Τοξότης. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Τοξότου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Sagittarius
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀκύδος τοῦ βέλους
|The star on the point of the arrow
|gam Sgr
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐν τῇ λαβῇ τῆς ἀριστερᾶρ χειρός
|The star in the [bow-] grip held by the left hand
|del Sgr
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐν τῷ νοτίῳ μέρει τοῦ τόξου
|The star in the southern portion of the bow
|eps Sgr
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐν τῷ βορείῳ μέρει τοῦ τόξου ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the [2] stars in the northern portion of the bow
|lam Sgr
|-
|5
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ τόξου.
|The northernmost of these, on the tip of the bow
|mu Sgr
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἅμου.
|The star on the left shoulder
|sig Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος κατὰ τοῦ βέλους
|The one in advance of this, just over the arrow
|phi Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ νεφελοειδὴς καὶ διπλοῦς,
|The star on the eye, which is nebulous and double
|nu1 + nu2 Sgr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ γ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 stars in the head
|xi Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|omi Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῶν τριῶ.
|The rearmost of the three
|pi Sgr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ βορεύῳ ἐφαπτίδι γ’ ὁ κότιος.
|The southernmost of the 3 stars in the northern cloak attachment
|43 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|rho Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ βόρειος τῶν τριῶη
|The northernmost of the three
|ups Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τοῦς τρισὶν ἀμαυρός
|The faint star to the rear of these three
|55 Sgr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς νοτίου ἐφαπτίδος β ὁ βορειότερος;
|The northernmost of the 2 stars on the southern cloak-attachment
|61 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|57 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὥμου.
|The star on the right shoulder
|chi1 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀγκῶνος..
|The star on the right elbow
|51+52 Sgr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ νώτῳ ἡ ὁ κατὰ τοῦ μεταφρένου.
|The three stars in the back: the one just above the place between the shoulders
|psi Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν καὶ κατὰ τῆς ὡμοπλάτης.
|The three stars in the back: the middle one, just above the shoulder-blade
|tau Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν μασχάλην.
|The three stars in the back: the other one, under the armpit
|zet Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἐμπροσθίου καὶ ἀριστεροῦ σφυροῦ
|The star on the front left hock
|bet1 + bet2 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ γόνατος τοῦ αὐτοῦ ποδός
|The one on the knee of the same leg
|alf Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἐμπροσθίου καὶ δεξιοῦ σφυροῦ
|The star on the front right hock
|eta Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ μηροῦ
|The star on the left thigh
|kap1 + kap2 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀπισθύου δεξιοῦ πήχεως.
|The star on the right hind lower leg
|iot Sgr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐκφύσει τῆς οὐρᾶς ὃ τῆς βορείου πλευρᾶς ὁ προηγούμερος
|The four stars [forming a quadrilateral] in the place where the tail joins [the body]: the advance star on the northern side
|omega Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῆς βορείου πλευρᾶς.
|The four stars [forming a quadrilateral] in the place where the tail joins [the body]: the rear star on the northern side
|60 Sgr
|-
|
|τῆς νοτίου πλευρᾶς ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The four stars [forming a quadrilateral] in the place where the tail joins [the body]: the advance star on the southern side
|59 Sgr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῆς νοτίου πλευρᾶς
|The four stars [forming a quadrilateral] in the place where the tail joins [the body]: the rear star on the southern side
|62 Sgr
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λα, ὧν β’ μεγέθους β, γ’ 3, δ’ θ, εη, σ’ β, νεφελοειδής
|{31 stars, 2 of the second magnitude, 9 of the third, 9 of the fourth, 8 of the fifth, 2 of the sixth, [1] nebulous}
|
|}
[[File:Toxotes Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Toxotes (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Kaus Australis
|HIP 90185
|Constellation lines
|1.81
|-
|2
|Nunki
|HIP 92855
|Constellation lines
|2.067
|-
|3
|Ascella
|HIP 93506
|Constellation lines
|2.59
|-
|4
|Kaus Media
|HIP 89931
|Constellation lines
|2.668
|-
|5
|Kaus Borealis
|HIP 90496
|Constellation lines
|2.81
|-
|6
|Albaldah
|HIP 94141
|Constellation lines
|2.88
|-
|7
|Alnasl
|HIP 88635
|Constellation lines
|2.99
|-
|8
|η Sagittarii
|HIP 89642
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.11
|-
|9
|ϕ Sagittarii
|HIP 92041
|Constellation lines
|3.14
|-
|10
|τ Sagittarii
|HIP 93864
|Constellation lines
|3.31
|-
|11
|ξ 2 Sagittarii
|HIP 93085
|Inside the hull
|3.51
|-
|12
|NAME SDG
|NAME SDG
|Inside the hull
|3.6
|-
|13
|ο Sagittarii
|HIP 93683
|Inside the hull
|3.77
|-
|14
|Polis
|HIP 89341
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.85
|-
|15
|ρ 1 Sagittarii
|HIP 95168
|Constellation lines
|3.93
|-
|16
|Rukbat
|HIP 95347
|Constellation lines
|3.943
|-
|17
|Arkab Prior
|HIP 95241
|Inside the hull
|4.01
|-
|18
|Meridiana
|HIP 94114
|Inside the hull
|4.087
|-
|19
|β Coronae Australis
|HIP 94160
|Inside the hull
|4.095
|-
|20
|ι Sagittarii
|HIP 98032
|Constellation lines
|4.13
|-
|21
|γ 1 Coronae Australis
|HIP 93825
|Inside the hull
|4.21
|-
|22
|Arkab Posterior
|HIP 95294
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.27
|-
|23
|θ 1 Sagittarii
|HIP 98412
|Constellation lines
|4.37
|-
|24
|59 Sgr
|HIP 98162
|Constellation lines
|4.528
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 88839
|Inside the hull
|4.56
|-
|26
|δ Coronae Australis
|HIP 94005
|Inside the hull
|4.571
|-
|27
|62 Sgr
|HIP 98688
|Constellation lines
|4.58
|-
|28
|52 Sgr
|HIP 96465
|Constellation lines
|4.598
|-
|29
|υ Sagittarii
|HIP 95176
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.61
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 89678
|Inside the hull
|4.627
|-
|31
|γ 1 Sagittarii
|HIP 88567
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|32
|Terebellum
|HIP 98066
|Constellation lines
|4.7
|-
|33
|ζ Coronae Australis
|HIP 93542
|Inside the hull
|4.725
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 98761
|Constellation lines
|4.764
|-
|35
|Ainalrami
|HIP 92761
|Constellation lines
|4.845
|-
|36
|60 Sgr
|HIP 98353
|Constellation lines
|4.846
|-
|37
|ϵ Coronae Australis
|HIP 93174
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|38
|ψ Sagittarii
|HIP 94643
|Constellation lines
|4.86
|-
|39
|21 Sgr
|HIP 90289
|Inside the hull
|4.86
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 91918
|Constellation lines
|4.87
|-
|41
|56 Sgr
|HIP 97290
|Inside the hull
|4.873
|-
|42
|43 Sgr
|HIP 94820
|Constellation lines
|4.878
|-
|43
|1 Sgr
|HIP 89153
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|44
|ν 2 Sagittarii
|HIP 92845
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 98842
|Constellation lines
|4.99
|-
|46
|61 Sgr
|HIP 98258
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.998
|-
|47
|χ 1 Sagittarii
|HIP 95477
|Constellation lines
|5.009
|-
|48
|55 Sgr
|HIP 96950
|Constellation lines
|5.045
|-
|49
|ξ 1 Sagittarii
|HIP 93057
|Constellation lines
|5.054
|-
|50
|λ Coronae Australis
|HIP 91875
|Inside the hull
|5.111
|-
|51
|M 22
|M 22
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|52
|29 Sgr
|HIP 92390
|Inside the hull
|5.21
|-
|53
|μ Coronae Australis
|HIP 92226
|Inside the hull
|5.217
|-
|54
|77 G. Sgr
|HIP 91014
|Inside the hull
|5.276
|-
|55
|54 Sgr
|HIP 96808
|Inside the hull
|5.296
|-
|56
|θ 2 Sagittarii
|HIP 98421
|Inside the hull
|5.299
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 99461
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|58
|V3961 Sgr
|HIP 97749
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|59
|V4050 Sgr
|HIP 90074
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|60
|PZ 6AB
|HIP 88060
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.36
|-
|61
|28 Sgr
|HIP 92111
|Inside the hull
|5.366
|-
|62
|V686 CrA
|HIP 92989
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|63
|75 G. Sgr
|HIP 90763
|Inside the hull
|5.386
|-
|64
|χ 3 Sagittarii
|HIP 95503
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 91989
|Inside the hull
|5.439
|-
|66
|24 Sgr
|HIP 91004
|Inside the hull
|5.461
|-
|67
|14 Sgr
|HIP 89369
|Inside the hull
|5.473
|-
|68
|134 G. Sgr
|HIP 93667
|Constellation lines
|5.482
|-
|69
|193 G. Sgr
|HIP 95865
|Constellation lines
|5.49
|-
|70
|V4024 Sgr
|HIP 93996
|Inside the hull
|5.49
|-
|71
|228 G. Sgr
|HIP 97260
|Inside the hull
|5.512
|-
|72
|60 G. Sgr
|HIP 90124
|Inside the hull
|5.518
|-
|73
|50 Sgr
|HIP 95564
|Inside the hull
|5.569
|-
|74
|18 Sgr
|HIP 90260
|Inside the hull
|5.574
|-
|75
|162 G. Sgr
|HIP 94986
|Constellation lines
|5.579
|-
|76
|165 G. Sgr
|HIP 95077
|Inside the hull
|5.579
|-
|77
|κ 1 Sagittarii
|HIP 100469
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|78
|131 G. Sgr
|HIP 93498
|Constellation lines
|5.628
|-
|79
|κ 2 Sagittarii
|HIP 100591
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.64
|-
|80
|51 Sgr
|HIP 96406
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|81
|209 G. Sgr
|HIP 96496
|Inside the hull
|5.642
|-
|82
|186 G. Sgr
|HIP 95619
|Constellation lines
|5.644
|-
|83
|37 G. Sgr
|HIP 89020
|Constellation lines
|5.65
|-
|84
|262 G. Sgr
|HIP 98470
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|85
|33 Sgr
|HIP 92747
|Inside the hull
|5.678
|-
|86
|189 G. Sgr
|HIP 95823
|Inside the hull
|5.701
|-
|87
|V701 CrA
|HIP 93552
|Inside the hull
|5.716
|-
|88
|152 G. Sgr
|HIP 94434
|Inside the hull
|5.765
|-
|89
|84 G. Sgr
|HIP 91405
|Inside the hull
|5.772
|-
|90
|94 G. Sgr
|HIP 91974
|Inside the hull
|5.811
|-
|91
|ρ 2 Sagittarii
|HIP 95188
|Inside the hull
|5.845
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 94157
|Inside the hull
|5.855
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 91438
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|94
|57 Sgr
|HIP 97783
|Constellation lines
|5.896
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 90485
|Inside the hull
|5.902
|-
|96
|V4089 Sgr
|HIP 96234
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|97
|180 G. Sgr
|HIP 95456
|Constellation lines
|5.93
|-
|98
|116 G. Sgr
|HIP 92931
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|99
|83 G. Sgr
|HIP 91347
|Inside the hull
|5.931
|-
|100
|260 G. Sgr
|HIP 98461
|Inside the hull
|5.948
|-
|101
|218 G. Sgr
|HIP 96760
|Inside the hull
|5.957
|-
|102
|264 G. Sgr
|HIP 98575
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|103
|132 G. Sgr
|HIP 93537
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|104
|179 G. Sgr
|HIP 95408
|Inside the hull
|6.011
|-
|105
|140 G. Sgr
|HIP 93925
|Inside the hull
|6.027
|-
|106
|RS Sgr
|HIP 89637
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|107
|233 G. Sgr
|HIP 97515
|Inside the hull
|6.031
|-
|108
|121 G. Sgr
|HIP 93134
|Constellation lines
|6.08
|-
|109
|258 G. Sgr
|HIP 98485
|Inside the hull
|6.097
|-
|110
|108 G. Sgr
|HIP 92643
|Inside the hull
|6.098
|-
|111
|148 G. Sgr
|HIP 94144
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|112
|V4333 Sgr
|HIP 96440
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|113
|197 G. Sgr
|HIP 95965
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|114
|224 G. Sgr
|HIP 97067
|Inside the hull
|6.131
|-
|115
|178 G. Sgr
|HIP 95396
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|116
|123 G. Sgr
|HIP 93140
|Inside the hull
|6.141
|-
|117
|62 G. Sgr
|HIP 90290
|Inside the hull
|6.142
|-
|118
| -
|HIP 98077
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|119
|58 G. Sgr
|HIP 90012
|Inside the hull
|6.154
|-
|120
|38 G. Sgr
|HIP 89086
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 93858
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|122
|49 G. Sgr
|HIP 89622
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|123
|280 G. Sgr
|HIP 99570
|Inside the hull
|6.191
|-
|124
|26 Sgr
|HIP 91689
|Inside the hull
|6.205
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 93470
|Inside the hull
|6.209
|-
|126
|V4200 Sgr
|HIP 97944
|Inside the hull
|6.213
|-
|127
|128 G. Sgr
|HIP 93423
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|128
|[SC96] GC 607
|[SC96] GC 607
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|129
|[SC96] Mis 1381
|[SC96] Mis 1381
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|130
|Gumala
|HIP 94645
|Inside the hull
|6.237
|-
|131
|70 Sgr
|HIP 89980
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 94730
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|133
|V4199 Sgr
|HIP 95159
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|134
|150 G. Sgr
|HIP 94272
|Inside the hull
|6.272
|-
|135
|69 G. Sgr
|HIP 90510
|Inside the hull
|6.276
|-
|136
|254 G. Sgr
|HIP 98351
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 93074
|Inside the hull
|6.284
|-
|138
|109 G. Sgr
|HIP 92635
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|139
|V4198 Sgr
|HIP 93887
|Inside the hull
|6.293
|-
|140
|64 G. Sgr
|HIP 90336
|Inside the hull
|6.296
|-
|141
|Cl Collinder 394
|Cl Collinder 394
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|142
|143 G. Sgr
|HIP 93993
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|143
|263 G. Sgr
|HIP 98579
|Inside the hull
|6.306
|-
|144
|90 G. Sgr
|HIP 91901
|Inside the hull
|6.308
|-
|145
|53 Sgr
|HIP 96729
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|146
|96 G. Sgr
|HIP 92016
|Inside the hull
|6.331
|-
|147
|167 G. Sgr
|HIP 95211
|Inside the hull
|6.338
|-
|148
| -
|HIP 94243
|Inside the hull
|6.344
|-
|149
|V3879 Sgr
|HIP 91781
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|150
|127 G. Sgr
|HIP 93315
|Inside the hull
|6.356
|-
|151
|133 G. Sgr
|HIP 93543
|Inside the hull
|6.357
|-
|152
|48 G. Sgr
|HIP 89620
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|153
|80 G. Sgr
|HIP 91172
|Inside the hull
|6.366
|-
|154
|125 G. Sgr
|HIP 93234
|Inside the hull
|6.378
|-
|155
|151 G. Sgr
|HIP 94372
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|156
|C 1806-240
|C 1806-240
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|157
| -
|HIP 93371
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|158
|V4434 Sgr
|HIP 99920
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|159
|36 G. Sgr
|HIP 89010
|Inside the hull
|6.405
|-
|160
|V4405 Sgr
|HIP 92079
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|161
|269 G. Sgr
|HIP 98785
|Inside the hull
|6.428
|-
|162
| -
|HIP 94130
|Inside the hull
|6.435
|-
|163
|[SC96] Mis 1401
|[SC96] Mis 1401
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|164
|[SC96] GC 625
|[SC96] GC 625
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|165
|115 G. Sgr
|HIP 92972
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|166
| -
|HIP 92866
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|167
|244 G. Sgr
|HIP 98012
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|168
| -
|HIP 96274
|Inside the hull
|6.475
|-
|169
|166 G. Sgr
|HIP 95149
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|170
|V4190 Sgr
|HIP 91132
|Inside the hull
|6.481
|-
|171
|M 55
|M 55
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|172
| -
|HIP 93209
|Inside the hull
|6.497
|-
|173
| -
|HIP 90576
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|174
|V* V4045 Sgr
|HIP 89178
|Constellation lines
|6.52
|-
|175
| -
|HIP 94124
|Constellation lines
|6.533
|-
|176
| -
|HIP 92329
|Constellation lines
|6.69
|-
|177
| -
|HIP 92301
|Inside the hull
|6.7
|-
|178
| -
|HIP 96932
|Constellation lines
|6.88
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 93149
|Constellation lines
|7.2
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Sagittaire-babylonien.jpg|Babylonian "Sagittarius", Dictionnaire des Antiquités grecques et romaines, Daremberg et Saglio, article Zodiaque, vol. V 2. Source : Wikisource, <nowiki>https://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Dictionnaire_des_Antiquit%C3%A9s_grecques_et_romaines_-_Daremberg_-_V_2.djvu/444</nowiki>
File:Kugel Sgr+CrA+Sco.JPG|Kugel Globe (1st c. BCE): Sgr, CrA and Sco
File:Sagittarius Hevelius.jpg|Sagittarius in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - La Sagittaire (Sagittarius).jpg|Sagittarius in Flamsteed (1776).
File:Johann Elert Bode - Sagittarius and Sobieski's Shield.jpg|Bode (1805) Sagittarius and Sobieski's Shield
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Sagittarius, The Archer.jpg|Sgr in Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Sagittarius and Corona Australis, Microscopium, and Telescopium.png|Sagittarius in Sidney Hall (1825) Urania's Mirror.
</gallery>

==Mythology==
Eratosthenes<ref name=":0" /> tells us that the satyr Krotos watched the Muses playing and then clapped his hands in rapturous delight. Others followed suit, and thus applause after a musical performance was invented. For this non-verbal sign of appreciation, he was transported to heaven.

This is a beautiful star legend, but it does not explain why this hybrid creature is holding a bow and arrow. The story demonstrates once again the Greeks' perplexity with images from a foreign (Babylonian) culture.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017067 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Sagittarius]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Sagitta

2026-05-20T13:39:02Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ὀιστὸς */ Typos

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Sagitta IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Sge star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. Sagitta, The Arrow, is one the classical Greek constellations. The Greek constellation of Sagitta first occurs in Eudoxus. In antiquity, it was considered a harbinger of the light and fertility as it is the carriage of the gods Apollo (light god) and his sister Demeter (goddess of fertility) when they arrive from the distant country of Hyperborea after winter. (Note: The god of light, Apollo left his sanctuary in Delphi in winter and returned in spring, then bringing fertility with him.) According to Herodotus (5th century BCE), the mythical, paradisiacal land "beyond the north wind", Hyperborea, is in the northeast (seen from Delphi), placing it in central Asia and making Apollo and Demeter arrive from the direction of sunrise.

==Etymology and History==
<ref name=":0" />The Arrow is a small constellation that is documented throughout Greek mathematical astronomy: it already appears in Eudoxus's writings in the 4th century BCE. Aratus and Eratosthenes claim that it belongs to a bow, but there is no such bow to be seen anywhere. The constellation of the Archer is located south of the Arrow, so that the Arrow appears to fly over it and was certainly not shot from it. Eratosthenes therefore reports that the Arrow is a projectile of Apollo, the god of light.

It is noteworthy that the myth surrounding the Arrow begins with Asclepius, who is represented in the constellation Ophiuchus. The constellation was called Zababa ([[ZA.BA4.BA4|ZA.BA4.BA4]]) in Babylonian and was a god of war who has been documented since the 3rd millennium BCE. Seen from his perspective, the arrow flies in the right direction, as if it had been shot by him. However, there is no evidence of a constellation called Arrow in Babylonian, so there is no connection either.[[File:Cyg kugel.jpg|thumb|Depiction of Sagitta on the Kugel Globe: next to Cygnus.]]
[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG|thumb|Sge, Aql, Cyg, Lyr, Del on the Kugel Globe, SMH 2024.]]

===Origin of Constellation===

==== Babylonian ====
It is unknown whether this region was considered part of the asterism of The Pig ([[ŠAḪ]]) or any other image ([[UD.KA.DU8.A|UD.KA.DU8.A]] or [[TE8.mušen|TE8mušen]], The Eagle). Definitely, there was no arrow constellation in this area; the Babylonian constellation with this name included [[Sirius]] (and probably other stars).

==== Greco-Roman ====
Interestingly, Sagitta is described by Eratosthenes as huge while the constellation seems to be rather small. It is depicted on the small ones of the three preserved globes but not on the huge one. The tiny Kugel Globe (only 10 cm in diametre) and the Mainz Globe both have the arrow drawn while on the Farnese Globe the image is missing: it would be in the area covered by the huge (much larger than usual and turned around) [[Aquila]], The Eagle.

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>[311] Ahead of the Archer is another Arrow lying all by itself without a bow. The Bird is outstretched beside it, nearer to the north. Close to it another bird is wafted, inferior in size, but stormy when it rises from the sea at the departure of night; and men call it the Eagle. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1:''' This line is the arrow of a bow which belonged, it is said, to Apollo, and with which, to avenge Asclepius, he killed the Cyclops who had forged the thunderbolt for Zeus. He then hid it in the land of the Hyperboreans, in the place where the sanctuary made of feathers. It is said that first thing he did was to get it back, when Zeus forgave him for his murder and put an end to his servitude with Admetus, mentioned by Euripides in Alcestis. The arrow is said to have returned through the air with Demeter Fructiferous. It was of extraordinary size, according to Heraclides of Pontus in his Pont in his book On Justice. Apollo also placed this feature among the stars, and made it a constellation to fix the memory of the battle he had fought.

The Arrow has a star at the tip, one in the middle, and two in the notch. One of them is particularly visible. In all, four.

'''Var. 2:''' This is a bow and arrow, said to have belonged to Apollo, and with which he killed the Cyclops who had made made the thunderbolt for Zeus; he killed them to avenge Asclepius. He hid it [the arrow] in the land of the Hyperboreans, in the place where there is a sanctuary made of feathers. When he put an end ... then the point returned through the air with Demeter Fructiferous. It was of extraordinary size. Heraclides of Pontus says in his book On Justice that a certain Abaris moved while being carried by this arrow. So Apollo made it into a constellation to fix the memory of the battle he had fought.

The arrow has four stars.

(Pamias and Zucker, 2013) </blockquote>

There is a lot of cultural reference in this small text: the people of the Hyperboreans is considered in the far north (as the name suggests), it is considered of happy and pious people, but it is uncertain where it is located. The god Apollo usually resides in Delphi (as considered by the ancient Greeks) but leaves this place in winter for the land of the Hyperboreans. His return through the air, riding on a huge arrow, accompanied by his sister Demeter, is usually celebrated in Delphi.

The contact of the Greeks with peoples in the far north is rather mythological. The tale of Abaris (a wonder man or shaman from the north) gives Eratosthenes's version of a visitor from these far countries. In Heraklides' version of the Abaris tale, the man from the north carries Apollo's arrow around in Greece.

Mythology has it that the temple in Delphi was built multiple times from different material (Sourvinou-Inwood 1979): from laurel, from feathers and wax, from bronce, from stone. The first one probably has a historical background in the temple of Apollo Daphniforos (the laurel bearer) in Eretria which is the most important monument this place. The information on the temple made of feathers probably comes from Heralides (and not Euripides) whose work on this topic is lost.
===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 5
|Sgr 9 1/2
|Vir 19
|Vir 25
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|those on the notch (α, β Sge)
|the on one the tip (γ Sge)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/3 hours = 20 min = 5 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 26 1/2
|Aqr 1 1/2
|Ari 14
|Ari 19 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|those on the notch (α, β Sge)
|the one at the tip (γ Sge)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/3 hours = 20 min = 5°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|Pfeilspitze
|tip of the arrow
|(γ Sge)
|Lib ... Chap ...
|setting Lup, culm, last
|Cap 5.5
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This arrow, they say, is one of the weapons of Hercules, with which he is said to have killed the eagle which ate the liver of Prometheus. It seems not unprofitable to speak of Prometheus at greater length. When the men of old with great ceremony used to carry on the sacrificial rites of the immortal gods, they would burn the victims entire in the flame of the sacrifice. And so, when the poor were prevented from making sacrifices on account of the great expense, Prometheus, who with his wonderful wisdom is thought to have made men, by his pleading is said to have obtained permission from Jove for them to cast only a part of the victim into the fire, and to use the rest for their own food. This practice custom later established. Since he had obtained this permission, not as from a covetous man, but easily, as from a god, Prometheus himself sacrifices two bulls. When he had first placed their entrails on the altar, he put the remaining flesh of the two bulls in one heap, covering it with an oxhide. Whatever bones there were he covered with the other skin and put it down between them, offering Jove the choice of either part for himself. Jupiter, although he didn't act with divine forethought, nor as a god who ought to foresee everything, was deceived by Prometheus — sine we have started to believe the tale! — and thinking each part was a bull, shoe the bones for his half. And so after this, in solemn rites and sacrifices, when the flesh of victims has been consumed, they burn with fire the remaining parts which are the gods.

But, to come back to the subject, Jupiter, when he realized what had been done, in anger took fire from mortals, lest the favour of Prometheus should seem to have more weight than the power of the gods, and that uncooked flesh should not be useful to men. Prometheus, however, who was accustomed to scheming, planned by his own efforts to bring back the fire that had been taken from men. So, when the others were away, he approached the fire of Jove, and with a small bit of this shut in a fennel-stalk he came joyfully, seeming to fly, not to run, tossing the stalk so that the air shut in with its vapours should not put out the flame in so narrow a space. Up to this time, then, men who bring good news usually come with speed. In the rivalry of the games they also make it a practice for the runners to run, shaking torches after the manner of Prometheus.

In return for this deed, Jupiter, to confer a like favour on men, gave a woman to them, fashioned by Vulcan, and endowed with all kinds of gifts by the will of the gods. For this reason she was called Pandora. But Prometheus he bound with an iron chain to a mountain in Scythia named Caucasus for thirty thousand years, as Aeschylus, writer of tragedies, says. Then, too, he sent an eagle to him to eat out his liver which was constantly renewed at night. Some have said that this eagle was born from Typhon and Echidna, other from Terra and Tartarus, but many point out it was made by the hands of Vulcan and given life by Jove.

The following reason for the release of Prometheus has been handed down. When Jupiter, moved by the beauty of Thetis, sought her in marriage, he couldn't win the consent of the timid maiden, but none the less kept planning to bring it about. At that time the Parcae were said to have prophesied what the natural order of events should be. They said that the son of Thetis' husband, whoever he might be, would be more famous than his father. Prometheus heard this as he kept watch, not from inclination but from necessity, and reported it to Jove. He, fearing that what he had done to his father Saturn in a similar situation, would happened to him, namely, that he would be robbed of his power, gave up by necessity his desire to wed Thetis, and out of gratitude to Prometheus thanked him and freed him from his chains. But he didn't go so far as to free him from all binding, since he had sworn to that, but for commemoration bade him bind his finger with the two things, namely, with stone and with iron. Following this practice men have rings fashioned of stone and iron, that they may seem to be appeasing Prometheus. Some also have said that he wore a wreath, as if to claim that he as victor had sinned without punishment. And so men began the practice of wearing wreaths at times of great rejoicing and victory. You may observe this in sports and banquets.

But to come back to the beginning of the inquiry and the death of the eagle. Hercules, when sent by Eurystheus for the apples of the Hesperides, out of ignorance of the way came to Prometheus, who was bound on Mount Caucasus, as we have shown above. When victor, he returned to Prometheus to tell him that that dragon we have mentioned was slain, and to thank him for his kindness since he had pointed out the way. Straightway he gave what honour he could to the one that deserved it, for [he killed the eagle?] and since it was slain, men began, when victims were sacrificed, to offer livers on the altars of the gods to satisfy them in place of the liver of Prometheus.

Eratosthenes says about the Arrow, that with this Apollo killed the Cyclopes who forged the thunderbolt by which Aesculapius died. Apollo had buried this arrow in the Hyperborean mountain, but when Jupiter pardoned his son, it was borne by the wind and brought to Apollo along with the grain which at that time was growing. Many point out that for this reason it is among the constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ὀιστὸς ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ὀιστοῦ ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀκίδος μουαχός
|The lone star on the arrow-head
|gam Sge
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐν τῷ καλάμῳ τριῶν ὁ ἐπόμενος
|Thc rearmost of the three stars in the shaft
|zet Sge
|-
|3
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|del Sge
|-
|4
|ὁ προγρούμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The most advanced of the three
|alf Sge
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς γλυφύδος.
|The star on the end of the notch
|bet Sge
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἐ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἄ, ε 7, ς’ ἄ.
|{5 stars, l of the fourth magnitude, 3 of the fifth, l of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Oistos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Oistos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|γ Sagittae
|HIP 98337
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.47
|-
|2
|δ Sagittae
|HIP 97365
|Constellation lines
|3.81
|-
|3
|Sham
|HIP 96757
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.38
|-
|4
|β Sagittae
|HIP 96837
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.38
|}

=== Mediaeval & Renaissance Source ===
Rudolphine Tables

Alfonsin Tables

Dürer

=== Early Modern Source (after 1550) ===
Bayer

etc.

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Cyg kugel.jpg|Sagitta hitting Cygnus, The Swan, on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE).
File:Aql+sge mainz.jpg|Sagitta in the claws of The Eagle, pointing northwards, on the Mainz Globe (2nd century CE).
File:Aratea 54v and 55r.jpg|Sagitta in the Leiden Aratea (830)
File:Sagitta Uranometria.jpg|Sagitta in Bayer (1603)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - L'Aigle, Antinous, La Fleche, Le Renard, Le Dauphin (Aquila, Sagitta, Vulpecula & Anser Delphinus).jpg|Sagitta in Flamsteed (1776)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Delphinus, Sagitta, Aquila, and Antinous.jpg|Sagitta in Sidney Hall (1822), Urania's Mirror
</gallery>

==Mythology/ Religion==
Apollo famously arrived at Delphi (historically known as Pytho) after slaying the serpent Python. The temple pediments famously depicted his arrival, signifying the triumph of light over the dark chthonic forces of Python.

Demeter primarily maintained her own major mystery cult at Eleusis, though she was sometimes honoured alongside Gaia and Apollo in regional traditions. She was worshipped nearby Delphi in various regions (such as at her temple in Anthela near Thermopylae) in her role as a protector of the earth and grain. In this role, her realm matches that of Babylonian Šala who is depicted in the constellation [[Virgo]].

'''Greek'''<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

After Zeus killed the demigod Asclepius ([[Ophiuchus]]) with a thunderbolt because he had brought a dead man back to life, Asclepius' father Apollo was seriously upset. He killed the Cyclopes, who forged the thunderbolts for Zeus. Then he felt compelled to go into exile until his brother Zeus had calmed down and forgiven him for his deed.

Eratosthenes reports two versions of what the arrow has to do with this story: on the one hand, the arrow could be the one that Apollo shot at the Cyclopes and which was then hidden. When Apollo returned, he is said to have rushed through the air together with Demeter, the goddess of fertility. This could be interpreted as riding on the arrow. The background to this story is that Apollo left his sanctuary in Delphi in winter and returned in spring – fitting for a god of light – and thus also brought fertility with him. He hid himself, or in the myth, the arrow, with the Hyperboreans. According to the world view of Herodotus (-5th century), their land lies in the far north-east of the world, in Central Asia.

'''Roman'''<ref>Ian Ridpath (1988). Star Tales - Sagitta, [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/sagitta.html online edition].</ref>

Hyginus, on the other hand, said that Sagitta was one of the arrows with which Heracles killed the eagle that ate the liver of Prometheus. It was Prometheus who moulded men out of clay in the likeness of the gods, and gave them fire that he had stolen from Zeus. Prometheus carried the fire triumphantly in a vegetable stalk like a runner bearing the Olympic torch. Zeus cruelly punished him for this theft by chaining him to Mount Caucasus, where a long-winged eagle ate his liver during the day. But at night the liver grew again for the eagle to resume his feast in the morning. Heracles freed Prometheus from this eternal torture by shooting the eagle with an arrow.

Germanicus Caesar identified Sagitta as the arrow of Eros which kindled in Zeus his passion for the shepherd boy Ganymede, who is commemorated by the constellation Aquarius. Now, according to Germanicus, the arrow is guarded in the sky by the eagle of Zeus – and Sagitta does indeed lie next to the constellation of the eagle, Aquila.

Alpha Sagittae, magnitude 4.4, has the strange-sounding name Sham, which comes from the Arabic name for the constellation, ''al-sahm'', meaning ‘the arrow’. The constellation’s brightest star is actually Gamma Sagittae, magnitude 3.5, which Ptolemy described as lying on the arrow-head; however, Bayer in his Uranometria extended the shaft to the stars he labelled Eta and Theta, which Ptolemy did not list. Flamsteed and Bode changed the angle of the arrow slightly so that Eta Sagittae lay at its tip and Alpha and Beta on the southern feather, as in the illustration above, whereas according to Ptolemy they should have been at the end of the shaft.

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017052 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Sagitta]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Piscis Austrinus

2026-05-20T13:36:30Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest */ OCR errors, missing heading and totals

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Piscis Austrinus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|star chart of PsA (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88 IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]] with a very old history: The original Greek name was The Great Fish was given to an earlier Babylonian constellation The Fish. When the constellation Pisces (two fish) was invented in Hellenistic times (possibly in Egypt) as a super-constellation from parts of neighbouring Babylonian originals (see [[Anunitu]], ''[[KU6|Nunu]]'', [[KU6|KU6]], ...), the original constellation of The Fish needed to be specified. To distinguish the two fish of Pisces from the traditional The Fish south of Aquarius, it was named Piscis Austrinus (or Notius as a Latinized Greek term for "south").

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In Greek, this constellation is called the Great Fish or simply Fish. This section is missing on the Farnese Atlas globe because it is covered by the shoulder of the Titan.

In the Almagest, it is described as lying on its back, and the Carolingian Leiden Aratea (+9th century) also shows the figure in this position. Eratosthenes reports that this fish snaps at water, specifically the water that [[Aquarius]] pours out.

The Arabs introduce a new aspect here, which is mixed with the Greek version in as-Sufi (10th century): the bright star at the mouth of the fish (now called [[Fomalhaut]]) apparently had the name ‘Southern Frog’ in Arabic literature – in contrast to the ‘Northern Frog’, [[Diphda]] in Ketos ([[Cetus]]). In many cases, Arab constellation culture has anchored two narratives in the star catalogue: on the one hand, the star names from Ptolemy's catalogue are translated into Arabic, but on the other hand, in the case of Arabic proper names for stars, these are also preserved in the written tradition. This makes it possible to reconstruct some of the original Arabic star (constellation) names.

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>Below Capricorn and exposed to the winds of the south hovers the Fish, turned to face the Monster, distinct from the former two: they call it the Southern Fish. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §7) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 16 1/2
|Psc 20 1/2
|Sgr 4
|Sgr 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of those in the tail (iota)
|the one at the front of mouth (alf)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/5 hours = 84 min = 21 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §7) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 24
|Cap 17 1/2
|Psc 3
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southern one of the bright ones in the tail (gam Gru)
|the very bright one at the mouth
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 4/5 hours = 108 min = 27°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This is the Fish that is called Southern. He seems to take water in his mouth from the sign of Aquarius. Once, when Isis was in labor, he is thought to have saved her, and as a reward for this kindness she placed the fish and its young, about whom we have spoken before, among the stars. As a result the Syrians generally do not eat fish, and worship their gilded likenesses as household gods. Ctesias, too, writes about this. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ἰχθύος νοτίου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Southern Fish
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στόματι ὁ αὐτὸς τῇ ἀρχῇ τοῦ Ὕδατος
|The star in the mouth, which is the same as the beginning of the water
|alf PsA
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς φοτίου τῆς κεφαλῆς περιφερεύας γ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|Thc most advanced of thc 3 stars on the southern rim of the head
|bet PsA
|-
|3
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|gam PsA
|-
|4
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|del PsA
|-
|5
|ὁ πρὸς τῷ βράγχω
|The star by the gills
|eps PsA
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς νωτιαίας νοτίου ἀκάνθης
|The star on the southernmost spine on the back
|mu PsA
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ β ὁ ἑπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 2 stars in the belly
|zet PsA
|-
|8
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|lam PsA
|-
|9
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς βορείου ἀκάνθης ἢ’ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 3 stars on the northern spine
|eta PsA
|-
|10
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|tet PsA
|-
|11
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν τριῶν.
|The most advanced of the three
|iot PsA
|-
|12
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the tip of the tail
|gam Gru
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἴα, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους θ, ε β
|{11 stars, 9 of the fourth magnitude, 2 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν νότιον Ἰχθὺν ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars round Piscis Austrinus outside the constellation:
!
|-
|
|τῶν προηγουμένων λαμπρῶν φ τοῦ Ἰχθύος ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 bright stars in advance of Piscis [Austrinus]
|eta Mic
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶ
|The middle one
|tet1 Mic
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμευος τῶν τριῶη
|The rearmost of the three
|xi Gru
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος ἀμαυρός
|The faint star in advance of this
|tet2 Mic
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν πρὸς ἄρκτους β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the remaining 2 stars to the north
|gam Mic
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|alf Mic
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ξ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους γ, δ’ β, εα.
|{6 stars, 3 of the third magnitude, 2 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Notios Ichthys Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Notios Ichthys (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Fomalhaut
|HIP 113368
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.16
|-
|2
|Aldhanab
|HIP 108085
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.01
|-
|3
|ϵ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 111954
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.177
|-
|4
|δ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 113246
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.208
|-
|5
|β Piscis Austrini
|HIP 111188
|Constellation lines
|4.29
|-
|6
|ι Piscis Austrini
|HIP 107380
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.34
|-
|7
|μ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 109285
|Constellation lines
|4.5
|-
|8
|γ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 112948
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.51
|-
|9
|τ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 109422
|Inside the hull
|4.92
|-
|10
|υ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 109289
|Inside the hull
|4.99
|-
|11
|θ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 107608
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.017
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 109404
|Inside the hull
|5.371
|-
|13
|λ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 109789
|Constellation lines
|5.43
|-
|14
|VZ PsA
|HIP 111809
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|15
|* eta PsA A
|HIP 108661
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.72
|-
|16
| -
|HIP 111600
|Inside the hull
|5.808
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 111934
|Constellation lines
|5.89
|-
|18
| -
|HIP 111045
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|19
|21 PsA
|HIP 112862
|Inside the hull
|5.987
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 113234
|Inside the hull
|6.067
|-
|21
|19 PsA
|HIP 112102
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 111879
|Inside the hull
|6.314
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 112746
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 109306
|Inside the hull
|6.386
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 108259
|Inside the hull
|6.414
|-
|26
|ζ Piscis Austrini
|HIP 111138
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.43
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 109412
|Inside the hull
|6.436
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 111801
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|29
|13 PsA
|HIP 108952
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|30
|TW PsA
|HIP 113283
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 109561
|Constellation lines
|6.73
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology/ Religion==

Greek

Eratosthenes reports that this fish lived in a lake near Bambyke, a city in Syria northeast of Aleppo. When the goddess Derketo fell into this lake one night, she was saved by this fish.

Derketo is a Syrian goddess who is depicted as a kind of mermaid: a female upper body with a fish tail. She was probably a Ugaritic goddess of the sky and/or sea (Syria, 3rd millennium BCE) and is equated by Hesiod (modern-day Turkey, around 700 BCE) with Aphrodite Urania, a heavenly goddess of love. Depictions on coins from a later period (1st century BCE) suggest that she also functioned as a goddess of fertility. Derketo thus had similar roles to the Babylonian Ishtar, and we will encounter this figure again in the constellation [[Andromeda]].

It is not known which of the variants of this goddess of love Eratosthenes' source refers to. In any case, fish are sacred animals in this region of Syria and were therefore placed among the stars. This is probably how the constellation Pisces came into being, which he describes in the same context as the Great Fish. According to Eratosthenes, the small fish are descendants of the Great Fish.

==Weblinks==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/piscisaustrinus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017073 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Piscis Magnus]

==References ==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Pisces

2026-05-20T13:31:20Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ἰχθύες */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Pisces (psc).tiff|thumb|Pisces. IAU and Sky & Telescope]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The constellation Pisces emerged in rather late time in antiquity. Its origin is yet unexplained but it occurs in written Greek sources (Aratus, Eratosthenes, Hipparchus, Ptolemy) and it is depicted in the circular Denderah zodiac dating to Roman time Egypt. Babylonian sources do not have this constellations.

==Etymology and History ==

=== Origin of Constellation ===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>Two fish tied together with a ribbon: this image is incomprehensible, and it was already so in ancient times. It originated in Mesopotamia as a zodiac constellation, and in the second half of the first millennium, there were strange new interpretations of it that probably not everyone understood even then. Seal depictions from Uruk show a fish and a bird connected by a pointed ribbon. The image is called the swallowfish and could be a visualisation of a word – swallow and fish, linked by a ribbon. In fact, there is a certain species of flying fish in the Mediterranean today that is called this, but whether this is what is meant here is lost in the mists of time.

In Uruk, the constellation may have been called swallow fish in the Seleucid period, but in Babylon it never had this name (as far as we know). In the diaries of mathematical astronomy, the names are always abbreviated and there it says ‘tails’. If we go back a millennium and look in MUL.APIN, we find the full name ‘Tails of the Giant Swallow’ ([[ZIB|ZIBme]]). The V-shaped band is actually a swallowtail. It is the part of the ancient constellation Giant Swallow ([[SIM.MAḪ]]) through which the Sun, Moon and planets travel.

Here we can see a gradual reinterpretation of the figure over the centuries. In the 2nd millennium, the constellation was called Giant Swallow and was a calendar sign because the month was determined by the heliacal risings. In autumn, when the swallows fly south, the constellation is visible in the sky almost all night long – however, there is no evidence that any symbolism was derived from this.

In the 1st millennium, a project for an ‘astronomical database’ was developed in the city of Babylon, the so-called ‘diary project’, in which data was collected that could be used to establish causal relationships. The technical style of notation for this data set favours abbreviations. The group ‘tails of the giant swallow’ technically becomes the constellation and zodiac sign Tails.

Because the meaning has been forgotten – at least since it was received by the Greeks – it now seems to have been approached figuratively: the neighbouring Mesopotamian constellation ‘Great God’ ([[E2-a|Ea]]) is often depicted with a bird on its arm, which is now separated as a small swallow of the swallow fish. This could be explained purely graphically. The fish of the swallow fish is likely to originate from the North Mesopotamian or Syrian variant of [[Andromeda]], whose legend is linked there to a large fish (or dolphin). The foreign gods (Ishtar and Ea) are thus reinterpreted as heroes in Greek culture, and their attributes are grouped into a new constellation that turns out to be a play on words: the genus ‘Swallow Fish’ is depicted as a swallow and a fish.

If the fish had been a Greek constellation, they could have been connected because of the Babylonian swallowtail. Alternatively, a Mesopotamian image of a bird and a fish was later reinterpreted in Greek as two fish. The ribbon connecting them had been misunderstood for almost a millennium, and in Roman times the story was invented that the ribbon was a visualisation of their love for each other.

====Babylonian====
There has never been a constellation of 'a group of fish' in ancient Mesopotamia. The Mesopotamian constellation in this area was [[KUN|KUNme(š)]] ša [[SIM.MAḪ|mulSIM.MAḪ]], The Tails of the Swallow.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Sources
!Identification
|-
|MUL.APIN

* Stars in the Path of Anu: the tails are not mentioned as constellation, but only the Swallow (I i 41) and Anunitu (I i 42).
* Stars in the Path of the Moon":
**KUNmeš <ša2> mulSIM. MAḪ ''A-nu-ni-ti''4 (I iv 36)<ref>Hunger, H. and Steele, J. M. (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, NY</ref>
** "the tails of the Swallow, Anunitu";

cf. KUN-''šu''2-''nu'', "their tails" in MLC 1866 col. i 7 [Beaulieu et al. 2018<ref>Beaulieu, P.-A., Frahm, E., Horowitz, W. & Steele, J. (2018), The Cuneiform Uranology Texts: Drawing the Constellations, American Philosophical Society Press, Philadelphia, USA.</ref>, 35-39].
|
|-
|ADRT
*mulxKUNme, KUNme — the designation of the constellation Tails of the Swallow (=Pisces) in texts before the Seleucid era [AD I-III<ref>''Sachs A., Hunger H''. Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts from Babylonia. Vol. I: Diaries from 652 B.C. to 262 B.C.; Vol. II: from 261 B.C. to 165 B.C.; Vol. III: Diaries from 164 B.C. to 75 B.C. Vienna, 1988, 1989, 1991.</ref>, passim].
|
|-
|
|
|}
<gallery>
File:Psc+ari+aqr+and.jpg|Dumuzi, the shepherd god, as Hired Man, as lover of Inanna who is depicted in the constellation Anunitu(m); both east of the One Field-constellation (IKU), and north of the Swallow SIM.MAH and the giant, GU.LA, the god Enki/Ea. Drawings by Robert Perdok and Susanne M Hoffmann 2016, mapped in Stellarium.
File:Stellarium Swallow+ MULAPIN.jpg|Giant Swallow (MUL.APIN) with its tails in the path of the Moon (Stellarium, painting by Jessica Gullberg).
File:Psc SwallowFish seal Wallenfels1993.png|Psc as Swallow-Fish on seal from Uruk (Wallenfels 1993).
</gallery>

====Greco-Roman====
=====Eudoxos=====

=====Aratus=====
<blockquote>Still farther ahead and more in the approaches to the south [240] are the Fishes; but one is always more prominent than the other and hears more the fresh onset of the north wind. From both of them stretch, as it were, chains from the tail-parts, coming together in an unbroken line on both sides. One beautiful bright star occupies this position, [245] and they call it the celestial Knot. Let Andromeda’s left shoulder be your guide to the more northerly Fish, for it is very close to it.

(Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

=====Eratosthenes=====

=====Hipparchus=====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 7
|Ari 16
|Sco 26
|Cap 9
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the mouth of the southern fish
|the one in the knot of the ribbon
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 1/10 hours = 186 min = 46 1/2 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §9) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 23
|Ari 5
|Tau 17
|Cnc 6
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the mouth of the southern one of the two fish
|the one at the end of the mouth of the northern fish
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 1/2 hours = 210 min = 52 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Diognetus Erythraeus says that once Venus and her son Cupid came in Syria to the river Euphrates. There Typhon, of whom we have already spoken, suddenly appeared. Venus and her son threw themselves into the river and there changed their forms to fishes, and by so doing this escaped danger. So afterwards the Syrians, who are adjacent to these regions, stopped eating fish, fearing to catch them lest with like reason they seem either to oppose the protection of the gods, or to entrap the gods themselves. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

=====Geminos=====

====Almagest Ἰχθύες====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ἰχθύων ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Pisces
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στόματι τοῦ προηγουμένου Ἰχθύος
|The star in the mouth of the advance fish
|bet Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ κραυίῳ αὐτοῦ β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the top of its head
|gam Psc
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of them
|7 Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ νώτῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the back
|tet Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|iot Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the belly
|kap Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἑπόμευος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|lam Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῇ οὐρᾷ τοῦ αὐτοῦ Ἰχθύος
|The star in the tail of the same [advance] fish
|ome Psc
|-
|
|τῶν κατὰ τὸ λίνον αὐτοῦ ὁ πρῶτος ἀπὸ τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the first after the tail
|41 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the one to the rear
|51 Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐφεξῆς λαμπρῶν ἢ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the most advanced of the 3 following bright stars
|del Psc
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the middle one of these
|eps Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῶν τριῶν.
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the rearmost of the three
|zet Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ὑπ’ αὐτοὺς ἐν καμπῇ μικρῶν β’ ὁ βορειότερος
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the northernmost of the 2 small stars under these, in the bend
|80 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the southernmost of them
|89 Psc
|-
|
|τῶν μετὰ τὴν καμπὴν ἢ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the most advanced of the 3 stars after the bend
|mu Psc
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the middle one of these
|nu Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἑπόμενος τῶν τριῶν.
|The stars forming its fishing-line: the rearmost of the three
|xi Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ συνδέσμου τῶν β λίνων
|The star on the knot joining the 2 fishing-lines
|alf Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ βορείῳ λίνῳ ὁ ἀπὸ τοῦ συυδέσμου προηγούμενος
|Stars in the northern fishing-line: the first in the section beginning at the knot
|omi Psc
|-
|
|τῶν μετ’ αὐτὸν ἐφεξῆς γ’ ὁ νότιος.
|Stars in the northern fishing-line: the southernmost of the 3 stars following after that
|pi Psc
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|Stars in the northern fishing-line: the middle one of these
|eta Psc
|-
|
|ὁ βόρειος τῶν γ καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς:
|Stars in the northern fishing-line: the northernmost of the 3, which is also on the end of the tail
|rho Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ στόματι τοῦ ἐπομένου Ἰχθύος β ὁ βορειότερος,
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the mouth of the rear fish
|82 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|tau Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ ἢ μικρῶν ὁ ἐπόμενος.
|The rearmost of the 3 small stars in the head
|68 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one of these
|67 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The most advanced of the three
|65 Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ρωτιαίας ἀκάνθηςἢ μετὰ τὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀγκῶνος. τῆς Ἀνδρομέδας ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars on the spine in the back following [i.e. to the rear of] the star on the elbow of Andromeda
|psi1 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of the three
|psi2 Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῶν τριῶν.
|Thc rearmost of the three
|chi Psc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the belly
|ups Psc
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|phi Psc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἐπομένῃ ἀκάνθη περὶ τὴν οὐράῃ.
|The star in the rear spine, near the tail
|psi3 Psc
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λδ, ὧν γ’ μεγέθους β, δ’ κῇ, ε’7, ς ξ-
|{34 stars, 2 of the third magnitude, 22 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth, 7 of the sixth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τοὺς Ἰχθύας ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars round Pisces outside the constellation:
!
|-
|
|τοῦ ὑπὸ τὸν ἠγούμενον Ἰχθὺν τετραπλεύρου τῶν βορείων β ὁ ἠγούμενος.
|The quadrilateral under the advance fish: the more advanced of the 2 northern stars
|
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The quadrilateral under the advance fish: the rearmost of them
|
|-
|
|τῆς νοτίου πλευρᾶς ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The quadrilateral under the advance fish: the more advanced star on the southern side
|
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῆς νοτίου πλευρᾶς.
|The quadrilateral under the advance fish: the rearmost one on the southern side
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ὁ μεγέθους δ΄.
|{4 stars of the fourth magnitude}
|
|}
[[File:Ichthyes Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Ichthyes (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Procyon
|HIP 37279
|Inside the hull
|0.37
|-
|2
|Betelgeuse
|HIP 27989
|Inside the hull
|0.42
|-
|3
|Aldebaran
|HIP 21421
|Inside the hull
|0.86
|-
|4
|Regulus
|HIP 49669
|Inside the hull
|1.4
|-
|5
|Bellatrix
|HIP 25336
|Inside the hull
|1.64
|-
|6
|Alhena
|HIP 31681
|Inside the hull
|1.92
|-
|7
|Algieba
|HIP 50583
|Inside the hull
|1.98
|-
|8
|Hamal
|HIP 9884
|Inside the hull
|2.01
|-
|9
|Denebola
|HIP 57632
|Inside the hull
|2.13
|-
|10
|Scheat
|HIP 113881
|Inside the hull
|2.42
|-
|11
|Markab
|HIP 113963
|Inside the hull
|2.48
|-
|12
|Menkar
|HIP 14135
|Inside the hull
|2.53
|-
|13
|Unukalhai
|HIP 77070
|Inside the hull
|2.63
|-
|14
|Sheratan
|HIP 8903
|Inside the hull
|2.65
|-
|15
|Cebalrai
|HIP 86742
|Inside the hull
|2.75
|-
|16
|Vindemiatrix
|HIP 63608
|Inside the hull
|2.79
|-
|17
|Cl Collinder 69
|Cl Collinder 69
|Inside the hull
|2.8
|-
|18
|Alcyone
|HIP 17702
|Inside the hull
|2.87
|-
|19
|Tejat
|HIP 30343
|Inside the hull
|2.87
|-
|20
|Gomeisa
|HIP 36188
|Inside the hull
|2.89
|-
|21
|Tianguan
|HIP 26451
|Inside the hull
|3.03
|-
|22
|ζ Hydrae
|HIP 43813
|Inside the hull
|3.1
|-
|23
|Tabit
|HIP 22449
|Inside the hull
|3.19
|-
|24
|κ Ophiuchi
|HIP 83000
|Inside the hull
|3.2
|-
|25
|Propus
|HIP 29655
|Inside the hull
|3.28
|-
|26
|Chertan
|HIP 54879
|Inside the hull
|3.35
|-
|27
|Alzirr
|HIP 32362
|Inside the hull
|3.36
|-
|28
|δ Aquilae
|HIP 95501
|Inside the hull
|3.36
|-
|29
|Ashlesha
|HIP 43109
|Inside the hull
|3.38
|-
|30
|Minelauva
|HIP 63090
|Inside the hull
|3.38
|-
|31
|λ Tauri
|HIP 18724
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|32
|Chamukuy
|HIP 20894
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|33
|η Leonis
|HIP 49583
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|34
|Homam
|HIP 112029
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|35
|Mothallah
|HIP 8796
|Inside the hull
|3.42
|-
|36
|Kaffaljidhma
|HIP 12706
|Inside the hull
|3.47
|-
|37
|Sadalbari
|HIP 112748
|Inside the hull
|3.48
|-
|38
|Tarf
|HIP 40526
|Inside the hull
|3.52
|-
|39
|Subra
|HIP 47508
|Inside the hull
|3.52
|-
|40
|Ain
|HIP 20889
|Inside the hull
|3.53
|-
|41
|Wasat
|HIP 35550
|Inside the hull
|3.53
|-
|42
|Biham
|HIP 109427
|Inside the hull
|3.55
|-
|43
|λ Geminorum
|HIP 35350
|Inside the hull
|3.559
|-
|44
|Bharani
|HIP 13209
|Inside the hull
|3.594
|-
|45
|ο Tauri
|HIP 15900
|Inside the hull
|3.6
|-
|46
|Alpherg
|HIP 7097
|Constellation lines
|3.62
|-
|47
|Atlas
|HIP 17847
|Inside the hull
|3.63
|-
|48
|Prima Hyadum
|HIP 20205
|Inside the hull
|3.65
|-
|49
|Meissa
|HIP 26207
|Inside the hull
|3.66
|-
|50
|π 4 Orionis
|HIP 22549
|Inside the hull
|3.68
|-
|51
|ϵ Serpentis
|HIP 77622
|Inside the hull
|3.693
|-
|52
|γ Piscium
|HIP 114971
|Constellation lines
|3.7
|-
|53
|Electra
|HIP 17499
|Inside the hull
|3.7
|-
|54
|Alshain
|HIP 98036
|Inside the hull
|3.71
|-
|55
|109 Vir
|HIP 72220
|Inside the hull
|3.73
|-
|56
|72 Oph
|HIP 88771
|Inside the hull
|3.73
|-
|57
|ξ Tauri
|HIP 16083
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|58
|Bake-eo (or Bake Eo)
|HIP 87108
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|59
|Secunda Hyadum
|HIP 20455
|Inside the hull
|3.76
|-
|60
|ζ Boötis
|HIP 71795
|Inside the hull
|3.78
|-
|61
|Mekbuda
|HIP 34088
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|62
|θ 1 Tauri
|HIP 20885
|Inside the hull
|3.84
|-
|63
|Maia
|HIP 17573
|Inside the hull
|3.87
|-
|64
|Shaomin
|HIP 51624
|Inside the hull
|3.87
|-
|65
|ν Tauri
|HIP 18907
|Inside the hull
|3.883
|-
|66
|Marfik
|HIP 80883
|Inside the hull
|3.9
|-
|67
|θ Hydrae
|HIP 45336
|Inside the hull
|3.91
|-
|68
|67 Oph
|HIP 88192
|Inside the hull
|3.93
|-
|69
|λ Pegasi
|HIP 112440
|Inside the hull
|3.93
|-
|70
|Kitalpha
|HIP 104987
|Inside the hull
|3.933
|-
|71
|Asellus Australis
|HIP 42911
|Inside the hull
|3.94
|-
|72
|ι Leonis
|HIP 55642
|Inside the hull
|4.01
|-
|73
|* ome Psc
|HIP 118268
|Constellation lines
|4.02
|-
|74
|70 Oph
|HIP 88601
|Inside the hull
|4.03
|-
|75
|σ Leonis
|HIP 55434
|Inside the hull
|4.04
|-
|76
|ν Virginis
|HIP 57380
|Inside the hull
|4.04
|-
|77
|ο 2 Orionis
|HIP 22957
|Inside the hull
|4.06
|-
|78
|ϕ 2 Orionis
|HIP 26366
|Inside the hull
|4.09
|-
|79
|5 Tau
|HIP 16369
|Inside the hull
|4.1
|-
|80
|Alrescha A
|HIP 9487
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.11
|-
|81
|ι Piscium
|HIP 116771
|Constellation lines
|4.12
|-
|82
|ο Virginis
|HIP 58948
|Inside the hull
|4.12
|-
|83
|δ Hydrae
|HIP 42313
|Inside the hull
|4.131
|-
|84
|ν Geminorum
|HIP 30883
|Inside the hull
|4.14
|-
|85
|* del Ser A
|HIP 76276
|Inside the hull
|4.14
|-
|86
|1 Gem
|HIP 28734
|Inside the hull
|4.15
|-
|87
|Merope
|HIP 17608
|Inside the hull
|4.18
|-
|88
|32 Ori
|HIP 25813
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|89
|* 70 Oph A
|HD 165341A
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|90
|ξ Pegasi
|HIP 112447
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|91
|κ 1 Tauri
|HIP 20635
|Inside the hull
|4.201
|-
|92
|Acubens
|HIP 44066
|Inside the hull
|4.249
|-
|93
|88 Tau
|HIP 21402
|Inside the hull
|4.25
|-
|94
|τ Tauri
|HIP 21881
|Inside the hull
|4.258
|-
|95
|Torcular
|HIP 8198
|Constellation lines
|4.26
|-
|96
|μ Ceti
|HIP 12828
|Inside the hull
|4.26
|-
|97
|90 Tau
|HIP 21589
|Inside the hull
|4.27
|-
|98
|μ Tauri
|HIP 19860
|Inside the hull
|4.279
|-
|99
|ϵ Piscium
|HIP 4906
|Constellation lines
|4.28
|-
|100
|υ Tauri
|HIP 20711
|Inside the hull
|4.282
|-
|101
|δ 3 Tauri
|HIP 20648
|Inside the hull
|4.298
|-
|102
|θ Piscium
|HIP 115830
|Constellation lines
|4.3
|-
|103
|ξ 2 Ceti
|HIP 11484
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|104
|Taygeta
|HIP 17531
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 28614A
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|106
|γ Canis Minoris
|HIP 36284
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|107
|η Hydrae
|HIP 42799
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|108
|σ Ophiuchi
|HIP 85355
|Inside the hull
|4.31
|-
|109
|119 Tau
|HIP 25945
|Inside the hull
|4.33
|-
|110
|ρ Hydrae
|HIP 43234
|Inside the hull
|4.337
|-
|111
|ξ 1 Ceti
|HIP 10324
|Inside the hull
|4.35
|-
|112
|π 2 Orionis
|HIP 22509
|Inside the hull
|4.35
|-
|113
|Botein
|HIP 14838
|Inside the hull
|4.37
|-
|114
|37 Tau
|HIP 19038
|Inside the hull
|4.37
|-
|115
|Yunü
|HIP 49637
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|116
|ι Ophiuchi
|HIP 82673
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|117
|ν Orionis
|HIP 29038
|Inside the hull
|4.397
|-
|118
|ϵ Monocerotis
|HIP 30419
|Inside the hull
|4.398
|-
|119
|χ 1 Orionis
|HIP 27913
|Inside the hull
|4.4
|-
|120
|110 Vir
|HIP 73620
|Inside the hull
|4.4
|-
|121
|Alkarab
|HIP 115623
|Inside the hull
|4.4
|-
|122
|ϕ 1 Orionis
|HIP 26176
|Inside the hull
|4.41
|-
|123
|λ Serpentis
|HIP 77257
|Inside the hull
|4.42
|-
|124
|Minchir
|HIP 42402
|Inside the hull
|4.43
|-
|125
|δ Piscium
|HIP 3786
|Constellation lines
|4.44
|-
|126
|ν Piscium
|HIP 7884
|Constellation lines
|4.44
|-
|127
|μ Aquilae
|HIP 96229
|Inside the hull
|4.45
|-
|128
|71 Tau
|HIP 20713
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|129
|ρ Orionis
|HIP 24331
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|130
|ξ Orionis
|HIP 29426
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|131
|30 Gem
|HIP 32249
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|132
|13 Mon
|HIP 31216
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|133
|λ Piscium
|HIP 116928
|Constellation lines
|4.51
|-
|134
|Lilii Borea
|HIP 13061
|Inside the hull
|4.51
|-
|135
|τ Piscium
|HIP 5586
|Constellation lines
|4.511
|-
|136
|Fumalsamakah
|HIP 113889
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.52
|-
|137
|Mesarthim
|HIP 8832
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|138
|55 Peg
|HIP 114144
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|139
|6 CMi
|HIP 36425
|Inside the hull
|4.531
|-
|140
|Alya
|HIP 92946
|Inside the hull
|4.57
|-
|141
|Salm
|HIP 115250
|Inside the hull
|4.58
|-
|142
|ω Orionis
|HIP 26594
|Inside the hull
|4.59
|-
|143
|Cl Collinder 106
|Cl Collinder 106
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|144
|66 Oph
|HIP 88149
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|145
|ξ Piscium
|HIP 8833
|Constellation lines
|4.604
|-
|146
|ψ 2 Orionis
|HIP 25473
|Inside the hull
|4.611
|-
|147
|ι Tauri
|HIP 23497
|Inside the hull
|4.615
|-
|148
|χ Leonis
|HIP 54182
|Inside the hull
|4.62
|-
|149
|ϵ Arietis
|HIP 13914
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|150
|χ 2 Orionis
|HIP 28716
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|151
|71 Oph
|HIP 88765
|Inside the hull
|4.64
|-
|152
|π Aquarii
|HIP 110672
|Inside the hull
|4.64
|-
|153
|π Virginis
|HIP 58590
|Inside the hull
|4.642
|-
|154
|π 1 Orionis
|HIP 22845
|Inside the hull
|4.648
|-
|155
|ρ Tauri
|HIP 21273
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|156
|Asellus Borealis
|HIP 42806
|Inside the hull
|4.652
|-
|157
|χ Piscium
|HIP 5571
|Constellation lines
|4.658
|-
|158
|ϕ Piscium
|HIP 5742
|Constellation lines
|4.66
|-
|159
|11 Ori
|HIP 23607
|Inside the hull
|4.661
|-
|160
|σ 2 Tauri
|HIP 21683
|Inside the hull
|4.665
|-
|161
|35 Ari
|HIP 12719
|Inside the hull
|4.67
|-
|162
|Tegmine
|HIP 40167
|Inside the hull
|4.67
|-
|163
|S Mon
|HIP 31978
|Inside the hull
|4.68
|-
|164
|2 Sex
|HIP 47310
|Inside the hull
|4.68
|-
|165
|π Tauri
|HIP 20732
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|166
|λ Ceti
|HIP 13954
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|167
|π Leonis
|HIP 49029
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|168
|NAME NGC 5171 Group
|NAME NGC 5171 Group
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|169
|μ Orionis
|HIP 28614
|Inside the hull
|4.71
|-
|170
|38 Gem
|HIP 33202
|Inside the hull
|4.715
|-
|171
|ο 1 Orionis
|HIP 22667
|Inside the hull
|4.721
|-
|172
|56 Peg
|HIP 114155
|Inside the hull
|4.74
|-
|173
|υ Piscium
|HIP 6193
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.748
|-
|174
| -
|HIP 50564
|Inside the hull
|4.76
|-
|175
| -
|HIP 21029
|Inside the hull
|4.764
|-
|176
|λ Arietis
|HIP 9153
|Inside the hull
|4.766
|-
|177
|17 Mon
|HIP 32533
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|178
|δ 2 Tauri
|HIP 20542
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|179
|σ Virginis
|HIP 64852
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|180
|35 Peg
|HIP 110882
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|181
|15 Ori
|HIP 24010
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|182
|126 Tau
|HIP 26777
|Inside the hull
|4.836
|-
|183
|58 Leo
|HIP 53807
|Inside the hull
|4.838
|-
|184
|μ Piscium
|HIP 7007
|Constellation lines
|4.84
|-
|185
|ν Pegasi
|HIP 109068
|Inside the hull
|4.84
|-
|186
|ξ Virginis
|HIP 57328
|Inside the hull
|4.842
|-
|187
|κ 1 Ceti
|HIP 15457
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|188
|29 Her
|HIP 81008
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|189
|74 Oph
|HIP 89918
|Inside the hull
|4.856
|-
|190
|31 Boo
|HIP 71832
|Inside the hull
|4.862
|-
|191
|114 Tau
|HIP 25539
|Inside the hull
|4.868
|-
|192
|ζ Arietis
|HIP 15110
|Inside the hull
|4.869
|-
|193
|81 Gem
|HIP 37908
|Inside the hull
|4.87
|-
|194
| -
|HIP 70327
|Inside the hull
|4.87
|-
|195
|ν Ceti
|HIP 12093
|Inside the hull
|4.871
|-
|196
|132 Tau
|HIP 27468
|Inside the hull
|4.873
|-
|197
|134 Tau
|HIP 27511
|Inside the hull
|4.875
|-
|198
|ρ Virginis
|HIP 61960
|Inside the hull
|4.88
|-
|199
|m Tau
|HIP 23835
|Inside the hull
|4.89
|-
|200
|ρ Pegasi
|HIP 113186
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|201
|ω 2 Tauri
|HIP 19990
|Inside the hull
|4.914
|-
|202
|69 Ori
|HIP 29434
|Inside the hull
|4.92
|-
|203
|κ Piscium
|HIP 115738
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.94
|-
|204
|78 Vir
|HIP 66200
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|205
|τ Leonis
|HIP 55945
|Inside the hull
|4.943
|-
|206
|109 Tau
|HIP 24822
|Inside the hull
|4.948
|-
|207
|* 47 Tau A
|HIP 19740
|Inside the hull
|4.95
|-
|208
|ϕ Tauri
|HIP 20250
|Inside the hull
|4.951
|-
|209
|Triminus
|HIP 10280
|Inside the hull
|4.952
|-
|210
|16 Vir
|HIP 60172
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|211
|ξ Leonis
|HIP 46771
|Inside the hull
|4.963
|-
|212
|75 Tau
|HIP 20877
|Inside the hull
|4.969
|-
|213
|70 Vir
|HIP 65721
|Inside the hull
|4.97
|-
|214
| -
|HIP 25278
|Inside the hull
|4.97
|-
|215
|14 Ari
|HIP 10053
|Inside the hull
|4.977
|-
|216
|59 Leo
|HIP 53824
|Inside the hull
|4.977
|-
|217
|θ 2 Serpentis
|HIP 92951
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|218
|ω Hydrae
|HIP 44659
|Inside the hull
|4.981
|-
|219
|ϵ Canis Minoris
|HIP 36041
|Inside the hull
|4.986
|-
|220
|31 Peg
|HIP 110386
|Inside the hull
|4.99
|-
|221
|23 Ori
|HIP 25142
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|222
|51 Gem
|HIP 34909
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|223
|4 Aql
|HIP 91975
|Inside the hull
|5.005
|-
|224
|10 Leo
|HIP 47205
|Inside the hull
|5.009
|-
|225
| -
|HIP 29800
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|226
|79 Tau
|HIP 20901
|Inside the hull
|5.014
|-
|227
|κ Arietis
|HIP 9836
|Inside the hull
|5.019
|-
|228
|CU Vir
|HIP 69389
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|229
|66 Her
|HIP 84671
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|230
|BD+09 2882A
|HR 5386
|Inside the hull
|5.037
|-
|231
|74 Gem
|HIP 37300
|Inside the hull
|5.05
|-
|232
|7 Psc
|HIP 115227
|Constellation lines
|5.069
|-
|233
|30 Tau
|HIP 17771
|Inside the hull
|5.07
|-
|234
|6 Leo
|HIP 46774
|Inside the hull
|5.07
|-
|235
|48 Leo
|HIP 51775
|Inside the hull
|5.07
|-
|236
|σ 1 Tauri
|HIP 21673
|Inside the hull
|5.076
|-
|237
|56 Gem
|HIP 35699
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|238
|66 Peg
|HIP 115444
|Inside the hull
|5.081
|-
|239
|97 Tau
|HIP 22565
|Inside the hull
|5.085
|-
|240
|Pleione
|HIP 17851
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|241
|6 Com
|HIP 59819
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|242
|244 G. Vir
|HIP 70400
|Inside the hull
|5.094
|-
|243
|66 Tau
|HIP 20522
|Inside the hull
|5.098
|-
|244
|Cl Collinder 107
|Cl Collinder 107
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|245
|FAUST 3058
|FAUST 3058
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|246
|25 Aqr
|HIP 106944
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|247
|ι Arietis
|HIP 9110
|Inside the hull
|5.105
|-
|248
| -
|HIP 34033
|Inside the hull
|5.117
|-
|249
|27 Com
|HIP 62356
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|250
| -
|HIP 41325
|Inside the hull
|5.122
|-
|251
|4 Tau
|HIP 16322
|Inside the hull
|5.124
|-
|252
|τ 2 Arietis
|HIP 15737
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|253
|64 Ori
|HIP 28691
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|254
|8 Cnc
|HIP 39567
|Inside the hull
|5.136
|-
|255
|89 Psc
|HIP 6061
|Constellation lines
|5.137
|-
|256
|57 Peg
|HIP 114347
|Inside the hull
|5.14
|-
|257
|43 Her
|HIP 82073
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|258
|21 Aql
|HIP 94477
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|259
|82 Psc
|HIP 5544
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.152
|-
|260
|59 Peg
|HIP 114520
|Inside the hull
|5.154
|-
|261
|σ Peg
|HIP 112935
|Inside the hull
|5.16
|-
|262
|iot Tri A
|HIP 10280A
|Inside the hull
|5.162
|-
|263
| -
|HIP 24197
|Inside the hull
|5.163
|-
|264
|125 Tau
|HIP 26640
|Inside the hull
|5.166
|-
|265
|38 Ari
|HIP 12832
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|266
|10 Ser
|HIP 75761
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|267
|σ Aquilae
|HIP 96665
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|268
| -
|HIP 29650
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|269
| -
|HIP 64792
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|270
|41 Tau
|HIP 19171
|Inside the hull
|5.172
|-
|271
|6 Ori
|HIP 22833
|Inside the hull
|5.184
|-
|272
|Revati
|HIP 5737
|Constellation lines
|5.19
|-
|273
|η Arietis
|HIP 10306
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|274
|d2 Vir
|HIP 62267
|Inside the hull
|5.207
|-
|275
| -
|HIP 31119
|Inside the hull
|5.21
|-
|276
|26 Gem
|HIP 32104
|Inside the hull
|5.21
|-
|277
|ω Serpentis
|HIP 77578
|Inside the hull
|5.217
|-
|278
|43 G. Tau
|HIP 19799
|Inside the hull
|5.218
|-
|279
|η Canis Minoris
|HIP 36265
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|280
|ο 1 Cancri
|HIP 43970
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|281
|91 Psc
|HIP 6315
|Inside the hull
|5.223
|-
|282
|19 Aql
|HIP 94068
|Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|283
| -
|HIP 17954
|Inside the hull
|5.234
|-
|284
|11 CMi
|HIP 37921
|Inside the hull
|5.237
|-
|285
|107 Psc
|HIP 7981
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|286
|63 Gem
|HIP 36238
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|287
|κ Cancri
|HIP 44798
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|288
|45 Her
|HIP 82216
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|289
|58 Tau
|HIP 20261
|Inside the hull
|5.242
|-
|290
|16 Ser
|HIP 76425
|Inside the hull
|5.253
|-
|291
|36 Gem
|HIP 32921
|Inside the hull
|5.259
|-
|292
|ν Leonis
|HIP 48883
|Inside the hull
|5.26
|-
|293
|68 Gem
|HIP 36760
|Inside the hull
|5.263
|-
|294
|κ 2 Tauri
|HIP 20641
|Inside the hull
|5.264
|-
|295
|ψ 1 Piscium A
|HIP 5131
|Constellation lines
|5.273
|-
|296
|l Tau
|HIP 23871
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|297
|12 Tri
|HIP 11486
|Inside the hull
|5.29
|-
|298
|46 Tau
|HIP 19719
|Inside the hull
|5.29
|-
|299
|133 Tau
|HIP 27364
|Inside the hull
|5.29
|-
|300
|10 Tri
|HIP 10793
|Inside the hull
|5.291
|-
|301
|33 Ari
|HIP 12489
|Inside the hull
|5.296
|-
|302
|μ 2 Cancri
|HIP 39780
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|303
|132 G. Aql
|HIP 100541
|Inside the hull
|5.301
|-
|304
|zet01 Cnc
|HIP 40167A
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|305
|53 Leo
|HIP 52911
|Inside the hull
|5.312
|-
|306
|4 Vir
|HIP 57562
|Inside the hull
|5.316
|-
|307
|73 Leo
|HIP 55016
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|308
|15 Boo
|HIP 69612
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|309
| -
|HIP 22834
|Inside the hull
|5.324
|-
|310
|21 Ori
|HIP 24817
|Inside the hull
|5.325
|-
|311
|η Cancri
|HIP 41909
|Inside the hull
|5.325
|-
|312
|38 Ori
|HIP 26126
|Inside the hull
|5.326
|-
|313
|72 Ori
|HIP 29704
|Inside the hull
|5.327
|-
|314
|40 Tau
|HIP 18957
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|315
| -
|HIP 64823
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|316
|χ Serpentis
|HIP 76866
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|317
| -
|HIP 18993
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|318
|29 Tau
|HIP 17563
|Inside the hull
|5.337
|-
|319
|θ Cancri
|HIP 41822
|Inside the hull
|5.337
|-
|320
|3 Ser
|HIP 74649
|Inside the hull
|5.337
|-
|321
|* pi. Ari A
|HIP 13165
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|322
|37 Oph
|HIP 84177
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|323
| -
|HIP 34987
|Inside the hull
|5.343
|-
|324
|ρ Piscium
|HIP 6706
|Constellation lines
|5.344
|-
|325
|7 Vir
|HIP 58510
|Inside the hull
|5.345
|-
|326
|56 Tau
|HIP 20186
|Inside the hull
|5.346
|-
|327
| -
|HIP 22157
|Inside the hull
|5.346
|-
|328
|π 2 Cancri
|HIP 45410
|Inside the hull
|5.348
|-
|329
|ψ Leonis
|HIP 47723
|Inside the hull
|5.35
|-
|330
|τ 1 Arietis
|HIP 15627
|Inside the hull
|5.355
|-
|331
|ω Virginis
|HIP 56779
|Inside the hull
|5.36
|-
|332
|1 CMi
|HIP 35987
|Inside the hull
|5.361
|-
|333
|63 G. Tau
|HIP 21670
|Inside the hull
|5.365
|-
|334
|85 Gem
|HIP 38722
|Inside the hull
|5.365
|-
|335
|41 Psc
|HIP 1645
|Constellation lines
|5.37
|-
|336
|30 Peg
|HIP 110298
|Inside the hull
|5.37
|-
|337
|χ Tauri
|HIP 20430
|Inside the hull
|5.378
|-
|338
| -
|HIP 22044
|Inside the hull
|5.379
|-
|339
|121 Tau
|HIP 26248
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|340
|75 Ori
|HIP 29850
|Inside the hull
|5.386
|-
|341
|58 Peg
|HIP 114389
|Inside the hull
|5.386
|-
|342
|44 Tau
|HIP 19513
|Inside the hull
|5.387
|-
|343
| -
|HIP 91217
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|344
|83 Tau
|HIP 21036
|Inside the hull
|5.395
|-
|345
|18 Boo
|HIP 69989
|Inside the hull
|5.396
|-
|346
|U Ori
|HIP 28041
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|347
|[SC93] 254
|[SC93] 254
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|348
|Cl Collinder 97
|Cl Collinder 97
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|349
|115 Tau
|HIP 25499
|Inside the hull
|5.404
|-
|350
|37 Leo
|HIP 50333
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|351
|208 G. Oph
|HIP 89772
|Inside the hull
|5.412
|-
|352
| -
|HIP 18975
|Inside the hull
|5.42
|-
|353
|84 Vir
|HIP 66936
|Inside the hull
|5.423
|-
|354
| -
|HIP 91237
|Inside the hull
|5.425
|-
|355
|16 Ori
|HIP 23983
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|356
|5 Psc
|HIP 114273
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|357
|68 Psc
|HIP 4510
|Constellation lines
|5.438
|-
|358
|60 Cnc
|HIP 43851
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|359
| -
|HIP 36616
|Inside the hull
|5.442
|-
|360
|93 Tau
|HIP 21735
|Inside the hull
|5.445
|-
|361
| -
|HIP 17776
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|362
|ν Arietis
|HIP 12332
|Inside the hull
|5.451
|-
|363
|9 Her
|HIP 79488
|Inside the hull
|5.453
|-
|364
|81 Tau
|HIP 21039
|Inside the hull
|5.454
|-
|365
|130 Tau
|HIP 27338
|Inside the hull
|5.455
|-
|366
|Celaeno
|HIP 17489
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|367
|33 Ori
|HIP 25861
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|368
|46 Leo
|HIP 51585
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|369
|Helvetios
|HIP 113357
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|370
|73 Ori
|HIP 29736
|Inside the hull
|5.467
|-
|371
|47 Her
|HIP 82402
|Inside the hull
|5.469
|-
|372
|52 Ari A
|HIP 14376
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|373
|45 Gem
|HIP 34440
|Inside the hull
|5.476
|-
|374
|ξ Arietis
|HIP 11249
|Inside the hull
|5.478
|-
|375
|52 Leo
|HIP 52689
|Inside the hull
|5.478
|-
|376
|118 Tau
|HIP 25695
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|377
|53 Tau
|HIP 20171
|Inside the hull
|5.482
|-
|378
|202 G. Oph
|HIP 89065
|Inside the hull
|5.489
|-
|379
| -
|HIP 23043
|Inside the hull
|5.49
|-
|380
|51 Leo
|HIP 52686
|Inside the hull
|5.492
|-
|381
| -
|HIP 24450
|Inside the hull
|5.494
|-
|382
|σ Piscium
|HIP 4889
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.5
|-
|383
|103 Tau
|HIP 23900
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|384
|27 Cnc
|HIP 41400
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|385
|80 Psc
|HIP 5346
|Constellation lines
|5.501
|-
|386
|64 Ari
|HIP 15861
|Inside the hull
|5.503
|-
|387
|ω 1 Tauri
|HIP 19388
|Inside the hull
|5.504
|-
|388
|Tianfu
|HIP 98823
|Inside the hull
|5.508
|-
|389
|* lam Ori B
|HR 1880
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|390
|36 Tau
|HIP 19009
|Inside the hull
|5.512
|-
|391
|72 Tau
|HIP 20789
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|392
|18 Ori
|HIP 24555
|Inside the hull
|5.515
|-
|393
|116 Tau
|HIP 25555
|Inside the hull
|5.515
|-
|394
|σ Arietis
|HIP 13327
|Inside the hull
|5.516
|-
|395
|62 Ari
|HIP 15696
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|396
|135 Tau
|HIP 27581
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|397
|95 Leo
|HIP 58159
|Inside the hull
|5.522
|-
|398
|122 Tau
|HIP 26382
|Inside the hull
|5.525
|-
|399
|π Piscium
|HIP 7535
|Constellation lines
|5.535
|-
|400
| -
|HIP 30728
|Inside the hull
|5.543
|-
|401
|86 Leo
|HIP 56146
|Inside the hull
|5.549
|-
|402
|64 Ser
|HIP 93051
|Inside the hull
|5.551
|-
|403
|80 Tau
|HIP 20995
|Inside the hull
|5.552
|-
|404
| -
|HIP 31277
|Inside the hull
|5.553
|-
|405
|12 Tau
|HIP 17103
|Inside the hull
|5.555
|-
|406
|NZ Gem
|HIP 37521
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|407
|ψ 3 Piscium
|HIP 5454
|Constellation lines
|5.562
|-
|408
|ψ 2 Piscium
|HIP 5310
|Constellation lines
|5.563
|-
|409
|62 Ser
|HIP 92872
|Inside the hull
|5.566
|-
|410
|EL Cet
|HIP 14915
|Inside the hull
|5.568
|-
|411
|57 Tau
|HIP 20219
|Inside the hull
|5.568
|-
|412
|6 Vir
|HIP 58110
|Inside the hull
|5.569
|-
|413
|22 Aql
|HIP 94727
|Inside the hull
|5.569
|-
|414
| -
|HIP 71837
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|415
|δ 2 Canis Minoris
|HIP 36723
|Inside the hull
|5.571
|-
|416
|θ Arietis
|HIP 10732
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|417
|81 Leo
|HIP 55765
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|418
|31 Vir
|HIP 61968
|Inside the hull
|5.573
|-
|419
|36 Peg
|HIP 110986
|Inside the hull
|5.574
|-
|420
|21 Ari
|HIP 10535
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|421
|ρ 3 Arietis
|HIP 13702
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|422
| -
|HIP 66640
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|423
|22 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 77163
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|424
|152 G. Oph
|HIP 85749
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|425
|ζ Equ
|HIP 104031
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|426
|137 Tau
|HIP 27743
|Inside the hull
|5.586
|-
|427
|3 Cnc
|HIP 39177
|Inside the hull
|5.588
|-
|428
|35 Ori
|HIP 26093
|Inside the hull
|5.593
|-
|429
|93 Cet
|HIP 14143
|Inside the hull
|5.607
|-
|430
|44 Leo
|HIP 51008
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|431
|32 Tau
|HIP 18471
|Inside the hull
|5.617
|-
|432
|* ome Leo A
|HIP 46454
|Inside the hull
|5.62
|-
|433
|66 Ori
|HIP 28814
|Inside the hull
|5.621
|-
|434
|64 Cet
|HIP 10212
|Inside the hull
|5.623
|-
|435
|11 Peg
|HIP 107575
|Inside the hull
|5.624
|-
|436
|63 Tau
|HIP 20484
|Inside the hull
|5.625
|-
|437
|n Her
|HIP 81007
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|438
|51 Tau
|HIP 20087
|Inside the hull
|5.631
|-
|439
| -
|HIP 14439
|Inside the hull
|5.635
|-
|440
|45 Ser
|HIP 79007
|Inside the hull
|5.635
|-
|441
| -
|HIP 26215
|Inside the hull
|5.638
|-
|442
|31 Ari
|HIP 12153
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|443
|18 Tau
|HIP 17527
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|444
| -
|HIP 39213
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|445
|13 Del
|HIP 102633
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|446
|18 Leo
|HIP 47959
|Inside the hull
|5.644
|-
|447
|71 Vir
|HIP 65790
|Inside the hull
|5.646
|-
|448
|[SC93] 64
|[SC93] 64
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|449
|45 Cnc
|HIP 42795
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|450
| -
|HIP 62325
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|451
| -
|HIP 89000
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|452
|63 Ori
|HIP 28812
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|453
| -
|HIP 30099
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|454
|49 Cnc
|HIP 42917
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|455
|25 Com
|HIP 61571
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|456
| -
|HIP 114096
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|457
| -
|HIP 114449
|Inside the hull
|5.661
|-
|458
| -
|HIP 90313
|Inside the hull
|5.665
|-
|459
|LN Vir
|HIP 64607
|Inside the hull
|5.67
|-
|460
| -
|HIP 32968
|Inside the hull
|5.671
|-
|461
|35 Gem
|HIP 32814
|Inside the hull
|5.672
|-
|462
|ο 2 Cancri
|HIP 44001
|Inside the hull
|5.677
|-
|463
|60 G. Tau
|HIP 21295
|Inside the hull
|5.678
|-
|464
|51 Psc
|HIP 2548
|Constellation lines
|5.679
|-
|465
|29 Com
|HIP 62541
|Inside the hull
|5.681
|-
|466
|136 G. Vir
|HIP 65198
|Inside the hull
|5.687
|-
|467
|15 Ari
|HIP 10155
|Inside the hull
|5.688
|-
|468
|κ 2 Ceti
|HIP 15619
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|469
|13 Tau
|HIP 17309
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|470
|120 Tau
|HIP 26064
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|471
|41 Gem
|HIP 33715
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|472
|26 G. Tau
|HIP 18805
|Inside the hull
|5.691
|-
|473
|10 Ari
|HIP 9621
|Inside the hull
|5.694
|-
|474
|45 Tau
|HIP 19554
|Inside the hull
|5.699
|-
|475
|44 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 90497
|Inside the hull
|5.699
|-
|476
|19 Ari
|HIP 10328
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|477
| -
|HIP 29860
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|478
|Cl Collinder 89
|Cl Collinder 89
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|479
|* 37 Peg A
|HIP 111062
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|480
| -
|HIP 35005
|Inside the hull
|5.702
|-
|481
|60 Tau
|HIP 20400
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|482
| -
|HIP 20842
|Inside the hull
|5.711
|-
|483
|3 Leo
|HIP 46457
|Inside the hull
|5.713
|-
|484
|M 33
|M 33
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|485
|* i Ori A
|HIP 23879
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|486
| -
|HIP 59309
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|487
|131 Tau
|HIP 27316
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|488
| -
|HIP 29151
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|489
|47 Ser
|HIP 79072
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|490
|8 Leo
|HIP 47189
|Inside the hull
|5.732
|-
|491
|85 Leo
|HIP 56080
|Inside the hull
|5.734
|-
|492
| -
|HIP 34387
|Inside the hull
|5.739
|-
|493
|μ Arietis
|HIP 12640
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|494
|55 Ari
|HIP 14677
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|495
| -
|HIP 56445
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|496
| -
|HIP 33024
|Inside the hull
|5.742
|-
|497
|7 Ari
|HIP 8993
|Inside the hull
|5.749
|-
|498
|68 Ori
|HIP 29433
|Inside the hull
|5.749
|-
|499
|3 Gem
|HIP 29225
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|500
| -
|HIP 33914
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|501
|49 G. Tau
|HIP 20268
|Inside the hull
|5.751
|-
|502
|6 Tau
|HIP 16511
|Inside the hull
|5.757
|-
|503
|117 Tau
|HIP 25583
|Inside the hull
|5.758
|-
|504
|180 G. Oph
|HIP 87558
|Inside the hull
|5.759
|-
|505
|56 Ari
|HIP 14893
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|506
|Asterope
|HIP 17579
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|507
|37 Her
|HIP 81641
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|508
|134 G. Oph
|HIP 85139
|Inside the hull
|5.763
|-
|509
| -
|HIP 27280
|Inside the hull
|5.768
|-
|510
| -
|HIP 64445
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|511
| -
|HIP 10540
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|512
|89 Tau
|HIP 21588
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|513
| -
|HIP 22913
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|514
|ο Arietis
|HIP 12803
|Inside the hull
|5.777
|-
|515
| -
|HIP 34215
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|516
|1 Cnc
|HIP 38848
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|517
|56 Leo
|HIP 53449
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|518
| -
|HIP 13834
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|519
|19 Sex
|HIP 50027
|Inside the hull
|5.781
|-
|520
| -
|HIP 64179
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|521
|35 Aql
|HIP 95793
|Inside the hull
|5.783
|-
|522
|98 Tau
|HIP 23088
|Inside the hull
|5.785
|-
|523
| -
|HIP 55716
|Inside the hull
|5.788
|-
|524
| -
|HIP 40167C
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|525
|5 G. Leo
|HIP 47943
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|526
|* 49 Leo A
|HIP 51802
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|527
|35 Sex
|HIP 52452
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|528
| -
|HIP 12114
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|529
|36 G. Leo
|HIP 54863
|Inside the hull
|5.793
|-
|530
| -
|HIP 40866
|Inside the hull
|5.798
|-
|531
| -
|HIP 25041
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|532
| -
|HIP 37508
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|533
| -
|HIP 38712
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|534
|3 Her
|HIP 78442
|Inside the hull
|5.804
|-
|535
|99 Tau
|HIP 23068
|Inside the hull
|5.806
|-
|536
| -
|HR 1243
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|537
|53 Oph
|HIP 85998
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|538
|34 Peg
|HIP 110785
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|539
|272 G. Cet
|HIP 12148
|Inside the hull
|5.811
|-
|540
|13 G. Aql
|HIP 93580
|Inside the hull
|5.815
|-
|541
|δ 3 Canis Minoris
|HIP 36812
|Inside the hull
|5.817
|-
|542
|21 Her
|HIP 80351
|Inside the hull
|5.819
|-
|543
| -
|HIP 35120
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|544
|40 Peg
|HIP 111810
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|545
|5 Gem
|HIP 29379
|Inside the hull
|5.825
|-
|546
|12 Vir
|HIP 59608
|Inside the hull
|5.829
|-
|547
|40 Ari
|HIP 13108
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|548
|12 Mon
|HIP 31159
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|549
|66 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 92027
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|550
| -
|HIP 44406
|Inside the hull
|5.831
|-
|551
|[AKS95] 73
|[AKS95] 73
|Inside the hull
|5.832
|-
|552
|49 G. Aql
|HIP 95732
|Inside the hull
|5.839
|-
|553
|4 Ari
|HIP 8387
|Inside the hull
|5.841
|-
|554
|HU Tau
|HIP 21604
|Inside the hull
|5.842
|-
|555
| -
|HIP 33937
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|556
|10 Sex
|HIP 48734
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|557
|11 G. Psc
|HIP 113622
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|558
| -
|HIP 9132
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|559
| -
|HIP 26487
|Inside the hull
|5.852
|-
|560
| -
|HIP 114641
|Inside the hull
|5.852
|-
|561
|1 Ari A
|HIP 8544
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|562
| -
|HR 2014
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|563
|ψ Serpentis
|HIP 77052
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|564
| -
|HIP 18735
|Inside the hull
|5.865
|-
|565
| -
|HIP 42008
|Inside the hull
|5.867
|-
|566
| -
|HIP 20804
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|567
|33 Gem
|HIP 32753
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|568
|64 Vir
|HIP 65241
|Inside the hull
|5.873
|-
|569
| -
|HIP 11670
|Inside the hull
|5.879
|-
|570
| -
|HIP 28139
|Inside the hull
|5.884
|-
|571
|50 Cnc
|HIP 43121
|Inside the hull
|5.885
|-
|572
| -
|HIP 31448
|Inside the hull
|5.887
|-
|573
| -
|HIP 35476
|Inside the hull
|5.887
|-
|574
| -
|HIP 37031
|Inside the hull
|5.888
|-
|575
| -
|HIP 13121
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|576
| -
|HIP 28302
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|577
|IM Peg
|HIP 112997
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|578
| -
|HIP 9307
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|579
|76 Tau
|HIP 20873
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|580
|57 Ori
|HIP 27965
|Inside the hull
|5.894
|-
|581
| -
|HIP 29678
|Inside the hull
|5.894
|-
|582
| -
|HIP 33372
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|583
|39 Tau
|HIP 19076
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|584
| -
|HIP 26386
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|585
|NGC 2169
|NGC 2169
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|586
| -
|HIP 32226
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|587
|13 Tri
|HIP 11548
|Inside the hull
|5.901
|-
|588
| -
|HIP 7359
|Inside the hull
|5.903
|-
|589
| -
|HIP 29196
|Inside the hull
|5.904
|-
|590
| -
|HIP 37428
|Inside the hull
|5.906
|-
|591
|49 Ari
|HIP 14109
|Inside the hull
|5.909
|-
|592
|41 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 79120
|Inside the hull
|5.909
|-
|593
| -
|HIP 35509
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|594
|36 Cnc
|HIP 42265
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|595
|υ Aquilae
|HIP 97229
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|596
| -
|HIP 27549
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|597
|59 Ari
|HIP 15514
|Inside the hull
|5.918
|-
|598
|105 Tau
|HIP 23883
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|599
|16 Mon
|HIP 32463
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|600
| -
|HIP 42172
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|601
|* 73 Oph A
|HIP 88964
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|602
| -
|HIP 112067
|Inside the hull
|5.921
|-
|603
|54 Cet
|HIP 8588
|Inside the hull
|5.922
|-
|604
|18 G. Tau
|HIP 17595
|Inside the hull
|5.922
|-
|605
| -
|HIP 71759
|Inside the hull
|5.925
|-
|606
|6 G. Tau
|HIP 16358
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|607
| -
|HIP 19376
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|608
|ρ 2 Arietis
|HIP 13654
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|609
|4 G. Boo
|HIP 70384
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|610
|265 G. Vir
|HIP 73350
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|611
| -
|HIP 104101
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|612
| -
|HIP 14036
|Inside the hull
|5.931
|-
|613
| -
|HIP 25790
|Inside the hull
|5.934
|-
|614
|61 Gem
|HIP 36156
|Inside the hull
|5.935
|-
|615
| -
|HIP 27560
|Inside the hull
|5.936
|-
|616
| -
|HIP 9533
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|617
| -
|HIP 19284
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|618
|NP Gem
|HIP 33929
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|619
|20 Cnc
|HIP 41117
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|620
|90 Leo
|HIP 56473
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|621
| -
|HR 4531
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|622
| -
|HIP 37478
|Inside the hull
|5.942
|-
|623
| -
|HIP 18170
|Inside the hull
|5.946
|-
|624
| -
|HIP 33603
|Inside the hull
|5.947
|-
|625
|29 Cnc
|HIP 41578
|Inside the hull
|5.948
|-
|626
| -
|HIP 10296
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|627
| -
|HIP 20417
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|628
|* 52 Ori A
|HIP 27386
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|629
| -
|HIP 48519
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|630
|M 5
|M 5
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|631
|164 G. Oph
|HIP 86575
|Inside the hull
|5.952
|-
|632
| -
|HIP 34002
|Inside the hull
|5.953
|-
|633
| -
|HIP 114189
|Inside the hull
|5.953
|-
|634
|* eps Equ A
|HIP 103569
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|635
| -
|HIP 79137
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|636
| -
|HIP 7906
|Inside the hull
|5.961
|-
|637
|305 G. Cet
|HIP 13679
|Inside the hull
|5.963
|-
|638
| -
|HIP 28110
|Inside the hull
|5.964
|-
|639
| -
|HIP 20614
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|640
| -
|HIP 14764
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|641
| -
|HR 2099
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|642
|[SC93] 343
|[SC93] 343
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|643
|1 G. Boo
|HIP 68498
|Inside the hull
|5.973
|-
|644
| -
|HIP 31876
|Inside the hull
|5.978
|-
|645
|105 Psc
|HIP 7740
|Inside the hull
|5.979
|-
|646
|T Mon
|HIP 30541
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|647
| -
|HIP 22176
|Inside the hull
|5.981
|-
|648
| -
|HIP 27747
|Inside the hull
|5.985
|-
|649
| -
|HIP 34055
|Inside the hull
|5.985
|-
|650
|V1141 Tau
|HIP 20493
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|651
|29 Ari
|HIP 11843
|Inside the hull
|5.988
|-
|652
|5 Cnc
|HIP 39236
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|653
|μ 1 Cancri
|HIP 39659
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|654
| -
|HIP 57606
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|655
|194 G. Vir
|HIP 67545
|Inside the hull
|5.993
|-
|656
|129 Tau
|HIP 27265
|Inside the hull
|5.994
|-
|657
|85 Tau
|HIP 21137
|Inside the hull
|5.998
|-
|658
|16 Ari
|HIP 10203
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|659
| -
|HIP 68279
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|660
| -
|HIP 30318
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|661
|BL Ori
|HIP 30564
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|662
| -
|HIP 38975
|Inside the hull
|6.002
|-
|663
|37 Vir
|HIP 62757
|Inside the hull
|6.003
|-
|664
|252 G. Vir
|HIP 70949
|Inside the hull
|6.007
|-
|665
|[SC93] 486
|[SC93] 486
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|666
|44 Gem
|HIP 34182
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|667
|V2392 Oph
|HIP 89527
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|668
|59 G. Tau
|HIP 21269
|Inside the hull
|6.011
|-
|669
|V1116 Tau
|HIP 21459
|Inside the hull
|6.019
|-
|670
|11 Ari
|HIP 9859
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|671
| -
|HIP 27421
|Inside the hull
|6.021
|-
|672
| -
|HIP 14748
|Inside the hull
|6.022
|-
|673
| -
|HIP 38868
|Inside the hull
|6.023
|-
|674
| -
|HIP 22354
|Inside the hull
|6.028
|-
|675
| -
|HIP 28154
|Inside the hull
|6.029
|-
|676
| -
|HIP 42049
|Inside the hull
|6.029
|-
|677
|66 Ari
|HIP 16181
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|678
|* eta Gem B
|HD 42995B
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|679
|297 G. Cet
|HIP 12862
|Inside the hull
|6.031
|-
|680
| -
|HIP 38394
|Inside the hull
|6.032
|-
|681
|11 Sex
|HIP 48876
|Inside the hull
|6.033
|-
|682
|56 G. Vir
|HIP 61103
|Inside the hull
|6.034
|-
|683
| -
|HIP 29371
|Inside the hull
|6.036
|-
|684
| -
|HIP 57646
|Inside the hull
|6.036
|-
|685
|33 Tau
|HIP 18485
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|686
|45 Leo
|HIP 51213
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|687
| -
|HIP 76372
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|688
|142 G. Oph
|HIP 85333
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|689
| -
|HIP 48414
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|690
| -
|HIP 95898
|Inside the hull
|6.042
|-
|691
| -
|HIP 15850
|Inside the hull
|6.046
|-
|692
| -
|HIP 40231
|Inside the hull
|6.047
|-
|693
|16 G. Oph
|HIP 80558
|Inside the hull
|6.049
|-
|694
| -
|HIP 30570
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|695
| -
|HIP 31168
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|696
|6 G. Hya
|HIP 40818
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|697
| -
|HIP 103301
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|698
| -
|HIP 111974
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|699
|90 G. Hya
|HIP 44315
|Inside the hull
|6.052
|-
|700
|V1143 Tau
|HIP 20715
|Inside the hull
|6.055
|-
|701
| -
|HIP 23161
|Inside the hull
|6.058
|-
|702
| -
|HIP 34768
|Inside the hull
|6.059
|-
|703
|Plaskett's star
|HIP 31646
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|704
|[SC93] 515
|[SC93] 515
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|705
| -
|HIP 90487
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|706
|65 Ari
|HIP 15870
|Inside the hull
|6.061
|-
|707
| -
|HIP 38147
|Inside the hull
|6.066
|-
|708
|43 Ser
|HIP 78685
|Inside the hull
|6.068
|-
|709
| -
|HIP 17921
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|710
| -
|HIP 19261
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|711
| -
|HIP 29728
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|712
| -
|HR 2950
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|713
| -
|HIP 39067
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|714
|24 G. Tau
|HIP 18481
|Inside the hull
|6.072
|-
|715
| -
|HIP 40085
|Inside the hull
|6.072
|-
|716
| -
|HIP 17453
|Inside the hull
|6.074
|-
|717
| -
|HIP 28686
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|718
|8 Gem
|HIP 29789
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|719
| -
|HIP 9295
|Inside the hull
|6.076
|-
|720
|19 Oph
|HIP 82162
|Inside the hull
|6.077
|-
|721
| -
|HIP 31813
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|722
|21 Cnc
|HIP 41163
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|723
|43 Leo
|HIP 50851
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|724
|* 52 Peg A
|HIP 113503
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|725
|V923 Aql
|HIP 95929
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|726
| -
|HIP 19641
|Inside the hull
|6.087
|-
|727
| -
|HIP 34338
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|728
| -
|HIP 27118
|Inside the hull
|6.089
|-
|729
| -
|HIP 14821
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|730
| -
|HIP 25950
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|731
| -
|HIP 52452A
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|732
|34 Vir
|HIP 62394
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|733
|R Aql
|HIP 93820
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|734
| -
|HIP 41319
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|735
| -
|HIP 20255
|Inside the hull
|6.094
|-
|736
| -
|HIP 26414
|Inside the hull
|6.095
|-
|737
|110 Tau
|HIP 25216
|Inside the hull
|6.096
|-
|738
| -
|HIP 67714
|Inside the hull
|6.098
|-
|739
|67 Psc
|HIP 4366
|Constellation lines
|6.1
|-
|740
|FAUST 3461
|FAUST 3461
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|741
|11 Tau
|HIP 17181
|Inside the hull
|6.102
|-
|742
| -
|HIP 80514
|Inside the hull
|6.103
|-
|743
| -
|HIP 24820
|Inside the hull
|6.107
|-
|744
| -
|HIP 11415
|Inside the hull
|6.108
|-
|745
|96 Tau
|HIP 22441
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|746
|254 G. Cet
|HIP 11603
|Inside the hull
|6.111
|-
|747
| -
|HIP 27900
|Inside the hull
|6.115
|-
|748
|53 Ari
|HIP 14514
|Inside the hull
|6.117
|-
|749
|V1137 Tau
|HIP 19672
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|750
| -
|HIP 22597
|Inside the hull
|6.122
|-
|751
| -
|HIP 29931
|Inside the hull
|6.125
|-
|752
|60 Ari
|HIP 15557
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|753
|10 Hya
|HIP 42931
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|754
| -
|HIP 97970
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|755
|26 Ari
|HIP 11678
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|756
|NW Ser
|HIP 89977
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|757
|81 G. Hya
|HIP 43902
|Inside the hull
|6.131
|-
|758
|105 G. Hya
|HIP 45167
|Inside the hull
|6.131
|-
|759
| -
|HIP 51161
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|760
|73 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 92968
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|761
|14 Tau
|HIP 17408
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|762
| -
|HIP 31066
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|763
| -
|HIP 20284
|Inside the hull
|6.141
|-
|764
| -
|HIP 74121
|Inside the hull
|6.142
|-
|765
| -
|HIP 43957
|Inside the hull
|6.146
|-
|766
|V986 Oph
|HIP 88522
|Inside the hull
|6.147
|-
|767
| -
|HIP 68030
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|768
| -
|HIP 114081
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|769
|95 Tau
|HIP 21961
|Inside the hull
|6.151
|-
|770
| -
|HIP 34789
|Inside the hull
|6.152
|-
|771
| -
|HIP 17900
|Inside the hull
|6.153
|-
|772
| -
|HIP 30804
|Inside the hull
|6.155
|-
|773
| -
|HIP 16641
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|774
|* 83 Leo
|HIP 55846
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|775
| -
|HIP 38794
|Inside the hull
|6.162
|-
|776
|264 G. Cet
|HIP 12022
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|777
|42 Leo
|HIP 50755
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|778
|31 G. Peg
|HIP 110341
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|779
| -
|HIP 18508
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|780
|153 G. Vir
|HIP 65862
|Inside the hull
|6.167
|-
|781
| -
|HIP 17058
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|782
| -
|HIP 31067
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|783
| -
|HIP 32177
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|784
|58 Gem
|HIP 35842
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|785
| -
|HIP 40167B
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|786
|271 G. Vir
|HIP 74026
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|787
| -
|HIP 31672
|Inside the hull
|6.172
|-
|788
|34 G. Aql
|HIP 94833
|Inside the hull
|6.174
|-
|789
|[AKS95] 69
|[AKS95] 69
|Inside the hull
|6.176
|-
|790
| -
|HIP 44010
|Inside the hull
|6.178
|-
|791
|V2368 Oph
|HIP 84479
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|792
|61 Oph
|HIP 86831
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|793
| -
|HIP 25502
|Inside the hull
|6.182
|-
|794
|14 Sex
|HIP 49530
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|795
|67 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 92254
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|796
| -
|HIP 23589
|Inside the hull
|6.188
|-
|797
| -
|HIP 102833
|Inside the hull
|6.188
|-
|798
| -
|HIP 26072
|Inside the hull
|6.189
|-
|799
| -
|HIP 11578
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|800
| -
|HIP 38300
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|801
|1 G. Vir
|HIP 56756
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|802
| -
|HIP 68594
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|803
| -
|HIP 70414
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|804
|29 G. Peg
|HIP 109939
|Inside the hull
|6.192
|-
|805
| -
|HIP 100969
|Inside the hull
|6.195
|-
|806
| -
|HIP 21689
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|807
| -
|HIP 30906
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|808
|V731 Mon
|HIP 31697
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|809
| -
|HIP 7874
|Inside the hull
|6.202
|-
|810
|CK Ori
|HIP 25785
|Inside the hull
|6.202
|-
|811
| -
|HIP 24977
|Inside the hull
|6.205
|-
|812
| -
|HIP 40058
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|813
|7 G. Aql
|HIP 93138
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|814
| -
|HIP 39271
|Inside the hull
|6.209
|-
|815
|EH Cet
|HIP 13756
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|816
|V731 Tau
|HIP 26964
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|817
| -
|HIP 32012
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|818
| -
|HIP 37404
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|819
|82 Gem
|HIP 38106
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|820
| -
|HIP 39535
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|821
| -
|HIP 114526
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|822
| -
|HIP 9627
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|823
|27 Vir
|HIP 61937
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|824
| -
|HIP 76733
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|825
| -
|HIP 30448
|Inside the hull
|6.219
|-
|826
|16 Gem
|HIP 30769
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|827
| -
|HIP 36340
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|828
| -
|HIP 48273
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|829
|27 Ari
|HIP 11698
|Inside the hull
|6.225
|-
|830
| -
|HIP 29982
|Inside the hull
|6.225
|-
|831
|173 G. Oph
|HIP 87150
|Inside the hull
|6.225
|-
|832
| -
|HIP 37636
|Inside the hull
|6.229
|-
|833
|113 Tau
|HIP 25410
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|834
| -
|HIP 30815
|Inside the hull
|6.233
|-
|835
|279 G. Cet
|HIP 12318
|Inside the hull
|6.237
|-
|836
|209 G. Vir
|HIP 68707
|Inside the hull
|6.238
|-
|837
|2 G. Boo
|HIP 68687
|Inside the hull
|6.239
|-
|838
| -
|HIP 12318
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|839
| -
|HIP 33584
|Inside the hull
|6.241
|-
|840
|41 Vir
|HIP 62933
|Inside the hull
|6.241
|-
|841
|20 Gem
|HIP 31158
|Inside the hull
|6.242
|-
|842
|12 Cnc
|HIP 39874
|Inside the hull
|6.242
|-
|843
|309 G. Cet
|HIP 14104
|Inside the hull
|6.243
|-
|844
| -
|HIP 42010
|Inside the hull
|6.247
|-
|845
|40 G. Tau
|HIP 19720
|Inside the hull
|6.249
|-
|846
|54 Ari
|HIP 14586
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|847
| -
|HIP 19736
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|848
| -
|HIP 22607
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|849
|9 Gem
|HIP 29840
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|850
|159 G. Oph
|HIP 86391
|Inside the hull
|6.253
|-
|851
| -
|HIP 40617
|Inside the hull
|6.257
|-
|852
| -
|HIP 33297
|Inside the hull
|6.258
|-
|853
|285 G. Cet
|HIP 12447
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|854
|* 31 Tau A
|HIP 18089
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|855
| -
|HR 2214
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|856
| -
|HIP 56242
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|857
| -
|HIP 110696
|Inside the hull
|6.264
|-
|858
| -
|HIP 36796
|Inside the hull
|6.265
|-
|859
| -
|HIP 91523
|Inside the hull
|6.265
|-
|860
|40 Ser
|HIP 77910
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|861
|65 Peg
|HIP 115407
|Inside the hull
|6.267
|-
|862
| -
|HIP 68682
|Inside the hull
|6.268
|-
|863
|38 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 78840
|Inside the hull
|6.269
|-
|864
|45 Peg
|HIP 112358
|Inside the hull
|6.269
|-
|865
|108 Tau
|HIP 24512
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|866
| -
|HIP 28614B
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|867
| -
|HIP 33465
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|868
|213 G. Vir
|HIP 68776
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|869
|36 Sex
|HIP 52584
|Inside the hull
|6.271
|-
|870
|12 G. Aql
|HIP 93488
|Inside the hull
|6.271
|-
|871
| -
|HIP 32020
|Inside the hull
|6.272
|-
|872
|314 G. Cet
|HIP 14607
|Inside the hull
|6.273
|-
|873
|185 G. Oph
|HIP 87866
|Inside the hull
|6.277
|-
|874
|109 Psc
|HIP 8159
|Inside the hull
|6.279
|-
|875
|* 65 Psc B
|HIP 3885
|Constellation lines
|6.28
|-
|876
|* 24 Tau
|HD 23629
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|877
|[SC93] 82
|[SC93] 82
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|878
| -
|HIP 30218
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|879
|20 Vir
|HIP 61246
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|880
|7 Ser
|HIP 75230
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|881
| -
|HIP 111649
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|882
| -
|HIP 33082
|Inside the hull
|6.281
|-
|883
|5 G. Psc
|HIP 113360
|Inside the hull
|6.282
|-
|884
| -
|HIP 62825
|Inside the hull
|6.285
|-
|885
|2 G. Her
|HIP 79581
|Inside the hull
|6.289
|-
|886
| -
|HIP 39180
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|887
|Meleph
|HIP 42556
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|888
| -
|HIP 16095
|Inside the hull
|6.291
|-
|889
| -
|HIP 25806
|Inside the hull
|6.291
|-
|890
| -
|HIP 46232
|Inside the hull
|6.292
|-
|891
| -
|HIP 54688
|Inside the hull
|6.295
|-
|892
| -
|HIP 13448
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|893
|48 Tau
|HIP 19877
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|894
|47 G. Tau
|HIP 20188
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|895
| -
|HIP 19859
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|896
| -
|HIP 27902
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|897
|WZ Psc
|HIP 9809
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|898
|84 Tau
|HIP 21082
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|899
|7 Leo
|HIP 47096
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|900
| -
|HIP 18717
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|901
|85 Cet
|HIP 12647
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|902
| -
|HIP 50939
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|903
| -
|HIP 20698
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|904
| -
|HIP 30019
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|905
| -
|HIP 59941
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|906
| -
|HIP 22949
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|907
|41 Peg
|HIP 111884
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|908
| -
|HIP 22128
|Inside the hull
|6.329
|-
|909
| -
|HIP 33644
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|910
| -
|HIP 42187
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|911
| -
|HIP 67246
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|912
| -
|HIP 111296
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|913
|34 G. Hya
|HIP 42142
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|914
|97 G. Oph
|HIP 84113
|Inside the hull
|6.333
|-
|915
|V1649 Ori
|HIP 25205
|Inside the hull
|6.334
|-
|916
|68 G. Vir
|HIP 61637
|Inside the hull
|6.334
|-
|917
| -
|HIP 29326
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|918
|62 Tau
|HIP 20533
|Inside the hull
|6.337
|-
|919
|25 G. Tau
|HIP 18658
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|920
| -
|HIP 25638
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|921
|EP Vir
|HIP 62376
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|922
| -
|HR 8010
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|923
|8 G. Psc
|HIP 113465
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|924
| -
|HIP 114742
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|925
|104 G. Hya
|HIP 45150
|Inside the hull
|6.342
|-
|926
|51 G. Vir
|HIP 60804
|Inside the hull
|6.342
|-
|927
| -
|HIP 22850
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|928
| -
|HIP 18201
|Inside the hull
|6.349
|-
|929
|38 G. Aqr
|HIP 104048
|Inside the hull
|6.349
|-
|930
| -
|HIP 21408
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|931
| -
|HIP 26853
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|932
| -
|HIP 30517
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|933
|[SC93] 384
|[SC93] 384
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|934
| -
|HIP 40354
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|935
|71 G. Hya
|HIP 43570
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|936
|192 G. Oph
|HIP 88213
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|937
|58 G. Tau
|HIP 21152
|Inside the hull
|6.352
|-
|938
|80 Leo
|HIP 55791
|Inside the hull
|6.354
|-
|939
|141 Tau
|HIP 28561
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|940
|67 G. Aql
|HIP 96630
|Inside the hull
|6.358
|-
|941
| -
|HIP 14232
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|942
| -
|HD 30869A
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|943
| -
|HIP 36553
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|944
| -
|HIP 49445
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|945
| -
|HIP 10446
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|946
| -
|HIP 113131
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|947
|54 Cnc
|HIP 43454
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|948
|50 G. Hya
|HIP 42854
|Inside the hull
|6.362
|-
|949
| -
|HIP 57779
|Inside the hull
|6.367
|-
|950
|37 Sex
|HIP 52660
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|951
|61 G. Aql
|HIP 96351
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|952
| -
|HIP 32931
|Inside the hull
|6.369
|-
|953
| -
|HIP 14318
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|954
|UX Ari
|HIP 16042
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|955
|SZ Tau
|HIP 21517
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|956
| -
|HIP 29798
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|957
| -
|HIP 31662
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|958
| -
|HIP 32067
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|959
|19 G. Oph
|HIP 80610
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|960
| -
|HIP 32539
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|961
| -
|HIP 36141
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|962
|83 G. Oph
|HIP 83677
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|963
| -
|HIP 36123
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|964
|V766 Tau
|HIP 18033
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|965
|[SC93] 127
|[SC93] 127
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|966
| -
|HIP 30602
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|967
|19 Gem
|HIP 31105
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|968
| -
|HIP 31850
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|969
|FZ Cnc
|HIP 44126
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|970
| -
|HIP 83688
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|971
| -
|HIP 58809
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|972
| -
|HIP 30382
|Inside the hull
|6.385
|-
|973
|3 Com
|HIP 59352
|Inside the hull
|6.387
|-
|974
|16 G. Psc
|HIP 114005
|Inside the hull
|6.388
|-
|975
|276 G. Cet
|HIP 12272
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|976
| -
|HIP 12744
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|977
| -
|HIP 20558
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|978
| -
|HIP 29450
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|979
|BC CMi
|HIP 38406
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|980
|39 Cnc
|HIP 42516
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|981
| -
|HIP 42549
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|982
| -
|HIP 45614
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|983
|72 G. Oph
|HIP 83342
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|984
| -
|HIP 10050
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|985
| -
|HIP 54319
|Inside the hull
|6.392
|-
|986
|36 Ari
|HIP 12784
|Inside the hull
|6.398
|-
|987
| -
|HIP 25453
|Inside the hull
|6.399
|-
|988
| -
|HIP 14649
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|989
|NGC 1647
|NGC 1647
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|990
|NGC 1662
|NGC 1662
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|991
| -
|HIP 37723
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|992
|X Cnc
|HIP 43811
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|993
|205 G. Oph
|HIP 89347
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|994
|X Oph
|HIP 91389
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|995
|63 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 91499
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|996
| -
|HIP 102631
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|997
|MV Ser
|HIP 90858
|Inside the hull
|6.407
|-
|998
|OT Gem
|HIP 35933
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|999
| -
|HIP 38196
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1000
| -
|HIP 40675
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1001
|35 Vir
|HIP 62443
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1002
| -
|HIP 67104
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1003
|39 Peg
|HIP 111278
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1004
| -
|HIP 14719
|Inside the hull
|6.412
|-
|1005
| -
|HIP 104041
|Inside the hull
|6.413
|-
|1006
|V2393 Oph
|HIP 90971
|Inside the hull
|6.416
|-
|1007
|15 G. Psc
|HIP 113904
|Inside the hull
|6.417
|-
|1008
| -
|HIP 101489
|Inside the hull
|6.418
|-
|1009
| -
|HIP 111601
|Inside the hull
|6.419
|-
|1010
|5 G. Tau
|HIP 16226
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1011
| -
|HIP 16924
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1012
| -
|HIP 22938
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1013
|[SC93] 106
|[SC93] 106
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1014
| -
|HIP 34608
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1015
|BU CMi
|HIP 38945
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1016
| -
|HIP 43427
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1017
|Sterope II
|HIP 17588
|Inside the hull
|6.421
|-
|1018
|34 Leo
|HIP 49929
|Inside the hull
|6.427
|-
|1019
|13 Sex
|HIP 49329
|Inside the hull
|6.429
|-
|1020
|138 G. Psc
|HIP 9706
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1021
| -
|HIP 24960
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1022
| -
|HIP 26616
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1023
|[SC93] 311
|[SC93] 311
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1024
|54 G. Hya
|HIP 42981
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1025
| -
|HIP 104481
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1026
| -
|HIP 11427
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1027
| -
|HIP 29525
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1028
|70 Tau
|HIP 20661
|Inside the hull
|6.439
|-
|1029
| -
|HIP 65417
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1030
| -
|HIP 69585
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1031
|41 G. Peg
|HIP 113445
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1032
| -
|HIP 113994
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1033
| -
|HIP 10795
|Inside the hull
|6.441
|-
|1034
| -
|HIP 35548
|Inside the hull
|6.442
|-
|1035
|19 Leo
|HIP 48029
|Inside the hull
|6.445
|-
|1036
|Chechia
|HIP 99894
|Inside the hull
|6.446
|-
|1037
| -
|HIP 41833
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1038
| -
|HIP 42462
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1039
|23 Leo
|HIP 48324
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1040
| -
|HIP 60210
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1041
|FS Vir
|HIP 69614
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1042
|174 G. Oph
|HIP 87224
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1043
|13 G. Psc
|HIP 113705
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1044
|254 G. Vir
|HIP 71510
|Inside the hull
|6.455
|-
|1045
|V1389 Ori
|HIP 29509
|Inside the hull
|6.459
|-
|1046
|55 G. Tau
|HIP 20985
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1047
| -
|HIP 27116
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1048
|14 Mon
|HIP 31385
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1049
| -
|HIP 44148
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1050
|4 G. Ser Cap
|HIP 74695
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1051
|FR Ser
|HIP 91142
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1052
|142 G. Aql
|HIP 101339
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1053
|26 Tau
|HIP 17832
|Inside the hull
|6.464
|-
|1054
| -
|HIP 45272
|Inside the hull
|6.465
|-
|1055
|32 Gem
|HIP 32404
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1056
|AZ CMi
|HIP 37705
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1057
| -
|HIP 40342
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1058
| -
|HIP 47779
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1059
|17 Vir
|HIP 60353
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1060
|11 G. Her
|HIP 81404
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1061
| -
|HIP 114686
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1062
| -
|HIP 27353
|Inside the hull
|6.473
|-
|1063
|34 Cnc
|HIP 41904
|Inside the hull
|6.474
|-
|1064
|V1339 Aql
|HIP 97607
|Inside the hull
|6.478
|-
|1065
|30 Ari A
|HIP 12189
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1066
|37 G. Tau
|HIP 19434
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1067
| -
|HIP 31650
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1068
| -
|HIP 37634
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1069
| -
|HIP 44984
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1070
| -
|HIP 56388
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1071
|V450 Aql
|HIP 96204
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1072
|9 G. Tau
|HIP 16695
|Inside the hull
|6.482
|-
|1073
| -
|HIP 22923
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|1074
|V2114 Oph
|HIP 85450
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|1075
| -
|HIP 66326
|Inside the hull
|6.486
|-
|1076
| -
|HIP 104202
|Inside the hull
|6.487
|-
|1077
| -
|HIP 66522
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|1078
| -
|HIP 17759
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1079
| -
|HR 1847
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1080
| -
|HIP 32431
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1081
| -
|HIP 88770
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1082
| -
|HIP 94478
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1083
| -
|HIP 112803
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1084
| -
|HIP 21053
|Inside the hull
|6.491
|-
|1085
| -
|HIP 17026
|Inside the hull
|6.493
|-
|1086
| -
|HIP 31945
|Inside the hull
|6.498
|-
|1087
| -
|HIP 15048
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1088
|1 G. Tau
|HIP 15807
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1089
| -
|HIP 23949
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1090
| -
|HIP 34763
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1091
| -
|HIP 37405
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1092
| -
|HIP 38303
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1093
| -
|HIP 52484
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1094
| -
|HIP 74441
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1095
| -
|HIP 80964
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1096
| -
|HIP 112222
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1097
| -
|HIP 36152
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|-
|1098
| -
|HIP 50870
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|-
|1099
| -
|HIP 53737
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|-
|1100
| -
|HIP 57636
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|-
|1101
| -
|HIP 81991
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|-
|1102
| -
|HIP 19960
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|-
|1103
| -
|HIP 13269
|Inside the hull
|6.63
|-
|1104
| -
|HIP 98922
|Inside the hull
|6.755
|-
|1105
| -
|HIP 30630
|Inside the hull
|6.78
|-
|1106
| -
|HIP 24252
|Inside the hull
|6.79
|-
|1107
| -
|HIP 9248
|Inside the hull
|6.79
|-
|1108
| -
|HIP 9492
|Inside the hull
|7.19
|-
|1109
| -
|HIP 97762
|Inside the hull
|7.51
|-
|1110
| -
|HIP 9815
|Inside the hull
|7.55
|-
|1111
| -
|HIP 98348
|Inside the hull
|8.17
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==
Eratosthenes notes succinctly: ‘The fish are descendants of the Great Fish,’ referring to what we call [[Piscis Austrinus]], the Southern Fish. He does not recount any legends about it.

In Roman times, Pseudo-Hyginus and Ovid make a very brief mention that Venus (Aphrodite) and her son Cupid (Eros) were fleeing from the storm demon Typhon. When they came to a river, they jumped fearfully into the water. In Ovid's version of the story, they called on the nymphs for help and twin fish came to bring them to safety. In another version, they themselves were turned into fish.

The Typhon myth is already documented by Hesiod, but this detail is not found in his story, especially since the constellation Pisces did not yet exist at the time of Hesiod (around 700 BCE). The Roman myth seems to be based on the constellation. The constellation myth then explains the ribbon as the ribbon of motherly love.

Hyginus (also 1st century CE) tells another version of the fairy tale. According to this, two fish rolled an egg that had fallen into the Euphrates ashore. There it was hatched by doves and Aphrodite hatched from it. This story contradicts Hesiod's version of Aphrodite's birth ‘from the foam of the sea’, which gives the constellation its name: (-7th century): αφρός (aphrós) means foam. It is certainly borrowed from a foreign culture. The Euphrates as the setting is noteworthy. This could indicate the Mesopotamian origin of the constellation or a variant of the Syrian Derkato myth (see [[Andromeda]]). However, it may also be a mythological description of the constellation's history, because a huge egg made up of faint stars can be seen in the area east of [[Pegasus]]. The lower part of this egg is called the ellipse of the northern of the two fish in Greek, while the upper part of the egg belongs to the constellation Andromeda, which is equated with Aphrodite Urania.

None of the variants is convincing, because Babylonian mathematical astronomy never called the constellation ‘fish’ and did not need a myth.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017070 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Pisces]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Pegasus

2026-05-20T13:22:03Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's Almagest */ Another typo

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Pegasus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Peg star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The ancient Greek constellation has always been called The Horse (without wings). However, the mythology associated with it has simultaneously always left Pegasus, the winged horse, as one of several options. Scholars suspect that the constellation has Phoenician origin<ref>Condos, T. (1997), Star Myths ofthe Greeks and Romans: A Sourcebook, Phanes Press, Grand Rapids, page 154.</ref> or originated from a pun or misunderstanding of a Babylonian term in the Mycaenian<ref name=":1" /> culture, or influence of any cultural exchange with India due to the [[Ashvini]] nakșatra.<ref>Susanne M. Hoffmann,* Khalid AlAjaji, B.S. Shylaja, Yang Boshun, Danielle Adams, Eric Mamajek, Ian Ridpath, Paul Baki, Juan Antonio Belmonte Avilés, Sze-Leung Cheung, Daniel Cunnama, Jörg Matthias Determann, M. Sadegh Faghanpour, Steven Gullberg, Duane Hamacher, Roland Laffitte, Alejandro M. López, Javier Mejuto, Thierry Montmerle, Clive Ruggles, Shi Yunli, Doris Vickers, Sun Xiaochun, and Hitoshi Yamaoka (2025). The IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN): '''Research Finds in 2025'''. ''Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage'', 28(4), 1026–1038 (2025).</ref>

==Etymology and History==
The poet Hesiod (8th century BCE) presents a folk etymology of the name Pegasus as derived from πηγή pēgē 'spring, well', referring to "the pegai of Okeanos, where he was born".

=== Origin of Constellation ===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In Greek, this constellation is simply called ‘horse,’ and authors disagree about which horse it is and what it is doing in the sky. Aratus states that the hoofprints of this horse created Hippocrene, the horse spring below the eastern peak of Mount Helicon north of Corinth. He thus implies that it could be Pegasus, but Eratosthenes also quotes unnamed ‘other’ authors who do not believe this because the horse in the sky has no wings.

Euripides, on the other hand, identifies the horse with Hippe, the daughter of the wise centaur Cheiron, who wanted to hide her pregnancy from her father. Even after she was transformed into a horse, she hides her lower body, which is why only the upper body of the horse is visible. Moreover, she is never in the sky at the same time as the centaur because she hides from him.

For mathematical astronomy, the constellation was always called ‘the horse’; this is beyond question for Eratosthenes, Hipparchus and Ptolemy. For Eratosthenes, it is wingless, Ptolemy records a star below the wing, and for Hipparchus this cannot be determined because his star catalogue has not been preserved. Aratus' didactic poem was part of basic education in ancient times, i.e. it was much better known than the scholarly texts of mathematical astronomy. The memorable hexameters could be useful as farmers' rules, and even though the weather in Central Europe differs from that in the Mediterranean region, some observations about the seasons can also be applied there. The interpretation of the winged horse survived both in the Arab Middle Ages with as-Sufi and in the Latin Middle Ages with the Carolingians – not only because of the popularity of the poem, but also because ancient illustrations still existed at that time, which are no longer preserved today. This is evidenced by manuscripts such as the Leiden Aratea from the Carolingian period and the impressive illustrations by as-Sufi in Iran.

The Babylonian constellation at this point was the quadrangle, which is called the Autumn Square in the northern hemisphere. The Babylonian quadrangle has the technical name IKU (the field), a unit of area for farmland similar to our hectare. It is also considered the seat of the god Ea, a god of wisdom and magic.

In this case, too, the Greek constellation, which dates back to archaic times, could be based on the Babylonian model: the Sumerian loanword ‘IKU’ sounds very similar to the word for horse in the Mycenaean dialect of Greek: ‘Iqo’. Coupled with the ambiguity of the obsolete Mesopotamian vocabulary, this may easily have led to a (deliberate or accidental) reinterpretation. It's as if I were to say ‘look, there's a morning’ and mean a piece of land. But because the unit of measurement ‘morning’ is completely obsolete for areas of land, most people would misunderstand me and think of an early hour of the day.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[IKU]]

==== Ancient Greco-Roman ''Ίππος'' Horse ====
In Greek,<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> this constellation is simply called a Horse, and the authors argue about which horse it is and what it does in the sky. '''Aratos''' states that the hoofbeat of this horse created the Hippocrene, the source of the horse below the eastern peak of Mount Helicon, north of Corinth. He implies that it could be Pegasus, but '''Eratosthenes''' also quotes nameless ‘other’ authors who do not believe this because the horse has no wings in the sky.

'''Euripides''', on the other hand, identifies the horse with Hippe, the daughter of the wise centaur Cheiron, who wanted to hide her pregnancy from her father. Even after being transformed into a horse, she hides her abdomen, which is why only the horse's upper body is visible. Moreover, she is never in the sky at the same time as the centaur because she is hiding from him.

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>[205] Now the monster Horse is actually pinned to her head by its lower belly: there shines a star that is common to its navel and the head at her extremity. The three other stars mark off lines of equal length upon the flanks and shoulders of the Horse; [210] they are beautiful and bright. Its head is not at all comparable, nor its neck, though it is long. But the end star on its shining mouth could well rival the former four, which outline it so very conspicuously. But it is no quadruped; at its navel edge [215] the sacred Horse is halved in the middle as it goes round. This was the Horse, they say, that from the heights of Helicon produced the good water of fertilising Hippocrene. The summit of Helicon was not then flowing with streams, but the Horse struck it, and from that very spot a flood of water [220] gushed out at the stroke of its forefoot; the shepherds were the first to call that draught the Horse’s Spring. So the water wells out of a rock, and you can see it never far from the men of Thespiae; but the Horse revolves in the realm of Zeus and you may view it there.

(Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>You can only see half of it, with only the front part visible, up to the navel. According to Aratos this is the horse of Helicon, who, with a blow from his hoof the spring that is now called the ‘Spring of the Horse’ (Hippocrene). However, according to others, it was Pegasus, the horse that flew up to the stars after the fall of Bellerophon; nevertheless, some people find this interpretation not very credible, given that the figure does not wings. As for Euripides, in his Melanippe, that among the stars it is Hippe, the daughter of Chiron. It is said that she was brought up on the Pelion, practised hunting, and devoted herself to the observation and study of nature. Aeolus abused her and raped her, but she was for a time to conceal the fact; but when it became obvious, because of the roundness of her belly, she fled to the mountains. She was about to give birth when her father went into the mountains to look for her. When she was discovered, she prayed to the gods to be metamorphosed and transformed into a horse so that she would not be recognised. So she was transformed into a horse and gave birth to a foal. Also, because of her piety and that of her father, she was placed by Artemis among the constellations, and this is why it was impossible for the Centaur to see her; it is said, in fact, that the Centaur is none other than Chiron. Hippe's posterior parts are invisible, precisely so that we do not know that she is female.

The horse has two stars on its nostrils, one on its head, one on the jaw, one on each of the ears, four on the neck, one also on the shoulder, one on the chest, one on the back, one bright, at the edge with the navel, two on the front knees, and one on each hoof. Eighteen in total.

(Pamias and Zucker 2013)<ref>Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, translated by Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud, Les Belles Lettres, Paris 2013</ref></blockquote>

===== Three Ancient Globes =====
<gallery>
File:Peg kugel.jpg|Horse (without wings) on the Kugel Globe; 1st century BCE
File:Peg mainz.jpg|Winged Horse on Mainz Globe (2nd century CE).
File:FarneseSMH2017 web 28.jpg|winged Horse on Farnese Globe (2nd century CE based on Hellenistic template)
</gallery>
[[File:Aratea fol. 32v.jpg|thumb|Pegasus in the Leiden Aratea (c. 830 CE).]]

===== Terminology =====
For '''mathematical astronomy''', the constellation was always called ‘'''The Horse'''’; this is beyond question for Eratosthenes, Hipparchus and Ptolemy. For Eratosthenes, it is wingless, Ptolemy records a star below the wing; for Hipparchus, this cannot be decided because his star catalogue has not survived. The didactic poem by Aratos was part of basic education in antiquity (for everybody, not only scholars), i.e. it was much better known than the scholarly texts on mathematical astronomy. The memorable hexameters could be useful as farming rules, and even if the weather in Central Europe differed from that in the Mediterranean region, some statements about the seasons could also be utilised there.

The interpretation of the winged horse survives both in the Arabic Middle Ages with aṣ-Ṣūfī and in Latin with the Carolingians, not only because of the popularity of the poem, but also because there were still ancient illustrations at the time that no longer exist today. Manuscripts such as the '''Leiden Aratea''' from the Carolingian period and the impressive illustrations in aṣ-Ṣūfī in Iran bear witness to this.

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 1
|Aqr 21
|Lib 20 1/2
|Sgr 5 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southern front foot
|the bright one at the hip
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 12 1/2
|Psc 13
|Tau 3 1/2
|Gem 10 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one mouth (eps)
|the bright one at the hip (gam)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/2 hours = 150 min = 37 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This sign Aratus and many others have called Pegasus, offspring of Neptune and the Gorgon Medusa, who on Helicon, a mountain of Boeotia, opened up a spring by striking the rock with his hoof. From him the spring is called Hippocrene. Others say that at the time Bellerophon came to visit Proetus, son of Abas and king of the Argives, Antia, the king's wife, smitten with love for the guest, begged to visit him, promising him her husband's kingdom. When she couldn't obtain this request, out of fear that he would accuse her to the king, she anticipated him by telling Proetus that he had offered violence to her. Proetus, who had been fond of Bellerophon, was reluctant to inflict punishment himself, but knowing that he had the horse Pegasus, sent him to the father of Antia (some call her Sthenoboea), for him to defend his daughter's chastity and send the youth against the Chimera, which at that time was laying waste with flames the country of the Lycians.

Bellerophon was victor, and escaped, but after the creation of the spring, as he was attempting to fly to heaven, and had almost reached it, he became terrified looking down at the earth, and fell off and was killed. But the horse is said to have flown up and to have been put among the constellations by Jove. Others have said that Bellerophon fled from Argos not because of Antia's accusations, but so as not to hear any more proposals which were distasteful to him, or to be distressed by her entreaties.

Euripides in his Melanippe, says that Melanippe, daughter of Chiron the Centaur, was once called Thetis. Brought up on Mount Helicon, a girl especially fond of hunting, she was wooed by Aeolus, son of Hellen, and grandson of Jove, and conceived a child be him. When her time drew near, she fled into the forest, so that her father, who supposed her a virgin, might not see that she had given birth to a grandchild. And so when her father was looking for her, she is said to have begged the power of the gods not to let her father see her in childbirth. After the child was born, by the will of the gods she was changed into a mare which was placed among the stars.

Some say that she was a prophetess, and because she used to reveal the plans of the gods to men, she was changed into a mare. Callimachus says that because she ceased hunting and worshipping Diana, Diana changed her into the shape we have mentioned. For the reason above, too, she is said to be out of sight of the Centaur, who come say is Chiron, and to show only half her body, since she didn't want her sex to be known. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Ptolemy's Almagest =====
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
|1
|ὁ έπὶ τοῦ ὀμφαλοῦ κοινὸς τῆς κεφαλῆς τῆς ᾿Αvδρομέδας
|The star on the navel, which is [applied in] common to the head of Andromeda
|α And
|-
|2
|ὁ έπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος καὶ ἄκροv τού πτεροῦ.
|The star on the rump and the wing-tip
|γ Peg
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τού δεξιού ὤμου καὶ τῆς του ποδος ἐκφύσεως
|The star on the right shoulder and the place where the leg joins [it]
|β Peg
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπί τού μεταφρένου καὶ τού ὤμοv τῆς πτέρvγος
|The star on the place between the shoulders and the shoulder-part of the wing
|α Peg
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑπὸ τὴν πτέρυγα δύο ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the two stars in the body under the wing
|τ Peg
|-
|6
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|υ Peg
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ γόνατι δύο ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the two stars in the right knee
|η Peg
|-
|8
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|ο Peg
|-
|9
|των έν τφ στήθει δύο σύνεγγυς ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two stars close together in the chest
|λ Peg
|-
|10
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|μ Peg
|-
|11
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β σύνεγγυς ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars close together in the neck
|ζ Peg
|-
|12
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|ξ Peg
|-
|13
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς χαίτης δύο ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the two stars on the mane
|ρ Peg
|-
|14
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶv
|The northernmost of them
|σ Peg
|-
|15
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς β σύνεγγυς ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the two stars close together on the head
|θ Peg
|-
|16
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐ τῶν
|The southernmost of them
|ν Peg
|-
|17
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ρύγχει
|The star in the muzzle
|ε Peg
|-
|18
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ σφυρῷ
|The star in the right hock
|π Peg
|-
|19
|ὁ ἐπι τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος
|The star on the left knee
|ι Peg
|-
|20
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ σφvρῷ
|The star in the left hock
|κ Peg
|}
{20 stars, 4 of the second magnitude, 4 of the third, 9 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth}

[[File:Hippos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Hippos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Arcturus
|HIP 69673
|Inside the hull
| -0.05
|-
|2
|Aldebaran
|HIP 21421
|Inside the hull
|0.86
|-
|3
|Pollux
|HIP 37826
|Inside the hull
|1.14
|-
|4
|Elnath
|HIP 25428
|Inside the hull
|1.65
|-
|5
|Alhena
|HIP 31681
|Inside the hull
|1.92
|-
|6
|Algieba
|HIP 50583
|Inside the hull
|1.98
|-
|7
|Hamal
|HIP 9884
|Inside the hull
|2.01
|-
|8
|Alpheratz
|HIP 677
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.06
|-
|9
|Rasalhague
|HIP 86032
|Inside the hull
|2.07
|-
|10
|Denebola
|HIP 57632
|Inside the hull
|2.13
|-
|11
|Alphecca
|HIP 76267
|Inside the hull
|2.24
|-
|12
|Enif
|HIP 107315
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.39
|-
|13
|Scheat
|HIP 113881
|Constellation lines
|2.42
|-
|14
|Izar
|HIP 72105
|Inside the hull
|2.45
|-
|15
|Markab
|HIP 113963
|Constellation lines
|2.48
|-
|16
|Zosma
|HIP 54872
|Inside the hull
|2.53
|-
|17
|Sheratan
|HIP 8903
|Inside the hull
|2.65
|-
|18
|Muphrid
|HIP 67927
|Inside the hull
|2.68
|-
|19
|Kornephoros
|HIP 80816
|Inside the hull
|2.77
|-
|20
|Rasalgethi
|HIP 84345
|Inside the hull
|2.78
|-
|21
|ζ Herculis
|HIP 81693
|Inside the hull
|2.8
|-
|22
|Algenib
|HIP 1067
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.84
|-
|23
|Alcyone
|HIP 17702
|Inside the hull
|2.87
|-
|24
|Tejat
|HIP 30343
|Inside the hull
|2.87
|-
|25
|* zet Her B
|* zet Her B
|Inside the hull
|2.94
|-
|26
|Matar
|HIP 112158
|Constellation lines
|2.95
|-
|27
|Mebsuta
|HIP 32246
|Inside the hull
|2.98
|-
|28
|ϵ Leonis
|HIP 47908
|Inside the hull
|2.98
|-
|29
|Okab
|HIP 93747
|Inside the hull
|2.99
|-
|30
|Tianguan
|HIP 26451
|Inside the hull
|3.03
|-
|31
|Albireo
|HIP 95947
|Inside the hull
|3.08
|-
|32
|Sarin
|HIP 84379
|Inside the hull
|3.13
|-
|33
|ζ Cygni
|HIP 104732
|Inside the hull
|3.21
|-
|34
|Propus
|HIP 29655
|Inside the hull
|3.28
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 84345A
|Inside the hull
|3.33
|-
|36
|Chertan
|HIP 54879
|Inside the hull
|3.35
|-
|37
|Homam
|HIP 112029
|Constellation lines
|3.41
|-
|38
|Chamukuy
|HIP 20894
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|39
|η Leonis
|HIP 49583
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|40
|Adhafera
|HIP 50335
|Inside the hull
|3.41
|-
|41
|μ Herculis
|HIP 86974
|Inside the hull
|3.42
|-
|42
|Mothallah
|HIP 8796
|Inside the hull
|3.42
|-
|43
|γ Sagittae
|HIP 98337
|Inside the hull
|3.47
|-
|44
|Sadalbari
|HIP 112748
|Constellation lines
|3.48
|-
|45
|Ain
|HIP 20889
|Inside the hull
|3.53
|-
|46
|Wasat
|HIP 35550
|Inside the hull
|3.53
|-
|47
|Biham
|HIP 109427
|Constellation lines
|3.55
|-
|48
|λ Geminorum
|HIP 35350
|Inside the hull
|3.559
|-
|49
|κ Geminorum
|HIP 37740
|Inside the hull
|3.57
|-
|50
|ρ Boötis
|HIP 71053
|Inside the hull
|3.59
|-
|51
|Bharani
|HIP 13209
|Inside the hull
|3.594
|-
|52
|Cl Collinder 399
|Cl Collinder 399
|Inside the hull
|3.6
|-
|53
|Alpherg
|HIP 7097
|Inside the hull
|3.62
|-
|54
|Atlas
|HIP 17847
|Inside the hull
|3.63
|-
|55
|Rotanev
|HIP 101769
|Inside the hull
|3.63
|-
|56
|Prima Hyadum
|HIP 20205
|Inside the hull
|3.65
|-
|57
|Zhou
|HIP 77233
|Inside the hull
|3.67
|-
|58
|Nusakan
|HIP 75695
|Inside the hull
|3.68
|-
|59
|Electra
|HIP 17499
|Inside the hull
|3.7
|-
|60
|ξ Herculis
|HIP 87933
|Inside the hull
|3.7
|-
|61
|Secunda Hyadum
|HIP 20455
|Inside the hull
|3.76
|-
|62
|γ Herculis
|HIP 80170
|Inside the hull
|3.76
|-
|63
|ι Pegasi
|HIP 109176
|Constellation lines
|3.77
|-
|64
|ζ Boötis
|HIP 71795
|Inside the hull
|3.78
|-
|65
|Mekbuda
|HIP 34088
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|66
|ι Geminorum
|HIP 36046
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|67
|Sualocin
|HIP 101958
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|68
|δ Sagittae
|HIP 97365
|Inside the hull
|3.81
|-
|69
|ο Herculis
|HIP 88794
|Inside the hull
|3.827
|-
|70
|θ 1 Tauri
|HIP 20885
|Inside the hull
|3.84
|-
|71
|γ Serpentis
|HIP 78072
|Inside the hull
|3.84
|-
|72
|Tusizuo
|HIP 90139
|Inside the hull
|3.84
|-
|73
|Maia
|HIP 17573
|Inside the hull
|3.87
|-
|74
|Rasalas
|HIP 48455
|Inside the hull
|3.88
|-
|75
|ϵ Herculis
|HIP 83207
|Inside the hull
|3.92
|-
|76
|λ Pegasi
|HIP 112440
|Constellation lines
|3.93
|-
|77
|Asellus Australis
|HIP 42911
|Inside the hull
|3.94
|-
|78
|41 Cyg
|HIP 101076
|Inside the hull
|4.01
|-
|79
|ι 1 Cancri
|HIP 43103
|Inside the hull
|4.018
|-
|80
|ϵ Aquilae
|HIP 93244
|Inside the hull
|4.02
|-
|81
|Aldulfin
|HIP 101421
|Inside the hull
|4.03
|-
|82
|* gam CrB A
|HIP 76952
|Inside the hull
|4.05
|-
|83
|Shimu
|HIP 3693
|Inside the hull
|4.06
|-
|84
|υ Geminorum
|HIP 36962
|Inside the hull
|4.06
|-
|85
|υ Boötis
|HIP 67459
|Inside the hull
|4.07
|-
|86
|Gudja
|HIP 77450
|Inside the hull
|4.09
|-
|87
|1 Peg
|HIP 105502
|Inside the hull
|4.09
|-
|88
|θ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 76127
|Inside the hull
|4.13
|-
|89
|ϵ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 78159
|Inside the hull
|4.13
|-
|90
|κ Pegasi
|HIP 107354
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.135
|-
|91
|ν Geminorum
|HIP 30883
|Inside the hull
|4.14
|-
|92
|1 Gem
|HIP 28734
|Inside the hull
|4.15
|-
|93
|Merope
|HIP 17608
|Inside the hull
|4.18
|-
|94
|110 Her
|HIP 92043
|Inside the hull
|4.19
|-
|95
|ξ Pegasi
|HIP 112447
|Constellation lines
|4.2
|-
|96
|κ 1 Tauri
|HIP 20635
|Inside the hull
|4.201
|-
|97
|52 Cyg
|HIP 102453
|Inside the hull
|4.23
|-
|98
|β Comae Berenices
|HIP 64394
|Inside the hull
|4.25
|-
|99
|γ 2 Delphini
|HIP 102532
|Inside the hull
|4.25
|-
|100
|τ Tauri
|HIP 21881
|Inside the hull
|4.258
|-
|101
|Torcular
|HIP 8198
|Inside the hull
|4.26
|-
|102
|ϵ Piscium
|HIP 4906
|Inside the hull
|4.28
|-
|103
|υ Tauri
|HIP 20711
|Inside the hull
|4.282
|-
|104
|π 2 Pegasi
|HIP 109410
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.29
|-
|105
|σ Geminorum
|HIP 37629
|Inside the hull
|4.29
|-
|106
|δ 3 Tauri
|HIP 20648
|Inside the hull
|4.298
|-
|107
|Taygeta
|HIP 17531
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|108
|Alterf
|HIP 46750
|Inside the hull
|4.31
|-
|109
|54 Leo
|HIP 53417
|Inside the hull
|4.32
|-
|110
|Diadem
|HIP 64241
|Inside the hull
|4.32
|-
|111
|119 Tau
|HIP 25945
|Inside the hull
|4.33
|-
|112
|γ Comae Berenices
|HIP 60742
|Inside the hull
|4.34
|-
|113
|Ramus
|HIP 88886
|Inside the hull
|4.347
|-
|114
|κ Aurigae
|HIP 29696
|Inside the hull
|4.35
|-
|115
|111 Her
|HIP 92161
|Inside the hull
|4.36
|-
|116
|Botein
|HIP 14838
|Inside the hull
|4.37
|-
|117
|37 Tau
|HIP 19038
|Inside the hull
|4.37
|-
|118
|Sham
|HIP 96757
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|119
|β Sagittae
|HIP 96837
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|120
|ϵ Andromedae
|HIP 3031
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|121
|ν Orionis
|HIP 29038
|Inside the hull
|4.397
|-
|122
|60 Leo
|HIP 53954
|Inside the hull
|4.398
|-
|123
|χ 1 Orionis
|HIP 27913
|Inside the hull
|4.4
|-
|124
|Maasym
|HIP 85693
|Inside the hull
|4.41
|-
|125
|ν Herculis
|HIP 87998
|Inside the hull
|4.41
|-
|126
|δ Delphini
|HIP 102281
|Inside the hull
|4.417
|-
|127
|Kui
|HIP 4463
|Inside the hull
|4.42
|-
|128
|τ Geminorum
|HIP 34693
|Inside the hull
|4.42
|-
|129
|39 Cyg
|HIP 100587
|Inside the hull
|4.44
|-
|130
|Anser
|HIP 95771
|Inside the hull
|4.45
|-
|131
|κ Leonis
|HIP 46146
|Inside the hull
|4.46
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 15549
|Inside the hull
|4.47
|-
|133
|σ Boötis
|HIP 71284
|Inside the hull
|4.47
|-
|134
|71 Tau
|HIP 20713
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|135
|ξ Orionis
|HIP 29426
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|136
|τ Boötis
|HIP 67275
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|137
|ι Serpentis
|HIP 76852
|Inside the hull
|4.505
|-
|138
|2 Peg
|HIP 106140
|Inside the hull
|4.509
|-
|139
|Lilii Borea
|HIP 13061
|Inside the hull
|4.51
|-
|140
|τ Piscium
|HIP 5586
|Inside the hull
|4.511
|-
|141
|Mesarthim
|HIP 8832
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|142
|93 Leo
|HIP 57565
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|143
|23 Vul
|HIP 99874
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|144
|55 Peg
|HIP 114144
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|145
|ψ Boötis
|HIP 73745
|Inside the hull
|4.55
|-
|146
|136 Tau
|HIP 27830
|Inside the hull
|4.552
|-
|147
|70 Peg
|HIP 115919
|Constellation lines
|4.56
|-
|148
|31 Vul
|HIP 103004
|Inside the hull
|4.568
|-
|149
|Cujam
|HIP 80463
|Inside the hull
|4.58
|-
|150
|ξ Boötis
|HIP 72659
|Inside the hull
|4.593
|-
|151
|ο Boötis
|HIP 72125
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|152
|113 Her
|HIP 92818
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|153
|ι Tauri
|HIP 23497
|Inside the hull
|4.615
|-
|154
|ϵ Arietis
|HIP 13914
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|155
|χ 2 Orionis
|HIP 28716
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|156
|72 Leo
|HIP 54951
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|157
|δ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 77512
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|158
|13 Vul
|HIP 97886
|Inside the hull
|4.64
|-
|159
|ζ Delphini
|HIP 101589
|Inside the hull
|4.647
|-
|160
|ρ Tauri
|HIP 21273
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|161
|15 Vul
|HIP 98543
|Inside the hull
|4.651
|-
|162
|Asellus Borealis
|HIP 42806
|Inside the hull
|4.652
|-
|163
|χ Piscium
|HIP 5571
|Inside the hull
|4.658
|-
|164
|ϕ Piscium
|HIP 5742
|Inside the hull
|4.66
|-
|165
|11 Ori
|HIP 23607
|Inside the hull
|4.661
|-
|166
|σ 2 Tauri
|HIP 21683
|Inside the hull
|4.665
|-
|167
|35 Ari
|HIP 12719
|Inside the hull
|4.67
|-
|168
|Tegmine
|HIP 40167
|Inside the hull
|4.67
|-
|169
|93 Her
|HIP 88128
|Inside the hull
|4.67
|-
|170
|ϕ Cygni
|HIP 96683
|Inside the hull
|4.673
|-
|171
|π Tauri
|HIP 20732
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|172
|41 Com
|HIP 64022
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|173
|* mu.01 Cyg
|HIP 107310
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|174
|ο 1 Orionis
|HIP 22667
|Inside the hull
|4.721
|-
|175
|11 Com
|HIP 60202
|Inside the hull
|4.74
|-
|176
|υ Piscium
|HIP 6193
|Inside the hull
|4.748
|-
|177
| -
|HIP 99824
|Inside the hull
|4.75
|-
|178
| -
|HIP 50564
|Inside the hull
|4.76
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 21029
|Inside the hull
|4.764
|-
|180
|λ Arietis
|HIP 9153
|Inside the hull
|4.766
|-
|181
|1 Vul
|HIP 94703
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|182
|Phyllon Kissinou
|HIP 61394
|Inside the hull
|4.773
|-
|183
|ρ Serpentis
|HIP 77661
|Inside the hull
|4.78
|-
|184
|W Boo
|HIP 71995
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|185
|χ Pegasi
|HIP 1168
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|186
|δ 2 Tauri
|HIP 20542
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|187
|* eps Boo B
|HR 5505
|Inside the hull
|4.801
|-
|188
|12 Com A
|HIP 60351
|Inside the hull
|4.81
|-
|189
|ω Boötis
|HIP 73568
|Inside the hull
|4.81
|-
|190
|π Serpentis
|HIP 78554
|Inside the hull
|4.817
|-
|191
|15 Ori
|HIP 24010
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|192
|139 Tau
|HIP 28237
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|193
|29 Vul
|HIP 101867
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|194
|12 Boo
|HIP 69226
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|195
|Bodu
|HIP 88267A
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|196
|126 Tau
|HIP 26777
|Inside the hull
|4.836
|-
|197
|ν Pegasi
|HIP 109068
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.84
|-
|198
| -
|HIP 92088
|Inside the hull
|4.84
|-
|199
|ξ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 80181
|Inside the hull
|4.849
|-
|200
| -
|HIP 70027
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|201
|7 Com
|HIP 59847
|Inside the hull
|4.86
|-
|202
|114 Tau
|HIP 25539
|Inside the hull
|4.868
|-
|203
|ζ Arietis
|HIP 15110
|Inside the hull
|4.869
|-
|204
|81 Gem
|HIP 37908
|Inside the hull
|4.87
|-
|205
|60 Her
|HIP 83613
|Inside the hull
|4.871
|-
|206
|132 Tau
|HIP 27468
|Inside the hull
|4.873
|-
|207
|37 Com
|HIP 63462
|Inside the hull
|4.88
|-
|208
|π 1 Boötis
|HIP 71762
|Inside the hull
|4.893
|-
|209
|ρ Pegasi
|HIP 113186
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|210
|35 Com
|HIP 62886
|Inside the hull
|4.91
|-
|211
|6 Boo
|HIP 67480
|Inside the hull
|4.91
|-
|212
|30 Vul
|HIP 102388
|Inside the hull
|4.91
|-
|213
|ω 2 Tauri
|HIP 19990
|Inside the hull
|4.914
|-
|214
|69 Ori
|HIP 29434
|Inside the hull
|4.92
|-
|215
|45 Boo
|HIP 73996
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|216
|λ Lyrae
|HIP 93279
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|217
|χ Geminorum
|HIP 39424
|Inside the hull
|4.937
|-
|218
|31 Com
|HIP 62763
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|219
|ρ Aquilae
|HIP 99742
|Inside the hull
|4.946
|-
|220
|109 Tau
|HIP 24822
|Inside the hull
|4.948
|-
|221
|14 Com
|HIP 60697
|Inside the hull
|4.95
|-
|222
|ϕ Tauri
|HIP 20250
|Inside the hull
|4.951
|-
|223
|16 Com
|HIP 60746
|Inside the hull
|4.959
|-
|224
|106 Her
|HIP 89861
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|225
|12 Vul
|HIP 97679
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|226
|γ 1 Delphini
|HIP 102531
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|227
|ϕ Geminorum
|HIP 38538
|Inside the hull
|4.963
|-
|228
|75 Tau
|HIP 20877
|Inside the hull
|4.969
|-
|229
|70 Vir
|HIP 65721
|Inside the hull
|4.97
|-
|230
|104 Her
|HIP 89172
|Inside the hull
|4.97
|-
|231
| -
|HIP 25278
|Inside the hull
|4.97
|-
|232
|ι Coronae Borealis
|HIP 78493
|Inside the hull
|4.971
|-
|233
|14 Ari
|HIP 10053
|Inside the hull
|4.977
|-
|234
|2 Cyg
|HIP 95372
|Inside the hull
|4.977
|-
|235
|η 1 Coronae Borealis
|HIP 75312
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|236
|32 Oph
|HIP 83430
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|237
|Marsic
|HIP 79043
|Inside the hull
|4.994
|-
|238
|51 Gem
|HIP 34909
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|239
|36 Com
|HIP 63355
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|240
|9 Boo
|HIP 68103
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|241
|V656 Her
|HIP 84833
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|242
|9 Vul
|HIP 96275
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|243
|65 Gem
|HIP 36429
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|244
|32 Vul
|HIP 103200
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|245
|κ Arietis
|HIP 9836
|Inside the hull
|5.019
|-
|246
|24 Com A
|HIP 61418
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|247
|57 Gem
|HIP 35846
|Inside the hull
|5.022
|-
|248
|51 Her
|HIP 82504
|Inside the hull
|5.029
|-
|249
|ζ Sagittae
|HIP 97496
|Inside the hull
|5.034
|-
|250
| -
|HIP 3810
|Inside the hull
|5.04
|-
|251
|28 Vul
|HIP 101868
|Inside the hull
|5.049
|-
|252
|74 Gem
|HIP 37300
|Inside the hull
|5.05
|-
|253
|17 Vul
|HIP 99080
|Inside the hull
|5.056
|-
|254
|47 Psc
|HIP 2219
|Inside the hull
|5.06
|-
|255
|98 Her
|HIP 88657
|Inside the hull
|5.06
|-
|256
|64 Gem
|HIP 36393
|Inside the hull
|5.064
|-
|257
|14 Peg
|HIP 107763
|Inside the hull
|5.069
|-
|258
|41 LMi
|HIP 52457
|Inside the hull
|5.07
|-
|259
|77 Peg
|HIP 117020
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.071
|-
|260
|σ 1 Tauri
|HIP 21673
|Inside the hull
|5.076
|-
|261
|56 Gem
|HIP 35699
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|262
|97 Tau
|HIP 22565
|Inside the hull
|5.085
|-
|263
|Pleione
|HIP 17851
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|264
|6 Com
|HIP 59819
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|265
|η Sagittae
|HIP 98920
|Inside the hull
|5.093
|-
|266
|101 Her
|HIP 88899
|Inside the hull
|5.099
|-
|267
|FAUST 3058
|FAUST 3058
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|268
|87 Her
|HIP 87194
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|269
|* 95 Her B
|HIP 88267B
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|270
|ι Arietis
|HIP 9110
|Inside the hull
|5.105
|-
|271
|β 2 Cygni
|HIP 95951
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|272
| -
|HIP 78481
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|273
|107 Her
|HIP 89935
|Inside the hull
|5.115
|-
|274
|27 Com
|HIP 62356
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|275
|70 Her
|HIP 84887
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|276
|τ 2 Arietis
|HIP 15737
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|277
|64 Ori
|HIP 28691
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|278
|99 Her
|HIP 88745
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|279
|57 Peg
|HIP 114347
|Inside the hull
|5.14
|-
|280
|Nahn
|HIP 44946
|Inside the hull
|5.149
|-
|281
| -
|HIP 95447
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|282
|82 Psc
|HIP 5544
|Inside the hull
|5.152
|-
|283
|59 Peg
|HIP 114520
|Inside the hull
|5.154
|-
|284
|σ Peg
|HIP 112935
|Constellation lines
|5.16
|-
|285
|4 Vul
|HIP 95498
|Inside the hull
|5.16
|-
|286
| -
|HIP 24197
|Inside the hull
|5.163
|-
|287
|125 Tau
|HIP 26640
|Inside the hull
|5.166
|-
|288
|τ 1 Serpentis
|HIP 75530
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|289
| -
|HIP 29650
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|290
| -
|HIP 92937
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|291
|41 Tau
|HIP 19171
|Inside the hull
|5.172
|-
|292
|22 Vul
|HIP 99853
|Inside the hull
|5.176
|-
|293
|13 Com
|HIP 60514
|Inside the hull
|5.18
|-
|294
|ω Geminorum
|HIP 33927
|Inside the hull
|5.181
|-
|295
|17 Del
|HIP 103294
|Inside the hull
|5.182
|-
|296
|21 Vul
|HIP 99738
|Inside the hull
|5.189
|-
|297
|Revati
|HIP 5737
|Inside the hull
|5.19
|-
|298
|3 Vul
|HIP 95260
|Inside the hull
|5.192
|-
|299
|ψ Tauri
|HIP 19205
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|300
|η Arietis
|HIP 10306
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|301
|26 Gem
|HIP 32104
|Inside the hull
|5.21
|-
|302
|GN And
|HIP 2355
|Inside the hull
|5.214
|-
|303
|ο 1 Cancri
|HIP 43970
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|304
|17 Lyr
|HIP 93917
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|305
|91 Psc
|HIP 6315
|Inside the hull
|5.223
|-
|306
|ρ 2 Cancri
|HIP 43834
|Inside the hull
|5.225
|-
|307
|ν 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92405
|Inside the hull
|5.226
|-
|308
| -
|HIP 17954
|Inside the hull
|5.234
|-
|309
|17 Com
|HIP 60904
|Inside the hull
|5.236
|-
|310
|107 Psc
|HIP 7981
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|311
|63 Gem
|HIP 36238
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|312
|58 Tau
|HIP 20261
|Inside the hull
|5.242
|-
|313
| -
|HIP 80843
|Inside the hull
|5.243
|-
|314
|96 Her
|HIP 88331
|Inside the hull
|5.249
|-
|315
| -
|HIP 90067
|Inside the hull
|5.249
|-
|316
|92 Leo
|HIP 56975
|Inside the hull
|5.255
|-
|317
|11 Aql
|HIP 93203
|Inside the hull
|5.258
|-
|318
|36 Gem
|HIP 32921
|Inside the hull
|5.259
|-
|319
|49 Aur
|HIP 31434
|Inside the hull
|5.26
|-
|320
| -
|HIP 93256
|Inside the hull
|5.261
|-
|321
|68 Gem
|HIP 36760
|Inside the hull
|5.263
|-
|322
|κ 2 Tauri
|HIP 20641
|Inside the hull
|5.264
|-
|323
|χ Boötis
|HIP 74596
|Inside the hull
|5.272
|-
|324
|ψ 1 Piscium A
|HIP 5131
|Inside the hull
|5.273
|-
|325
|ϕ Aquilae
|HIP 98103
|Inside the hull
|5.278
|-
|326
|105 Her
|HIP 89773
|Inside the hull
|5.279
|-
|327
|l Tau
|HIP 23871
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|328
| -
|HIP 48390
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|329
|ω 1 Aquilae
|HIP 94834
|Inside the hull
|5.283
|-
|330
|33 Vul
|HIP 103511
|Inside the hull
|5.288
|-
|331
|76 Gem
|HIP 37704
|Inside the hull
|5.289
|-
|332
|10 Tri
|HIP 10793
|Inside the hull
|5.291
|-
|333
|33 Ari
|HIP 12489
|Inside the hull
|5.296
|-
|334
|μ 2 Cancri
|HIP 39780
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|335
|Cl Stock 1
|Cl Stock 1
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|336
|24 Vul
|HIP 99951
|Inside the hull
|5.302
|-
|337
|zet01 Cnc
|HIP 40167A
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|338
|χ Aquilae
|HIP 96957
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|339
|73 Leo
|HIP 55016
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|340
| -
|HIP 84345B
|Inside the hull
|5.322
|-
|341
|η Cancri
|HIP 41909
|Inside the hull
|5.325
|-
|342
|72 Ori
|HIP 29704
|Inside the hull
|5.327
|-
|343
| -
|HIP 64823
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|344
|χ Serpentis
|HIP 76866
|Inside the hull
|5.33
|-
|345
|53 Her
|HIP 82587
|Inside the hull
|5.333
|-
|346
|θ Cancri
|HIP 41822
|Inside the hull
|5.337
|-
|347
|* pi. Ari A
|HIP 13165
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|348
|ρ Piscium
|HIP 6706
|Inside the hull
|5.344
|-
|349
|56 Tau
|HIP 20186
|Inside the hull
|5.346
|-
|350
|π 2 Cancri
|HIP 45410
|Inside the hull
|5.348
|-
|351
|ψ Leonis
|HIP 47723
|Inside the hull
|5.35
|-
|352
|13 Sge
|HIP 98438
|Inside the hull
|5.35
|-
|353
|42 LMi
|HIP 52638
|Inside the hull
|5.352
|-
|354
|54 Her
|HIP 82802
|Inside the hull
|5.354
|-
|355
|τ 1 Arietis
|HIP 15627
|Inside the hull
|5.355
|-
|356
| -
|HIP 84821
|Inside the hull
|5.357
|-
|357
|89 Her
|HIP 87747
|Inside the hull
|5.36
|-
|358
|S Sge
|HIP 98085
|Inside the hull
|5.36
|-
|359
|85 Gem
|HIP 38722
|Inside the hull
|5.365
|-
|360
|52 Psc
|HIP 2568
|Inside the hull
|5.37
|-
|361
|χ Tauri
|HIP 20430
|Inside the hull
|5.378
|-
|362
|35 Vul
|HIP 105966
|Inside the hull
|5.379
|-
|363
|57 Psc
|HIP 3632
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|364
|121 Tau
|HIP 26248
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|365
|FF Aql
|HIP 93124
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|366
|η Delphini
|HIP 101483
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|367
|58 Peg
|HIP 114389
|Inside the hull
|5.386
|-
|368
|44 Tau
|HIP 19513
|Inside the hull
|5.387
|-
|369
| -
|HIP 82764
|Inside the hull
|5.387
|-
|370
|112 Her
|HIP 92614
|Inside the hull
|5.393
|-
|371
|22 Boo
|HIP 70602
|Inside the hull
|5.394
|-
|372
|18 Boo
|HIP 69989
|Inside the hull
|5.396
|-
|373
|U Ori
|HIP 28041
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|374
|115 Tau
|HIP 25499
|Inside the hull
|5.404
|-
|375
|9 Cyg
|HIP 96302
|Inside the hull
|5.407
|-
|376
|37 Leo
|HIP 50333
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|377
| -
|HIP 90023
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|378
|ι Delphini
|HIP 101800
|Inside the hull
|5.418
|-
|379
|τ Cancri
|HIP 44818
|Inside the hull
|5.42
|-
|380
|55 Psc
|HIP 3138
|Inside the hull
|5.428
|-
|381
|2 Vul
|HIP 94827
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|382
|21 Com
|HIP 61071
|Inside the hull
|5.436
|-
|383
|68 Psc
|HIP 4510
|Inside the hull
|5.438
|-
|384
|28 Gem
|HIP 32311
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|385
|QY Ser
|HIP 77902
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|386
| -
|HIP 36616
|Inside the hull
|5.442
|-
|387
|ν Cancri
|HIP 44405
|Inside the hull
|5.447
|-
|388
|5 Peg
|HIP 106787
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|389
|36 And
|HIP 4288
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|390
| -
|HIP 17776
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|391
|ν Arietis
|HIP 12332
|Inside the hull
|5.451
|-
|392
|81 Tau
|HIP 21039
|Inside the hull
|5.454
|-
|393
|ψ 1 Piscium B
|HIP 5132
|Inside the hull
|5.455
|-
|394
|130 Tau
|HIP 27338
|Inside the hull
|5.455
|-
|395
|Celaeno
|HIP 17489
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|396
|46 Leo
|HIP 51585
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|397
|18 Com
|HIP 60941
|Inside the hull
|5.468
|-
|398
| -
|HIP 90923
|Inside the hull
|5.468
|-
|399
|52 Ari A
|HIP 14376
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|400
|45 Gem
|HIP 34440
|Inside the hull
|5.476
|-
|401
|52 Leo
|HIP 52689
|Inside the hull
|5.478
|-
|402
|118 Tau
|HIP 25695
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|403
|53 Tau
|HIP 20171
|Inside the hull
|5.482
|-
|404
|19 Vul
|HIP 99518
|Inside the hull
|5.487
|-
|405
|23 LMi
|HIP 50303
|Inside the hull
|5.488
|-
|406
| -
|HIP 23043
|Inside the hull
|5.49
|-
|407
|26 Com
|HIP 61724
|Inside the hull
|5.49
|-
|408
|51 Leo
|HIP 52686
|Inside the hull
|5.492
|-
|409
|94 Psc
|HIP 6732
|Inside the hull
|5.495
|-
|410
|10 Vul
|HIP 97077
|Inside the hull
|5.497
|-
|411
|103 Tau
|HIP 23900
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|412
| -
|HIP 98325
|Inside the hull
|5.502
|-
|413
|64 Ari
|HIP 15861
|Inside the hull
|5.503
|-
|414
|ω 1 Tauri
|HIP 19388
|Inside the hull
|5.504
|-
|415
|58 Psc
|HIP 3675
|Inside the hull
|5.504
|-
|416
|40 LMi
|HIP 52422
|Inside the hull
|5.506
|-
|417
|18 Vul
|HIP 99404
|Inside the hull
|5.507
|-
|418
| -
|HIP 60170
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|419
|ο Coronae Borealis
|HIP 75049
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|420
|36 Tau
|HIP 19009
|Inside the hull
|5.512
|-
|421
|72 Tau
|HIP 20789
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|422
| -
|HIP 85385
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|423
|116 Tau
|HIP 25555
|Inside the hull
|5.515
|-
|424
|σ Arietis
|HIP 13327
|Inside the hull
|5.516
|-
|425
| -
|HIP 87308
|Inside the hull
|5.517
|-
|426
|28 Aql
|HIP 94982
|Inside the hull
|5.518
|-
|427
|62 Ari
|HIP 15696
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|428
|135 Tau
|HIP 27581
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|429
| -
|HIP 97961
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|430
|95 Leo
|HIP 58159
|Inside the hull
|5.522
|-
|431
|122 Tau
|HIP 26382
|Inside the hull
|5.525
|-
|432
|ϕ Serpentis
|HIP 78132
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|433
|15 Peg
|HIP 107975
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|434
|11 Sge
|HIP 98234
|Inside the hull
|5.534
|-
|435
|π Piscium
|HIP 7535
|Inside the hull
|5.535
|-
|436
| -
|HIP 86623
|Inside the hull
|5.54
|-
|437
|16 Del
|HIP 103298
|Inside the hull
|5.54
|-
|438
|86 Leo
|HIP 56146
|Inside the hull
|5.549
|-
|439
|5 Com
|HIP 59501
|Inside the hull
|5.55
|-
|440
| -
|HIP 93843
|Inside the hull
|5.55
|-
|441
|80 Tau
|HIP 20995
|Inside the hull
|5.552
|-
|442
| -
|HIP 31277
|Inside the hull
|5.553
|-
|443
|87 Peg
|HIP 729
|Inside the hull
|5.555
|-
|444
|83 Her
|HIP 86667
|Inside the hull
|5.558
|-
|445
|NZ Gem
|HIP 37521
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|446
| -
|HIP 93718
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|447
|25 Vul
|HIP 100435
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|448
|ψ 3 Piscium
|HIP 5454
|Inside the hull
|5.562
|-
|449
|ψ 2 Piscium
|HIP 5310
|Inside the hull
|5.563
|-
|450
| -
|HIP 95822
|Inside the hull
|5.564
|-
|451
| -
|HIP 83692
|Inside the hull
|5.565
|-
|452
|ϕ 1 Cancri
|HIP 41377
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|453
| -
|HIP 67384
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|454
| -
|HIP 97765
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|455
| -
|HIP 94624
|Inside the hull
|5.571
|-
|456
|θ Arietis
|HIP 10732
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|457
|81 Leo
|HIP 55765
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|458
|36 Peg
|HIP 110986
|Inside the hull
|5.574
|-
|459
|21 Ari
|HIP 10535
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|460
|ρ 3 Arietis
|HIP 13702
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|461
|2 Boo
|HIP 66763
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|462
| -
|HIP 27629
|Inside the hull
|5.582
|-
|463
|π 1 Pegasi
|HIP 109352
|Inside the hull
|5.582
|-
|464
|27 Vul
|HIP 101716
|Inside the hull
|5.583
|-
|465
|137 Tau
|HIP 27743
|Inside the hull
|5.586
|-
|466
|3 Cnc
|HIP 39177
|Inside the hull
|5.588
|-
|467
|5 Vul
|HIP 95560
|Inside the hull
|5.591
|-
|468
|35 Ori
|HIP 26093
|Inside the hull
|5.593
|-
|469
|108 Her
|HIP 89925
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|470
| -
|HIP 105411
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|471
|15 Cnc
|HIP 40240
|Inside the hull
|5.605
|-
|472
|FS Com
|HIP 63950
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|473
| -
|HIP 87044
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|474
|32 Tau
|HIP 18471
|Inside the hull
|5.617
|-
|475
| -
|HIP 82028
|Inside the hull
|5.619
|-
|476
| -
|HIP 87777
|Inside the hull
|5.619
|-
|477
|4 Com
|HIP 59468
|Inside the hull
|5.62
|-
|478
| -
|HIP 92768
|Inside the hull
|5.62
|-
|479
|15 Leo
|HIP 47701
|Inside the hull
|5.621
|-
|480
|63 Tau
|HIP 20484
|Inside the hull
|5.625
|-
|481
|EK Boo
|HIP 72208
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|482
| -
|HIP 94720
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|483
|51 Tau
|HIP 20087
|Inside the hull
|5.631
|-
|484
|72 Psc
|HIP 5081
|Inside the hull
|5.631
|-
|485
| -
|HIP 85715
|Inside the hull
|5.633
|-
|486
|19 Peg
|HIP 108699
|Inside the hull
|5.633
|-
|487
|49 Cyg
|HIP 102066
|Inside the hull
|5.638
|-
|488
|18 Tau
|HIP 17527
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|489
|1 Sge
|HIP 94620
|Inside the hull
|5.642
|-
|490
| -
|HIP 85912
|Inside the hull
|5.648
|-
|491
|78 Her
|HIP 85790
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|492
|V1768 Cyg
|HIP 98863
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|493
| -
|HIP 30099
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|494
| -
|HIP 83254
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|495
|14 Sge
|HIP 98754
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|496
| -
|HIP 105703
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|497
|ϵ Sagittae
|HIP 96516
|Inside the hull
|5.659
|-
|498
|25 Com
|HIP 61571
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|499
|14 Vul
|HIP 98375
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|500
|EO Leo
|HIP 49220
|Inside the hull
|5.663
|-
|501
|46 Boo
|HIP 74087
|Inside the hull
|5.669
|-
|502
| -
|HIP 25001
|Inside the hull
|5.67
|-
|503
| -
|HIP 32968
|Inside the hull
|5.671
|-
|504
| -
|HIP 85930
|Inside the hull
|5.672
|-
|505
| -
|HIP 100754
|Inside the hull
|5.672
|-
|506
| -
|HIP 101899
|Inside the hull
|5.673
|-
|507
|ο 2 Cancri
|HIP 44001
|Inside the hull
|5.677
|-
|508
|20 Com
|HIP 60957
|Inside the hull
|5.679
|-
|509
| -
|HIP 84691
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|510
| -
|HIP 105390
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|511
|29 Com
|HIP 62541
|Inside the hull
|5.681
|-
|512
| -
|HIP 91883
|Inside the hull
|5.682
|-
|513
| -
|HIP 74896
|Inside the hull
|5.686
|-
|514
| -
|HIP 87158
|Inside the hull
|5.687
|-
|515
| -
|HIP 93393
|Inside the hull
|5.687
|-
|516
|15 Ari
|HIP 10155
|Inside the hull
|5.688
|-
|517
| -
|HIP 105652
|Inside the hull
|5.688
|-
|518
|13 Tau
|HIP 17309
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|519
|120 Tau
|HIP 26064
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|520
|41 Gem
|HIP 33715
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|521
| -
|HIP 66417
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|522
|16 Her
|HIP 79666
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|523
|10 Ari
|HIP 9621
|Inside the hull
|5.694
|-
|524
|υ 1 Cancri
|HIP 41816
|Inside the hull
|5.694
|-
|525
|67 Leo
|HIP 54487
|Inside the hull
|5.698
|-
|526
|19 Ari
|HIP 10328
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|527
|Cl Collinder 89
|Cl Collinder 89
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|528
| -
|HIP 59923
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|529
|10 Her
|HIP 79349
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|530
| -
|HIP 103675
|Inside the hull
|5.702
|-
|531
|7 Boo
|HIP 67787
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|532
|υ Serpentis
|HIP 77336
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|533
| -
|HIP 88636
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|534
|53 Gem
|HIP 35152
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|535
|R CrB
|HIP 77442
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|536
|θ Delphini
|HIP 101882
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|537
| -
|HIP 104371A
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|538
| -
|HIP 20842
|Inside the hull
|5.711
|-
|539
| -
|HIP 73166
|Inside the hull
|5.715
|-
|540
|50 Her
|HIP 82422
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|541
|73 Her
|HIP 85157
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|542
|ψ Cancri
|HIP 40023
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|543
|M 33
|M 33
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|544
|131 Tau
|HIP 27316
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|545
| -
|HIP 21819
|Inside the hull
|5.729
|-
|546
|84 Her
|HIP 86731
|Inside the hull
|5.729
|-
|547
| -
|HIP 98767
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|548
|8 Leo
|HIP 47189
|Inside the hull
|5.732
|-
|549
|85 Leo
|HIP 56080
|Inside the hull
|5.734
|-
|550
| -
|HIP 85185
|Inside the hull
|5.736
|-
|551
|μ Arietis
|HIP 12640
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|552
|55 Ari
|HIP 14677
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|553
|π Aquilae
|HIP 97473
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|554
|53 Aur
|HIP 31737
|Inside the hull
|5.744
|-
|555
| -
|HIP 48982
|Inside the hull
|5.744
|-
|556
| -
|HIP 65466
|Inside the hull
|5.745
|-
|557
|37 Gem
|HIP 33277
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|558
|10 Boo
|HIP 68276
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|559
|7 Ari
|HIP 8993
|Inside the hull
|5.749
|-
|560
|68 Ori
|HIP 29433
|Inside the hull
|5.749
|-
|561
|3 Gem
|HIP 29225
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|562
| -
|HIP 33914
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|563
|47 Gem
|HIP 34722
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|564
| -
|HIP 90762
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|565
| -
|HIP 80898
|Inside the hull
|5.754
|-
|566
| -
|HIP 95572
|Inside the hull
|5.754
|-
|567
|117 Tau
|HIP 25583
|Inside the hull
|5.758
|-
|568
|59 Gem
|HIP 35941
|Inside the hull
|5.759
|-
|569
|56 Ari
|HIP 14893
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|570
|Asterope
|HIP 17579
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|571
|1 Boo
|HIP 66727
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|572
|79 Her
|HIP 86254
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|573
| -
|HIP 8433
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|574
|* pi.02 Boo
|HR 5476
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|575
| -
|HIP 83367
|Inside the hull
|5.762
|-
|576
|NZ Peg
|HIP 106897
|Inside the hull
|5.762
|-
|577
|T Vul
|HIP 102949
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|578
| -
|HIP 10540
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|579
|89 Tau
|HIP 21588
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|580
| -
|HIP 22913
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|581
|ο Arietis
|HIP 12803
|Inside the hull
|5.777
|-
|582
|υ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 79757
|Inside the hull
|5.779
|-
|583
|1 Cnc
|HIP 38848
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|584
|30 Com
|HIP 62576
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|585
| -
|HIP 13834
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|586
|98 Tau
|HIP 23088
|Inside the hull
|5.785
|-
|587
|15 Sge
|HIP 98819
|Inside the hull
|5.788
|-
|588
|66 Psc
|HIP 4267
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|589
| -
|HIP 40167C
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|590
|100 Her
|HIP 88817
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|591
| -
|HIP 91118
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|592
| -
|HIP 93845
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|593
|* 16 Vul A
|HIP 98636
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|594
|τ 7 Serpentis
|HIP 76878
|Inside the hull
|5.792
|-
|595
| -
|HIP 5494
|Inside the hull
|5.797
|-
|596
| -
|HIP 40866
|Inside the hull
|5.798
|-
|597
|CY Boo
|HIP 69829
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|598
| -
|HIP 72552
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|599
| -
|HIP 75143
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|600
| -
|HIP 74096
|Inside the hull
|5.804
|-
|601
|99 Tau
|HIP 23068
|Inside the hull
|5.806
|-
|602
| -
|HIP 100276
|Inside the hull
|5.808
|-
|603
| -
|HIP 56601
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|604
|8 Vul
|HIP 95785
|Inside the hull
|5.812
|-
|605
|100 Her
|HIP 88818
|Inside the hull
|5.819
|-
|606
|52 Gem
|HIP 35025
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|607
|39 Leo
|HIP 50384
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|608
|DT Cyg
|HIP 104185
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|609
|5 Gem
|HIP 29379
|Inside the hull
|5.825
|-
|610
|40 Ari
|HIP 13108
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|611
| -
|HIP 90342
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|612
|[AKS95] 73
|[AKS95] 73
|Inside the hull
|5.832
|-
|613
| -
|HIP 50336
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|614
| -
|HIP 90915
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|615
|4 Ari
|HIP 8387
|Inside the hull
|5.841
|-
|616
|HU Tau
|HIP 21604
|Inside the hull
|5.842
|-
|617
| -
|HIP 33937
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|618
| -
|HIP 9132
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|619
|48 Gem
|HIP 34819
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|620
| -
|HIP 94630
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|621
|ω 1 Cancri
|HIP 39191
|Inside the hull
|5.853
|-
|622
|1 Ari A
|HIP 8544
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|623
| -
|HIP 61420
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|624
|53 Psc
|HIP 2903
|Inside the hull
|5.863
|-
|625
| -
|HIP 90637
|Inside the hull
|5.863
|-
|626
| -
|HIP 18735
|Inside the hull
|5.865
|-
|627
|HP Boo
|HIP 72567
|Inside the hull
|5.867
|-
|628
|33 Gem
|HIP 32753
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|629
| -
|HIP 64226
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|630
| -
|HIP 95582
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|631
| -
|HIP 98609
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|632
| -
|HIP 11670
|Inside the hull
|5.879
|-
|633
|54 Psc
|HIP 3093
|Inside the hull
|5.88
|-
|634
| -
|HIP 92312
|Inside the hull
|5.88
|-
|635
| -
|HIP 13121
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|636
|FL Ser
|HIP 74386
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|637
|10 Aql
|HIP 93179
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|638
|EU Del
|HIP 101810
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|639
| -
|HIP 9307
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|640
|76 Tau
|HIP 20873
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|641
| -
|HIP 73087
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|642
| -
|HIP 96016
|Inside the hull
|5.893
|-
|643
|57 Ori
|HIP 27965
|Inside the hull
|5.894
|-
|644
|26 Boo
|HIP 71115
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|645
|39 Tau
|HIP 19076
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|646
| -
|HIP 21323
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|647
| -
|HIP 7359
|Inside the hull
|5.903
|-
|648
| -
|HIP 29196
|Inside the hull
|5.904
|-
|649
| -
|HIP 37428
|Inside the hull
|5.906
|-
|650
|33 Oph
|HIP 83478
|Inside the hull
|5.908
|-
|651
|49 Ari
|HIP 14109
|Inside the hull
|5.909
|-
|652
| -
|HIP 67782
|Inside the hull
|5.909
|-
|653
| -
|HIP 71571
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|654
| -
|HIP 82350
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|655
|39 Her
|HIP 81729
|Inside the hull
|5.916
|-
|656
|59 Ari
|HIP 15514
|Inside the hull
|5.918
|-
|657
|105 Tau
|HIP 23883
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|658
|20 Vul
|HIP 99531
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|659
|54 Cet
|HIP 8588
|Inside the hull
|5.922
|-
|660
| -
|HIP 71759
|Inside the hull
|5.925
|-
|661
| -
|HIP 96977
|Inside the hull
|5.925
|-
|662
|τ 5 Serpentis
|HIP 76424
|Inside the hull
|5.926
|-
|663
| -
|HIP 101870
|Inside the hull
|5.929
|-
|664
|ρ 2 Arietis
|HIP 13654
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|665
|Piautos
|HIP 40881
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|666
|38 Com
|HIP 63533
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|667
|19 Lyr
|HIP 94311
|Inside the hull
|5.932
|-
|668
| -
|HIP 25790
|Inside the hull
|5.934
|-
|669
|61 Gem
|HIP 36156
|Inside the hull
|5.935
|-
|670
| -
|HIP 100256
|Inside the hull
|5.938
|-
|671
| -
|HIP 19284
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|672
|NP Gem
|HIP 33929
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|673
|20 Cnc
|HIP 41117
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|674
|90 Leo
|HIP 56473
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|675
| -
|HR 4531
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|676
| -
|HIP 9533
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|677
| -
|HIP 18170
|Inside the hull
|5.946
|-
|678
|29 Cnc
|HIP 41578
|Inside the hull
|5.948
|-
|679
| -
|HIP 10296
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|680
| -
|HIP 20417
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|681
|75 Cnc
|HIP 44892
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|682
|NV Peg
|HIP 106062
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|683
| -
|HIP 7447
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|684
| -
|HIP 105224
|Inside the hull
|5.951
|-
|685
|V* CN Boo
|HR 5343
|Inside the hull
|5.957
|-
|686
|Copernicus
|HIP 43587
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|687
| -
|HIP 50319
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|688
| -
|HIP 22697
|Inside the hull
|5.961
|-
|689
| -
|HIP 7906
|Inside the hull
|5.961
|-
|690
|87 Psc
|HIP 5778
|Inside the hull
|5.962
|-
|691
| -
|HIP 20614
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|692
|3 Boo
|HIP 67239
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|693
| -
|HIP 98738
|Inside the hull
|5.968
|-
|694
|* 57 Cnc A
|HIP 43721
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|695
| -
|HIP 77412
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|696
| -
|HIP 6492
|Inside the hull
|5.971
|-
|697
| -
|HIP 74561
|Inside the hull
|5.974
|-
|698
| -
|HIP 84431
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|699
| -
|HIP 96481
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|700
|105 Psc
|HIP 7740
|Inside the hull
|5.979
|-
|701
|V640 Her
|HIP 85302
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|702
| -
|HIP 90052
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|703
| -
|HIP 101909
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|704
| -
|HIP 22176
|Inside the hull
|5.981
|-
|705
|V433 Aur
|HIP 26606
|Inside the hull
|5.984
|-
|706
| -
|HIP 27747
|Inside the hull
|5.985
|-
|707
|V1141 Tau
|HIP 20493
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|708
| -
|HIP 59364
|Inside the hull
|5.987
|-
|709
|29 Ari
|HIP 11843
|Inside the hull
|5.988
|-
|710
|5 Cnc
|HIP 39236
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|711
|μ 1 Cancri
|HIP 39659
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|712
|QS Aql
|HIP 96840
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|713
| -
|HIP 57606
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|714
|τ 6 Serpentis
|HIP 76810
|Inside the hull
|5.991
|-
|715
|15 Del
|HIP 102805
|Inside the hull
|5.991
|-
|716
| -
|HIP 84631
|Inside the hull
|5.992
|-
|717
| -
|HIP 89827
|Inside the hull
|5.993
|-
|718
|129 Tau
|HIP 27265
|Inside the hull
|5.994
|-
|719
|V1156 Tau
|HIP 24019
|Inside the hull
|5.997
|-
|720
|85 Tau
|HIP 21137
|Inside the hull
|5.998
|-
|721
|10 Del
|HIP 102080
|Inside the hull
|5.998
|-
|722
|16 Ari
|HIP 10203
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|723
| -
|HIP 68279
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|724
|BL Ori
|HIP 30564
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|725
| -
|HIP 71094
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|726
|DE Boo
|HIP 72848
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|727
|18 Peg
|HIP 108612
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|728
| -
|HIP 97402
|Inside the hull
|6.001
|-
|729
| -
|HIP 38975
|Inside the hull
|6.002
|-
|730
|44 Gem
|HIP 34182
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|731
|79 Cnc
|HIP 45033
|Inside the hull
|6.011
|-
|732
|ω 2 Aquilae
|HIP 95002
|Inside the hull
|6.012
|-
|733
|V1116 Tau
|HIP 21459
|Inside the hull
|6.019
|-
|734
|11 Ari
|HIP 9859
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|735
| -
|HIP 57240
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|736
| -
|HIP 60599
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|737
| -
|HIP 75674
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|738
| -
|HR 6627
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|739
| -
|HIP 50174
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|740
| -
|HIP 27421
|Inside the hull
|6.021
|-
|741
| -
|HIP 14748
|Inside the hull
|6.022
|-
|742
|97 Psc
|HIP 6981
|Inside the hull
|6.023
|-
|743
| -
|HIP 94598
|Inside the hull
|6.028
|-
|744
| -
|HIP 28154
|Inside the hull
|6.029
|-
|745
| -
|HIP 74000
|Inside the hull
|6.029
|-
|746
|66 Ari
|HIP 16181
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|747
|* eta Gem B
|HD 42995B
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|748
| -
|HIP 86462
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|749
| -
|HIP 102033
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|750
| -
|HIP 38394
|Inside the hull
|6.032
|-
|751
|V394 Aur
|HIP 28930
|Inside the hull
|6.033
|-
|752
| -
|HIP 57646
|Inside the hull
|6.036
|-
|753
| -
|HIP 105432
|Inside the hull
|6.037
|-
|754
|33 Tau
|HIP 18485
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|755
| -
|HIP 80021
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|756
|48 Psc
|HIP 2224
|Inside the hull
|6.039
|-
|757
| -
|HIP 28500
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|758
| -
|HIP 94382
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|759
| -
|HIP 2235
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|760
| -
|HIP 5483
|Inside the hull
|6.043
|-
|761
| -
|HIP 1465
|Inside the hull
|6.045
|-
|762
| -
|HIP 3269
|Inside the hull
|6.046
|-
|763
| -
|HIP 40231
|Inside the hull
|6.047
|-
|764
|44 LMi
|HIP 52959
|Inside the hull
|6.047
|-
|765
| -
|HIP 30570
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|766
|28 Cnc
|HIP 41574
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|767
| -
|HIP 50109
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|768
| -
|HIP 86178
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|769
| -
|HIP 107173
|Inside the hull
|6.051
|-
|770
|34 Oph
|HIP 83504
|Inside the hull
|6.054
|-
|771
| -
|HIP 92243
|Inside the hull
|6.054
|-
|772
|* 39 Com A
|HIP 63948
|Inside the hull
|6.057
|-
|773
| -
|HIP 23161
|Inside the hull
|6.058
|-
|774
| -
|HIP 93720
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|775
| -
|HIP 105558
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|776
|65 Ari
|HIP 15870
|Inside the hull
|6.061
|-
|777
| -
|HIP 81659
|Inside the hull
|6.061
|-
|778
|56 Her
|HIP 82780
|Inside the hull
|6.064
|-
|779
|IK Peg
|HIP 105860
|Inside the hull
|6.064
|-
|780
| -
|HIP 17921
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|781
| -
|HIP 19261
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|782
|67 Cnc
|HIP 44342
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|783
| -
|HIP 81670
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|784
| -
|HIP 93966
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|785
| -
|HIP 100486
|Inside the hull
|6.072
|-
|786
| -
|HIP 17453
|Inside the hull
|6.074
|-
|787
|8 Gem
|HIP 29789
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|788
| -
|HIP 97028
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|789
| -
|HIP 101919
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|790
| -
|HIP 9295
|Inside the hull
|6.076
|-
|791
|20 Leo
|HIP 48218
|Inside the hull
|6.077
|-
|792
| -
|HIP 31813
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|793
|48 Ser
|HIP 79332
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|794
| -
|HIP 19641
|Inside the hull
|6.087
|-
|795
| -
|HIP 25950
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|796
| -
|HIP 66992
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|797
| -
|HIP 41319
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|798
| -
|HIP 106243
|Inside the hull
|6.093
|-
|799
| -
|HIP 20255
|Inside the hull
|6.094
|-
|800
| -
|HIP 93523
|Inside the hull
|6.094
|-
|801
|110 Tau
|HIP 25216
|Inside the hull
|6.096
|-
|802
|67 Psc
|HIP 4366
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|803
| -
|HIP 60168
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|804
| -
|HIP 66086
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|805
| -
|HIP 86118
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|806
| -
|HIP 89023
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|807
|ζ Piscium B
|HIP 5743
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|808
|59 Psc
|HIP 3685
|Inside the hull
|6.101
|-
|809
|11 Tau
|HIP 17181
|Inside the hull
|6.102
|-
|810
| -
|HIP 24820
|Inside the hull
|6.107
|-
|811
| -
|HIP 11415
|Inside the hull
|6.108
|-
|812
|96 Tau
|HIP 22441
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|813
|18 Sge
|HIP 99913
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|814
|τ 3 Serpentis
|HIP 76337
|Inside the hull
|6.113
|-
|815
|53 Ari
|HIP 14514
|Inside the hull
|6.117
|-
|816
|V1137 Tau
|HIP 19672
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|817
|39 Ser
|HIP 77801
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|818
| -
|HIP 64496
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|819
| -
|HIP 86373
|Inside the hull
|6.123
|-
|820
| -
|HIP 29931
|Inside the hull
|6.125
|-
|821
| -
|HIP 87192
|Inside the hull
|6.125
|-
|822
|60 Ari
|HIP 15557
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|823
|8 Her
|HIP 79102
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|824
|26 Ari
|HIP 11678
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|825
|* phi02 Cnc A
|HIP 41404
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|826
| -
|HIP 87341
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|827
| -
|HIP 104172
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|828
| -
|HIP 51161
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|829
| -
|HIP 89298
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|830
|τ 8 Serpentis
|HIP 77111
|Inside the hull
|6.136
|-
|831
| -
|HIP 79686
|Inside the hull
|6.136
|-
|832
| -
|HIP 53472
|Inside the hull
|6.139
|-
|833
|14 Tau
|HIP 17408
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|834
| -
|HIP 64077
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|835
| -
|HIP 78985
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|836
| -
|HIP 74121
|Inside the hull
|6.142
|-
|837
|75 Psc
|HIP 5204
|Inside the hull
|6.144
|-
|838
| -
|HIP 72139
|Inside the hull
|6.145
|-
|839
| -
|HIP 43957
|Inside the hull
|6.146
|-
|840
|43 LMi
|HIP 52882
|Inside the hull
|6.149
|-
|841
|* 2 Com A
|HIP 58858
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|842
| -
|HIP 71729
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|843
| -
|HIP 68030
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|844
| -
|HIP 97767
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|845
|95 Tau
|HIP 21961
|Inside the hull
|6.151
|-
|846
| -
|HIP 100511
|Inside the hull
|6.152
|-
|847
| -
|HIP 17900
|Inside the hull
|6.153
|-
|848
|V473 Lyr
|HIP 94685
|Inside the hull
|6.153
|-
|849
| -
|HIP 2926
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|850
| -
|HIP 16641
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|851
| -
|HIP 60327
|Inside the hull
|6.162
|-
|852
|42 Leo
|HIP 50755
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|853
|31 G. Peg
|HIP 110341
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|854
| -
|HIP 18508
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|855
| -
|HIP 104822
|Inside the hull
|6.166
|-
|856
| -
|HIP 17058
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|857
| -
|HIP 31067
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|858
|58 Gem
|HIP 35842
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|859
| -
|HIP 40167B
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|860
| -
|HIP 100274
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|861
|[AKS95] 69
|[AKS95] 69
|Inside the hull
|6.176
|-
|862
| -
|HIP 88604
|Inside the hull
|6.179
|-
|863
| -
|HIP 92131
|Inside the hull
|6.179
|-
|864
| -
|HIP 37269
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|865
| -
|HIP 66725
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|866
| -
|HIP 95492
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|867
| -
|HIP 92270
|Inside the hull
|6.181
|-
|868
| -
|HIP 25502
|Inside the hull
|6.182
|-
|869
| -
|HIP 6669
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|870
|48 LMi
|HIP 53355
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|871
| -
|HIP 23589
|Inside the hull
|6.188
|-
|872
| -
|HIP 26072
|Inside the hull
|6.189
|-
|873
| -
|HIP 11578
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|874
| -
|HIP 25730
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|875
| -
|HIP 105660
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|876
| -
|HIP 33595
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|877
|29 G. Peg
|HIP 109939
|Inside the hull
|6.192
|-
|878
| -
|HIP 87335
|Inside the hull
|6.193
|-
|879
|V624 Her
|HIP 86809
|Inside the hull
|6.194
|-
|880
| -
|HIP 106872
|Inside the hull
|6.197
|-
|881
| -
|HIP 21689
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|882
| -
|HIP 66690
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|883
| -
|HIP 71490
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|884
| -
|HIP 83565
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|885
|63 Her
|HIP 84054
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|886
|V822 Her
|HIP 92593
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|887
| -
|HIP 101213
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|888
| -
|HIP 70310
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|889
| -
|HIP 7874
|Inside the hull
|6.202
|-
|890
| -
|HIP 5034
|Inside the hull
|6.202
|-
|891
| -
|HIP 24977
|Inside the hull
|6.205
|-
|892
| -
|HIP 40058
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|893
| -
|HIP 92550
|Inside the hull
|6.209
|-
|894
|V731 Tau
|HIP 26964
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|895
| -
|HIP 37404
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|896
|82 Gem
|HIP 38106
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|897
| -
|HIP 39535
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|898
| -
|HIP 39607
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|899
| -
|HIP 100208
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|900
| -
|HIP 86732
|Inside the hull
|6.211
|-
|901
|97 Her
|HIP 88346
|Inside the hull
|6.211
|-
|902
| -
|HIP 93975
|Inside the hull
|6.211
|-
|903
| -
|HIP 9627
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|904
|118 G. Psc
|HIP 6868
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|905
| -
|HIP 76733
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|906
|τ 2 Serpentis
|HIP 76069
|Inside the hull
|6.216
|-
|907
|101 Psc
|HIP 7436
|Inside the hull
|6.219
|-
|908
|16 Gem
|HIP 30769
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|909
|* 54 Aur A
|HIP 31852
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|910
| -
|HIP 36340
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|911
|8 Com
|HIP 60087
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|912
| -
|HIP 77835
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|913
| -
|HIP 84599
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|914
| -
|HIP 90086
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|915
| -
|HIP 100018
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|916
| -
|HIP 106605
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|917
|11 Boo
|HIP 68478
|Inside the hull
|6.221
|-
|918
| -
|HIP 100807
|Inside the hull
|6.222
|-
|919
|27 Ari
|HIP 11698
|Inside the hull
|6.225
|-
|920
| -
|HIP 60018
|Inside the hull
|6.226
|-
|921
| -
|HIP 37636
|Inside the hull
|6.229
|-
|922
|113 Tau
|HIP 25410
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|923
|53 Cnc
|HIP 43575
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|924
|κ Herculis B
|HIP 79045
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|925
| -
|HIP 89684
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|926
|9 Sge
|HIP 97796
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|927
| -
|HIP 5679
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|928
| -
|HIP 30815
|Inside the hull
|6.233
|-
|929
| -
|HIP 1193
|Inside the hull
|6.234
|-
|930
|LU Del
|HIP 102158
|Inside the hull
|6.238
|-
|931
|61 Cnc
|HIP 44031
|Inside the hull
|6.239
|-
|932
| -
|HIP 4317
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|933
| -
|HIP 86925
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|934
| -
|HR 6980
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|935
| -
|HIP 99445
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|936
|42 Psc
|HIP 1772
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|937
| -
|HIP 75535
|Inside the hull
|6.241
|-
|938
|20 Gem
|HIP 31158
|Inside the hull
|6.242
|-
|939
|12 Cnc
|HIP 39874
|Inside the hull
|6.242
|-
|940
|22 Com
|HIP 61295
|Inside the hull
|6.243
|-
|941
|ψ Aquilae
|HIP 97139
|Inside the hull
|6.243
|-
|942
| -
|HIP 716
|Inside the hull
|6.246
|-
|943
| -
|HIP 26291
|Inside the hull
|6.247
|-
|944
|2 Sge
|HIP 95398
|Inside the hull
|6.247
|-
|945
|13 Leo
|HIP 47550
|Inside the hull
|6.249
|-
|946
|54 Ari
|HIP 14586
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|947
|9 Gem
|HIP 29840
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|948
|* 57 Cnc B
|HIP 43721
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|949
| -
|HIP 46938
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|950
| -
|HIP 76423
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|951
| -
|HIP 104771
|Inside the hull
|6.252
|-
|952
| -
|HIP 77995
|Inside the hull
|6.257
|-
|953
| -
|HR 2214
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|954
| -
|HIP 73464
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|955
| -
|HIP 90256
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|956
| -
|HIP 104281
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|957
| -
|HIP 106661
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|958
| -
|HIP 56242
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|959
| -
|HIP 52513
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|960
| -
|HIP 99479
|Inside the hull
|6.269
|-
|961
|108 Tau
|HIP 24512
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|962
| -
|HIP 32020
|Inside the hull
|6.272
|-
|963
| -
|HIP 61415
|Inside the hull
|6.276
|-
|964
| -
|HIP 1076
|Inside the hull
|6.277
|-
|965
|109 Psc
|HIP 8159
|Inside the hull
|6.279
|-
|966
|* 65 Psc B
|HIP 3885
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|967
|* 24 Tau
|HD 23629
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|968
| -
|HIP 30218
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|969
|32 Com
|HIP 62807
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|970
|7 Ser
|HIP 75230
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|971
| -
|HIP 77782
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|972
| -
|HIP 88217
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|973
| -
|HIP 62523
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|974
| -
|HIP 105344
|Inside the hull
|6.282
|-
|975
| -
|HIP 4520
|Inside the hull
|6.283
|-
|976
| -
|HIP 62825
|Inside the hull
|6.285
|-
|977
| -
|HIP 95487
|Inside the hull
|6.287
|-
|978
| -
|HIP 39180
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|979
|Meleph
|HIP 42556
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|980
| -
|HIP 64417
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|981
|57 Her
|HIP 82987
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|982
|V387 Vul
|HIP 93270
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|983
| -
|HIP 25806
|Inside the hull
|6.291
|-
|984
| -
|HIP 89677
|Inside the hull
|6.291
|-
|985
| -
|HIP 46232
|Inside the hull
|6.292
|-
|986
| -
|HIP 54688
|Inside the hull
|6.295
|-
|987
|ω 2 Cancri
|HIP 39263
|Inside the hull
|6.297
|-
|988
| -
|HIP 74505
|Inside the hull
|6.298
|-
|989
|BD+26 128
|BD+26 128
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|990
| -
|HIP 13448
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|991
|48 Tau
|HIP 19877
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|992
|M 15
|M 15
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|993
| -
|HIP 8086
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|994
| -
|HIP 91958
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|995
|84 Tau
|HIP 21082
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|996
|7 Leo
|HIP 47096
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|997
| -
|HIP 95664
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|998
|WZ Psc
|HIP 9809
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|999
|48 Cyg
|HIP 101765
|Inside the hull
|6.304
|-
|1000
| -
|HIP 18717
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|1001
| -
|HIP 91279
|Inside the hull
|6.307
|-
|1002
| -
|HIP 86506
|Inside the hull
|6.309
|-
|1003
| -
|HIP 39194
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|1004
|V451 Her
|HIP 83308
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|1005
| -
|HIP 93770
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|1006
| -
|HIP 106595
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|1007
| -
|HIP 2832
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|1008
| -
|HIP 96417
|Inside the hull
|6.319
|-
|1009
| -
|HIP 30019
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|1010
| -
|HIP 59941
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|1011
| -
|HIP 81425
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|1012
|46 Aql
|HIP 96931
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|1013
| -
|HIP 88862
|Inside the hull
|6.323
|-
|1014
| -
|HIP 22949
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|1015
| -
|HIP 83007
|Inside the hull
|6.326
|-
|1016
|7 Vul
|HIP 95818
|Inside the hull
|6.326
|-
|1017
| -
|HIP 22128
|Inside the hull
|6.329
|-
|1018
| -
|HIP 103891
|Inside the hull
|6.329
|-
|1019
| -
|HIP 2583
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|1020
| -
|HIP 24984
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|1021
| -
|HIP 42187
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|1022
| -
|HIP 87895
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|1023
| -
|HD 9496A
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|1024
|121 G. Psc
|HIP 7243
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|1025
| -
|HIP 86546
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|1026
| -
|HIP 29326
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|1027
|V831 Her
|HIP 88528
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|1028
| -
|HIP 28117
|Inside the hull
|6.336
|-
|1029
| -
|HIP 94290
|Inside the hull
|6.336
|-
|1030
|62 Tau
|HIP 20533
|Inside the hull
|6.337
|-
|1031
| -
|HIP 105689
|Inside the hull
|6.339
|-
|1032
|υ 2 Cancri
|HIP 41940
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|1033
|V644 Her
|HIP 82798
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|1034
| -
|HIP 84938
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|1035
|V1472 Aql
|HIP 98954
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|1036
| -
|HIP 1215
|Inside the hull
|6.342
|-
|1037
|V340 Sge
|HIP 96688
|Inside the hull
|6.344
|-
|1038
| -
|HIP 30501
|Inside the hull
|6.345
|-
|1039
|124 G. Psc
|HIP 7819
|Inside the hull
|6.345
|-
|1040
|DT Psc
|HIP 5772
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|1041
| -
|HIP 22850
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|1042
| -
|HIP 18201
|Inside the hull
|6.349
|-
|1043
| -
|HIP 21408
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|1044
| -
|HIP 26853
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|1045
| -
|HIP 30517
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|1046
| -
|HIP 100781
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|1047
|50 LMi
|HIP 53492
|Inside the hull
|6.354
|-
|1048
|141 Tau
|HIP 28561
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|1049
|V773 Her
|HIP 81337
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|1050
| -
|HIP 103079
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|1051
| -
|HIP 14232
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|1052
| -
|HIP 36325
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|1053
| -
|HIP 49445
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|1054
| -
|HIP 10446
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|1055
| -
|HIP 6025
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|1056
|54 Cnc
|HIP 43454
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|1057
| -
|HIP 75125
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|1058
| -
|HIP 82989
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|1059
| -
|HIP 101300
|Inside the hull
|6.362
|-
|1060
|V1343 Her
|HIP 90337
|Inside the hull
|6.364
|-
|1061
| -
|HIP 96428
|Inside the hull
|6.364
|-
|1062
|PS Vul
|HIP 97091
|Inside the hull
|6.364
|-
|1063
| -
|HIP 50904
|Inside the hull
|6.367
|-
|1064
| -
|HIP 14318
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1065
|UX Ari
|HIP 16042
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1066
|SZ Tau
|HIP 21517
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1067
| -
|HIP 29798
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1068
| -
|HIP 37165
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1069
| -
|HIP 61719
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1070
| -
|HIP 71406
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1071
| -
|HIP 108969
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1072
| -
|HIP 32539
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1073
| -
|HIP 60098
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|1074
| -
|HIP 86537
|Inside the hull
|6.374
|-
|1075
| -
|HIP 69592
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|1076
| -
|HIP 98701
|Inside the hull
|6.378
|-
|1077
| -
|HIP 82241
|Inside the hull
|6.379
|-
|1078
|46 Psc
|HIP 2213
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1079
|19 Gem
|HIP 31105
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1080
| -
|HIP 31850
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1081
|FZ Cnc
|HIP 44126
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1082
| -
|HR 4465
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1083
| -
|HIP 72846
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1084
| -
|HIP 102440
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|1085
| -
|HIP 75810
|Inside the hull
|6.382
|-
|1086
| -
|HIP 83365
|Inside the hull
|6.383
|-
|1087
| -
|HIP 68516
|Inside the hull
|6.384
|-
|1088
| -
|HIP 101966
|Inside the hull
|6.385
|-
|1089
|3 Com
|HIP 59352
|Inside the hull
|6.387
|-
|1090
| -
|HIP 35253
|Inside the hull
|6.389
|-
|1091
| -
|HIP 12744
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1092
| -
|HIP 29450
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1093
|39 Cnc
|HIP 42516
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1094
| -
|HIP 42549
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1095
|M 3
|M 3
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1096
| -
|HIP 77397
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1097
| -
|HIP 83493
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1098
| -
|HIP 85313
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1099
| -
|HIP 86130
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1100
| -
|HIP 10050
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1101
| -
|HIP 2734
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|1102
| -
|HIP 96856
|Inside the hull
|6.391
|-
|1103
| -
|HIP 26781
|Inside the hull
|6.392
|-
|1104
| -
|HIP 54319
|Inside the hull
|6.392
|-
|1105
| -
|HIP 95340
|Inside the hull
|6.393
|-
|1106
|40 Gem
|HIP 33650
|Inside the hull
|6.397
|-
|1107
| -
|HIP 84934
|Inside the hull
|6.397
|-
|1108
|36 Ari
|HIP 12784
|Inside the hull
|6.398
|-
|1109
| -
|HIP 14649
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1110
|NGC 1647
|NGC 1647
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1111
|X Cnc
|HIP 43811
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1112
|6 LMi
|HIP 46058
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1113
| -
|HIP 50516
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1114
| -
|HIP 71857
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1115
| -
|HIP 82516
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1116
| -
|HIP 91533
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1117
|V344 Sge
|HIP 99176
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|1118
| -
|HIP 106064
|Inside the hull
|6.401
|-
|1119
| -
|HIP 81231
|Inside the hull
|6.403
|-
|1120
| -
|HIP 30200
|Inside the hull
|6.404
|-
|1121
|V959 Her
|HIP 86153
|Inside the hull
|6.406
|-
|1122
|26 Vul
|HIP 101641
|Inside the hull
|6.406
|-
|1123
|OT Gem
|HIP 35933
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1124
| -
|HIP 40675
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1125
| -
|HR 5346
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1126
| -
|HIP 70385
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1127
| -
|HIP 85187
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|1128
| -
|HIP 14719
|Inside the hull
|6.412
|-
|1129
|ψ1 Cnc
|HIP 40007
|Inside the hull
|6.413
|-
|1130
| -
|HIP 91675
|Inside the hull
|6.416
|-
|1131
| -
|HIP 16924
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1132
| -
|HIP 34608
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1133
| -
|HIP 43427
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1134
| -
|HIP 87427
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1135
| -
|HIP 88429
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1136
| -
|HIP 98772
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1137
| -
|HIP 106306
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1138
| -
|HIP 107297
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1139
|CY Psc
|HIP 7505
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|1140
|Sterope II
|HIP 17588
|Inside the hull
|6.421
|-
|1141
| -
|HIP 24193
|Inside the hull
|6.423
|-
|1142
| -
|HIP 64779
|Inside the hull
|6.423
|-
|1143
|25 Gem
|HIP 32019
|Inside the hull
|6.427
|-
|1144
|34 Leo
|HIP 49929
|Inside the hull
|6.427
|-
|1145
| -
|HIP 26571
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1146
| -
|HIP 26616
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1147
| -
|HIP 62653
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1148
|V974 Her
|HIP 88172
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1149
| -
|HIP 96503
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1150
| -
|HIP 100876
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1151
| -
|HIP 62904
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1152
| -
|HIP 8210
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1153
|138 G. Psc
|HIP 9706
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|1154
| -
|HIP 2178
|Inside the hull
|6.432
|-
|1155
|FM Com
|HIP 60066
|Inside the hull
|6.433
|-
|1156
|Formosa
|HIP 56508
|Inside the hull
|6.438
|-
|1157
| -
|HIP 6714
|Inside the hull
|6.439
|-
|1158
|70 Tau
|HIP 20661
|Inside the hull
|6.439
|-
|1159
| -
|HIP 69585
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1160
| -
|HIP 83834
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1161
| -
|HIP 97150
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1162
| -
|HIP 102040
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1163
| -
|HIP 102993
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1164
|41 G. Peg
|HIP 113445
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1165
| -
|HIP 4382
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|1166
| -
|HIP 10795
|Inside the hull
|6.441
|-
|1167
| -
|HIP 35548
|Inside the hull
|6.442
|-
|1168
| -
|HIP 97572
|Inside the hull
|6.444
|-
|1169
| -
|HIP 100779
|Inside the hull
|6.444
|-
|1170
| -
|HIP 70051
|Inside the hull
|6.445
|-
|1171
| -
|HIP 41833
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1172
| -
|HIP 60210
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1173
| -
|HIP 64751
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1174
| -
|HIP 85826
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1175
| -
|HIP 93443
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|1176
| -
|HIP 106527
|Inside the hull
|6.451
|-
|1177
| -
|HIP 75919
|Inside the hull
|6.452
|-
|1178
| -
|HIP 59489
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|1179
| -
|HIP 94646
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|1180
| -
|HIP 4558
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1181
|22 Aur
|HIP 25192
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1182
|HN Leo
|HIP 48895
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1183
| -
|HIP 66594
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1184
| -
|HIP 76456
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1185
| -
|HIP 93374
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1186
|43 Psc
|HIP 1948
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|1187
|26 Tau
|HIP 17832
|Inside the hull
|6.464
|-
|1188
| -
|HIP 34367
|Inside the hull
|6.464
|-
|1189
| -
|HIP 39958
|Inside the hull
|6.465
|-
|1190
| -
|HIP 45272
|Inside the hull
|6.465
|-
|1191
|24 LMi
|HIP 50316
|Inside the hull
|6.465
|-
|1192
| -
|HIP 97573
|Inside the hull
|6.466
|-
|1193
|64 Leo
|HIP 54388
|Inside the hull
|6.468
|-
|1194
| -
|HIP 728
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1195
| -
|HIP 40342
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1196
| -
|HIP 47779
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1197
| -
|HIP 89683
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1198
| -
|HIP 101505
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1199
| -
|HIP 106550
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1200
| -
|HIP 108632
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|1201
| -
|HIP 27353
|Inside the hull
|6.473
|-
|1202
|30 Ari A
|HIP 12189
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1203
| -
|HIP 31650
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1204
| -
|HIP 85666
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1205
|V642 Her
|HIP 85934
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1206
| -
|HIP 90729
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|1207
| -
|HIP 82526
|Inside the hull
|6.488
|-
|1208
| -
|HIP 96601
|Inside the hull
|6.488
|-
|1209
| -
|HIP 66522
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|1210
| -
|HIP 17759
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1211
| -
|HR 1847
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1212
| -
|HIP 32431
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1213
| -
|HIP 48023
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1214
| -
|HIP 64449
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1215
| -
|HIP 76198
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|1216
| -
|HIP 21053
|Inside the hull
|6.491
|-
|1217
| -
|HIP 17026
|Inside the hull
|6.493
|-
|1218
|112 G. Psc
|HIP 5575
|Inside the hull
|6.493
|-
|1219
| -
|HIP 93175
|Inside the hull
|6.494
|-
|1220
| -
|HIP 98458
|Inside the hull
|6.494
|-
|1221
| -
|HIP 101768
|Inside the hull
|6.496
|-
|1222
| -
|HIP 90398
|Inside the hull
|6.498
|-
|1223
| -
|HIP 1057
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1224
| -
|HIP 15048
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1225
| -
|HIP 23949
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1226
| -
|HIP 34763
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1227
| -
|HIP 52484
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1228
| -
|HIP 76985
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1229
| -
|HR 6052
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1230
| -
|HIP 98377
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1231
| -
|HD 189754
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1232
| -
|HIP 3730
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1233
| -
|HIP 89408
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|1234
| -
|HIP 3236
|Inside the hull
|6.51
|-
|1235
| -
|HIP 36152
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|-
|1236
| -
|HIP 83435
|Inside the hull
|6.53
|-
|1237
|* 96 Psc
|HIP 6915
|Inside the hull
|6.54
|-
|1238
| -
|HIP 87834
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|-
|1239
| -
|HIP 13269
|Inside the hull
|6.63
|-
|1240
|* 104 Psc
|HIP 7710
|Inside the hull
|6.75
|-
|1241
| -
|HIP 30630
|Inside the hull
|6.78
|-
|1242
| -
|HIP 24252
|Inside the hull
|6.79
|-
|1243
| -
|HIP 7456
|Inside the hull
|7.51
|-
|1244
| -
|HIP 8327
|Inside the hull
|8.77
|}

==== Babylonian Predecessor ====
[[File:Sitz ea engl.jpg|thumb|The Mesopotamian constellation IKU, The Seat of Ea (MUL.APIN I i 40), drawn by SMH 2021.<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2021). Das babylonische Kompendium MUL.APIN: Messung von Zeit und Raum, in: Meller H., Reichenberger A. und Risch R. (Hrsg.), Zeit ist Macht: Wer macht Zeit? Time is power. Who makes Time? Tagungsband 13. Mitteldeutscher Archäologentag, in: Tagungen des Landesmuseums für Vorgeschichte, Bd. 24, Halle 251-275</ref>]]
The Babylonian constellation<ref name=":0" /> in this area of the sky was the quadrilateral (the one that is now called the 'autumn square' among amateur astronomers of Europe and North America). The Babylonian quadrilateral has the technical name [[IKU]] ("One Field"), an area measure for arable land similar to our hectare. It is also considered the seat of Ea, a god of wisdom and magic (he is depicted in the constellation [[Aquarius]], Mesopotamian [[GU.LA]], The Giant).

In this case, too, the Greek constellation, which dates back to archaic times, could go back to the Babylonian model: The Sumerian loanword ‘IKU’ sounds very similar (almost homophonous) to the word for horse in the Mycenaean dialect of Greek: ‘Iqo’.<ref name=":1">Aratus & Kidd, D. (1997), Aratus: Phaenomena, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (UK), page 258.</ref><ref>McHugh, J. (2016), `How Cuneiform Puns Inspired Some of the Bizarre Greek Constellations and Asterisms', Archaeoastronomy and Ancient Technologies 4/2, 69--100.</ref><ref>Kechagias, A.-E. and Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Intercultural Misunderstandings as possible source of ancient constellations. in: Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 205-235</ref> Coupled with the ambiguity of the obsolete Mesopotamian vocabulary, this could easily have led to a (deliberate or inadvertent) reinterpretation.

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
'''Medieval Latin manuscript below:'''

The oldest scientific manuscript in the National Library the volume contains various Latin texts on astronomy. The volume, written in Caroline minuscule, consists of two sections, the first (ff. 1-26) copied c. 1000, in the Limoges area of France, probably in the milieu of Adémar de Chabannes (989-1034), whilst the second (ff. 27-50), from a scriptorium in the same region, may be dated c. 1150.

'''al-Sufi's representation below:'''

The constellation Pegasus ("The Winged or Flying Horse") as depicted in the influential star atlas of the Persian astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (10th cent.). In this beautifully illustrated copy, made around 1435 for the Samarkand astronomer-ruler Ulugh Beg, the constellation is shown as depicted on a celestial globe (i.e. mirrored as seen in the night sky).The brighter stars are labelled in Arabic which accurately translate the Greek names listed in the star catalogue of Claudius Ptolemy's Almagest (2nd cent.). The four brightest stars, forming the easily recognisable "Square of Pegasus" visible in the autumn and the winter night skies, are labelled Matn al-Faras ("The Horse's Back" = Alpha Pegasi), Mankib al-Faras ("The Horse's Shoulder" = Beta Pegasi), Surrat al-Faras ("The Horse's Navel" = Alpha Andromedae) and Jinah al-Faras ("The Horse's Wing" = Gamma Pegasi). The modern constellation Pegasus also contains the star designated 51 Pegasi, which hosts the first exoplanet discovered (in 1995) around a solar-type star. As a result of the NameExoWorld contest organized by the IAU, the star is now named Helvetios (and the exoplanet, designated 51 Pegasi b, is named Dimidium). The compass directions are labelled in red, i.e. the top is west, bottom is east, left is south and right is north.Image details: BnF ms. Arabe 5036, fol. 93r.<gallery>
File:F20.r. Pegasus - NLW MS 735C.png|Pegasus in a Manuscript dated 1150 CE.
File:Constellation of Pegasus Wellcome L0030657.jpg|Detail; Constellation of Pegasus (horse) from Persian Manuscript 373
File:The constellation Pegasus (iau1603b).tif|The constellation Pegasus in a copy of al-Sufi (10th cent.), made around 1435 for the Samarkand astronomer-ruler Ulugh Beg. Image details: BnF ms. Arabe 5036, fol. 93r.
File:Pegasus Bayer1603.jpg|Pegasus in Bayer (1603).
File:Johannes Hevelius - Pegasus.jpg|Pegasus in Hevelius (1687)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - Pegase, Le Petit Cheval, Le Dauphin (Pegasus, Pisces and Equuleus).jpg|Pegasus in Flamsteed (1776)
File:Pegasus Goldbach1799 hi pegWhite.jpg|Pegasus in Goldbach (1799)
File:Pegasus Bode1805.jpg|Pegasus in the third edition of Bode's 1782 German atlas (1805).
</gallery>

==Mythology==
see Ian Ridpath, Star Tales ([http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/pegasus.html online edition])<ref>Ian Ridpath, Star Tales ([http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/pegasus.html online edition])</ref>

The myth of Hippe and Cheiron is reported for the horse without wings. The myth of Bellerophon applies to the horse with wings.

'''Cheiron's daughter Hippe''' was seduced and impregnated by Aiolos. At first she was able to hide this from her father, but when her belly grew too large, she fled to the mountains of Pelion, where she had been brought up. She was a very clever woman who had studied hunting and nature observation, so she was able to survive on her own. However, her father was looking for her. Normally she could hide from him, but when she was in labor and she noticed him nearby, she begged the gods for help. In her distress, she asked that her form would change. She was transformed into a horse. This is why her baby is also a horse.

'''The other legend''' tells of the winged horse Pegasos, a mythological creature that was created when Perseus defeated Medusa.

Bellerophon came from Corinth and was banished for a crime he had committed in self-defence or by mistake. He found shelter with a neighbouring king and established himself at his court. Due to slander, however, the king was forced to remove him from the world. As he considered him a friend, he sent him to his father-in-law in the neighbouring kingdom. The latter also fraternized with him and did not have the heart to harm him. He gave him the - supposedly deadly - task of killing the Chimaera, a fire-breathing hybrid of a lion and a goat with two heads. However, Bellerophon defeated the Chimaera because Pegasus helped him. Pegasus had either been tamed by Bellerophon, the horse stealer, or the gods had sent him directly to help him. Bellerophon rode the winged horse, which accompanied him for the rest of his life and returned to Olympus after his death.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017056 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Pegasus]
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017530 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Equus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Orion

2026-05-20T13:20:35Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ὡρίων */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Orion (ori).jpg|alt=star chart|thumb|Orion star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Ori-Zodiac-kgl smh2016 009.jpg|thumb|Orion as Roman warrior in a modern Zeiss Planetarium; his club is clearly at the ecliptic and his upper hand in the zodiac. ]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. Seven stars in Orion are extremely bright and form a very memorable figure. The three bright stars, which are arranged in a line, are particularly striking in the sky. In ancient times, people saw a male figure here. In ancient Mesopotamia, it was [[SIPA.ZI.AN.NA]], the giant male True Shepherd of Anu; the Greek name Orion likely derives from mul[[U5.RI2.IN|U5.RI2.IN]]. The earliest Greek notes on astronomy in Homer describe Orion with the epithet ''Γιγας / Gigas, ‘Giant’,'' and for the Arabs, it was a female giant figure [[Jawza|al-Jawza]].

The imposing man has extremely broad shoulders and a magnificently decorated belt – but his head is not so bright. It consists of a group of faint stars (around 4 mag), which Ptolemy describes in the Almagest as a nebulous star. Below Orion's belt lies a chain of faint stars that can be seen out of the corner of the eye as a silvery glow. For the Arabs, this was a string of pearls that men dangled from their belts as a status symbol: this is still evident in the name of the middle star in the belt, ‘Alnilam’, meaning string of pearls. The Greeks saw this as a metallic (very short) hunting knife, as recorded in the Almagest, for example. Later Arabic depictions, copies of the book by as-Sufi, show a long curved sabre that reaches to the middle of the right leg. This explains the name of this star: Saïph is the Arabic word for sword (i.e. a long knife). Nowadays, a kind of Roman warrior is often drawn here, wielding a sword instead of a club, with a metal-decorated sword hanger dangling from his belt.
[[File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|thumb|Orion-Group of constellations on the Kugel Globe, drawing and animated GIF by SMH 2025.]]

==Etymology and History==
<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In ancient times, Orion was depicted in a crouching position (see image on the Farnese Atlas globe). He is a hunter lurking in the bushes, depicted at the moment when he is raising his club to attack. While his right arm is stretched upwards with the club, he holds an animal skin with his left arm to protect himself from counterattack – very common among hunters at that time. Looking at the proximity of the defensive animal skin to the head of the constellation Taurus, it looks as if Orion is fighting the bull.

It has sometimes been suggested that the group of Orion and Taurus belonged together in the original Sumerian form, because the celestial bull was killed by Gilgamesh. According to this, Orion would originally have been Gilgamesh. Parts of the Gilgamesh epic are documented as far back as the 3rd millennium, and in the 2nd millennium the myth took on its canonical form. The suggestion that Orion and Taurus should be identified with the battle of Gilgamesh would imply that Gilgamesh's companion Enkidu should also be sought in the sky. The fact that he does not appear there could explain why there is only half a bull: It has been suggested that the battle between Gilgamesh and Enkidu with the bull was first depicted here, then Enkidu was transformed into the wage labourer and later into the ram. The figure of the shepherd was also changed in the 2nd millennium, because originally there was no constellation underneath it, so that its legs could be longer (see the constellations of the Hare and the Ram). Doubts arise about the suggestion of identifying Orion with Gilgamesh at all, because firstly, Gilgamesh's attribute animal is normally a lion, and secondly, the constellation was never called ‘Gilgamesh’, but True Shepherd of the Sky. The shepherd is associated with one of the divine messengers of the Babylonian pantheon.
[[File:Ori sw.png|thumb|Orion, the Hunter, Farnese Globe (2nd century CE)]]
While Orion crouches and raises his club, the shepherd stands calmly with his crook and tends his sheep. In Babylonian astronomy, sheep are a (originally metaphorical) term for the planets (UDU, the wild sheep). This fits with the position of Orion, whose club – or, in Babylonian terms, the head of the shepherd's crook – lies on the ecliptic. A shepherd's crook has a curve at the top so that sheep can be grabbed by the neck and pulled towards the shepherd, or rescued from inaccessible crevices.
[[File:Aratea fol. 58v.jpg|thumb|Orion and Lepus in Leiden Aratea, fol. 58 (thanks to Thuringian State Library).]]
The modern definition of the constellation boundaries places Orion's club half a degree south of the ecliptic, meaning that the Sun never appears in this constellation. However, this is still close enough to the ecliptic that the planets and the Moon sometimes appear there. So the shepherd of the heavens still occasionally catches a sheep and brings it back to the flock.

In Greek interpretation, the Babylonian shepherd of the heavens became a handsome hunter, and in Roman times the legend surrounding him was further embellished: Hyginus, Manilius and Germanicus Caesar in the 1st century praised him as one of the most beautiful constellations and also transferred this to the figure in the legend: Orion is said to have been one of the most beautiful men, with whom even goddesses fell in love – which, however, proved to be his undoing.

Aratos describes him as a hunter on Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea, while Eratosthenes and Hyginus locate his hunts in Crete. Both places still belong to Greece today.

===Origin of Constellation===

==== Babylonian ====
The True Shepherd of Anu, see

* [[SIPA.ZI.AN.NA|mulSIPA.ZI.AN.NA]] (𒉺𒇻𒍣𒀭𒈾)
* = ''šitadallu'' (''šidallu, šitaddaru''); Akkadian parallel
* abbreviation of mulSIPA.ZI.AN.NA "True Shepherd of Anu"
** múlSIPA.ZI;
** múlSIPA (𒋼𒉺𒇻)

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>[322] Aslant from the cut-off figure of the Bull lies Orion himself. Anyone whose glance misses him when he is positioned high up on a clear night may be sure he can never sight anything better to identify when he gazes up at the sky. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>Hesiod says that he was the son of Euryale, daughter of Minos, and Poseidon, and that he received the gift of walking on water as on land; he went to Chios where, after getting drunk, he raped Merope, daughter of Oinopion. </blockquote><blockquote>Oinopiôn learned of this and, enraged by this outrage, gouged out his eyes and banished him from his country. Orion arrived as a vagabond in Lemnos, where he came into contact with Hephaestus, who took pity on him and gave him Cedalion, his own servant, to guide him. Orion took him and put him on his shoulders so that he could show him the way. He went to the east, came into contact with Helios and, apparently, was healed. He then returned to Oinopion to take revenge on him, but the latter had been hidden underground by his compatriots. Despairing of finding him, Orion left for Crete and devoted himself to hunting, hunting in the company of Artemis and Leto and, apparently, he threatened to exterminate all the beasts that appeared on earth. Angry with him, Earth brought forth a gigantic scorpion that killed him by stinging him with its sting. This is why Zeus, considering his courage, placed him among the constellations at the request of Artemis and Leto, and also placed the scorpion there, so that the event would be remembered.</blockquote><blockquote>Others say that Orion, as an adult, fell in love with Artemis, and that it was she who conjured up the scorpion and sent it against him; he was stung by the scorpion and died. The gods, pitying his fate, placed him in the sky among the constellations, along with the animal, so that the event would be remembered. Orion has three bright stars on his head, one bright star on each shoulder, one dim star on his right elbow, one dim star on his hand, three stars on his belt, three dim stars on his dagger, one bright star on each knee, and one bright star on each foot. A total of seventeen.</blockquote>(Eratosthenes, edited and translated by Pamias, Geus and Zucker.)<ref>Ératosthènes de Cyrène: Catastérrismes, translated by Pamìas, Jordi und Zucker, Arnaud, Les Belles Lettres, Paris 2013</ref>
===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap I §9) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of Orion ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 27 1/2
|Cnc 3
|Aqr 9
|Psc 13
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the left hand (o1) .
|the one in the right foot (kappa).
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/6 hours = 130 min = 32 1/2 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §9) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 7
|Tau 30
|Leo 12
|Vir 13
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the left foot (beta)
|the northernmost of those in the club (chi1, chi2)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 hours = 120 min = 30°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|the one in the left hand
|omi Ori
|Lib II Cap I §9
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|the one in the right foot
|kap Ori
|Lib II Cap I §9
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|the one in the left foot
|beta Ori
|Lib III Cap II §9
|setting, west, first & rising of Boo
|
|-
|
|
|
|the northernmost of those in the club
|chi1, chi2
|Lib III Cap II §9
|
|
|-
|
|
|Die linke Schulter des Orion
|left shoulder of Orion
|gam Ori
|
|rising of Boo
|
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Hesiod calls him the son of Neptune by Euryale, daughter of Minos. He had the ability of running over the waves as if on land, just as it is said that Iphiclus could run over standing grain and not bruise it.

Aristomachus says that there lived a certain Hyrieus at Thebes — Pindar puts him on the island of Chios — who asked from Jove and Mercury when they visited him that he might have a child. To gain his request more readily he sacrificed an ox and put it before them for a feast. When he had done this, Jove and Mercury asked him to remove the hide from the ox; then they urinated in it, and bade him bury the hide in the ground. From this, later on, a child was born whom Hyrieus called Urion from the happening, though on account of his charm and affability he came to be called Orion.

He is said to have come from Thebes to Chios, and when his passions were excited by wine, he attacked Merope, the daughter of Oinopion. For this he was blinded by Oinopion and cast out of the island. But he came to Lemnos and Vulcan, and received from him a guide named Cedalion. Carrying him on his shoulders, he came to Sol, and when Sol healed him returned to Chios to take vengeance on Oinopion. The citizens however, guarded Oinopion underground. Despairing of finding Oinopion, Orion came to Crete, and there began to hunt with Diana. He made the boast to her we have mentioned before, and thus came to the stars. Some say that Orion lived with Oinopion in too close intimacy, and wanting to prove to him his zeal in hunting, boasted to Diana, too, what we spoke of above, and so was killed. Others, along with Callimachus, say that when he wished to offer violence to Diana, he was transfixed by her arrows and fashioned for the stars because of their similar zeal in hunting.

Istros, however, says that Diana loved Orion and came near marrying him. Apollo took this hard, and when scolding her brought no results, on seeing the head of Orion who was swimming a long way off, he wagered her that she couldn't hit with her arrows the black object in the sea. Since she wished to be called an expert in that skill, she shot an arrow and pierced the head of Orion. The waves brought his slain body to the shore, and Diana, grieving greatly that she had struck him, and mourning his death with many tears, put him among the constellations. But what Diana did after his death, we shall tell in the stories about her. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ὡρίων ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ὡρίωνος ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Orion
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ τοῦ δρίωνος νεφελοειδής
|The nebulous star in the head of Orion
|lam Ori
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὤμου λαμπρὸς ὑπόκιρρος
|The bright, reddish star on the right shoulder
|alf Ori
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὥμου
|The star on the left shoulder
|gam Ori
|-
|4
|ὁ ὑπὸ τοῦτου ἐπόμενος
|The one under this to the rear
|32 Ori
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star on the right elbow
|mu Ori
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ πήχεως
|The star on the right forearm
|74 Ori
|-
|7
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ἀκροχείρῳ τετραπλεύρου τῆς φοτίου :
πλευρᾶς ὁ ἐπόμενος καὶ διπλοῦς
|The quadrilateral in the right hand: the rear, double star on the southern side
|xi Ori
|-
|8
|ὁ προηγούμευος τῆς νοτίου πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the right hand: the advance star on the southern side
|nu Ori
|-
|9
|τῆς βορείου πλευρᾶς ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The quadrilateral in the right hand: the rear one on the northern side
|72 Ori
|-
|10
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῆς βορεύου πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the right hand: the advance one on the northern side
|69 Ori
|-
|11
|τῶν ἐν τῷ κολλορόβῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the staff
|chi1 Ori
|-
|12
|ὁ ἑπόμευος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|chii2 Ori
|-
|13
|τῶν κατὰ τοῦ ψώτου δ ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας ὁ ἐπόμεσος
|The rearmost of the 4 stars almost on a straight line just over the back
|ome Ori
|-
|14
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμεσος
|The one in advance of this
|38 Ori
|-
|15
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου προηγούμενος
|The one in advance again of this
|33 Ori
|-
|16
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ προηγούμενος τῶν δ
|The last and most advanced of the 4
|psi Ori
|-
|17
|τῶν ἐν τῇ δορᾷ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς χειρὸς ὁ βόρειος
|Stars in the pelt on the left arm: the northernmost
|15 Ori
|-
|18
|ὁ β’ ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτου
|the 2nd from the northernmost
|11 Ori
|-
|19
|ὁ γ’ ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτου
|the 3rd from the northernmost
|omi2 Ori
|-
|20
|ὁ δ’ ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτου
|the 4th from the northernmost
|pi1 Ori
|-
|21
|ὁ ε ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτοη
|the 5th from the northernmost
|pi2 Ori
|-
|22
|ὁ ς’ ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτου
|the 6th from the northernmost
|pi3 Ori
|-
|23
|ὁ ξ’ ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτου
|the 7th from the northernmost
|pi4 Ori
|-
|24
|ὁ ἡ ἀπὸ τοῦ βορειοτάτου
|the 8th from the northernmost
|pi5 Ori
|-
|25
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ νοτιώτατος τῶν ἐν τῇ δορᾷ
|the last and southernmost of those in the pelt
|pi6 Ori
|-
|26
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ζώνης ν’ ὁ προηφούμευος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars on the belt
|del Ori
|-
|27
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|eps Ori
|-
|28
|ὁ ἑπόμευος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|zet Ori
|-
|29
|ὁ πρὸς τῇ λαβῇ τῆς μαχαύρας
|The star near the handle of the dagger
|eta Ori
|-
|30
|τῶν ἐπ’ ἄκρα τῇ μαχαίρᾳ συυημμένων γ’ ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 stars joined together at the tip of the dagger
|42 + 45 Ori
|-
|31
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|tet1 + tet2 Ori
|-
|32
|ὁ φότιος τῶν τριῶν
|The southernmost of the three
|iot Ori
|-
|33
|ὁ τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ ἄκρου τῆς μαχαίρας β’ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 2 stars under the tip of the dagger
|49 Ori
|-
|34
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|ups Ori
|-
|35
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ἀκρόποδι λαμπρὸς κοινὸς Ὕδατος
|The bright star in the left foot, which is [applied in] common to the water [of Eridanus]
|bet Ori
|-
|36
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν ὑπὲρ τὸν ἀστράγαλον ἐν τῇ κυήμῃἡ
|The star to the north of it in the lower leg, over the ankle-joint
|tau Ori
|-
|37
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν ἀριστερὰν πτέρηα» ἐκτός
|The star under the left heel, outside
|29 Ori
|-
|38
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸ δεξιὸν καὶ ἐπόμενου γόνυ
|The star under the right, rear knee
|kap Ori
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λη, ὥν αἱ μεγέθους β, β’ δ, γ’ἡ, δ’ ἵε, εφ, ς ἓ, νεφελοειδής
|{38 stars, 2 of the first magnitude, 4 of the second, 8 of the third, 15 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth, 5 of the sixth, [1] nebulous}
|
|}
[[File:Orion Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Orion (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Rigel
|HIP 24436
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|0.13
|-
|2
|Betelgeuse
|HIP 27989
|Constellation lines
|0.42
|-
|3
|Bellatrix
|HIP 25336
|Constellation lines
|1.64
|-
|4
|Alnilam
|HIP 26311
|Constellation lines
|1.69
|-
|5
|Alnitak
|HIP 26727
|Constellation lines
|1.77
|-
|6
|Saiph
|HIP 27366
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.06
|-
|7
|Mintaka
|HIP 25930
|Constellation lines
|2.41
|-
|8
|NGC 1980
|NGC 1980
|Inside the hull
|2.5
|-
|9
|Hatysa
|HIP 26241
|Inside the hull
|2.77
|-
|10
|Cl Collinder 69
|Cl Collinder 69
|Inside the hull
|2.8
|-
|11
|Tabit
|HIP 22449
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.19
|-
|12
|η Orionis
|HIP 25281
|Inside the hull
|3.35
|-
|13
|τ Orionis
|HIP 24674
|Constellation lines
|3.59
|-
|14
|Meissa
|HIP 26207
|Constellation lines
|3.66
|-
|15
|π 4 Orionis
|HIP 22549
|Constellation lines
|3.68
|-
|16
|π 5 Orionis
|HIP 22797
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.73
|-
|17
|σ Orionis
|HIP 26549
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|18
|ο 2 Orionis
|HIP 22957
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.06
|-
|19
|ϕ 2 Orionis
|HIP 26366
|Constellation lines
|4.09
|-
|20
|29 Ori
|HIP 25247
|Inside the hull
|4.12
|-
|21
|32 Ori
|HIP 25813
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|22
|NGC 1981
|NGC 1981
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 28614A
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|24
|π 2 Orionis
|HIP 22509
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.35
|-
|25
|ν Orionis
|HIP 29038
|Constellation lines
|4.397
|-
|26
|χ 1 Orionis
|HIP 27913
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.4
|-
|27
|ϕ 1 Orionis
|HIP 26176
|Constellation lines
|4.41
|-
|28
|π 6 Orionis
|HIP 23123
|Constellation lines
|4.459
|-
|29
|ξ Orionis
|HIP 29426
|Constellation lines
|4.48
|-
|30
|ρ Orionis
|HIP 24331
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|31
|42 Ori
|HIP 26237
|Inside the hull
|4.59
|-
|32
|ω Orionis
|HIP 26594
|Inside the hull
|4.59
|-
|33
|ψ 2 Orionis
|HIP 25473
|Inside the hull
|4.611
|-
|34
|χ 2 Orionis
|HIP 28716
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.63
|-
|35
|υ Orionis
|HIP 25923
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|36
|π 1 Orionis
|HIP 22845
|Constellation lines
|4.648
|-
|37
|11 Ori
|HIP 23607
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.661
|-
|38
|μ Orionis
|HIP 28614
|Constellation lines
|4.71
|-
|39
|31 Ori
|HIP 25737
|Inside the hull
|4.71
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 26199
|Inside the hull
|4.72
|-
|41
|22 Ori
|HIP 25044
|Inside the hull
|4.74
|-
|42
|56 Ori
|HIP 27750
|Inside the hull
|4.75
|-
|43
|49 Ori
|HIP 26563
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|44
|15 Ori
|HIP 24010
|Constellation lines
|4.82
|-
|45
|126 Tau
|HIP 26777
|Inside the hull
|4.836
|-
|46
|134 Tau
|HIP 27511
|Inside the hull
|4.875
|-
|47
|51 Ori
|HIP 26885
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|48
|69 Ori
|HIP 29434
|Constellation lines
|4.92
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 26736
|Inside the hull
|4.95
|-
|50
|ψ 1 Orionis
|HIP 25302
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|51
|23 Ori
|HIP 25142
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|52
|27 Ori
|HIP 25282
|Inside the hull
|5.072
|-
|53
|68 Eri
|HIP 23941
|Inside the hull
|5.119
|-
|54
|θ 1 Orionis C
|HIP 26221
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|55
|64 Ori
|HIP 28691
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 24197
|Inside the hull
|5.163
|-
|57
|6 Ori
|HIP 22833
|Inside the hull
|5.184
|-
|58
|45 Ori
|HIP 26268
|Inside the hull
|5.234
|-
|59
|133 Tau
|HIP 27364
|Inside the hull
|5.29
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 22834
|Inside the hull
|5.324
|-
|61
|21 Ori
|HIP 24817
|Inside the hull
|5.325
|-
|62
|38 Ori
|HIP 26126
|Inside the hull
|5.326
|-
|63
|72 Ori
|HIP 29704
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.327
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 25980
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|65
|VV Ori
|HIP 26063
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|66
|U Ori
|HIP 28041
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|67
|16 Ori
|HIP 23983
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|68
|130 Tau
|HIP 27338
|Inside the hull
|5.455
|-
|69
|33 Ori
|HIP 25861
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 24450
|Inside the hull
|5.494
|-
|71
|* lam Ori B
|HR 1880
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|72
|18 Ori
|HIP 24555
|Inside the hull
|5.515
|-
|73
|116 Tau
|HIP 25555
|Inside the hull
|5.515
|-
|74
|135 Tau
|HIP 27581
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|75
|122 Tau
|HIP 26382
|Inside the hull
|5.525
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 26197
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|77
|137 Tau
|HIP 27743
|Inside the hull
|5.586
|-
|78
|35 Ori
|HIP 26093
|Inside the hull
|5.593
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 26215
|Constellation lines
|5.638
|-
|80
|[SC93] 64
|[SC93] 64
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 25028
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 25223
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|83
|* i Ori A
|HIP 23879
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|84
|131 Tau
|HIP 27316
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 25751
|Inside the hull
|5.745
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 26345
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|87
|117 Tau
|HIP 25583
|Inside the hull
|5.758
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 27280
|Inside the hull
|5.768
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 25708
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 25041
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 26487
|Constellation lines
|5.852
|-
|92
| -
|HR 2014
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 28139
|Inside the hull
|5.884
|-
|94
|59 Ori
|HIP 28271
|Inside the hull
|5.886
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 24203
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 28302
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 24162
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 24294
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|99
|57 Ori
|HIP 27965
|Inside the hull
|5.894
|-
|100
| -
|HIP 26108
|Inside the hull
|5.895
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 26386
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|102
|NGC 2169
|NGC 2169
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|103
| -
|HIP 23408
|Inside the hull
|5.908
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 27549
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 26762
|Inside the hull
|5.912
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 27253
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 25790
|Inside the hull
|5.934
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 27560
|Inside the hull
|5.936
|-
|109
|* 52 Ori A
|HIP 27386
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 26535
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 28110
|Inside the hull
|5.964
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 26926
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 27435
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|114
| -
|HR 2099
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 26624
|Inside the hull
|5.974
|-
|116
| -
|HIP 27939
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 27588
|Inside the hull
|5.976
|-
|118
| -
|HIP 27747
|Inside the hull
|5.985
|-
|119
|129 Tau
|HIP 27265
|Inside the hull
|5.994
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 26427
|Inside the hull
|6.024
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 23643
|Inside the hull
|6.031
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 29371
|Inside the hull
|6.036
|-
|123
| -
|HIP 28686
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|124
| -
|HIP 27118
|Inside the hull
|6.089
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 24349
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|126
| -
|HIP 25950
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|127
| -
|HIP 26414
|Inside the hull
|6.095
|-
|128
|110 Tau
|HIP 25216
|Inside the hull
|6.096
|-
|129
|W Ori
|HIP 23680
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|130
| -
|HIP 24041
|Inside the hull
|6.102
|-
|131
| -
|HIP 27900
|Inside the hull
|6.115
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 25378
|Inside the hull
|6.144
|-
|133
| -
|HR 1691
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|134
| -
|HIP 25187
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|135
| -
|HIP 24493
|Inside the hull
|6.154
|-
|136
| -
|HIP 25976
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 26477
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|138
| -
|HIP 25502
|Inside the hull
|6.182
|-
|139
|CK Ori
|HIP 25785
|Inside the hull
|6.202
|-
|140
| -
|HIP 28232
|Inside the hull
|6.202
|-
|141
| -
|HIP 25869
|Inside the hull
|6.208
|-
|142
| -
|HIP 26106
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|143
| -
|HIP 26713
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|144
|113 Tau
|HIP 25410
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|145
| -
|HIP 25401
|Inside the hull
|6.233
|-
|146
| -
|HIP 24130
|Inside the hull
|6.236
|-
|147
| -
|HIP 26149
|Inside the hull
|6.251
|-
|148
| -
|HIP 28614B
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|149
| -
|HIP 25288
|Inside the hull
|6.297
|-
|150
| -
|HIP 27902
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|151
| -
|HIP 27212
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|152
|V1197 Ori
|HIP 26953
|Inside the hull
|6.311
|-
|153
| -
|HIP 25786
|Inside the hull
|6.313
|-
|154
| -
|HIP 24377
|Inside the hull
|6.323
|-
|155
|V1649 Ori
|HIP 25205
|Inside the hull
|6.334
|-
|156
| -
|HIP 25638
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|157
| -
|HIP 24847
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|158
| -
|HIP 25505
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|159
| -
|HR 1891
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|160
| -
|HIP 25582
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|161
| -
|HIP 25667
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|162
| -
|HIP 26257
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|163
|θ 2 Orionis
|HIP 26235
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|164
| -
|HIP 25453
|Inside the hull
|6.399
|-
|165
| -
|HIP 24607
|Inside the hull
|6.408
|-
|166
|V1377 Ori
|HIP 26263
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|167
| -
|HIP 22938
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|168
| -
|HIP 24925
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|169
| -
|HIP 25368
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|170
| -
|HIP 24960
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|171
| -
|HIP 26104
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|172
| -
|HR 1898
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|173
| -
|HIP 26020
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|174
|* sig Ori E
|HR 1932
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|175
| -
|HIP 27116
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|176
| -
|HIP 22923
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|177
| -
|HR 1847
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|178
| -
|HIP 25732
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 26234
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Ori+cma+cmi kugel.jpg|Orion with two dogs on the Kugel Globe (drawing by SMH 2021)
File:Ori+lep+cmi mainz.jpg|Orion on the Mainz Globe with one dog (drawing by SMH 2021)
File:Ori sw.png|Orion on the Farnese Globe (drawing by SMH 2017)
File:Orion asSufi1170 Bodlein2x.jpg|Orion drawn in an early as-Sufi manuscript (1170). Kitāb Ṣuwar al-kawākib al-thābitah (Bodleian Library MS. Huntington 212, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford) Place of Origin: Mosul
File:Aratea fol. 58v.jpg|Orion and Lepus in Leiden Aratea, fol. 58 (thanks to Thuringian State Library).
File:Orion - Mercator.jpeg|Orion on the Mercator Globe (1551)
File:Orion constellation Hevelius.jpg|Orion in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - L'Eridan, Orion et Le Lievre (Eridanus Orion and Lepus).jpg|Orion in Flamsteed/Fortin (1776)
File:Johann Elert Bode - Orion und Haase.jpg|Orion in Bode (1782,1805)
File:Orion from Uranographia by Johann Elert Bode.jpg|Orion in Bode's Uranographia (1801)
</gallery>

==Mythology==

=== Greek<ref name=":0" /> ===
Eratosthenes recounts Hesiod's version as a legend about Orion: he was the son of Princess Euryale and Poseidon. As a demigod, he had been given the gift of walking both on land and on water. He was also a gifted hunter and roamed the lands (perhaps also poaching).

In Chios, he raped the princess in a drunken stupor, whereupon the king blinded him and chased him away. On his odyssey, Orion met Hephaistos, who took pity on him and gave him a slave to show him the way. From then on, Orion carried him on his shoulder, walking towards the sunrise until he met the sun god Helios and was healed.

Orion then went to Crete, where he took part in numerous hunts, which were also attended by the goddesses Artemis and Leto. The presence of Artemis, the goddess of hunting, indicates great success. The presence of Leto, the goddess of motherhood, could indicate that he became a father – so he seems to have led a successful life in Crete.

However, success seems to have gone to his head, as he then boasted that he could kill any animal that existed on earth. This angered the goddesses – depending on the legend, either Artemis or the goddess of the earth, Gaia. According to Hesiod, Gaia then sent a giant scorpion to kill Orion with its poisonous sting.

Because he did not let the setbacks get him down, Zeus placed Orion's image in the sky as a constellation. At the request of Artemis and Leto, the monster, the giant scorpion, was also placed in the sky – but on the opposite side of the sky, so that Orion and Scorpio are never above the horizon at the same time.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017082 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Orion]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Ophiuchus

2026-05-20T13:13:46Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ὀφιοῦχος. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Ophiuchus (oph).tiff|alt=star chart|thumb|Oph star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]; it is actually a [[:Category:Super-Constellation|super-constellation]] consisting of the IAU-constellations Ophiuchus and [[Serpens]]. For the Ancient Greeks, this heavy object was a rather stately snake wrapped around the figure's hips. With his left hand, he holds the snake's head and turns it away from him: the snake's tongue flickers toward the west, in the direction of Bootes.

The constellation Serpens is somewhat curious because it consists of two parts that are not connected to each other. Between the tail of the snake (Serpens Cauda) and the head of the snake (Serpens Caput) stands the snake bearer (Ophiuchus).

The snake's head is formed by a triangle of stars, making it look like an open mouth. Since snake venom can have healing properties in small doses and the snake bearer is associated with the god of medicine, in this image a doctor or pharmacist wrestles with the snake over whether the patient should live or die.

==Etymology and History==
The large double constellation of Ophiuchus and his snake lies in an area with relatively few bright stars directly above the bright Milky Way clouds at the center of the galaxy. The contrast makes this area appear quite sparse, and the few stars of second and third magnitude stand out clearly. It is easy to imagine them as the figure of a standing man, standing on the scorpion, as it were. The shoulders and head are marked by brighter stars, and south of both shoulders there is a pair of stars that can be imagined as hands. At the level of the hips or thighs, there are two more bright stars. Since the arms are stretched down relatively straight, he seems to be carrying something heavy.

'''Name Variants'''

* Serpentarius

===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>For the Greeks, this male figure was Asclepios (Roman: Aesculapius), whose staff is still an international symbol of pharmacists today. This deity is probably based on a real person – but who that person was is questionable. Several great physicians from Greek and Egyptian history come into question. Perhaps it also varied from region to region, but the archetype of the highly skilled physician (or pharmacist) is certainly worthy of deification.

For the Babylonians, there was also a male figure at this point in the sky, namely the god Zababa ([[ZA.BA4.BA4|dZA.BA4.BA4]]). It is the name of an ancient god of war. No images of him have survived (only kings of the same name, which can be used here as a substitute to create a visualization). As with Aesculapius, his symbol is a staff – but a staff with an eagle's head and without a snake: it is not a walking stick, but a standard. For the Babylonians, therefore, the eastern part of the snake, which we call Serpens Cauda, was probably the standard of the god Zababa. It is located directly next to the constellation [[Aquila]] (the Eagle) and is related to it in meaning: both the Greeks and the Babylonians saw an eagle here. Next to the Babylonian eagle is a corpse, which has also been the case in Greco-Roman constellation culture since Ptolemy. In MUL.APIN, these three constellations belong together: Zababa, the eagle, and the corpse. In classical Greek culture, there was no corpse, but Ptolemy reintroduced it for political reasons (see [[Aquila]], Eagle).

So here we see a reinterpretation from death to life: this male figure was first a god of war who produced corpses and later a god of medicine who could bring the newly deceased back to life. Both meanings of the figure were lost over the centuries in mathematical astronomy, and Kepler, who observed a supernova in this constellation in 1604, named the constellation purely descriptively Serpentarius: the man who holds the snake (Latin: Serpens). The standard name Ophiuchus, on the other hand, is the Latin form of “he who holds Ophis,” and Ophis (ὄφις) is the Greek word for snake. Here, the word was apparently interpreted as a proper name.

It is worth mentioning that this constellation is the legendary 13th sign of the zodiac, because the sun is only in the figure of the scorpion for about a week and then in the serpent bearer for about three weeks. It may therefore come as a surprise that in Roman times, the figure of Libra was squeezed back into the zodiac instead of leaving the giant scorpion: Instead of [[Virgo]] – [[Libra]] – [[Scorpius]] – [[Sagittarius]], the order of the constellations [[Virgo]] – [[Scorpius]] – Ophiuchus – [[Sagittarius]] would have made more astronomical sense for the zodiac signs. Manilius suggests that the mnemonic device of Libra as a symbol of the balance between day and night is responsible for this convention.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[ZA.BA4.BA4|dZA.BA4.BA4]]
* [[AD6|AD6]]
* TE8[[TE8.mušen|mušen]] / [[TE8.mušen|A2mušen]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
The Crown is close to his back, but beside the top of his head observe the head of Ophiuchus, and from that you can identify the whole of Ophiuchus as clearly visible, [77] so bright are the brilliant shoulders that appear lying below his head: even in the light of the full moon these can be visible. But his hands are not equally bright; [80] for faint is the light that runs along this side and that; nevertheless even these are visible, for they are not dim. Both hands struggle to hold the Serpent that writhes round Ophiuchus’ waist. He constantly, with a good firm stance, tramples with both his feet the great monster [85] Scorpion, standing upright on its eye and its breast. But the Serpent writhes in his two hands, a short section in his right, while large and high it rises in the left.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1:''' This is the figure standing on Scorpius, with the snake in his hands. It is said that this is Asclepius, and that Zeus raised him among the constellations to please Apollo. Asclepius practised the medical art so well that he even brought the dead back to life, and the last person he resuscitated was Hippolytus [the son of Theseus]. As the gods were worried that the prodigies performed by Asclepius might lead to an end to the honours paid to them by men, it is said that Zeus, in a fit of anger, brought Asclepius back to life. Zeus, in anger, is said to have hurled his thunderbolt against the home of Asclepius; later, out of respect for Apollo, he raised Asclepius among the constellations. He is easily identified by his position, above the largest of the constellations, Scorpius, and his image is easily recognisable. The Snake Bearerhas a shining star on its head, one on each shoulder, three on the left arm, four on the right arm, one on each hip, one on each knee, one on the right calf and one on each foot, the brightest being the one on the right foot. Seventeen in all. The Snake has two stars on the tip of its head... </blockquote><blockquote>'''Var. 2:''' This is the figure standing on the Scorpion with a snake in his hands. Some astronomers claim that this is Asclepius and that Zeus, because he had struck him with lightning, decided to grant him this honour to please Apollo (because in the midst of men he used his medical knowledge to bring the dead back to life). Zeus, therefore, was angry and hurled his thunderbolt against his home; but, out of respect for Apollo, he raised Asclepius among the constellations. The Serpentarian has a shining star on his head, a shining one on each shoulder, three on the left arm, four on the right arm four on the right arm, one on each hip, one on each knee, one on the right calf, one on each foot. In all seventeen. (Pamias and Zucker 2013)</blockquote>
===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Lib 29
|Sco 23
|Leo 3
|Vir 3
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|those in the left hand which also lay in the snake
|of the four in the right foot the second from the west
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 127.5 min = 31 7/8 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 11
|Cap 2
|Cap 25
|Psc 10 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the left one in the foot
|the one in the head
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Ophiuchus, who, by our writers, is called the Serpent-holder, is stationed above Scorpio, and holds in his hands a serpent which coils about his body.

Many have called him Carnabon, king of the Getae, who lived in Thrace. He came into power at the time when it is thought grain was first given to mortals. For when Ceres was distributing her bounties to men, she bade Triptolemus, whose nurse she had been, go around to all the nations and distribute grain, so that tCarnahey and their descendants might more easily rise above primitive ways of living. He went in a dragon car, and is said to have been the first to use one wheel, so as not to be delayed in his journey. When he came to the king of the Getae, whom we mentioned above, he was at first hospitably received. Later, not as a beneficent and innocent visitor, but as a most cruel foe, he was seized by treachery, and he who was ready to prolong the lives of others, almost lost his own life. For at the order of Carnabon one dragon was killed, so that Triptolemus might not hope his dragon car could save him when he realized an ambush was being prepared. But Ceres is said to have come there, and restored the stolen chariot to the youth, substituting another dragon, and punishing the king with no slight punishment for his malevolent attempt. For Hegesianax says that Ceres, for men's remembrance, pictures Carnabon among the stars, holding a dragon in his hands as if to kill it. He lived so painfully that he brought on himself a most welcome death.

Others point out that he is Hercules, killing in Lydia near the river Sagaris a snake which kept destroying many men and stripping the river banks of grain. In return for this deed, Omphale, the queen of that region, sent him back to Argos loaded with gifts, and because of his bravery he was placed by Jove among the constellations.

Some, too, have said that he is Triopas, king of the Thessalians, who, in trying to roof his own house, tore down the temple of Ceres, built by the men of old. When hunger was brought on him by Ceres for this deed, he could never afterward be satisfied by any amount of food. Last of all, toward the end of his life, when a snake was sent to plague him, he suffered many ills, and at last winning death, was put among the stars by the will of Ceres. And so the snake, coiling round him, still seems to inflict deserved and everlasting punishment.

Polyzelus the Rhodian, however, points out that this is Phorbas, who was of great assistance to the Rhodians. The citizens called their island, overrun by a great number of snakes, Ophiussa. In this multitude of beasts was a snake of immense size, which had killed many of them; and when the deserted land began finally to lack men, Phorbas, son of Triopas by Hiscilla, Myrmidon's daughter, when carried there by a storm, killed all the beasts, as well as that huge snake. Since he was especially favored by Apollo, he was put among the constellations, shown killing the snake for the sake of praise and commemoration. And so the Rhodians, as often as they go with their fleet rather far from their shores, make offerings first for the coming of Phorbas, that such a happening of unexpected valor should befall the citizens as the opportunity for glory which brought Phorbas, unconscious of future praise, to the stars.

Many astronomers have imagined that he is Aesculapius, whom Jupiter, for the sake of Apollo, put among the stars. For when Aesculapius was among men, he so fare excelled the rest in the art of medicine that it wasn't enough for him to have healed men's diseases unless he could also bring back the dead to life. He is said most recently, according to Eratosthenes to have restored to life Hippolytus who had been killed by the injustice of his stepmother and the ignorance of his father. Some have said that by his skill Glaucus, son of Minos, lived again. Because of this, as for a sin, Jove struck and burned his house with a thunderbolt, but because of his skill, and since Apollo was his father, put him among the constellations holding a snake.

Certain people have said that he holds the snake for the following reason. When he was commanded to restore Glaucus, and was confined in a secret prison, while meditating what he should do, staff in hand, a snake is said to have crept on to his staff. Distracted in mind, Aesculapius killed it, striking it again and again with his staff as it tried to flee. Later, it is said, another snake came there, bringing an herb in its mouth, and placed it on its head. When it had done this, both fled from the place. Where upon Aesculapius, using the same herb, brought Glaucus, too, back to life.

And so the snake is put in the guardianship of Aesculapius and among the stars as well. Following his example, his descendants passed the knowledge on to others, so that doctors make use of snakes. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ὀφιοῦχος. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ὀφιούχου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Ophiuchus
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς
|The star on the head
|alf Oph
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὅμου β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars on the right shoulder
|bet Oph
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|gam Oph
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὤμου β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars on the left shoulder
|iot Oph
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|kap Oph
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star on the left elbow
|lam Oph
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ἀκροχείρῳ ῇ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the left hand
|del Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|eps Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star on the right elbow
|mu Oph
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ἀκροχείρῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the right hand
|nu Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|tau Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος
|The star on the right knee
|eta Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς κυήμης
|The star on the right lower leg
|xi Oph
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδὸς ὁ ὁ προηγούμευος
|The most advanced of the 4 stars on the right foot
|36 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμευος.
|The one to the rear of this
|tet Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἐπόμενος
|The one to the rear again of that
|44 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ λοιπὸς τῶν ὁ καὶ ἑπόμενος
|The last and rearmost of the 4
|51 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμενος καὶ ἀπτόμενος τῆς πτέρνης
|The star to the rear of these, which touches the heel
|51 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ γόρατι
|The star in the left knee
|zet Oph
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ κυήμῃ ἢ’ ἐπ’ εὐθείας ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 stars in a straight line in the left lower leg
|phi Oph
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|chi Oph
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος τῶν τριῶν
|The southernmost of the three
|psi Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς πτέρρης
|The star on the left heel
|ome Oph
|-
|
|ὁ τοῦ κοίλου τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ποδὸς ἀπτόμενος
|The star touching the hollow of the left foot
|rho Oph
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κῦ, ὥν ν’ μεγέθουςε, δ’ ῃ, ε ς
|{24 stars, 5 of the third magnitude, 13 of the fourth, 6 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Ὀφιοῦχου ἀμόρφωτοι
!Stars around Ophiuchus outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|τῶν ἀπ’ ἀνατολῆς τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὅμου ἡ’ ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 to the east of the right shoulder
|66 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|67 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ πότιος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|68 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τοῦς γ’ ὡς ὑπὲρ τὸν μέσου.
|The star to the rear of these 3, approximately over the middle one
|70 Oph
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ὃ βορειότερος μουαχός
|The lone star north of [these] 4
|72 Oph
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἐ μεγέθους δ
|5 stars of the fourth magnitude
|
|}
[[File:Ophiuchos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Ophiuchos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Rasalhague
|HIP 86032
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.07
|-
|2
|Sabik
|HIP 84012
|Constellation lines
|2.42
|-
|3
|ζ Ophiuchi
|HIP 81377
|Constellation lines
|2.56
|-
|4
|Cebalrai
|HIP 86742
|Constellation lines
|2.75
|-
|5
|Yed Prior
|HIP 79593
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.75
|-
|6
|κ Ophiuchi
|HIP 83000
|Constellation lines
|3.2
|-
|7
|Yed Posterior
|HIP 79882
|Constellation lines
|3.23
|-
|8
|θ Ophiuchi
|HIP 84970
|Constellation lines
|3.26
|-
|9
|ν Ophiuchi
|HIP 88048
|Constellation lines
|3.34
|-
|10
|ξ Serpentis
|HIP 86263
|Inside the hull
|3.519
|-
|11
|Bake-eo (or Bake Eo)
|HIP 87108
|Constellation lines
|3.75
|-
|12
|Marfik
|HIP 80883
|Constellation lines
|3.9
|-
|13
|44 Oph
|HIP 85340
|Constellation lines
|4.153
|-
|14
|ο Serpentis
|HIP 86565
|Inside the hull
|4.228
|-
|15
|ϕ Ophiuchi
|HIP 80894
|Constellation lines
|4.27
|-
|16
|σ Ophiuchi
|HIP 85355
|Inside the hull
|4.31
|-
|17
|ν Serpentis
|HIP 84880
|Inside the hull
|4.324
|-
|18
|ι Ophiuchi
|HIP 82673
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.38
|-
|19
|ξ Ophiuchi
|HIP 84893
|Constellation lines
|4.387
|-
|20
|χ Ophiuchi
|HIP 80569
|Constellation lines
|4.43
|-
|21
|ω Ophiuchi
|HIP 80975
|Constellation lines
|4.45
|-
|22
|ψ Ophiuchi
|HIP 80343
|Constellation lines
|4.5
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 85365
|Constellation lines
|4.54
|-
|24
|μ Ophiuchi
|HIP 86284
|Inside the hull
|4.62
|-
|25
|ρ Ophiuchi
|HIP 80473
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.63
|-
|26
|υ Ophiuchi
|HIP 80628
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|27
|20 Oph
|HIP 82369
|Inside the hull
|4.632
|-
|28
|τ 1 Ophiuchi
|HIP 88404
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.79
|-
|29
|* 41 Oph A
|HIP 84514
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|30
|51 Oph
|HIP 85755
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.81
|-
|31
|30 Oph
|HIP 83262
|Inside the hull
|4.812
|-
|32
|24 Sco
|HIP 81724
|Inside the hull
|4.923
|-
|33
|M 10
|M 10
|Inside the hull
|4.98
|-
|34
|66 Her
|HIP 84671
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|35
|Guniibuu
|HIP 84405
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.08
|-
|36
|ο 1 Ophiuchi
|HIP 84626
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|37
|17 G. Oph
|HIP 80620
|Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|38
|23 Oph
|HIP 82730
|Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|39
|45 Her
|HIP 82216
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|40
|37 Oph
|HIP 84177
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|41
|21 G. Oph
|HIP 80693
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|42
|146 G. Oph
|HIP 85537
|Inside the hull
|5.412
|-
|43
|88 G. Oph
|HIP 83962
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|44
|183 G. Oph
|HIP 87847
|Inside the hull
|5.439
|-
|45
|47 Her
|HIP 82402
|Inside the hull
|5.469
|-
|46
|21 Oph
|HIP 82480
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|47
|6 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 86019
|Inside the hull
|5.535
|-
|48
|40 G. Oph
|HIP 81754
|Inside the hull
|5.559
|-
|49
|152 G. Oph
|HIP 85749
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|50
|153 G. Oph
|HIP 85922
|Inside the hull
|5.607
|-
|51
|82 G. Oph
|HIP 83635
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|52
|22 G. Oph
|HIP 80793
|Inside the hull
|5.665
|-
|53
|14 Oph
|HIP 81734
|Inside the hull
|5.724
|-
|54
|10 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 86313
|Inside the hull
|5.727
|-
|55
|M 14
|M 14
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|56
|26 Oph
|HIP 83196
|Inside the hull
|5.731
|-
|57
|BD+02 4211
|BD+02 4211
|Inside the hull
|5.755
|-
|58
|37 Her
|HIP 81641
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|59
|134 G. Oph
|HIP 85139
|Inside the hull
|5.763
|-
|60
|12 Oph
|HIP 81300
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|61
|53 Oph
|HIP 85998
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|62
|132 G. Oph
|HIP 85207
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|63
|54 G. Oph
|HIP 82621
|Inside the hull
|5.857
|-
|64
|66 G. Oph
|HIP 83176
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|65
|U Oph
|HIP 84500
|Inside the hull
|5.921
|-
|66
|13 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 87074
|Inside the hull
|5.923
|-
|67
|9 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 86266
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|68
|164 G. Oph
|HIP 86575
|Inside the hull
|5.952
|-
|69
|85 G. Oph
|HIP 83854
|Inside the hull
|5.977
|-
|70
| -
|HR 6516
|Inside the hull
|5.981
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 83601
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|72
|105 G. Oph
|HIP 84402
|Inside the hull
|6.004
|-
|73
|16 Oph
|HIP 82037
|Inside the hull
|6.018
|-
|74
|46 G. Oph
|HIP 82259
|Inside the hull
|6.028
|-
|75
|142 G. Oph
|HIP 85333
|Constellation lines
|6.04
|-
|76
|M 12
|M 12
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|77
|19 Oph
|HIP 82162
|Inside the hull
|6.077
|-
|78
|109 G. Oph
|HIP 84524
|Inside the hull
|6.084
|-
|79
|Gliese 678
|HIP 85667
|Inside the hull
|6.089
|-
|80
|30 G. Oph
|HIP 81440
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|81
|Cl Collinder 350
|Cl Collinder 350
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|82
|63 G. Oph
|HIP 82979
|Inside the hull
|6.159
|-
|83
|* 24 Oph A
|HIP 82925
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|84
|8 G. Oph
|HIP 79781
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|85
|162 G. Oph
|HIP 86476
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|86
|33 Sco
|HIP 85242
|Inside the hull
|6.171
|-
|87
|14 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 87540
|Inside the hull
|6.176
|-
|88
|V2368 Oph
|HIP 84479
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|89
|61 Oph
|HIP 86831
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|90
|V1010 Oph
|HIP 82339
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|91
|47 Oph
|HIP 85397
|Inside the hull
|6.206
|-
|92
|Y Oph
|HIP 87495
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 83853
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|94
|V2542 Oph
|HIP 82693
|Constellation lines
|6.24
|-
|95
|10 G. Oph
|HIP 80227
|Inside the hull
|6.241
|-
|96
|34 G. Oph
|HIP 81632
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|97
|159 G. Oph
|HIP 86391
|Inside the hull
|6.253
|-
|98
|41 G. Oph
|HIP 81687
|Inside the hull
|6.259
|-
|99
|131 G. Oph
|HIP 85042
|Inside the hull
|6.278
|-
|100
|28 Sco
|HIP 83684
|Inside the hull
|6.282
|-
|101
|29 Oph
|HIP 83331
|Inside the hull
|6.293
|-
|102
|77 G. Oph
|HIP 83567
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|103
|51 G. Oph
|HIP 82405
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|104
| -
|HR 6367
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|105
|122 G. Oph
|HIP 84801
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|106
|167 G. Oph
|HIP 86768
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|107
|33 G. Oph
|HIP 81580
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|108
|176 G. Oph
|HIP 87428
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|109
|97 G. Oph
|HIP 84113
|Inside the hull
|6.333
|-
|110
|133 G. Oph
|HIP 85195
|Inside the hull
|6.334
|-
|111
|60 G. Oph
|HIP 82861
|Inside the hull
|6.336
|-
|112
| -
|HR 6435
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|113
|84 G. Oph
|HIP 83738
|Inside the hull
|6.351
|-
|114
|87 G. Oph
|HIP 83906
|Inside the hull
|6.356
|-
|115
|32 Sco
|HIP 84947
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|116
|12 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 86769
|Inside the hull
|6.363
|-
|117
|144 G. Oph
|HIP 85474
|Inside the hull
|6.372
|-
|118
|83 G. Oph
|HIP 83677
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 83688
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|120
|72 G. Oph
|HIP 83342
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|121
|42 G. Oph
|HIP 81691
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|122
|115 G. Oph
|HIP 84649
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|123
|138 G. Oph
|HIP 85307
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|124
| -
|HIP 80708
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|125
|31 G. Oph
|HIP 81499
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|126
| -
|HIP 85826
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|127
|174 G. Oph
|HIP 87224
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|128
|2 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 84883
|Inside the hull
|6.454
|-
|129
| -
|HR 6512
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|130
|23 G. Oph
|HIP 80840
|Inside the hull
|6.461
|-
|131
|64 G. Oph
|HIP 83090
|Inside the hull
|6.466
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 85622
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|133
|4 G. Ser Cau
|HIP 85405
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|134
| -
|HIP 85666
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|135
|V2114 Oph
|HIP 85450
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|136
|38 G. Oph
|HIP 81663
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 84147
|Inside the hull
|6.499
|-
|138
| -
|HIP 81991
|Inside the hull
|6.56
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==

=== Greek ===
Asclepius was a great master of the art of healing. He was raised and taught by the wise centaur Chiron, the wisest of all doctors and the only good-natured one among the centaurs. Asclepius' father was the god Apollo. His mother was, depending on the version of the legend, either the Thessalian princess Coronis or the Egyptian queen Arsinoë.

He mastered the medical arts so well that he could bring the dead back to life. Hippolytus, son of King Theseus, fell victim to a plot of jealousy, which made his father terribly angry with him and caused him to persecute him. He worshipped the virgin goddess Artemis and wanted to spend his life in the same way.

This antagonized Aphrodite, goddess of erotic love, who instigated a plot by his stepmother. He was forced to flee. As he was driving his chariot along the beach, the waves rose to unprecedented heights, the horses became skittish and bolted, the chariot was thrown against an olive tree, and Hippolytus was killed.

Artemis then asked Asclepius to bring him back to life, cleared up the intrigue, and ensured reconciliation between father and son.

With this resurrection, however, Asclepius, a mortal physician and demigod, encroached on the privileges of the gods, who resented him for it. Zeus hurled a thunderbolt at Asclepius' house or at Asclepius himself. Apollo and Artemis, however, interceded on his behalf. Zeus then placed him in the heavens, making him immortal.

This short version of the story by Eratosthenes is supplemented with more details by other authors. According to them, a snake approached while Asclepius was looking at Hippolytus' body, and Asclepius killed it with his staff. Then a second snake came along with a herb in its mouth, laid it on the first snake, and it came back to life. Asclepius recognized the effect of the magical herb and laid it on Hippolytus. This is supposedly the reason why Asclepius is depicted with a snake.

Some Roman authors also interpret the constellation Auriga, the charioteer, as the death of Hippolytus. However, the Greeks saw it differently. In particular, the librarian and prince's tutor Eratosthenes tells a different story about Auriga.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017051 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Serpentarius]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Super-Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Lyra

2026-05-20T13:10:33Z

IanRidpath: /* Geminos */ Another typo

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Lyra IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Lyra star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
Lyra, The Lyre, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].
[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG|thumb|Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]

==Etymology and History==
'''Note:'''<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> In some languages, the translation may be ambiguous but it is by no means a barrel organ. The lyre is a musical instrument used in Greek folk music, surrounded by an opulent mythology. According to legend, Hermes invented the instrument when he strung a turtle shell with strings. In original Greek depictions, the sound box of the heavenly lyre therefore has the shape of a turtle – e.g. on the globe of the Farnese Atlas.

===Origin of Constellation===
The myths surrounding the lyre contain numerous topoi from Greek culture:<ref name=":0" /> Hermes is the son of one of the [[Pleiades|Pleiade]]<nowiki/>s, the seven daughters of Atlas. That is why his lyre has seven strings. Orpheus is the son of one of the nine Muses, which is why his lyre has nine strings. This alludes to a piece of music history, as the number of strings developed from three to as many as 18.

Orpheus' journey with his lyre into the underworld is topical for the characteristic of music to overcome the limits of mortality and attain immortality.

The name of the brightest star, [[Vega]], is of Arabic origin. It comes from ''an-naṣr al-waqi,'' the Arabic expression for a ‘diving eagle’ on the hunt. This is a constellation that is probably of Arabic origin and differs from the Greek eagle. Knowledge of this origin of the star's name has been passed down to this day, which is why modern star charts sometimes depict an eagle holding a lyre in its beak. This representation has a heraldic effect. Joh. E. Bode also depicts the constellation in this way in his trilingual ''Uranographia'' (1801), but then writes in German ‘der Geyer mit der Leyer’ (the eagle with the lyre) or in Latin: Vulture et Lyra. It is quite possible that he renamed the constellation because of the amusing rhyme.

However, depictions of the Greek instrument vary greatly: sometimes the foot is at the top, sometimes at the bottom. In the drawings from Bode's two star charts – the ''Anleitung zur Kenntniß des gestirnten Himmels'' (Guide to the Knowledge of the Starry Sky) from 1782 and the ''Uranographia'' from 1801 – we find both variants even from the same author.

==== Babylonian ====
The constellation has no precursors in Babylon.<ref name=":0" /> In Mesopotamia, the constellation of the Sumerian deity [[Gula]] was located at this point in the sky. She is one of the most important goddesses because, among other things, she is responsible for medicine. Since the 3rd millennium, depictions of Gula have been handed down in the form of reliefs and statues: she is often seated on a throne (or symbolically on a temple building). She is usually accompanied by her attribute animal, the dog, which occupies parts of the neighbouring constellation Hercules.

The star Vega is called ‘goat star’ in Babylonian and is of great importance in the cult of medicine. Recipes for medicines often state that a mixture should be irradiated by the goat star before being administered to the patient, i.e. it should be placed outside at night.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>The Tortoise too is small; when Hermes was actually still in his cradle, he hollowed out the shell and bade it be called a Lyre. [270] He set it down in front of the unknown figure, when he had brought it to the sky. The figure, as he crouches, comes near it with his left knee, while the Bird’s head at one extremity circles opposite it: the Lyre is set fast between the Bird’s head and the knee. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Ovid, Fasti =====
<blockquote>[1, 315] Should the Nones be at hand, showers discharged from sable clouds will be your sign, at the rising of the Lyre.

[1, 653] When the seventh sun, reckoned from that day, shall have set in the sea, the Lyre will shine no longer anywhere in the sky.

[1, 655] After the setting of that constellation (the Lyre), the fire that glitters in the middle of the Lion’s breast will be sunk below the horizon at nightfall. (James George Frazer 1931)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 8 1/2
|Sco 18
|Leo 12 1/2
|Leo 26
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one north of the bright one (eps)
|the eastern one of the three on the jetty
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4/5 hours = 48 min = 12 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 4
|Aqr 12
|Ari 12 1/2
|Tau 3
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one of the two bright on the jetty (beta)
|the one north of the bright one (eps)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2/3 hours = 40 min = 10°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The Lyre was put among the constellations for the following reason, as Eratosthenes says. Made at first by Mercury from a tortoise shell, it was given to Orpheus, son of Calliope and Oiagrus, who was passionately devoted to music. It is thought that by his skill he could charm even wild beasts to listen. When, grieving for his wife Eurydice, he descended to the Lower World, he praised the children of the gods in his song, all except Father Liber; him he overlooked and forgot, as Oineus did Diana in sacrifice. Afterwards, then, when Orpheus was taking delight in song, seated, as many say, on Mt. Olympus, which separates Macedonia from Thrace, or on Pangaion, as Eratosthenes says, Liber is said to have roused the Bacchanals against him. They slew him and dismembered his body. But others say that this happened because he had looked on the rites of Liber. The Muses gathered the scattered limbs and gave them burial, and as the greatest favour they could confer, they put as a memorial his lyre, pictured with stars, among the constellations. Apollo and Jove consented, for Orpheus had praised Apollo highly, and Jupiter granted this favour to his daughter.

Others say that when Mercury first made the lyre on Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, he made it with seven strings to correspond to the number of Atlantides, since Maia, his mother, was of their company. Later, when he had driven away the cattle of Apollo and had been caught in the act, to win pardon more easily, at Apollo's request he gave him permission to claim the invention of the lyre, and received from him a certain staff as reward. When Mercury, holding it in his hand, was journeying to Arcadia and saw two snakes with bodies intertwined, apparently fighting, he put down the staff between them. They separated then, and so he said that the staff had been appointed to bring peace. Some, in making caducei, put two snakes intertwined on the rod, because this seemed to Mercury a bringer of peace. Following his example, they use the staff in athletic contests and other contests of this kind.

But to return to the subject at hand. Apollo took the lyre, and is said to have taught Orpheus on it, and after he himself had invented the cithara, he gave the lyre to Orpheus.

Some also have said that Venus and Proserpina came to Jove for his decision, asking him to which of them he would grant Adonis. Calliope, the judge appointed by Jove, decided that each should posses him half of the year. But Venus, angry because she had not been granted what she thought was her right, stirred the women in Thrace by love, each to seek Orpheus for herself, so that they tore him limb from limb. His head, carried down from the mountain into the sea, was cast by the waves upon the island of Lesbos. It was taken up and buried by the people of Lesbos, and in return for this kindness, they have the reputation of being exceedingly skilled in the art of music. The lyre, as we have said, was put by the Muses among the stars.

Some say that because Orpheus first favored love for youths, he seemed to insult women, and for this reason they killed him. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Δύρα. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Λόρας ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Lyra
!
|-
|1
|ὁ λαμπρὸς ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀστράκου καλούμευος Δύρα.
|The bright star on the shell, called Lyra
|alf Lyr
|-
|2
|τῶν παρακειμένων αὐτῷ β συνεχῶν ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars lying near the latter, close together
|eps Lyr
|-
|3
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|zet Lyr
|-
|4
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμενος καὶ μέσος τῆς ἐκφύσεως τῶν κεράτωυ
|The one to the rear of these, in between the points where the horns [of the lyre] are attached
|del Lyr
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῷ πρὸς ἀνατολὴν τοῦ ὀστράκου β συνεχῶν ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close together in the region to the east of the shell
|eta Lyr
|-
|6
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|tet Lyr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ξυγώματι προηγουμένων β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the two advance stars in the bridge
|bet Lyr
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|nu Lyr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ζυγώματι ἐπομένων β ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of the two rear stars in the bridge
|gam Lyr
|-
|
|ὁ ροτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|lam Lyr
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἱ, ὥρ α μεγέθους ἄ, γ’ β, δ’ ὅ
|{10 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 2 of the third, 7 of the fourth}
|
|}
[[File:Lyra Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Lyra (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Vega
|HIP 91262
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|0.03
|-
|2
|Sulafat
|HIP 93194
|Constellation lines
|3.25
|-
|3
|Sheliak
|HIP 92420
|Constellation lines
|3.42
|-
|4
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|NAME del Lyr Cluster
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|5
|δ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92791
|Constellation lines
|4.3
|-
|6
|ζ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 91971
|Constellation lines
|4.36
|-
|7
|θ Lyrae
|HIP 94713
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.38
|-
|8
|Aladfar
|HIP 94481
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.398
|-
|9
|λ Lyrae
|HIP 93279
|Constellation lines
|4.93
|-
|10
|* eps01 Lyr A
|HIP 91919
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.991
|-
|11
|17 Lyr
|HIP 93917
|Constellation lines
|5.22
|-
|12
|ν 2 Lyrae
|HIP 92405
|Constellation lines
|5.226
|-
|13
|* eps02 Lyr A
|HIP 91926
|Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|14
|ι Lyrae
|HIP 93903
|Constellation lines
|5.253
|-
|15
| -
|HR 7162
|Inside the hull
|5.277
|-
|16
| -
|HIP 91235
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.41
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 93718
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|18
|δ 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92728
|Constellation lines
|5.573
|-
|19
|ζ 2 Lyrae
|HIP 91973
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 91883
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.682
|-
|21
|V542 Lyr
|HIP 93104
|Inside the hull
|5.883
|-
|22
|ν 1 Lyrae
|HIP 92398
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 92833
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|24
|Xihe
|HIP 91852
|Inside the hull
|6.037
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 93354
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 92243
|Inside the hull
|6.054
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 93720
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.06
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 92551
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 93437
|Inside the hull
|6.381
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 93210
|Inside the hull
|6.403
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 91820
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 91707
|Inside the hull
|6.473
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 91552
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Lyra Uranometria.jpg|Lyra in Bayer (1603)
File:Lyra Hevelius1690.jpg|Lyra in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - La Lyre, Le Cigne, Le Lezard, Le Renard (Lyra, Cygnus, Lacerta, Vupecula).jpg|Lyra in Flamsteed (1776)
File:Lyr Fortin1795.jpg|Lyra in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:8 Uranographia.jpg|Lyra in Bode (1801)
File:Young1807 Lyra.JPG|Lyra in Young (1807): A Course of Lectures on Natural Philosophy and the Mechanical Arts.
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Lacerta, Cygnus, Lyra, Vulpecula and Anser.jpg|Lyra in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology<ref name=":0" />==
The god Hermes tended Apollo's cattle – a rather idle occupation, during which a quick-witted fellow like him could easily come up with brilliant ideas. He strung seven strings across a turtle shell and coaxed sounds from it. Since he then stole Apollo's cattle, he gave Apollo the lyre as compensation. Apollo composed a song with it and then passed the lyre on to Orpheus. Orpheus added two strings and became a famous singer. He was reputed to be able to charm animals and even stones with his singing.

However, Orpheus' story is tragic: after his wife died, he descended into the underworld to bring her back. There are two versions of the story: In Plato's version, he fails because the gods only show him a shadow image of his wife; in Diodorus' version, he succeeds. Roman versions describe a near success, i.e. a meeting with his wife, but failure to bring her back at the last minute.

In any case, after his visit to the underworld, Orpheus is no longer the same, changes his way of life and worships other gods. After his death, the Muses ask Zeus to place his lyre in the sky. It stands there in memory of the Muses themselves and their offspring Orpheus. According to Eratosthenes, it is also a symbol of the singer's tragic death. For today's viewer, it is a symbol of the immortality of music and of excellent musicians, whose works live on after their death and are interpreted in new ways.<gallery>
File:Ainter of Agora 393 - ARV extra - standing boy with lyra and hare - Athens Agora Museum - 02.jpg|Ainter of Agora 393 - ARV extra - standing boy with lyra and hare - Athens Agora Museum
File:Achilles Painter ARV 990 41 youth with lyra and boy - bearded man with staff (02).jpg|Achilles Painter ARV 990 41 youth with lyra
File:Cartellino Painter - ARV 452 5 - youth with lyra - Athens NAM 12803 - 02.jpg|Cartellino Painter - ARV 452 5 - youth with lyra - Athens NAM 12803
File:Lyra symbol.jpg|symbol of an ancient lyra
File:Lyra symbol2.jpg|symbol of an ancient lyra
File:Kalymna - 560-540 BC - silver stater - head of warrior - lyra - Berlin MK BM 18200148.jpg|Kalymna - 560-540 BC - silver stater - head of warrior - lyra - Berlin MK BM 18200148
File:Statue of Erato.jpg|Statue of Erato (with lyre)
</gallery>

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017045 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Lyra]
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017046 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Vultur Cadens]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:European]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Lepus

2026-05-20T13:05:42Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Λαγωός */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Lepus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Lep star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|thumb|Orion-Group of constellations on the Kugel Globe, drawing and animated GIF by SMH 2025.]]<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>Alongside Andromeda and Perseus, the group around Orion forms the second mythological constellation complex. It is said to depict a hunting scene. The hare is pursued by one or two hounds of Orion. This is how it can be seen in the sky: The hare stands to the west of the constellation of the Great Dog, so it rises before it and runs in front of it the whole time during the night.

===Origin of Constellation===
[[File:Rooster stellarium.jpg|thumb|Rooster in Babylonian uranography, painting by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium (2022).]]

==== Babylonian ====
The constellation has no Babylonian origin, because in Mesopotamia there was the constellation of the Rooster ([[DAR.LUGAL]]) in this position.

MUL.APIN was copied throughout the -1st millennium, so presumably continued to be used in Babylonian astronomy. It is therefore unclear when and where the transformation from the rooster to the hare took place. It is quite possible that the hare was a separate Greek constellation or originated from another conquered civilisation.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>Under the two feet of Orion the Hare is hunted constantly all the time: Sirius moves for ever behind it as if in pursuit, [341] rises after it and watches it as it sets. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Gem 27
|Cnc 11 1/2
|Psc 4
|Psc 25
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|of the four in the ears, the front one of the northern (iot.)
|the southern one of those in the rear feet
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/5 hours = 72 min = 18 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Ari 26 1/2
|Tau 14
|Cnc 30
|Leo 21
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the front feet
|the one at the tip of the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/3 hours = 80 min = 20°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The hare is said to be fleeing the dog of the hunter Orion, for when, as was proper, they represented Orion as a hunter, they wanted to indicate what he was hunting, and so they put the fleeing hare at his feet. Some say that it was put there by Mercury, and that it had been given the faculty, beyond other kinds of quadrapeds, of being pregnant with new offspring when giving birth to others. Those who disagree with this reason say that so noble and great a hunter as Orion (we spoke about him in the discussion of Scorpio) shouldn't be represented hunting hares. Callimachus, too, is blamed, because, when he was singing the praises of Diana, he said she delighted in the flesh of hares and hunted them. So they have represented Orion fighting the Bull.

The following story of the hare has been recorded. There were no hares on the island of Leros, and a certain young man of the state, led by a liking for the breed, brought in from another country a pregnant female, and watched over her very carefully as she bore her young. When she had borne them, many of the citizens developed an interest, and by acquiring some for money, some as gifts, they all began to raise hares. In no long time such a multitude of hares was produced that the whole island was swarming with them. When men gave them nothing to eat, they made inroads on the grain fields and devoured everything. The inhabitants, faced with disaster because of this, since they were reduced to hunger, by co-operation of the whole state were said at length to have driven them from the island, through with difficulty. So afterwards they put the image of a hare in the stars, that men should remember that there was nothing so desirable in life but that later they might experience more grief than pleasure from it. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Λαγωός ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Λαγωοῦ ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Hare
!
|-
|1
|τοῦ κατὰ τῶν ὤτων τετραπλεύρου τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος.
|The quadrilateral just over the ears: the northern star on the advance side
|iot Lep
|-
|2
|ὁ νότιος τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral just over the ears: the southern star on the advance side
|kap Lep
|-
|3
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The quadrilateral just over the ears: the northern star on the rear side
|nu Lep
|-
|4
|ὁ φότιος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral just over the ears: the southern star on the rear side
|lam Lep
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐῃ τῷ γερείῳ.
|The star in the cheek
|mu Lep
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἐμπροσθίου ἀριστεροῦ ἀκρόποδος
|The star on the left front foot
|eps Lep
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐν μέσῳ τῷ σώματι
|The star in the middle of the body
|alf Lep
|-
|8
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν κοιλίαυ
|The star under the belly
|bet Lep
|-
|9
|τῶν ἐν τοῦς ὀπισθίοις ποσὶο β ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the hind legs
|del Lep
|-
|10
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|gam Lep
|-
|11
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος.
|The star on the rump
|zet Lep
|-
|12
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the tip of the tail
|eta Lep
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ἰβ, ὧν γ μεγέθους β, δ’s, ε' δ
|{12 stars, 2 of the third magnitude, 6 of the fourth, 4 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Lagos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Lagos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Arneb
|HIP 25985
|Inside the hull
|2.57
|-
|2
|Nihal
|HIP 25606
|Constellation lines
|2.84
|-
|3
|ϵ Leporis
|HIP 23685
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.18
|-
|4
|μ Leporis
|HIP 24305
|Constellation lines
|3.29
|-
|5
|ζ Leporis
|HIP 27288
|Constellation lines
|3.525
|-
|6
|γ Leporis
|HIP 27072
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.6
|-
|7
|η Leporis
|HIP 28103
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.72
|-
|8
|δ Leporis
|HIP 27654
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.85
|-
|9
|λ Leporis
|HIP 24845
|Constellation lines
|4.29
|-
|10
|κ Leporis
|HIP 24327
|Constellation lines
|4.44
|-
|11
|ι Leporis
|HIP 24244
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.45
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 24927
|Constellation lines
|4.729
|-
|13
|17 Lep
|HIP 28816
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.93
|-
|14
|8 Lep
|HIP 25202
|Inside the hull
|5.229
|-
|15
|ν Leporis
|HIP 24873
|Constellation lines
|5.284
|-
|16
| -
|HIP 24679
|Inside the hull
|5.488
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 27517
|Constellation lines
|5.49
|-
|18
|10 Lep
|HIP 25853
|Inside the hull
|5.525
|-
|19
| -
|HR 2021
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 25280
|Inside the hull
|5.636
|-
|21
| -
|HIP 26966
|Inside the hull
|5.727
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 25397
|Inside the hull
|5.817
|-
|23
|12 Lep
|HIP 26865
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 24786
|Constellation lines
|5.96
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 25532
|Inside the hull
|6.065
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 26866
|Inside the hull
|6.144
|-
|27
|V* AK Lep
|HR 1982
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 27308
|Inside the hull
|6.157
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 26821
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 24394
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 27075
|Inside the hull
|6.341
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 24825
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 25059
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|}

=== Arabic Tradition ===
[[File:Arneb Lepus+ThroneETCofJawza RL.png|thumb|The Arabic constellations of the (classical) Hare next to some autriches and the throne and footprint of al-Jawza (CC BY Roland Laffitte 2025).]]
When Arabic scholars adopted the constellations from the Almagest (written in Greek), they mixed those with indigenous Arabian constellations.

Roland Laffitte (2025) elaborates: <blockquote>This constellation, known as ''Λαγωός / Lagōos'', the ‘Hare’, to the Greeks since Eudoxus, was adopted by the Arabs through the astronomers of the classical period, who named it al-Arnab, meaning the same thing. Arabic ''al-Arnab'', al-Ḥağğāğ > the ancient Latin name ''Lepus'', Gerard of Cremona.</blockquote>Next to the (classical) Hare, they placed the indigenous ostriches and the throne ([[Arshaljawza]]) and foot ([[Kursialjawza]]) of the female giant, [[Jawza|al-Jawza]]. Hence in the imagination of the ancient Arabs, we find several representations in this celestial realm:

* ''al-Arnab,'' the Hare (see α Lep, [[Arneb]])
* ''al-Nihāl'', ‘the [Ostriches] that have quenched their thirst ” (see ''β Lep'', [[Nihal]]), a group belonging to the great animal scene of the Ostriches extending eastwards to ''al-Ẓalīm'', “the male Ostrich”,
* the Throne of al-Jawza ([[Arshaljawza]])
* and her footrest ([[Kursialjawza]])

'''''Λαγωός / al-Arnab,'' ‘the Hare’ (Ḥağğāğ, Isḥāq)'''
{| class="wikitable"
!Arabic
(orig.)
! valign="top" |Transliteration
! valign="top" |Translation
!Identification
(RL)
! valign="top" |author
|-
|
| valign="top" |''Wasaṭ al-Badan''
| valign="top" |the middle of the body
| valign="top" |''α Lep''
| valign="top" |Battānī
|-
|
| valign="top" |''Badan al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the body of the Hare
|
| valign="top" |Marrākušī
|-
|
| valign="top" |''Ẓhar al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the back of the Hare
|
| valign="top" |Tīzīnī
|-
|
| valign="top" |''Baṭn al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the belly of the Hare
| valign="top" |''β Lep''
| valign="top" |Marrākušī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''Yad al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the hare's paw
| valign="top" |''ε Lep''
| valign="top" |Battānī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''Kaff al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the hare's paw
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |Tīzīnī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''al-Qaṭan''
| valign="top" |the kidney
| valign="top" |''ζ Lep''
| valign="top" |Battānī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''Ṭaraf al-Ḏanab''
| valign="top" |the tip of the tail
| valign="top" |''η Lep''
| valign="top" |Battānī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''Ḏanab al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the tail of the hare
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |Miṣrī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''al-Ḏaqan''
| valign="top" |the chin
| valign="top" |''μ Lep''
| valign="top" |Battānī
|-
| valign="top" |
| valign="top" |''Ḏaqan al-Arnab''
| valign="top" |the hare's chin
|
| valign="top" |Tīzīnī
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Rooster stellarium.jpg|Babylonian Rooster (Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium 2022).
File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|Orion-Group with Hare on the Kugel Globe; SMH 2025.
File:Arneb Lepus+ThroneETCofJawza RL.png|Arabic Hare with autriches and Jawza (Roland Laffitte 2025)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
'''Greek'''<ref name=":0" />

Eratosthenes explains the hare in relation to the hunting scene mentioned above. Hares were popular prey, and according to Pliny, popular belief held that hare meat made the body more beautiful for nine days.

Hermes, the messenger of the gods, is said to have placed the hare among the stars: both hares and the messenger of the gods are popularly regarded as particularly fast and skilled travellers, even beyond roads and well-trodden paths. They are therefore also considered particularly clever: Mercury/Hermes is also the god responsible for quick thinking.

Eratosthenes, however, limits himself to stating the biological characteristics of the hare, so that there was probably no real myth here, but rather the constellation was simply given a meaning for didactic purposes.

In particular, he reports that the hare is the only quadruped that can be pregnant with several young at the same time, some of which it keeps in its belly while others are born. Here he alludes to the fact that female hares can be pregnant by different hares at the same time. This so-called superfecundation can lead to a time lag between births, meaning that even foetuses from the same cycle are not born at the same time. What Eratosthenes and his source Aristotle did not know is that this is also possible in other animals – even in humans, which is reported in the tabloid media due to its rarity.

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017074 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Lepus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Leo

2026-05-20T13:02:53Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Δέοντος. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Leo IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Leo star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]] with Greco-Roman background. It has been developed from a Babylonian predecessor ([[UR.GU.LA]]). The constellation lies in the zodiac and was therefore adopted from Greek astronomy around the middle of the 1st millennium BCE from Babylon. In Mesopotamia a millennium earlier, however, it was not named directly after an animal: the Sumerian word UR.GU.LA refers to a demon that looks like a winged lion, as depicted on a clay tablet as a scratch drawing.

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Kugel cnc+leo+hya+vir.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Cancer, Leo, Hydra, Virgo (drawing by SMH 2024)]]

===Origin of Constellation===
<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In the 1st millennium, a uranography describes two figures in this region of the sky: a lion ([[UR.MAḪ]]) and this demon, the winged lion ([[UR.GU.LA]]). However, according to current knowledge, this pairing of terms has only been documented once. Another text from the 1st millennium can be understood as equating the two figures, and yet another speaks of a rear and a front demon lion. It is still unclear what transformations the demon underwent to become a normal lion. In any case, the foreign Greek culture certainly did not understand the demon, and at that point at the latest, the two figures were equated and the wings removed.

It is noteworthy that the lion, as we imagine it today, lies only north of the ecliptic. The lion's body consists of a trapezoid of bright stars, the southernmost of which, [[Regulus]], lies less than a moon's diameter north of the ecliptic. It can therefore be covered by the sun and moon. The lion's front paws lie south of the ecliptic, but there is a large gap between its hind paws and the ecliptic – or even the neighbouring southern constellation. Assyriologists have therefore suggested that the doubling in Babylonian uranography was an attempt to close this gap. According to this, the second lion would be interpreted as lying south of today's constellation Leo.

However, on the microzodiac clay tablet in the Museum of the Ancient Near East in Berlin, it is clear to see that the winged lion is walking on a Musch snake ([[MUŠ|mul (d)MUŠ]]). The tablet dates from the Seleucid period (i.e. the period of Greek rule) and shows the image as it was already described in MUL.APIN about 1.5 millennia earlier: There is nothing between the winged lion and the snake we call [[Hydra]].

This was no different in Greek constellation culture – except that the lion had no wings. It was not until the advent of telescope surveys in the 17th century that a new constellation of faint stars was defined in the ‘nothingness’ beneath the lion: the [[Sextans|Sextans, The Sextant]].[[File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|thumb|Leo and Virgo above the MUŠ-Dragon, two claytablet drawings from the Seleucid era (roughly 2nd century BCE), CC BY SMH based upon the drawings by E. Weidner (1967) and Thureau-Dangin (1922).]]

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[UR.GU.LA]]
* [[UR.MAḪ|UR.MA]]Ḫ

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Beneath the Bear’s head are the Twins, beneath her belly the Crab, and under her hind legs the Lion shines brightly. This is where the sun’s track is hottest, [150] and the fields are seen bereft o f their corn-ears when the sun first comes into conjunction with the Lion. This is the time when the whistling etesian winds sweep strongly across the broad sea, and it is no longer seasonable for ships to be under oars. Then let broad-beamed ships be my pleasure, [155] and let helmsmen hold their steering-oars into the wind. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §2) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 7 1/2
|Leo 18 1/2
|Psc 20
|Tau 11 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|of those in the head the northern of the front ones
|the one in the hind feet
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 1/4 hours = 195 min = 48 3/4 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 20 1/2
|Vir 14
|Sco 13
|Sgr 20 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the front feet
|the one at the tip of the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to have been put among the stars because he is considered the king of beasts. Some writers add that Hercules' first Labor was with him and that he killed him, unarmed. Pisandrus and many others have written about this. Above his likeness in the sky nearest the Virgin are seven other stars near his tail, arranged in a triangle, which Conon, the mathematician, and Callimachus call the Lock of Berenice. When Ptolemy had married his sister Berenice, daughter of Ptolemy and Arsinoe, and after a few days had set out to attack Asia, Berenice vowed that if Ptolemy returned as victor she would clip off her hair. She placed the lock, consecrated by this vow, in the temple of Venus Arsinoe Zephyritis, but on the following day it couldn't be seen there. When the king was distressed by this, Conon the mathematician, whom we mentioned above, desiring to win the favor of the king, said that he had seen the lock among the constellations, and pointed out seven stars without definite configuration which he imagined were the lock.

Some authors along with Callimachus have said that this Berenice raised horses, and used to send them to Olympia. Others add that once Ptolemy, Berenice's father, in panic at the number of the enemy, had sought safety in flight, but his daughter, an accomplished horsewoman, leaped on a horse, organized the remaining troops, killed many of the enemy, and put the rest to flight. For this even Callimachus calls her high-souled. Eratosthenes says that she ordered returned to the girls of Lesbos the dowry left to them by their parents, which no one had released, and she established among them right to bring action of recovery. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Δέοντος. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Λέουτος ἀστεριῦμόρ.
!Constellation of Leo
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ μοκτῆρος.
|The star on the tip of the nostrils
|kap Leo
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐν τῷ χάσματι
|The star in the gaping jaws
|lam Leo
|-
|3
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the two stars in the head
|mu Leo
|-
|4
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of these
|eps Leo
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ ἡ’ ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 stars in the neck
|zet Leo
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐχόμευος καὶ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The one close to this, the middle one of the three
|gam Leo
|-
|7
|ὁ φότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|eta Leo
|-
|8
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς καρδίας καλούμευος Βασιλίσκος.
|The star on the heart, called 'Regulus'
|alf Leo
|-
|9
|ὁ φοτιώτερος αὐτοῦ καὶ ὡς ἐπὶ τοῦ στήθους
|The one south of this, about on the chest
|31 Leo
|-
|10
|ὁ μικρῷ προηγούμευος τοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς καρδίας.
|The star a little in advance of the star on the heart
|nu Leo
|-
|11
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ χόνατος
|The star on the right knee
|psi Leo
|-
|12
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐμπροσθίας δεξιᾶς δρακός
|The star on the right front claw-clutch
|xi Leo
|-
|13
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐμπροσθίας καὶ ἀριστερᾶς δρακός.
|The star on the left front claw-clutch
|omi Leo
|-
|14
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόρατος.
|The star on the left [front] knee
|pi Leo
|-
|15
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόρατος.
|The star on the left armpit
|rho Leo
|-
|16
|τῶν ἐν τῇ γαστρὶ τριῶν ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the three stars in the belly
|46 Leo
|-
|17
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἐπομένων β’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the other, rearmost 2
|52 Leo
|-
|18
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of these [two]
|53 Leo
|-
|19
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the two stars on the rump
|60 Leo
|-
|20
|ὁ ἑπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|del Leo
|-
|21
|τῶν ἐκ τοῦς χλουτοῖς β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the buttocks
|81 Leo
|-
|22
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|tet Leo
|-
|23
|ὁ ἐν τοῖς ὀπισθομήροις..
|The star in the hind thighs
|iot Leo
|-
|24
|ὁ ἐν ταῖς ὀπισθίαις ἀγκύλαις
|The star in the hind leg-bends
|sig Leo
|-
|25
|ὁ τούτου νοτιώτερος ὡς ἐ» τοῦς πήχεσι
|The one south of this, about in the lower legs
|tau Leo
|-
|26
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν ὀπισθύων δρακῶν.
|The star on the hind claw-clutches
|ups Leo
|-
|27
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the end of the tail
|bet Leo
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κξ, ὧν αἱ μεγέθους β, β’ β, γ’ς, δ’η, ε' ε, ς' ὅ.
|{27 stars, 2 of the first magnitude, 2 of the second, 6 of the third, 8 of the fourth, 5 of the fifth, 4 of the sixth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Λέουτα ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars around Leo outside the constellation:
!
|-
|28
|ὁ τῶν ὑπὲρ τὸν νῶτον β ὁ προηγούμευος
|The more advanced of the 2 over the back
|41 LMi
|-
|29
|ὁ ἐπόμευος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|54 Leo
|-
|30
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὴν λαγόνα τ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 3 under the flank
|chi Leo
|-
|31
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one of these
|59 Leo
|-
|32
|ὁ νότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|58 Leo
|-
|33
|τῆς μεταξὺ τῶν ἄκρων τοῦ Λέουτος καὶ τῆς Ἄρκτου κεφελοειδοῦς σοστροφῆς καλουμένου Πλοκάμου τὸ βορειότατον
|The northernmost part of the nebulous mass between the edges of Leo and Ursa [Major], called Coma [Berenices]
|15 Com
|-
|34
|τῶν νοτίων τοῦ Πλοκάμου ἐξοχῶν ἡ προηγουμένη
|The most advanced of the southern outrunners of Coma
|7 Com
|-
|35
|ἡ ἐπομένη αὐτῶν ἐν σχήματι φύλλου κισσίνου
|The rearmost of them, shaped like an ivy leaf
|23 Com
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἐ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἂ, ε’ ὃ, καὶ ὁ Πλόκαμος.
|{5 stars, 1 of the fourth magnitude, 4 of the fifth, plus Coma}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|}
[[File:Leon Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Leon (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Regulus
|HIP 49669
|Constellation lines
|1.4
|-
|2
|Algieba
|HIP 50583
|Constellation lines
|1.98
|-
|3
|Denebola
|HIP 57632
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.13
|-
|4
|Zosma
|HIP 54872
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.53
|-
|5
|ϵ Leonis
|HIP 47908
|Constellation lines
|2.98
|-
|6
|Chertan
|HIP 54879
|Constellation lines
|3.35
|-
|7
|η Leonis
|HIP 49583
|Constellation lines
|3.41
|-
|8
|Adhafera
|HIP 50335
|Constellation lines
|3.41
|-
|9
|Subra
|HIP 47508
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.52
|-
|10
|Shaomin
|HIP 51624
|Inside the hull
|3.87
|-
|11
|Rasalas
|HIP 48455
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.88
|-
|12
|ι Leonis
|HIP 55642
|Constellation lines
|4.01
|-
|13
|σ Leonis
|HIP 55434
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.04
|-
|14
|Alterf
|HIP 46750
|Constellation lines
|4.31
|-
|15
|Yunü
|HIP 49637
|Inside the hull
|4.38
|-
|16
|60 Leo
|HIP 53954
|Inside the hull
|4.398
|-
|17
|κ Leonis
|HIP 46146
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.46
|-
|18
|χ Leonis
|HIP 54182
|Inside the hull
|4.62
|-
|19
|π Leonis
|HIP 49029
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.7
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 50564
|Inside the hull
|4.76
|-
|21
|ν Leonis
|HIP 48883
|Inside the hull
|5.26
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 48390
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|23
|53 Leo
|HIP 52911
|Inside the hull
|5.312
|-
|24
|73 Leo
|HIP 55016
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|25
|ψ Leonis
|HIP 47723
|Inside the hull
|5.35
|-
|26
|37 Leo
|HIP 50333
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|27
|46 Leo
|HIP 51585
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|28
|52 Leo
|HIP 52689
|Inside the hull
|5.478
|-
|29
|51 Leo
|HIP 52686
|Inside the hull
|5.492
|-
|30
|81 Leo
|HIP 55765
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|31
|44 Leo
|HIP 51008
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|32
|18 Leo
|HIP 47959
|Inside the hull
|5.644
|-
|33
|EO Leo
|HIP 49220
|Inside the hull
|5.663
|-
|34
|8 Leo
|HIP 47189
|Inside the hull
|5.732
|-
|35
|85 Leo
|HIP 56080
|Inside the hull
|5.734
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 55716
|Inside the hull
|5.788
|-
|37
|* 49 Leo A
|HIP 51802
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|38
|36 G. Leo
|HIP 54863
|Inside the hull
|5.793
|-
|39
|39 Leo
|HIP 50384
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|40
|10 Sex
|HIP 48734
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|41
|90 Leo
|HIP 56473
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 50319
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 50174
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|44
|11 Sex
|HIP 48876
|Inside the hull
|6.033
|-
|45
|45 Leo
|HIP 51213
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|46
|20 Leo
|HIP 48218
|Inside the hull
|6.077
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 51161
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|48
|42 Leo
|HIP 50755
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|49
|13 Leo
|HIP 47550
|Inside the hull
|6.249
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 46938
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 56242
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 52513
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 54688
|Inside the hull
|6.295
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 49445
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 54319
|Inside the hull
|6.392
|-
|56
|34 Leo
|HIP 49929
|Inside the hull
|6.427
|-
|57
|19 Leo
|HIP 48029
|Inside the hull
|6.445
|-
|58
|23 Leo
|HIP 48324
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 47779
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 48023
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 52484
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 53737
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==
'''Greek'''<ref name=":0" />

Eratosthenes speculates that Zeus may have placed this constellation in the sky because the lion rules over four-legged animals. However, he adds that some people believe it to be the lion of Nemea, which Heracles strangled with his bare hands in his first of twelve labours. This lion is said to have been a dangerous beast.

Heracles was first given ten tasks by King Eurystheus to rid the world of certain evils. After these tasks were completed, he was given two more. The first of all tasks was to rid Nemea of the beast.

Eratosthenes recounts that Heracles chose not to use weapons for this task because he considered it particularly glorious. Later, he kept the lion's skin as a trophy for this heroic deed. On star charts, he is therefore often depicted either carrying it over his arm or wearing it as a cloak – with the lion's head on his head.

==Weblinks==

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017063 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Leo]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Hercules

2026-05-20T12:55:36Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ἐγγόνασι. */ Typos

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Hercules IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Her star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The name of the modern constellation is Latinised from Greek "Herakles", a hero in ancient mythology. As the image of the constellation appears strangely turned upside down for the northern observer looking southwards, the image likely has a foreign origin. Possible remote Sumerian sources have been considered, but a comprehensive transformation history with archaeological proof and historical evidence is yet to be written.

==Etymology and History==
On modern star charts, Heracles is depicted with a lion's skin and club, as described by Eratosthenes. Sometimes the club is entwined by a snake with several dog heads: this is one of the representations of the hellhound Cerberus – in ancient times usually a multi-headed dog, but sometimes also depicted with a snake's tail. According to ancient myth, Heracles fights with it and brings the defeated creature to the upper world as a trophy. In Bayer's Uranometria (1603), Hercules appears to be carrying a wooden branch: this is likely to be monkshood, the poisonous herb that, according to legend, was created when the saliva of the hellhound dripped onto the earth.

The peculiar position and orientation of the figure raises the suspicion that it is older and perhaps not of Greek origin. There is a hypothesis that a Babylonian mythical creature may have stood here. However, this could only apply to the northern parts of Hercules and only to very early periods, i.e. the Sumerian culture. There is no trace of such a creature in the Babylonian MUL.APIN of the late 2nd millennium, and the Babylonian constellation Canis Major was always located in the southern parts of Hercules.
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In Greek, the figure is simply called “the kneeling man” and is initially unnamed: Aratos calls it the inscrutable image and knows neither the name of the man whose hardship forces him to his knees nor the reason why he is hanging upside down. Compared to all other constellations, whose heads point north, this figure is surprisingly rotated 180° and its head is next to that of the Serpent Bearer.

Eratosthenes, on the other hand, states that the kneeling figure is Heracles. This is justified by its proximity to the snake (our constellation Draco), because Heracles' struggle for the apples of the Hesperides is linked to the myth surrounding this snake. The celestial figure presses its knee onto the snake (dragon) and steps on its head with its foot.

The peculiar position and orientation of the figure raises the suspicion that it is older and perhaps not of Greek origin. There is a hypothesis that a Babylonian mythical creature may have stood here. However, this could only apply to the northern parts of Hercules and only to very early epochs, i.e., Sumerian culture. There is no trace of such a creature in the Babylonian MUL.APIN from the end of the 2nd millennium, and the southern parts of Hercules have always been home to the Babylonian constellation Canis Major.

==== Babylonian ====
In all written sources of the late second and first millennium BCE, this region is rather empty in the Babylonian uranology. The parts in the vicinity of [[Vega]] were covered by the Mesopotamian constellation of The Dog (UR.KU, [[UR.GI7|UR.GI7]] (𒌨𒂠)) and the southern parts might have belonged to the constellation of [[ZA.BA4.BA4|Zababa]], a warrior in the area that is now [[Ophiuchus]].

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Near it there circles a figure like a man toiling. No one is able to say definitely [65] what it is or on what task the man is intent, but they just call him the man on his knees; again, labouring on its knees, the figure looks like a man crouching. From both his shoulders arms are raised and extend in different directions to a full stretch. He has the tip of his right foot above the mid-point of the tortuous Dragon’s head. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1 (Τοῦ ἐν γόρασιν):''' It appears to be Heracles trampling the Serpent underfoot. The hero can be clearly seen brandishing his club and wrapped in his lion skin. It is said that, on his quest for the golden apples, he killed the snake that had been placed there as a guardian. Hera had placed it there precisely so that it would confront Heracles. This is why, once this extremely perilous task had been completed, Zeus deemed the ordeal worthy of remembrance and placed the image among the constellations. On one side is the snake, raising its head; on the other, Heracles, trampling it underfoot, immobilising it under one knee while crushing its head with his other foot, brandishing his club in his right hand as if he were about to strike it, while his left arm is wrapped in his lion's skin. He has a shining star on his head, one on his right arm, one on each shoulder, one on his left elbow, one at the end of his arm, one on each side -the brightest being the one on the left flank-, two on the right thigh, one on the bent knee, two on the calf, one on the foot, one above the the right hand, called ‘the Mace’, and four on the lion's skin. In all, nineteen. </blockquote><blockquote>'''Var. 2 (Τοῦ ἐν γόρασιν):''' It shows Heracles trampling underfoot the Serpent. One <distinguishes clearly> the hero's posture, protected by his lion skin. It is said that he <set out> in search of the golden apples, and killed <the snake> which had been put there as a guard, at the cost of many difficulties. For the snake had a great many different voices, was of exceptional size, of impressive strength, and sleep had no hold on it. <...> This Heracles has a star on his head, one on his arm, one shining on each shoulder, one on his left elbow <...>, one on his calf, <one> under his right hand called ‘the Mace’. Thirteen in all. </blockquote>la la la

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §3) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Vir 11
|Sco 7 1/2
|Gem 7 1/2
|Leo 14
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the right foot and the one in the right knee
|the one at the end of the left hand
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 3/5 hours = 276 min = 69 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §3) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 14
|Aqr 16
|Aqr 23
|Tau 7 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the right hand
|the one in the left foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 3/5 hours = 276 min = 69°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Eratosthenes says he is Hercules, placed above the dragon we have already mentioned, and prepared to fight, with his left hand holding his lion skin, and his right the club. He is trying to kill the dragon of the Hesperides, which, it is thought, never was overcome by sleep or closed its eyes, thus offering more proof it was placed there as a guard. Panyassis in the Heraclea says of the sign that Jupiter, in admiration of their struggle, placed it among the stars; for the dragon has its head erect, and Hercules, resting on his right knee, tires to crush the right side of its head with his left foot. His right hand is up and striking, his left extended with the lion skin, and he appears to be fighting with all his strength. Although Aratus says no one can prove who he is, nevertheless we shall try to show that we can say something reasonable.

Araethus, as we said before, calls this figure Ceteus, son of Lycaon, and father of Megisto. He seems to be lamenting the change of his daughter to bear form, kneeling on one knee, and holding up outstretched hands to heaven, asking for the gods to restore her to him.

Hegesianax, however, says that he is Theseus, who seems to be lifting the stone at Troezene. Aegeus is thought to have put [corrupt] and a sword under it, and warned Aethra, the mother, not to send him to Athens until he could lift the stone by his own strength and bring the sword to his father. And so he seems to try to lift the stone as high as he can. In this connection, too, some have said that the Lyre, placed nearest this sign, is the lyre of Theseus, for he was skilful in all the arts and seems to have learned the lyre as well. This, too, Anacreon says: Near Theseus, son of Aegeus, is the Lyre.

Others call him Thamyris, blinded by the Muses, kneeling as a suppliant; others, Orpheus, killed by the Thracian women because he looked on the rites of Father Liber.

But Aeschylus, in the play entitled Prometheus Lyomenos , says that he is Hercules, fighting not with the dragon, but with the Ligurians. For he says that at the time Hercules was driving away the cattle of Geryon, he journeyed through the territory of the Ligurians. They joined forces in trying to take the herd from him, and pierced many of the beasts [?] with arrows. But after Hercules' weapons failed, worn out by the number of the barbarians and lack of arms, he fell to his knees, already suffering from many wounds. Jove, however, out of pity for his son, provided that there should be a great supply of stones around him. With these Hercules defended himself and put the enemy to flight. And so Jove put he image of his fighting form among the constellations.

Again, some have said that he is Ixion with his arms bound, because he tried to attack Juno.

Others say he is Prometheus, bound on Mt. Caucasus. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ἐγγόνασι. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Τοῦ ἐν γόρασιν ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Hercules
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς
|The star on the head
|alf Her
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὅμου παρὰ τὴν μασχάληη
|The star on the right shoulder by the armpit
|bet Her
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ βραχίουος.
|The star on the right upper arm
|gam Her
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star on the right elbow
|kap Her
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὤμου
|The star on the left shoulder
|del Her
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ βραχίουος
|The star on the left upper arm
|lam Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star on the left elbow
|mu Her
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ καρπῷ ν’ ὁ ἐπόμευος
|The rearmost of the 3 stars in the left wrist
|omi Her
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν β ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the other 2
|nu Her
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|xi Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ πλευρᾷ.
|The star in the right side
|zet Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ πλευρᾷ
|The star in the left side
|eps Her
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος ἐπὶ τοῦ γλουτοῦ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ,
|The one north of the latter, on the left buttock
|59 Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τοῦ αὐτοῦ μηροῦ.
|The one on the place where the thigh joins the same [buttock]
|61 Her
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ μηρῷ τριῶν ὁ προηγούμεσος;
|The most advanced of the 3 in the left thigh
|pi Her
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμευος
|The one to the rear of this
|69 Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἑπόμενος.
|The one yet further to the rear of this
|rho Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος.
|The star on the left knee
|tet Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀντικρημίου.
|The star on the left shin
|iot Her
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ἀκροποδίῳ ἢ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the 3 stars in the left foot
|74 Her
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|77 Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|82 Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφόσεως τοῦ δεξιοῦ μηροῦ.
|The star on the place where the right thigh joins [the buttock]
|eta Her
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ μηρῷ.
|The star north of it in the same thigh
|sig Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος
|The star on the right knee
|tau Her
|-
|
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸ δεξιὸν γόνυ β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the 2 stars under the right knee
|phi Her
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of them
|ups Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ κυήμῃ.
|The star in the right lower leg
|chi Her
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδὸς ὁ αὐτός ἐστι τῷ ἐπ’ ἄκρῳ τοῦ κολλορόβου
|The star on the end of the right leg is the same as the one on the tip of the staff
| -
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|χωρὶς αὐτοῦ ἀστέρες κη, ὧν γ’ μεγέθουςξ, δ’ ὕ, εβ,ς γ
|{Not counting the latter, 28 stars, 6 of the third magnitude, 17 of the fourth, 2 of the fifth, 3 of the sixth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!ὁ ἐκτὸς αὐτοῦ ἀμόρφωτος
!Star outside this constellation
!
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τοῦ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ βραχίουι.
|The star south of the one in the right upper arm
|ome Her
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστὴρ ἂ μεγέθους ἐ
|l star of the fifth magnitude
|
|}
[[File:Engonasin Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Engonasin (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Kornephoros
|HIP 80816
|Constellation lines
|2.77
|-
|2
|Rasalgethi
|HIP 84345
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.78
|-
|3
|ζ Herculis
|HIP 81693
|Constellation lines
|2.8
|-
|4
|* zet Her B
|* zet Her B
|Inside the hull
|2.94
|-
|5
|Sarin
|HIP 84379
|Constellation lines
|3.13
|-
|6
|π Herculis
|HIP 84380
|Constellation lines
|3.18
|-
|7
|μ Herculis
|HIP 86974
|Constellation lines
|3.42
|-
|8
|η Herculis
|HIP 81833
|Constellation lines
|3.5
|-
|9
|ξ Herculis
|HIP 87933
|Constellation lines
|3.7
|-
|10
|γ Herculis
|HIP 80170
|Constellation lines
|3.76
|-
|11
|ι Herculis
|HIP 86414
|Constellation lines
|3.8
|-
|12
|ο Herculis
|HIP 88794
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.827
|-
|13
|τ Herculis
|HIP 79992
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.87
|-
|14
|θ Herculis
|HIP 87808
|Constellation lines
|3.88
|-
|15
|ϵ Herculis
|HIP 83207
|Constellation lines
|3.92
|-
|16
|ϵ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 78159
|Inside the hull
|4.13
|-
|17
|ρ Herculis
|HIP 85112
|Inside the hull
|4.17
|-
|18
|σ Herculis
|HIP 81126
|Constellation lines
|4.196
|-
|19
|ϕ Herculis
|HIP 79101
|Inside the hull
|4.27
|-
|20
|Maasym
|HIP 85693
|Constellation lines
|4.41
|-
|21
|ν Herculis
|HIP 87998
|Constellation lines
|4.41
|-
|22
|χ Herculis
|HIP 77760
|Constellation lines
|4.62
|-
|23
|69 Her
|HIP 84606
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|24
|τ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 79119
|Inside the hull
|4.73
|-
|25
|68 Her
|HIP 84573
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|26
|π Serpentis
|HIP 78554
|Inside the hull
|4.817
|-
|27
|κ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 77655
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|28
|52 Her
|HIP 82321
|Inside the hull
|4.823
|-
|29
|ξ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 80181
|Inside the hull
|4.849
|-
|30
|ι Coronae Borealis
|HIP 78493
|Inside the hull
|4.971
|-
|31
|ν 2 Boötis
|HIP 76041
|Inside the hull
|4.978
|-
|32
|ζ 1 Coronae Borealis
|HIP 76669
|Inside the hull
|4.979
|-
|33
|Marsic
|HIP 79043
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.994
|-
|34
|30 Her
|HIP 80704
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|35
|ν 1 Boötis
|HIP 75973
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.026
|-
|36
|51 Her
|HIP 82504
|Inside the hull
|5.029
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 83947
|Inside the hull
|5.065
|-
|38
|87 Her
|HIP 87194
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|39
|μ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 76307
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|40
|70 Her
|HIP 84887
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|41
|90 Her
|HIP 87563
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|42
|ν 1 Coronae Borealis
|HIP 80197
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 80843
|Inside the hull
|5.243
|-
|44
|ϕ Boötis
|HIP 76534
|Inside the hull
|5.254
|-
|45
|59 Her
|HIP 83313
|Inside the hull
|5.267
|-
|46
|53 Her
|HIP 82587
|Inside the hull
|5.333
|-
|47
|82 Her
|HIP 86182
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.353
|-
|48
|54 Her
|HIP 82802
|Inside the hull
|5.354
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 84821
|Inside the hull
|5.357
|-
|50
|2 Her
|HIP 77907
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|51
|ρ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 78459
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 82764
|Constellation lines
|5.387
|-
|53
|ν 2 Coronae Borealis
|HIP 80214
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 83838
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|55
|72 Her
|HIP 84862
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|56
|λ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 78012
|Inside the hull
|5.424
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 80008
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 85385
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 87308
|Inside the hull
|5.517
|-
|60
|25 Her
|HIP 80460
|Inside the hull
|5.54
|-
|61
|* sig CrB A
|HD 146361
|Inside the hull
|5.55
|-
|62
|83 Her
|HIP 86667
|Inside the hull
|5.558
|-
|63
|V819 Her
|HIP 84949
|Inside the hull
|5.561
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 83692
|Inside the hull
|5.565
|-
|65
|π Coronae Borealis
|HIP 77048
|Inside the hull
|5.575
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 78276
|Inside the hull
|5.586
|-
|67
|74 Her
|HIP 84835
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 79358
|Inside the hull
|5.615
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 82028
|Inside the hull
|5.619
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 85715
|Inside the hull
|5.633
|-
|71
|78 Her
|HIP 85790
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 83254
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 80953
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 84691
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|75
|16 Her
|HIP 79666
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|76
|10 Her
|HIP 79349
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|77
|50 Her
|HIP 82422
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|78
|73 Her
|HIP 85157
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 85888
|Inside the hull
|5.726
|-
|80
|84 Her
|HIP 86731
|Inside the hull
|5.729
|-
|81
|4 Her
|HIP 77986
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 80898
|Inside the hull
|5.754
|-
|83
|79 Her
|HIP 86254
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 83367
|Inside the hull
|5.762
|-
|85
|υ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 79757
|Inside the hull
|5.779
|-
|86
|M 13
|M 13
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 78649
|Inside the hull
|5.804
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 81289
|Inside the hull
|5.814
|-
|89
|77 Her
|HIP 85379
|Constellation lines
|5.83
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 79357
|Inside the hull
|5.868
|-
|91
|V636 Her
|HIP 82172
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|92
|39 Her
|HIP 81729
|Inside the hull
|5.916
|-
|93
|* 7 CrB B
|HR 5833
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 85382
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 84656
|Inside the hull
|5.962
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 84431
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 88190
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 87445
|Inside the hull
|6.001
|-
|99
| -
|HIP 81911
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|100
| -
|HIP 86462
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 88020
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 80021
|Inside the hull
|6.038
|-
|103
| -
|HIP 86178
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 82012
|Inside the hull
|6.059
|-
|105
|56 Her
|HIP 82780
|Inside the hull
|6.064
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 81670
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 83494
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 86096
|Inside the hull
|6.122
|-
|109
|8 Her
|HIP 79102
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 79686
|Inside the hull
|6.136
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 78985
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 82426
|Inside the hull
|6.158
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 82355
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|114
| -
|HIP 88277
|Inside the hull
|6.167
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 83565
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|116
|63 Her
|HIP 84054
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 84599
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|118
|κ Herculis B
|HIP 79045
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|119
|61 Her
|HIP 83462
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 86925
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 85181
|Inside the hull
|6.253
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 80888
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|123
| -
|HIP 76366
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|124
| -
|HIP 82419
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|125
|57 Her
|HIP 82987
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|126
| -
|HIP 78153
|Inside the hull
|6.297
|-
|127
| -
|HIP 79350
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|128
| -
|HIP 86506
|Inside the hull
|6.309
|-
|129
|V451 Her
|HIP 83308
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|130
| -
|HIP 83007
|Inside the hull
|6.326
|-
|131
| -
|HIP 86501
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 83013
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|133
| -
|HIP 83816
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|134
| -
|HIP 86537
|Inside the hull
|6.374
|-
|135
| -
|HIP 86713
|Inside the hull
|6.376
|-
|136
| -
|HIP 83365
|Inside the hull
|6.383
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 79385
|Inside the hull
|6.388
|-
|138
| -
|HIP 77397
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|139
| -
|HIP 83493
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|140
| -
|HIP 85313
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|141
| -
|HIP 86130
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|142
| -
|HIP 84934
|Inside the hull
|6.397
|-
|143
| -
|HIP 82516
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|144
| -
|HIP 81231
|Inside the hull
|6.403
|-
|145
|23 Her
|HIP 80247
|Inside the hull
|6.404
|-
|146
|V959 Her
|HIP 86153
|Inside the hull
|6.406
|-
|147
|* sig CrB B
|HR 6064
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|148
| -
|HIP 85688
|Inside the hull
|6.431
|-
|149
| -
|HIP 83834
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|150
| -
|HIP 83593
|Inside the hull
|6.441
|-
|151
| -
|HIP 87045
|Inside the hull
|6.465
|-
|152
| -
|HIP 82526
|Inside the hull
|6.488
|-
|153
| -
|HR 6052
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|154
| -
|HIP 85810
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|-
|155
| -
|HIP 79248
|Inside the hull
|6.61
|-
|156
|z Her
|HIP 87280
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.89
|}

=== Arabic Culture ===

=== Medieval and Early Modern Europe ===
[[File:Ramus+Cerberus Senex.JPG|thumb|Ramus et Cerberus in Senex (1721/2), thanks to [https://crouchrarebooks.com/ Daniel Crouch] and Ian Ridpath.]]
Traditionally, this hero carries a lion's skin and a club. Yet, in Early Modern Europe, all sorts of variants occured: instead of the skin that was supposed to protect him, he then was depicted with branches of apples or instead of branches with a three-headed snake in his hand.

The creature with the three heads was typically labelled "[[Cerberus]]" although the ancient Kerberos/ Cerberus had dog-heads and not snake-heads.

The branch with the apples resembled the myth according to which he stole the "golden apples" as one of his celebrated deeds.

John Senex even labelled the apples, as Ian Ridpath points out:<ref>Ian Ridpath, Star Tales (Online Edition), [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cerberusramus.html Cerberus et Ramus]</ref> <blockquote>Hercules holds Ramus, the apple branch, and Cerberus, the three-headed monster, in his outstretched hand, as depicted by the English cartographer John Senex (1678–1740) on his chart of the northern celestial hemisphere, ''Stellarum Fixarum Hemisphaerium Boreale'', published 1721/2. This chart was based on the pirated edition of John Flamsteed's unfinished star catalogue that had been published by Edmond Halley in 1712. Senex called the combined figure '''Ramus Cerberus''', and it appeared again on his planisphere of the northern sky issued posthumously in 1746. Johann Bode adopted the combined figure on his Uranographia atlas of 1801 but changed its name to '''Cerberus et Ramus''', and that is the name by which it became most widely known.</blockquote>[https://www.e-rara.ch/zut/content/zoom/3341770 Bode's map in the Uranographia (1801) is available in the digital collection of ETH Zurich].

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:F13.v. Hercules - NLW MS 735C.png|Hercules in the oldest scientific manuscript in the National Library the volume contains various Latin texts on astronomy. The volume, written in Caroline minuscule, consists of two sections, the first (ff. 1-26) copied c. 1000, in the Limoges area of France, probably in the milieu of Adémar de Chabannes (989-1034), whilst the second (ff. 27-50), from a scriptorium in the same region, may be dated c. 1150.
File:Johann Bayer - Hercules.jpg|Hercules in Bayer (1603)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - Hercules, La Couronne (Hercules and The Crown).jpg|Hercules in Fortin (1776)
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Corona Borealis, Hercules and Cerberus and Lyra.jpg|Hercules in Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Hercules and Corona Borealis.jpg|Hercules in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
According to legends, Heracles was the son of Zeus and Alcmene, the most beautiful and intelligent of mortal women. As a young man, he was particularly tall, strong and skilled with weapons. King Eurystheus of Mycenae set him ten tasks: to eliminate the threats posed by the Nemean lion and the multi-headed Hydra, to drive the fierce birds from the city of Stymphalos, capturing a doe with golden antlers, a wild boar and a fire-breathing bull, cleaning the Augean stables, capturing a flesh-eating mare, the belt of the Amazon queen and several herds of cattle in the far west.

According to some poets, the depiction of Heracles kneeling in the sky is a reminder of these glorious deeds. Some poets tell of an attack on the hero as he was returning home with the herds of cattle. He successfully defended himself, even though his attackers had forced him to his knees.

However, the story of Heracles continues, as King Eurystheus then set him two more tasks – e.g. stealing the apples of the Hesperides. For Eratosthenes, the sub-story with the apples and the giant snake alone was reason enough to identify the constellation with Heracles on his knees.

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017044 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Hercules]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Gemini

2026-05-20T12:53:42Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Δίδυμοι */ Corrected OCR errors, added total of stars

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Gemini IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Gem star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
Gemini, The Twins, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The modern constellation is rooted in the ancient Greek tradition which, in turn, has a Babylonian predecessor. The Babylonanian constellation was likely called The Greater Twins ([[MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL]]), as opposed to many other twin constellations in Babylonian uranography.

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
The Greek twins are borrowed from mythology.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> They are called Polydeuces (Roman [[Pollux]]) and Castor (Latin: [[Castor]]) and were heroes of the Argonauts. However, these young men are certainly a projection, as the constellation is Mesopotamian: the zodiac was adopted by the Greeks from Babylon, so the twins are likely to be Sumerian in origin. The constellation is already documented in MUL.APIN. However, there are two pairs of twins, the Greater and Lesser Twins ([[MAŠ.TAB.BA.GAL.GAL]], [[MAŠ.TAB.BA.TUR.TUR]]).

According to Babylonian uranological texts, the Greater Twins are depicted as warriors who are clothed and carry weapons. This fits in with the fact that next to them is the constellation of a weapon, the crooked wood (a projectile) in the area of our constellation Auriga. They are called Lugalirra and Meslamtaea and are underworld deities; the second is an epithet of the ruler of the underworld.

The Little Twins could be a kind of weather deities: one carries lightning bolts, the other a whip. Both pairs of twins are depicted clothed and with beards, i.e. they are anthropomorphic male deities. Their names are Alamusch and Ningublaga. They are associated with the moon god; the first is his messenger, the second his son. It is common in various cultures to associate the moon with weather phenomena.

In Uranological texts, these two pairs of twins are still very well documented in the 1st millennium, although only one of the pairs, the Great Twins, is ever mentioned in the zodiac. They were probably merged at some point – perhaps only through Greek transfer.

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §11) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Gem 1 1/2
|Gem 30
|Aqr 10 1/2
|Psc 8 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the left hand of the front twin
|the one in the right hand of the rear twin
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 5/6 hours = 110 min = 27 1/2 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §12) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Gem 4
|Cnc 1 1/2
|Vir 17
|Lib 21 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one called [[Propus]]
|the one in the right hand of the rear one of the twins
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/6 hours = 130 min = 32 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>These stars many astronomers have called Castor and Pollux. They say that of all brothers they were the most affectionate, not striving in rivalry for the leadership, nor acting without previous consultation. As a reward for their services of friendship, Jupiter is thought to have put them in the sky as well-known stars. Neptune, with like intention, has rewarded them for he gave them horses to ride, and power to aid shipwrecked men.

Others have called them Hercules and Apollo; some, even Triptolemus, whom we mentioned before, and Iasion, beloved of Ceres — both carried to the stars.

Those who speak of Castor and Pollux add this information, that Castor was slain in the town of Aphidnae, at the time when the Lacedemonians were fighting the Athenians. Others say that when Lynceus and Idas were attacking Sparta, he perished there. Homer states that Pollux granted to his brother one half of his life, so that they shine on alternate days. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Δίδυμοι ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Διδύμων ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ ἠγουμένου Διδύμου
|The star on the head of the advance twin
|alf Gem
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου ὑπόκιρρος.
|The reddish star on the head of the rear twin
|bet Gem
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ πήχει τοῦ ἠγουμένου Διδύμου.
|The star in the left forearm of the advance twin
|tet Gem
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ βραχύουι.
|The star in the same [left] upper arm
|tau Gem
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῷ καὶ κατὰ τοῦ μεταφρένου.
|The one to the rear of that, just over the place between the shoulders
|iot Gem
|-
|6
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὤμου τοῦ αὐτοῦ Διδύμου,
|The one to the rear of this, on the right shoulder of the same [advance] twin
|ups Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἐπομένου ὤμου τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου
|The star on the rear shouldcr of the rear twin
|kap Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ πλευροῦ τοῦ προηγουμένου Διδύμου.
|The star on the right side of the advance twin
|57 Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ πλευροῦ τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου.
|The star on the left side of the rear twin
|58 Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος τοῦ ἠγουμένου Διδύμου.
|The star on the left knee of the advance twin
|eps Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸ ἀριστερὸν γόνυ τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου.
|The star under the left knee of the rear twin
|zet Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ βουβῶνι τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου.
|The star in the left groin of the rear twin
|del Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὴν δεξιὰν ἀγκύλην τοῦ αὐτοῦ Διδύμου.
|The star over the bend in the right knee of the same [rear] twin
|lam Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὴν δεξιὰν ἀγκύλην τοῦ αὐτοῦ Διδύμου.
|The star on the forward foot of the advance twin
|eta Gem
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ αὐτοῦ ποδός.
|The one to the rear of this on the same foot
|mu Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀκρόποδος τοῦ ἠγουμένου Διδύμου.
|The star on the right foot of the advance twin
|nu Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀκρόποδος τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου.
|The star on the left foot of the rear twin
|gam Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀκρόποδος τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου.
|The star on the right foot of the rear twin
|xi Gem
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες τη, ὥν β’ μεγέθους β, γ’ ἓ, δ’ ὅ, ε’ β.
|{18 stars, 2 of the second magnitude, 5 of the third, 9 of the fourth, 2 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τοὺς Διδύμους ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars around Gemini outside the constellation:
!
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμενος τοῦ πρόποδος τοῦ ἠγουμένου Διδύμου
|The star in advance of the forward foot of the advance twin
|1 Gem
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμενος τοῦ ἠγουμένου γόνατος λαμπρός
|The bright star in advance of the advance knee
|kap Aur
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμενος τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος τοῦ ἐπομένοου Διδύμου.
|The star in advance of the left knee of the rear twin
|36 Gem
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπομένων τῇ δεξιᾷ χειρὶ τοῦ ἐπομένου Διδύμου, τριῶν ἐπ’ εὐθείας ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the three stars in a straight line to the rear of the right arm of the rear twin
|85 Gem
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|81 Gem
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος αὐτῶν καὶ πρὸς τῷ πήχει τῆς χειρός!
|The southernmost of them, near the forearm of the [right] arm
|74 Gem
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τοῦς προειρημένοις γ’ λαμπρός!
|The bright star to the rear of the above-mentioned 3
|zet Gem
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ξ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἢ, ε' δ.
|{7 stars, 3 of the fourth magnitude, 4 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Didymoi Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Didymoi (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Pollux
|HIP 37826
|Constellation lines
|1.14
|-
|2
|Castor
|HIP 36850
|Constellation lines
|1.58
|-
|3
| -
|HIP 36850A
|Inside the hull
|1.9
|-
|4
|Alhena
|HIP 31681
|Constellation lines
|1.92
|-
|5
|Tejat
|HIP 30343
|Constellation lines
|2.87
|-
|6
|Mebsuta
|HIP 32246
|Constellation lines
|2.98
|-
|7
| -
|HIP 36850B
|Inside the hull
|3
|-
|8
|Propus
|HIP 29655
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.28
|-
|9
|Alzirr
|HIP 32362
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.36
|-
|10
|Wasat
|HIP 35550
|Constellation lines
|3.53
|-
|11
|λ Geminorum
|HIP 35350
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.559
|-
|12
|κ Geminorum
|HIP 37740
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.57
|-
|13
|θ Geminorum
|HIP 33018
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.6
|-
|14
|ι Geminorum
|HIP 36046
|Constellation lines
|3.79
|-
|15
|Mekbuda
|HIP 34088
|Constellation lines
|3.79
|-
|16
|υ Geminorum
|HIP 36962
|Constellation lines
|4.06
|-
|17
|ν Geminorum
|HIP 30883
|Constellation lines
|4.14
|-
|18
|ρ Geminorum
|HIP 36366
|Inside the hull
|4.18
|-
|19
|σ Geminorum
|HIP 37629
|Constellation lines
|4.29
|-
|20
|τ Geminorum
|HIP 34693
|Constellation lines
|4.42
|-
|21
|51 Gem
|HIP 34909
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|22
|65 Gem
|HIP 36429
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|23
|57 Gem
|HIP 35846
|Inside the hull
|5.022
|-
|24
|64 Gem
|HIP 36393
|Inside the hull
|5.064
|-
|25
|56 Gem
|HIP 35699
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|26
|ω Geminorum
|HIP 33927
|Inside the hull
|5.181
|-
|27
|26 Gem
|HIP 32104
|Inside the hull
|5.21
|-
|28
|63 Gem
|HIP 36238
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|29
|36 Gem
|HIP 32921
|Inside the hull
|5.259
|-
|30
|49 Aur
|HIP 31434
|Inside the hull
|5.26
|-
|31
|76 Gem
|HIP 37704
|Inside the hull
|5.289
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 36896
|Constellation lines
|5.347
|-
|33
|28 Gem
|HIP 32311
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|34
|45 Gem
|HIP 34440
|Inside the hull
|5.476
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 32968
|Inside the hull
|5.671
|-
|36
|41 Gem
|HIP 33715
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|37
|IS Gem
|HIP 32740
|Inside the hull
|5.708
|-
|38
|53 Gem
|HIP 35152
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|39
|53 Aur
|HIP 31737
|Inside the hull
|5.744
|-
|40
|37 Gem
|HIP 33277
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 33914
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|42
|47 Gem
|HIP 34722
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|43
|59 Gem
|HIP 35941
|Inside the hull
|5.759
|-
|44
|52 Gem
|HIP 35025
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 33937
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|46
|48 Gem
|HIP 34819
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|47
|33 Gem
|HIP 32753
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 33421
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|49
|61 Gem
|HIP 36156
|Inside the hull
|5.935
|-
|50
|NP Gem
|HIP 33929
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|51
|44 Gem
|HIP 34182
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 30570
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 31813
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 37339
|Constellation lines
|6.165
|-
|55
|58 Gem
|HIP 35842
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 37269
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 33595
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 35345
|Inside the hull
|6.196
|-
|59
|16 Gem
|HIP 30769
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|60
|* 54 Aur A
|HIP 31852
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|61
|20 Gem
|HIP 31158
|Inside the hull
|6.242
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 32020
|Inside the hull
|6.272
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 30501
|Inside the hull
|6.345
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 36325
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 37165
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 32539
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 31850
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 35253
|Inside the hull
|6.389
|-
|69
|40 Gem
|HIP 33650
|Inside the hull
|6.397
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 34608
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|71
|25 Gem
|HIP 32019
|Inside the hull
|6.427
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 34367
|Inside the hull
|6.464
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 31650
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 32431
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 34763
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 36152
|Inside the hull
|6.52
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 37179
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.85
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 38228
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.91
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 38363
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|7
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Gem Fortin1795.jpg|Gemini in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
</gallery>

==Mythology==
'''Greek'''<ref name=":0" />

According to Eratosthenes, these are the Dioscuri, [[Castor]] and Polydeuces ([[Pollux]]) of Sparta. Queen Leda gave birth to unequal twins, so it was said that one was by her husband Tyndareus, while the other was a son of Zeus and therefore immortal.

The young men achieved fame by accompanying Heracles ([[Hercules]]) and participating in Jason's voyage on the [[Argo]]. They surpassed everyone in their brotherly love, as they never fought over power or anything else.

In battle, the mortal brother, Castor, was seriously wounded, and then the immortal brother asked his father Zeus to allow him to die as well. Zeus, however, placed the brothers in the sky to commemorate their bond.

The principle of the rise and fall of the constellations clearly shows that they spend part of the year with Hades in the underworld and the other part of the year in the sky.

'''Roman'''

==Weblinks==

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017061 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Gemini]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]
[[Category:Zodiac]]

Eridanus

2026-05-20T12:49:40Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ποταμός */ Couple more typos

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Eridanus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Eri star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Hugo-de-Groot-Syntagma-Arateorum MG 0631.tif|thumb|Hugo de Groot Syntagma Arateorum MG 0631]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. In ancient Greece, the constellation simply had been named ‘The River’ with various interpretations. In Mediaeval times, e.g. in the Leiden Aratea, it is even depicted as a river god instead of a stream of water. The modern IAU-adoption renders the term as "Eridanus".

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Eridanus - Mercator.jpeg|thumb|Eri (Mercator 1551)]]
[[File:Valentinee.jpg|thumb|Eridanus in IAU WGSN congratulation on Valentine's Day (CC BY Sadegh Faghanpour for WGSN).]]
<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In Greek, the constellation simply had been named ‘The River’ and is interpreted by authors as representing various real or mythological bodies of water. Aratus says it is the river Eridanus, but Eratosthenes also quotes others who believe it must be the Nile. Even in ancient times, some authors considered ‘Eridanus’ to be the name of a mythological river, while others considered it to be the name of the River Po in northern Italy.

Eridanus is a chain of stars next to Orion's foot. Like most stars in this chain, the star next to Orion's foot is not particularly bright (λ Eridani has a magnitude of 4.25). Since the southernmost star in the chain is brighter, many astronomers considered it to be the source of the celestial river. Eratosthenes notes that next to or below the river is the star ‘Kanobos’, Latinised as Canopus, which is the southernmost of all stars and is therefore also called the Earth-near (Perigeios). Canopus does not belong to the river, but it marks its southern end. At that time, it was probably located near ϑ Eridani. At least, that is the southernmost star listed by Ptolemy in his star catalogue.

For Ptolemy, the star next to Orion's foot is the beginning of the river and the southernmost star is the last in the chain. It may be that this list only indicates that Ptolemy systematically proceeded from north to south in his ‘inventory’ of the stars. In any case, he does not name any of the stars as the source or mouth of the river. It therefore remains unclear whether the river flows from north to south or from south to north, and the river therefore remains nameless. Eratosthenes, on the other hand, claims that the river flows from south to north, thus supporting the assertion that it must be the Nile, because this does not apply to any other river. He therefore does not need a mythological explanation, but sees the celestial river as a counterpart to geography.

In the 16th century, Dutch navigators extended this chain of stars, which originally only reached as far as ϑ Eridani, southwards for navigation purposes: on the star charts of Plancius (1598) and Bayer (1603), a line winds its way from the southernmost point of Eridanus to the south celestial pole. This asterism of a winding line was divided into two constellations: the extended Eridanus to the bright star that today bears the Arabic name ‘Achernar’ (end of the river) and the small water snake Hydrus, which was redesigned again in the 18th century.

===Origin of Constellation===

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of Ericanus ... </blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 13
|Cnc 10
|Cap 27
|Psc 22
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|in the quadrilateral which is located in the boow and next to the Sea Monster the front and northernmost (rho Cet)
|The brightest, front and southernmost of all
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 3/5 hours = 216 min = 54 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Psc 7°
|Tau 4 1/2°
|Gem 4
|Leo 9 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one and brightest of all (theta)
|the first one which stands next to the foot of Orion
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 7/10 hours = 282 min = 70 1/2°
|}
Stars Mentioned
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|lam And
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|}
<blockquote></blockquote>

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Some call this the Nile, though many call it Ocean. Those who advocate the Nile point out that it is correctly so called on account of the great length and usefulness of that River, and especially because below the sign is a certain star, shining more brightly than the rest, called Canopus. Canopus is an island washed by the river Nile. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ποταμός ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ποταμοῦ ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ μετὰ τὸν ἐν τῷ ἀκρόποδι τοῦ δρίωνος ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς τοῦ ποταμοῦ
|The star after the one in the foot of Orion, at the beginning of the river
|lam Eri
|-
|2
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος ἐν ἐπικαμπίῳ πρὸς τῷ ἀντικυημίῳ τοῦ Ὡρίωνος
|The one north of this, in the curve near the shin of Orion
|ß Eri
|-
|3
|τῶν μετὰ τοῦτον ἐφεξῆς β’ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of thc 2 stars next in order after this
|psi Eri
|-
|4
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|ome Eri
|-
|5
|πάλιη τῶν ἐφεξῆς Β’ ὁ ἐπόμευος
|The rearmost of the next 2 in order again
|mu Eri
|-
|6
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|nu Eri
|-
|7
|τῶν μετὰ τοῦτον γ’ ὁ ἐπόμευος
|The rearmost of the 3 stars after this
|xi Eri
|-
|8
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|omi2 Eri
|-
|9
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The most advanced of the three
|omi1 Eri
|-
|10
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐξῆς διαστάσει δ ὁ ἑπόμενος
|The rearmost of the four stars in the next interval
|gam Eri
|-
|11
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος
|The one in advance of this
|pi Eri
|-
|12
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου προηγούμενος
|The one in advance again of this
|del Eri
|-
|13
|ὁ τῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 4
|eps Eri
|-
|14
|ὁμοίως τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐφεξῆς διαστάσει δ ὁ ἑπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 4 stars in the next interval again
|zet Eri
|-
|15
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος
|The one in advance of this
|rho3 + rho2 Eri
|-
|16
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου προηγούμενος
|The one in advance again of this
|eta Eri
|-
|17
|ὁ τῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 4
|HR 859
|-
|18
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἐπιστροφῇ τοῦ ποταμοῦ α’ ἀπτόμενος τοῦ στήθους τοῦ Κήτους
|The first star in the bend of the river, which [star] touches the chest of Cetus
|tau1 Eri
|-
|19
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμενος
|The one to the rear of this
|tau2 Eri
|-
|20
|τῶν ἐφεξῆς τριῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the next [group of] three
|tau3 Eri
|-
|21
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|tau4 Eri
|-
|22
|ὁ ἐπόμευος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|tau5 Eri
|-
|23
|τῶν ἐξῆς ὡς ἐν τραπεξίῳ ὁ τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος.
|The next four stars, nearly forming a trapezium: the northern one on the advance side
|tau6 Eri
|-
|24
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The next four stars, nearly forming a trapezium: the southernmost on the advance side
|tau7 Eri
|-
|25
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ προηγούμενος
|The next four stars, nearly forming a trapezium: the more advanced one on the rear side
|tau8 Eri
|-
|26
|ὁ ἑπόμενος αὐτῆς καὶ λοιπὸς τῶν δ
|The next four stars, nearly forming a trapezium: the last of the 4, the rear one on that side
|tau9 Eri
|-
|27
|ὁ τῶν διεστώτων πρὸς ἀνατολὴν β συνεχῶν ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close together at some distance to the east
|ups1 Eri
|-
|28
|ὁ ποτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|ups2 Eri
|-
|29
|τῶν ἐφεξῆς μετὰ τὴν καμπὴν β ὁ ἑπόμενος
|The rearmost of the next 2 stars after the bend
|ups3 Eri
|-
|30
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|ups4 Eri
|-
|31
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐξῆς διαστάσει γ’ ὁ ἐπόμευος
|The rearmost of thc 3 stars in the next interval
|g Eri
|-
|32
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|f Eri
|-
|33
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The most advanced of the three
|h Eri
|-
|34
|ὁ ἔσχατος τοῦ Ποταμοῦ λαμπρός
|The last star of the river, the bright one
|tet Eri
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λδ, ὥν α μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ ἔ, δ’ ἧς, εἱ β.
|{34 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 5 of the third, 26 of the fourth, 2 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Potamos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Potamos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Cursa
|HIP 23875
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.79
|-
|2
|Zaurak
|HIP 18543
|Constellation lines
|2.94
|-
|3
|Acamar
|HIP 13847
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.18
|-
|4
|Rana
|HIP 17378
|Constellation lines
|3.54
|-
|5
|υ 4 Eridani
|HIP 20042
|Constellation lines
|3.56
|-
|6
|τ 4 Eridani
|HIP 15474
|Constellation lines
|3.7
|-
|7
|Ran
|HIP 16537
|Constellation lines
|3.73
|-
|8
|Theemin
|HIP 21393
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.82
|-
|9
|Azha
|HIP 13701
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.87
|-
|10
|Sceptrum
|HIP 21594
|Inside the hull
|3.87
|-
|11
|ν Eridani
|HIP 21444
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.928
|-
|12
|Beemim
|HIP 20535
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.96
|-
|13
|Dalim
|HIP 14879
|Inside the hull
|3.98
|-
|14
|μ Eridani
|HIP 22109
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4
|-
|15
|Beid
|HIP 19587
|Constellation lines
|4.026
|-
|16
|τ 3 Eridani
|HIP 14146
|Constellation lines
|4.09
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 17874
|Constellation lines
|4.17
|-
|18
|τ 6 Eridani
|HIP 17651
|Constellation lines
|4.2
|-
|19
|τ 5 Eridani
|HIP 16611
|Constellation lines
|4.25
|-
|20
|λ Eridani
|HIP 23972
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.27
|-
|21
|f Eri
|HIP 17797
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.27
|-
|22
|54 Eri
|HIP 21763
|Inside the hull
|4.3
|-
|23
|ω Eridani
|HIP 22701
|Constellation lines
|4.4
|-
|24
|π Eridani
|HIP 17593
|Constellation lines
|4.42
|-
|25
|Keid
|HIP 19849
|Constellation lines
|4.43
|-
|26
|τ 1 Eridani
|HIP 12843
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.46
|-
|27
|υ 1 Eridani
|HIP 21248
|Constellation lines
|4.51
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 17351
|Constellation lines
|4.583
|-
|29
|τ 8 Eridani
|HIP 18216
|Constellation lines
|4.623
|-
|30
|τ 9 Eridani
|HIP 18673
|Constellation lines
|4.66
|-
|31
|Angetenar
|HIP 13288
|Constellation lines
|4.77
|-
|32
|64 Eri
|HIP 23231
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|33
|Zibal
|HIP 15197
|Constellation lines
|4.8
|-
|34
|ψ Eridani
|HIP 23364
|Constellation lines
|4.81
|-
|35
|15 Eri
|HIP 15382
|Inside the hull
|4.875
|-
|36
|39 Eri
|HIP 19777
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|37
|δ Fornacis
|HIP 17304
|Inside the hull
|4.973
|-
|38
| -
|HIP 21644
|Inside the hull
|5.002
|-
|39
|60 Eri
|HIP 22479
|Inside the hull
|5.028
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 18213
|Inside the hull
|5.092
|-
|41
|ξ Eridani
|HIP 20507
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.165
|-
|42
|47 Eri
|HIP 21296
|Inside the hull
|5.188
|-
|43
|242 G. Eri
|HIP 21297
|Inside the hull
|5.229
|-
|44
|20 Eri
|HIP 16803
|Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|45
|τ 7 Eridani
|HIP 17717
|Constellation lines
|5.235
|-
|46
|ρ 3 Eridani
|HIP 14293
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.3
|-
|47
|ρ 2 Eridani
|HIP 14168
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.336
|-
|48
|212 G. Eri
|HIP 20264
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|49
|63 Eri
|HIP 23221
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|50
|DU Eri
|HIP 20922
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|51
|GU Eri
|HIP 19398
|Inside the hull
|5.435
|-
|52
|37 Eri
|HIP 19483
|Inside the hull
|5.442
|-
|53
|4 Eri
|HIP 13782
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|54
|257 G. Eri
|HIP 21685
|Inside the hull
|5.463
|-
|55
|30 Eri
|HIP 18141
|Inside the hull
|5.475
|-
|56
|62 Eri
|HIP 22958
|Inside the hull
|5.482
|-
|57
|83 G. Eri
|HIP 15643
|Inside the hull
|5.496
|-
|58
|58 Eri
|HIP 22263
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|59
|264 G. Eri
|HIP 22028
|Inside the hull
|5.522
|-
|60
|ρ Fornacis
|HIP 17738
|Inside the hull
|5.54
|-
|61
|258 G. Eri
|HIP 21743
|Inside the hull
|5.563
|-
|62
|94 G. Eri
|HIP 16263
|Inside the hull
|5.576
|-
|63
|106 G. Eri
|HIP 16780
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|64
|160 G. Eri
|HIP 18647
|Inside the hull
|5.589
|-
|65
|174 G. Eri
|HIP 19095
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|66
|122 G. Eri
|HIP 17395
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|67
|169 G. Eri
|HIP 19011
|Inside the hull
|5.611
|-
|68
|AI For
|HIP 15479
|Inside the hull
|5.622
|-
|69
|ζ Fornacis
|HIP 13942
|Inside the hull
|5.686
|-
|70
|278 G. Eri
|HIP 22860
|Inside the hull
|5.688
|-
|71
|184 G. Eri
|HIP 19511
|Inside the hull
|5.689
|-
|72
|267 G. Eri
|HIP 22086
|Inside the hull
|5.692
|-
|73
|χ 2 Fornacis
|HIP 16112
|Inside the hull
|5.702
|-
|74
|R Eri
|HIP 22881
|Inside the hull
|5.715
|-
|75
|46 Eri
|HIP 21278
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|76
|91 G. Eri
|HIP 16142
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|77
|59 Eri
|HIP 22325
|Inside the hull
|5.755
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 22336
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|79
|291 G. Eri
|HIP 23916
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|80
|216 G. Eri
|HIP 20465
|Inside the hull
|5.796
|-
|81
|GW Eri
|HIP 19571
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|82
|132 G. Eri
|HIP 17798
|Inside the hull
|5.801
|-
|83
|6 Eri
|HIP 13835
|Inside the hull
|5.809
|-
|84
|56 Eri
|HIP 22024
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|85
|159 G. Eri
|HIP 18606
|Inside the hull
|5.833
|-
|86
|53 G. Eri
|HIP 14110
|Inside the hull
|5.837
|-
|87
|EM Eri
|HIP 20271
|Inside the hull
|5.838
|-
|88
| -
|HR 997
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|89
|109 G. Eri
|HIP 16989
|Inside the hull
|5.849
|-
|90
|ϵ Fornacis
|HIP 14086
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|91
|σ Fornacis
|HIP 17618
|Inside the hull
|5.904
|-
|92
|163 G. Eri
|HIP 18723
|Inside the hull
|5.919
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 15357
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|94
|35 G. Eri
|HIP 13479
|Inside the hull
|5.931
|-
|95
|202 G. Eri
|HIP 19996
|Inside the hull
|5.932
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 16029
|Inside the hull
|5.933
|-
|97
|227 G. Eri
|HIP 20892
|Inside the hull
|5.933
|-
|98
|93 G. Eri
|HIP 16266
|Inside the hull
|5.988
|-
|99
|DO Eri
|HIP 18339
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|100
|τ Fornacis
|HIP 17007
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 13402
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|102
|GZ Eri
|HIP 20075
|Inside the hull
|6.052
|-
|103
|236 G. Eri
|HIP 21239
|Inside the hull
|6.052
|-
|104
|205 G. Eri
|HIP 20106
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|105
|240 G. Eri
|HIP 21298
|Inside the hull
|6.063
|-
|106
|171 G. Eri
|HIP 19037
|Inside the hull
|6.111
|-
|107
|247 G. Eri
|HIP 21363
|Inside the hull
|6.111
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 13907
|Inside the hull
|6.131
|-
|109
|281 G. Eri
|HIP 23060
|Inside the hull
|6.139
|-
|110
|14 Eri
|HIP 15244
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|111
|γ 1 Fornacis
|HIP 13197
|Inside the hull
|6.146
|-
|112
|45 G. Eri
|HIP 13883
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|113
|EK Eri
|HIP 20263
|Inside the hull
|6.154
|-
|114
| -
|HIP 15024
|Inside the hull
|6.162
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 14551
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|116
|DL Eri
|HIP 18455
|Inside the hull
|6.177
|-
|117
|113 G. Eri
|HIP 17057
|Inside the hull
|6.182
|-
|118
|133 G. Eri
|HIP 17734
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 16628
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 23311
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|121
|147 G. Eri
|HIP 18173
|Inside the hull
|6.216
|-
|122
|229 G. Eri
|HIP 20997
|Inside the hull
|6.219
|-
|123
|86 G. Eri
|HIP 15776
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|124
|104 G. Eri
|HIP 16677
|Inside the hull
|6.239
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 15125
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|126
|67 G. Eri
|HIP 14814
|Inside the hull
|6.243
|-
|127
|232 G. Eri
|HIP 21110
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|128
|272 G. Eri
|HIP 22439
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|129
|172 G. Eri
|HIP 19121
|Inside the hull
|6.261
|-
|130
| -
|HIP 13768
|Inside the hull
|6.281
|-
|131
| -
|HIP 14972
|Inside the hull
|6.283
|-
|132
| -
|HIP 13947
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|133
|59 G. Eri
|HIP 14355
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|134
|173 G. Eri
|HIP 19111
|Inside the hull
|6.334
|-
|135
|248 G. Eri
|HIP 21428
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|136
|114 G. Eri
|HIP 17136
|Inside the hull
|6.343
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 15700
|Inside the hull
|6.353
|-
|138
|66 G. Eri
|HIP 14797
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|139
|168 G. Eri
|HIP 18990
|Inside the hull
|6.364
|-
|140
| -
|HIP 21377
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|141
| -
|HIP 16449
|Inside the hull
|6.372
|-
|142
|65 G. Eri
|HIP 14757
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|143
| -
|HIP 18428
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|144
|246 G. Eri
|HIP 21324
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|145
|χ 1 Fornacis
|HIP 15987
|Inside the hull
|6.385
|-
|146
|189 G. Eri
|HIP 19601
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|147
| -
|HIP 15585
|Inside the hull
|6.404
|-
|148
| -
|HIP 13789
|Inside the hull
|6.411
|-
|149
|213 G. Eri
|HIP 20360
|Inside the hull
|6.429
|-
|150
| -
|HIP 16672
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|151
|188 G. Eri
|HIP 19509
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|152
|186 G. Eri
|HIP 19590
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|153
|166 G. Eri
|HIP 18926
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|154
| -
|HIP 16697
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|155
|117 G. Eri
|HIP 17214
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|156
| -
|HIP 15816
|Inside the hull
|6.499
|-
|157
| -
|HIP 13843
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|158
| -
|HR 1359
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Hugo-de-Groot-Syntagma-Arateorum MG 0631.tif|Eridanus in Leiden Aratea (Hugo de Groot 1600)
File:Eridanus - Mercator.jpeg|Eri (Mercator 1551)
File:Eridanus uranometria.jpg|Eri (Uranometria 1603)
File:Eridanus Hevelius.jpg|Eri (Hevelius 1690)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
'''Greek'''<ref name=":0" />

Ancient Greek mythology tells the story of Phaeton and the river Eridanus is often associated with this constellation. Phaeton, the radiant one, is the mortal son of the sun god Helios, who begged to be allowed to drive his sun chariot. Despite all his father's warnings, he insisted and had an accident on the way because the heavenly horses were too strong and stormy for him. When he fell from the sky, he plunged into the river Eridanus.

According to Herodotus and the geographer Strabo, Eridanus is a mythological river with no real counterpart. It is located ‘at the end of the world’. At least a century after Herodotus, it was discovered that the Earth is a sphere and therefore cannot have an edge. By Strabo's time, this had long been the accepted doctrine. Therefore, the idea of the ‘edge’ or ‘end’ of the world is probably an association with death and the eternity that follows – a popular motif for the starry sky.

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017079 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Eridanus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Eri]]
[[Category:European]]

Draco

2026-05-20T12:22:11Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Δράκων. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Draco IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Dra star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:Greece, Delphi, Omphalos at Via Sacra of Delphi.png|thumb|Greece, Delphi, Omphalos at Via Sacra of Delphi (CC BY Berthold Werner).]]
[[File:Omphalos, AM of Delphi, 201424x.jpg|thumb|The omphalos was found in the area to the northeast of the temple of Apollo. It most probably reproduced the form of the omphalos that stand in the adyton. It is regarded as a Hellenistic (or Roman) copy of that omphalos. Archaeological Museum of Delphi. (CC BY SA Zde)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The ancient constellation depicts a snake coiled around the truly stationary (ecliptic) celestial pole. It is Python, a giant snake that was killed by the god Apollo and buried in the Greek sanctuary at Delphi. There, Apollo whispers through her corpse to the Pythia, a priestess, the famous “Oracle of Delphi.” The (dead) Python writhes around the “navel of the world,” a sacred stone (''omphalos'') in Delphi. The analogy to the ecliptic pole in the sky is obvious.

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>Aratos describes the constellation as a dragon that “coils around and around,” “a thousandfold” and “like a waterfall and a great wonder.” Eratosthenes, on the other hand, calls the constellation “snake,” and this is how it is depicted on the Farnese Globe: only the head of the creature can be seen there—an architectural hole in the globe erased the coils down to the tail. Greek astronomy distinguishes this “giant” snake, which winds around the pole, from the snake of the serpent bearer, but there is no indication that this figure has a dragon-like appearance. In the Leiden Aratea, too, this constellation was more reminiscent of an earthworm. This manuscript dates from the 9th century (Carolingian Empire) and Central Europe; one copy was found in the Netherlands and another in France. However, its drawing style implies a Roman model that is now lost. It can therefore be concluded that the Greek image of the giant snake, which was not a dragon, remained unchanged from Aratos in the 3rd century BCE to the Carolingian Middle Ages.

==== Babylonian ====
In Mesopotamian uranography,<ref name=":0" /> this region of the sky cannot be reconstructed well because it is circumpolar and therefore no rise and set dates are given. However, it is clear that there were neither dragons nor serpents here: this region of the sky is dedicated to the god of agriculture, Enlil, and his family.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[45] Between the two Bears, in the likeness of a river, winds a great wonder, the Dragon, writhing around and about at enormous length; on either side of its coil the Bears move, keeping clear of the dark-blue ocean. It reaches over one of them with the tip of its tail, [50] and intercepts the other with its coil. The tip of its tail ends level with the head of the Bear Helice, and Cynosura keeps her head within its coil. The coil winds past her very head, goes as far as her foot, then turns back again and runs upwards. In the Dragon’s head there is not just a single star shining by itself, [56] but two on the temples and two on the eyes, while one below them occupies the jaw-point of the awesome monster. Its head is slanted and looks altogether as if it is inclined towards the tip of Helice’s tail: the mouth and the right temple are in a very straight line with the tip of the tail. [61] The head of the Dragon passes through the point where the end of settings and the start of risings blend with each other. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1''' ('''Ὄφεως'''): This is the Great Serpent, the one that lies between the two Bears. It is said that this is the one who guarded the golden apples and was killed by Heracles. Hera had charged him with protecting the apples from the Hesperides, and it was she who gave him a place among the constellations. Indeed, Phecydes says that when Zeus married Hera, during the presentation of gifts given to him by the gods, Gaia, The Earth, came to offer her the golden apples. At the sight of them, Hera was dazzled and asked for them to be planted in the orchard of the gods next to Atlas. And as the daughters of Atlas were constantly stealing the apples, she appointed this gigantic snake as guardian. It is easy to see; above it is the figure of Heracles, for Zeus wanted to use this arrangement to flagrantly the memory of the struggle. He has three bright stars on his head and twelve stars on his body, which follow each other at close intervals to the tail and separate the two Bears48. <All in all, fifteen.> </blockquote><blockquote>'''Var. 2 (Ὄφεως):''' This is the Great Serpent, the one that stretches between the two Bears. It is said that this is the one who guarded the golden apples and who died at the hands of Heracles. Hera had charged him with protecting the orchards and the golden apples against the Hesperides, and it was she who gave him a place among the constellations. In fact, Phecydes that on the occasion of the wedding of Zeus and Hera, during the gifts given by the gods, Gaia, The Earth, came to offer golden apples on their branches. At the sight of them, Hera was dazzled and asked for them to be planted in the orchard of the gods next to Atlas. And as the daughters of Atlas were constantly stealing apples, she appointed this gigantic snake as guardian.

It has three bright stars at the tip of its head and twelve stars on the body, which follow each other at close to the tail, separating the two bears. (Pamias and Zucker 2013) </blockquote>
===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This huge serpent is pointed out as lying between the two Bears. He is said to have guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides, and after Hercules killed him, to have been put by Juno among the stars, because at her instigation Hercules set out for him. He is considered the usual watchman of the Gardens of Juno. Pherecydes says that when Jupiter wed Juno, Terra came, bearing branches with golden applies, and Juno, in admiration, asked Terra to plant them in her gardens near distant Mount Atlas. When Atlas' daughters kept picking the apples from the trees, Juno is said to have placed this guardian there. Proof of this will be the form of Hercules above the dragon, as Eratosthenes shows, so that anyone may know that for this reason in particular it is called the dragon.

Some also say this dragon was thrown at Minerva by the Giants, when she fought them. Minerva, however, snatched its twisted form and threw it to the stars, and fixed it at the very pole of heaven. And so to this day it appears with twisted body, as if recently transported to the stars. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====
not a rising and setting constellation

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Δράκων. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Δράκουτος ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Draco
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς γλώσσης.
|The star on the tongue
|mu Dra
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐεν τῷ στόματι.
|The star in the mouth
|nu Dra
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπάνω τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ.
|The· star above the eye
|bet Dra
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς χένυος.
|The star on the jaw
|xi Dra
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπάνω τῆς κεφαλῆς.
|The star above the head
|gam Dra
|-
|6
|τῶν ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ καμπῇ τοῦ τραχήλου ἐπ’ εὐθείας γ’ ὁ βόΘε0ς
|The northernmost of the 3 stars in a straight line in the first bend of the neck
|39 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ ψότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of these
|46 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one
|45 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος ἀπ’ ἀνατολῆς,
|The star to the rear and due east of the latter
|omi Dra
|-
|
|τοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐξῆς ἐπιστροφῇ τετραπλεύρου τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νότιος
|The southern star of the [two] forming the advance side of the quadrilateral in the next bend
|pi Dra
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς.
|The more northerly star of the advance side
|del Dra
|-
|
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος.
|The northern star of the rear side [of the quadrilateral]
|eps Dra
|-
|
|ὁ φότιος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς.
|The southern star of the rear side
|rho Dra
|-
|
|τοῦ ἐν τῇ ἐφεξῆς καμπῇ τριγώνου ὁ νότιος.
|The southern star of [those forming] the triangle in the next bend
|sig Dra
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν τοῦ τριγώνου β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the other two stars of the triangle
|ups Dra
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The one to the rear
|tau Dra
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἐξῆς καὶ προηγουμένῳ τριγώνῳ ἡ ὁ ἑπόμενος,
|The most advanced of the three stars in the next triangle, which is in advance [of the last]
|psi Dra
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν τοῦ τριγώνου β’ ὁ νότιος.
|The southernmost of the other two forming the triangle
|chi Dra
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος τῶν λοιπῶν δύο
|The northernmost of the other two
|phi Dra
|-
|
|τῶν πρὸς δύσιο τοῦ τριγώνου β μικρῶν ὁ ἐπόμευος.
|The rearmost of the two small stars to the west of the triangle
|27 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ ἠγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The one in advance
|omega Dra
|-
|
|τῶν ἐξῆς ἐπ’ εὐθείας γ’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the next 3 stars in a straight line
|18 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|19 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of them
|zet Dra
|-
|
|τῶν ἐξῆς πρὸς δυσμὰς β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the next 2 to the west
|eta Dra
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of these
|tet Dra
|-
|
|ὁ τούτωυ πρὸς δυσμὰς ἐν τῇ παρούρῳ ἐπιστροφῇ
|The star to the west of these, in the bend by the tail
|iot Dra
|-
|
|τῶν τούτου ἱκανὸν διεστώτων β’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The advance star of the 2 quite some distance from the latter
|10 Dra
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rear star of these (two)
|alf Dra
|-
|
|ὁ τούτων ἐχόμενος παρὰ τὴν οὐράν
|The star close by these, by the tail
|kap Dra
|-
|
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The remaining star, on the tip of the tail
|lam Dra
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες λα, ὥν ν μεγέθους ἢ, δ’ ἰς, εε, ς’ β, ὁμοῦ λα
|{31 stars, 8 of the third magnitude, 16 of the fourth, 5 of the fifth, 2 of the sixth}
|
|}

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Eltanin
|HIP 87833
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.23
|-
|2
|Athebyne
|HIP 80331
|Constellation lines
|2.74
|-
|3
|Rastaban
|HIP 85670
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.81
|-
|4
|Altais
|HIP 94376
|Constellation lines
|3.07
|-
|5
|Aldhibah
|HIP 83895
|Constellation lines
|3.17
|-
|6
|Edasich
|HIP 75458
|Constellation lines
|3.29
|-
|7
|χ Draconis
|HIP 89937
|Constellation lines
|3.58
|-
|8
|Thuban
|HIP 68756
|Constellation lines
|3.68
|-
|9
|Grumium
|HIP 87585
|Constellation lines
|3.75
|-
|10
|Giausar
|HIP 56211
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.85
|-
|11
|κ Draconis
|HIP 61281
|Constellation lines
|3.89
|-
|12
|ϵ Draconis
|HIP 97433
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.91
|-
|13
|θ Draconis
|HIP 78527
|Constellation lines
|4
|-
|14
|ϕ Draconis
|HIP 89908
|Constellation lines
|4.22
|-
|15
|τ Draconis
|HIP 94648
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.45
|-
|16
|ρ Draconis
|HIP 98702
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.5
|-
|17
|RR UMi
|HIP 73199
|Inside the hull
|4.54
|-
|18
|Dziban
|HIP 86614
|Constellation lines
|4.55
|-
|19
|π Draconis
|HIP 95081
|Constellation lines
|4.59
|-
|20
|ο Draconis
|HIP 92512
|Constellation lines
|4.636
|-
|21
|CU Dra
|HIP 67627
|Inside the hull
|4.66
|-
|22
|Alsafi
|HIP 96100
|Constellation lines
|4.68
|-
|23
|45 Dra
|HIP 90905
|Constellation lines
|4.761
|-
|24
|ω Draconis
|HIP 86201
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|25
|υ Draconis
|HIP 92782
|Constellation lines
|4.814
|-
|26
|Fafnir
|HIP 90344
|Inside the hull
|4.823
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 82020
|Inside the hull
|4.837
|-
|28
|18 Dra
|HIP 81660
|Inside the hull
|4.842
|-
|29
|ν 2 Draconis
|HIP 85829
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|30
|19 Dra
|HIP 82860
|Inside the hull
|4.88
|-
|31
|ν 1 Draconis
|HIP 85819
|Constellation lines
|4.89
|-
|32
|RX J1724.2+6957
|RX J1724.2+6957
|Inside the hull
|4.89
|-
|33
|Alrakis
|HIP 83608
|Constellation lines
|4.91
|-
|34
|15 Dra
|HIP 80650
|Inside the hull
|4.949
|-
|35
|CQ Dra
|HIP 60998
|Inside the hull
|4.95
|-
|36
|36 Dra
|HIP 89348
|Inside the hull
|4.987
|-
|37
|46 Dra
|HIP 91755
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.02
|-
|38
|* b Dra A
|HIP 90156
|Constellation lines
|5.05
|-
|39
|27 Dra
|HIP 85805
|Inside the hull
|5.074
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 56583
|Inside the hull
|5.19
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 77277
|Inside the hull
|5.194
|-
|42
|26 Dra
|HIP 86036
|Inside the hull
|5.21
|-
|43
|Taiyi
|HIP 63076
|Inside the hull
|5.225
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 69373
|Inside the hull
|5.24
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 80161
|Inside the hull
|5.264
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 81437
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|47
|9 Dra
|HIP 63432
|Inside the hull
|5.368
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 79804
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|49
|Tianyi
|HIP 62423
|Inside the hull
|5.423
|-
|50
|ψ 2 Draconis
|HIP 87728
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 78893
|Inside the hull
|5.441
|-
|52
|ψ 1 Draconis B
|HIP 86620
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 84183
|Inside the hull
|5.54
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 92969
|Inside the hull
|5.621
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 76519
|Inside the hull
|5.627
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 85290
|Inside the hull
|5.645
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 83608A
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|58
|48 Dra
|HIP 92997
|Inside the hull
|5.663
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 84950
|Inside the hull
|5.677
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 83608B
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 75260
|Inside the hull
|5.712
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 75974
|Inside the hull
|5.738
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 91315
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|64
|Alruba
|HIP 86782
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 66798
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 86219
|Inside the hull
|5.869
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 97122
|Inside the hull
|5.899
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 75696
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 80991
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 73507
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|71
|37 Dra
|HIP 89448
|Inside the hull
|5.953
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 89047
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 75256
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|74
| -
|HR 6130
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 80309
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 83138
|Inside the hull
|6.041
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 91196
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 95978
|Inside the hull
|6.062
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 70952
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 87744
|Inside the hull
|6.081
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 91606
|Inside the hull
|6.091
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 83359
|Inside the hull
|6.094
|-
|83
| -
|HR 7075
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 91915
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 83289
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 81358
|Inside the hull
|6.148
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 81840
|Inside the hull
|6.172
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 74272
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 64774
|Inside the hull
|6.189
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 78632
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 85692
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 79414
|Inside the hull
|6.211
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 73706
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 92731
|Inside the hull
|6.232
|-
|95
|55 Dra
|HIP 94140
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 91811
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|97
|DL Dra
|HIP 71876
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 75822
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|99
| -
|HIP 78017
|Inside the hull
|6.306
|-
|100
|VW Dra
|HIP 84496
|Inside the hull
|6.318
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 68537
|Inside the hull
|6.329
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 79125
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|103
| -
|HIP 86184
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|104
|CN Dra
|HIP 97326
|Inside the hull
|6.331
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 63152
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 79867
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 95576
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|108
|20 Dra
|HIP 82898
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|109
| -
|HIP 67589
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 83114
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 90476
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 85235
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 76651
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|114
| -
|HIP 93068
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 85268
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|116
| -
|HIP 93053
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 85317
|Inside the hull
|6.494
|-
|118
| -
|HIP 89104
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 64522
|Inside the hull
|6.53
|}

==== Stars within the Constellation Area ====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
|-
! id
! Label
! IAU design.
! description
! Vmag
|-
| 1
| Eltanin
| HIP 87833
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 2.23
|-
| 2
| Athebyne
| HIP 80331
| Constellation lines
| 2.74
|-
| 3
| Rastaban
| HIP 85670
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 2.81
|-
| 4
| Altais
| HIP 94376
| Constellation lines
| 3.07
|-
| 5
| Aldhibah
| HIP 83895
| Constellation lines
| 3.17
|-
| 6
| Edasich
| HIP 75458
| Constellation lines
| 3.29
|-
| 7
| χ Draconis
| HIP 89937
| Constellation lines
| 3.58
|-
| 8
| Thuban
| HIP 68756
| Constellation lines
| 3.68
|-
| 9
| Grumium
| HIP 87585
| Constellation lines
| 3.75
|-
| 10
| Giausar
| HIP 56211
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 3.85
|-
| 11
| κ Draconis
| HIP 61281
| Constellation lines
| 3.89
|-
| 12
| ϵ Draconis
| HIP 97433
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 3.91
|-
| 13
| θ Draconis
| HIP 78527
| Constellation lines
| 4
|-
| 14
| ϕ Draconis
| HIP 89908
| Constellation lines
| 4.22
|-
| 15
| τ Draconis
| HIP 94648
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 4.45
|-
| 16
| ρ Draconis
| HIP 98702
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 4.5
|-
| 17
| RR UMi
| HIP 73199
| Inside the hull
| 4.54
|-
| 18
| Dziban
| HIP 86614
| Constellation lines
| 4.55
|-
| 19
| π Draconis
| HIP 95081
| Constellation lines
| 4.59
|-
| 20
| ο Draconis
| HIP 92512
| Constellation lines
| 4.636
|-
| 21
| CU Dra
| HIP 67627
| Inside the hull
| 4.66
|-
| 22
| Alsafi
| HIP 96100
| Constellation lines
| 4.68
|-
| 23
| 45 Dra
| HIP 90905
| Constellation lines
| 4.761
|-
| 24
| ω Draconis
| HIP 86201
| Inside the hull
| 4.77
|-
| 25
| υ Draconis
| HIP 92782
| Constellation lines
| 4.814
|-
| 26
| Fafnir
| HIP 90344
| Inside the hull
| 4.823
|-
| 27
| -
| HIP 82020
| Inside the hull
| 4.837
|-
| 28
| 18 Dra
| HIP 81660
| Inside the hull
| 4.842
|-
| 29
| ν 2 Draconis
| HIP 85829
| Inside the hull
| 4.85
|-
| 30
| 19 Dra
| HIP 82860
| Inside the hull
| 4.88
|-
| 31
| ν 1 Draconis
| HIP 85819
| Constellation lines
| 4.89
|-
| 32
| RX J1724.2+6957
| RX J1724.2+6957
| Inside the hull
| 4.89
|-
| 33
| Alrakis
| HIP 83608
| Constellation lines
| 4.91
|-
| 34
| 15 Dra
| HIP 80650
| Inside the hull
| 4.949
|-
| 35
| CQ Dra
| HIP 60998
| Inside the hull
| 4.95
|-
| 36
| 36 Dra
| HIP 89348
| Inside the hull
| 4.987
|-
| 37
| 46 Dra
| HIP 91755
| Constellation lines (Vertex)
| 5.02
|-
| 38
| * b Dra A
| HIP 90156
| Constellation lines
| 5.05
|-
| 39
| 27 Dra
| HIP 85805
| Inside the hull
| 5.074
|-
| 40
| -
| HIP 56583
| Inside the hull
| 5.19
|-
| 41
| -
| HIP 77277
| Inside the hull
| 5.194
|-
| 42
| 26 Dra
| HIP 86036
| Inside the hull
| 5.21
|-
| 43
| Taiyi
| HIP 63076
| Inside the hull
| 5.225
|-
| 44
| -
| HIP 69373
| Inside the hull
| 5.24
|-
| 45
| -
| HIP 80161
| Inside the hull
| 5.264
|-
| 46
| -
| HIP 81437
| Inside the hull
| 5.28
|-
| 47
| 9 Dra
| HIP 63432
| Inside the hull
| 5.368
|-
| 48
| -
| HIP 79804
| Inside the hull
| 5.4
|-
| 49
| Tianyi
| HIP 62423
| Inside the hull
| 5.423
|-
| 50
| ψ 2 Draconis
| HIP 87728
| Inside the hull
| 5.43
|-
| 51
| -
| HIP 78893
| Inside the hull
| 5.441
|-
| 52
| ψ 1 Draconis B
| HIP 86620
| Inside the hull
| 5.53
|-
| 53
| -
| HIP 84183
| Inside the hull
| 5.54
|-
| 54
| -
| HIP 92969
| Inside the hull
| 5.621
|-
| 55
| -
| HIP 76519
| Inside the hull
| 5.627
|-
| 56
| -
| HIP 85290
| Inside the hull
| 5.645
|-
| 57
| -
| HIP 83608A
| Inside the hull
| 5.66
|-
| 58
| 48 Dra
| HIP 92997
| Inside the hull
| 5.663
|-
| 59
| -
| HIP 84950
| Inside the hull
| 5.677
|-
| 60
| -
| HIP 83608B
| Inside the hull
| 5.69
|-
| 61
| -
| HIP 75260
| Inside the hull
| 5.712
|-
| 62
| -
| HIP 75974
| Inside the hull
| 5.738
|-
| 63
| -
| HIP 91315
| Inside the hull
| 5.74
|-
| 64
| Alruba
| HIP 86782
| Inside the hull
| 5.76
|-
| 65
| -
| HIP 66798
| Inside the hull
| 5.85
|-
| 66
| -
| HIP 86219
| Inside the hull
| 5.869
|-
| 67
| -
| HIP 97122
| Inside the hull
| 5.899
|-
| 68
| -
| HIP 75696
| Inside the hull
| 5.9
|-
| 69
| -
| HIP 80991
| Inside the hull
| 5.91
|-
| 70
| -
| HIP 73507
| Inside the hull
| 5.92
|-
| 71
| 37 Dra
| HIP 89448
| Inside the hull
| 5.953
|-
| 72
| -
| HIP 89047
| Inside the hull
| 5.98
|-
| 73
| -
| HIP 75256
| Inside the hull
| 5.986
|-
| 74
| -
| HR 6130
| Inside the hull
| 6.04
|-
| 75
| -
| HIP 80309
| Inside the hull
| 6.04
|-
| 76
| -
| HIP 83138
| Inside the hull
| 6.041
|-
| 77
| -
| HIP 91196
| Inside the hull
| 6.06
|-
| 78
| -
| HIP 95978
| Inside the hull
| 6.062
|-
| 79
| -
| HIP 70952
| Inside the hull
| 6.08
|-
| 80
| -
| HIP 87744
| Inside the hull
| 6.081
|-
| 81
| -
| HIP 91606
| Inside the hull
| 6.091
|-
| 82
| -
| HIP 83359
| Inside the hull
| 6.094
|-
| 83
| -
| HR 7075
| Inside the hull
| 6.13
|-
| 84
| -
| HIP 91915
| Inside the hull
| 6.13
|-
| 85
| -
| HIP 83289
| Inside the hull
| 6.143
|-
| 86
| -
| HIP 81358
| Inside the hull
| 6.148
|-
| 87
| -
| HIP 81840
| Inside the hull
| 6.172
|-
| 88
| -
| HIP 74272
| Inside the hull
| 6.18
|-
| 89
| -
| HIP 64774
| Inside the hull
| 6.189
|-
| 90
| -
| HIP 78632
| Inside the hull
| 6.19
|-
| 91
| -
| HIP 85692
| Inside the hull
| 6.21
|-
| 92
| -
| HIP 79414
| Inside the hull
| 6.211
|-
| 93
| -
| HIP 73706
| Inside the hull
| 6.23
|-
| 94
| -
| HIP 92731
| Inside the hull
| 6.232
|-
| 95
| 55 Dra
| HIP 94140
| Inside the hull
| 6.26
|-
| 96
| -
| HIP 91811
| Inside the hull
| 6.27
|-
| 97
| DL Dra
| HIP 71876
| Inside the hull
| 6.29
|-
| 98
| -
| HIP 75822
| Inside the hull
| 6.29
|-
| 99
| -
| HIP 78017
| Inside the hull
| 6.306
|-
| 100
| VW Dra
| HIP 84496
| Inside the hull
| 6.318
|-
| 101
| -
| HIP 68537
| Inside the hull
| 6.329
|-
| 102
| -
| HIP 79125
| Inside the hull
| 6.33
|-
| 103
| -
| HIP 86184
| Inside the hull
| 6.33
|-
| 104
| CN Dra
| HIP 97326
| Inside the hull
| 6.331
|-
| 105
| -
| HIP 63152
| Inside the hull
| 6.34
|-
| 106
| -
| HIP 79867
| Inside the hull
| 6.36
|-
| 107
| -
| HIP 95576
| Inside the hull
| 6.38
|-
| 108
| 20 Dra
| HIP 82898
| Inside the hull
| 6.4
|-
| 109
| -
| HIP 67589
| Inside the hull
| 6.4
|-
| 110
| -
| HIP 83114
| Inside the hull
| 6.41
|-
| 111
| -
| HIP 90476
| Inside the hull
| 6.42
|-
| 112
| -
| HIP 85235
| Inside the hull
| 6.42
|-
| 113
| -
| HIP 76651
| Inside the hull
| 6.44
|-
| 114
| -
| HIP 93068
| Inside the hull
| 6.45
|-
| 115
| -
| HIP 85268
| Inside the hull
| 6.47
|-
| 116
| -
| HIP 93053
| Inside the hull
| 6.49
|-
| 117
| -
| HIP 85317
| Inside the hull
| 6.494
|-
| 118
| -
| HIP 89104
| Inside the hull
| 6.5
|-
| 119
| -
| HIP 64522
| Inside the hull
| 6.53
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==

=== Greek ===
The earth goddess Gaia's wedding gift to Hera and Zeus was golden apples. Hera was so amazed by this “miracle of nature” that she wanted to have these fruits planted in the garden of the gods. This garden was located near Atlas, whose daughters, the Hesperides, repeatedly stole some of the apples.

Hera therefore set a giant snake to guard the apples. One of Heracles' heroic deeds was to kill this giant snake. Eratosthenes writes that Heracles' battle with the snake was ordered by Zeus.

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017040 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Draco]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Dra]]
[[Category:European]]

Delphinus

2026-05-20T12:19:26Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Δελφὲν */ Missing heading, typos

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Delphinus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Del star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
Delphinus, The Dolphin, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. It is attested since ancient Greek time, probably originating in the Mediterranean culture.
[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG|thumb|Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>The Dolphin is a Greek constellation. Dolphins were often depicted as attributes of Poseidon and were the subject of numerous folk tales. They were considered helpers and friends of humans because, firstly, unlike most animals, they are not shy; secondly, they help fishermen by herding shoals of fish; and thirdly, they serve as weather messengers for sailors.

It is not entirely clear which Babylonian constellation is located at this point – in any case, it is not a dolphin. The star group is often identified with the constellation of the corpse. While this is possible, it may also be that the corpse belongs to the bird of prey and is located where Ptolemy places [[Antinous]] (see the constellation [[Aquila]], the Eagle). In this case, the dolphin stars would either still belong to the (then much larger) eagle or to the constellation Pig ([[ŠAḪ]]), which is also located in this region of the sky. The Babylonian constellation Pig is located north and east of the eagle, so it could also lie north of the dolphin – east or west of it.

In ancient times, none of the stars in the constellation had their own names. However, around 1840, a clever Italian successfully immortalised himself by giving the stars α and β Del the names [[Sualocin]] and [[Rotanev]]: read backwards, these spell out the Latinised form of his name: Nicolaus Venator for Niccolo Cacciatore, the successor to the more famous Guiseppe Piazzi at the observatory in Palermo (Sicily).

In the 19th century, Bode did not call the constellation Delphinus, but ' Meerschwein', literally in German: ‘the guinea pig’, but probably a pun, rather referring to a porpoise than a rodent.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[ŠAḪ]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>[316] The very slight Dolphin runs just above Capricorn, dark in the centre, but four jewels outline it, two lying parallel to two. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Ovid, Fasti =====
[79] The Dolphin, which of late thou didst see fretted with stars, will on the next night escape thy gaze. (He was raised to heaven) either because he was a lucky go-between in love’s intrigues, or because he carried the Lesbian lyre and the lyre’s master. What see, what land knows not Arion?14 By his son he used to stay the running waters. Often at his voice the wolf in pursuit of the lamb stood still, often the lamb halted fleeing from the ravening wolf; often hounds and hares have couched in the same covert, and the hind upon the rock has stood beside the lioness: at peace the chattering crow has sat with Pallas’ bird,15 and the dove has been neighbour to the hawk. ‘Tis said that Cynthia16 oft hath stood entranced, tuneful Arion, at thy notes, as if the notes had been struck by her brother’s hand. Arion’s fame had filled Sicilian cities, and by the music of his lyre he had charmed the Ausonian land. Thence wending homewards, he took ship and carried with him the wealth his art had won. Perhaps, poor wretch, thou didst dread the winds and waves, but in sooth the sea was safer for thee than thy ship. For the helmsman took his stand with a drawn sword, and the rest of the conspiring gang had weapons in their hands. What wouldst thou with a sword? Steer the crazy bark, thou mariner; these weapons ill befit thy hands. Quaking with fear the bard, “I deprecate not death,” said he, “but let me take my lyre and play a little.” They gave him leave and laughed at the delay. He took the crown that might well, Phoebus, become thy locks; he donned his robe twice dipped in Tyrian purple: touched by his thumb, the strings gave back a music all their own, such notes as the swan chants in mournful numbers when the cruel shaft has pierced his snowy brow. Straightway, with all his finery on, he leaped plump down into the waves: the refluent water splashed the azure poop. Thereupon they say (it sounds past credence) a dolphin did submit his arched back to the unusual weight; seated there Arion grasped his lyre and paid his fare in song, and with his chant he charmed the ocean waves. The gods see pious deeds: Jupiter received the dolphin among the constellations, and bade him have nine stars.

Ovid. Fasti. Translated by Frazer, James George. Loeb Classical Library Volume. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1931.

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 19 1/2
|Sgr 23 1/2
|Lib 7 1/2
|Lib 13
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front of the four in the rhomb
|the southern of those in the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/4 hours = 15 min = 3 3/4 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 2
|Aqr 7 1/2
|Ari 19 1/2
|Ari 29
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one of those in the tail
|the northern one of those in the edge of the rhomb
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/2 hours = 30 min = 7 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Eratosthenes and others give the following reason for the dolphin's being among the stars. Amphitrite, when Neptune desired to wed her and she preferred to keep her virginity, fled to Atlas. Neptune sent many to seek her out, among them a certain Delphin, who, in his wandering s among the islands, came at last to the maiden, persuaded her to marry Neptune, and himself took charge of the wedding. In return for this service, Neptune put the form of a dolphin among the constellations. More than this, we se that those who make statues of Neptune place a dolphin either in his hand or beneath his foot — a thing they think will please the god especially.

Aglaosthenes, who wrote the Naxica, says that there were certain Tyrrhenian shipmasters, who were to take Father Liber, when a child, to Naxos with his companions and give him over to the nymphs, his nurses. Both our writers and many Greek ones, in books on the genealogy of the gods, have said that he was reared by them. But, to return to the subject at hand, the shipmates, tempted by love of gain, were going to turn the ship off course, when Liber, suspecting their plan, bade his companions chant a melody. The Tyrrhenians were so charmed by the unaccustomed sounds that they were seized by desire even in their dancing, and unwittingly cast themselves into the sea, and were there made dolphins. Since Liber desired to recall thought of them to men's memory, he put the image of one of them among the constellations.

Others, however, say that this is the dolphin which bore Arion, the citharist, from the Sicilian Sea to Taenarum. He excelled all others in skill, and was travelling about he island for the sake of gain, when his servants, thinking there was more profit in treacherous freedom than in quiet servitude, planned to cast their master into the sea and divide his goods among them. When he realized their designs, he asked from them, not as a master from his salves, nor as an innocent man from evil-doers, but as a father from his sons, to allow him to attired himself in the garb he had often worn when victor, since there was no other one who, so well as himself, could honor his death with lamentation. When he had obtained permission, straightway taking up his cithara, he began to mourn his own death, and attracted by the sweet sounds, dolphins from all over the sea swam along at the singing of Arion. Then, invoking the power of the immortal gods, he threw himself down upon them, ad one of them took him and carried him to the shore at Taenarum. In memory of this, the statue of Arion placed there seems to have on it the likeness of a dolphin, and for this happening the dolphin's form is pictured by ancient astronomers among the constellations. But the slaves who thought they had escaped from servitude, driven by a storm to Taenarum, were seized their master and visited with no slight punishment. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====
[[File:Aql Alm+Farnese stellarium.gif|thumb|Aquila as stickfigure drawn to the description in the Almagest (137 CE) and as drawn on the Farnese Globe (marble, 2nd c. CE), mapped to Stellarium by Susanne M Hoffmann (2021)]]

==== Almagest Δελφὲν ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Δελφῖνος ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Delphinus
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ οὐρᾷ γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars in the tail
|eps Del
|-
|2
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the other 2
|iot Del
|-
|3
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|kap Del
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ῥομβοειδεῖ τετραπλεύρῳ τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ νότιος
|The stars in the rhomboid quadrilateral: the southernmost one on the advance side
|bet Del
|-
|5
|ὁ βορειότερος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The stars in the rhomboid quadrilateral: the northernmost one on the advance side
|alf Del
|-
|6
|τῆς ἐπομένης τοῦ ῥόμβου πλευρᾶς ὁ νότιος
|The stars in the rhomboid quadrilateral: the southernmost one on the rear side of the rhombus
|del Del
|-
|7
|ὁ βόρειος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς
|The stars in the rhomboid quadrilateral: the northernmost one on the rear side
|gam Del
|-
|8
|τῶν μεταξὺ τῆς οὐρᾶς καὶ τοῦ ῥόμβου γ’ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 3 stars between the tail and the rhombus
|eta Del
|-
|9
|τῶν λοιπῶν β τῶν βορείων ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the other 2 to the north
|zet Del
|-
|10
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The remaining, rearmost one
|tet Del
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἰ, ὧν γ’ μεγέθους ἔ, δ’ β, ς' γ
|{10 stars, 5 of the third magnitude, 2 of the fourth, 3 of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Delphis Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Delphis (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Rotanev
|HIP 101769
|Inside the hull
|3.63
|-
|2
|Sualocin
|HIP 101958
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.8
|-
|3
|Aldulfin
|HIP 101421
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.03
|-
|4
|γ 2 Delphini
|HIP 102532
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.25
|-
|5
|δ Delphini
|HIP 102281
|Constellation lines
|4.417
|-
|6
|ζ Delphini
|HIP 101589
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.647
|-
|7
|κ Delphini
|HIP 101916
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.07
|-
|8
|η Delphini
|HIP 101483
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.38
|-
|9
|ι Delphini
|HIP 101800
|Constellation lines
|5.418
|-
|10
|θ Delphini
|HIP 101882
|Constellation lines
|5.71
|-
|11
|10 Del
|HIP 102080
|Inside the hull
|5.998
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 101966
|Inside the hull
|6.385
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==
The story of the dolphin is a story of kindness. Eratosthenes tells us that the water goddess Amphitrite was initially frightened when the sea god Poseidon wanted to marry her. Together with other Nereids, she fled to Atlas and hid. Poseidon therefore sent messengers to search for the girl.

The cheerful dolphin was one of these messengers. When he met the girl, he greeted her kindly, took her on his back and brought her to Poseidon. They married. Out of gratitude, Poseidon made the dolphin king of the sea creatures and placed his image in the starry sky.

Ovid, on the other hand, tells the story of the singer Arion of Lesbos, who really lived in the 7th century BCE. During a dispute with murderous robbers at sea, the famous musician saved himself by asking to be allowed to play music one last time. His lyre playing and singing attracted dolphins, and when Arion threw himself overboard, they carried him safely to shore. He was then able to accuse his attackers and they were convicted in court. Arion was allegedly on his way back from Sicily to Greece when this happened.

== IAU WGSN names ==

# Sualocin for α Delphini was approved in 2016
# Rotanev for β Delphini was approved in 2016
# Aldulfin for ε Delphini was approved in 2017.
#

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017054 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Delphinus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:European]] [[Category:Del]]

Corvus

2026-05-20T12:11:27Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κόραξ. */ Missing heading

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Corvus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Corvus star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. Since ancient times, it forms a super-constellation with [[Hydra]] and (later) [[Crater]].

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|thumb|Leo and Virgo above the MUŠ-Dragon, two claytablet drawings from the Seleucid era (roughly 2nd century BCE), CC BY SMH based upon the drawings by E. Weidner (1967) and Thureau-Dangin (1922).]]

===Origin of Constellation===
The constellation is first found as a standalone constellation in the Greek literature. However, in Babylonian uranography it had existed already for millennium (at least) at that time.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[MUŠ|mul (d)MUŠ]]
* [[MUŠ.ḪUŠ|(mul)MUŠ.ḪUŠ]]
* [[UGA|UGAmušen]]

[[File:Hya kugel smh2024.jpg|thumb|Constellation Hydra with Crater and Corvus on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), detail from drawing by SMH (Hoffmann 2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
[448?] Midway on its coiling form is set the Crater, and at the tip the figure of a Raven [Corvus] that seems to peck at the coil.

[520?] the dim-lit Crater and the Crow

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §3) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Vir 16
|Vir 23
|Gem 14
|Gem 22
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the hip (gam)
|the one in the feet (beta)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3/5 hours = 36 min = 9 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |missing in the text (only the first ten words of the paragrph preserved)
|
|-
|star
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κόραξ. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κόρακος ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Corvus
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ῥάμφει καὶ κοιφὸς τοῦ Ὕδρου.
|The star in the beak, which is [applied in] common to Hydra
|alf Crv
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇἡ
|The star in the neck, by the head
|eps Crv
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στήθει.
|The star in the breast
|zet Crv
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐν τῇ προηγουμένῃ καὶ δεξιᾷ πτέρυγι.
|The star in the advance, right wing
|gam Crv
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐπομένῃ πτέρογι β’ ὁ ἠγούμενος;
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the rear wing
|del Crv
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶ
|The rearmost of them
|ety Crv
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ποδὸς κοιφὸς τοῦ Ὕδρου
|The star on the end of the leg, which is [applied in] common to Hydra
|bet Crv
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ὁ ἀστέρες ξ, ὧν γ’ μεγέθους ἔ, δ’ ἂ, ε’ ἄ
|{17 stars, 5 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Korax Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Korax (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Gienah
|HIP 59803
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.58
|-
|2
|Kraz
|HIP 61359
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.64
|-
|3
|Algorab
|HIP 60965
|Constellation lines
|2.94
|-
|4
|ϵ Corvi
|HIP 59316
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.98
|-
|5
|Alchiba
|HIP 59199
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.01
|-
|6
|η Corvi
|HIP 61174
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.294
|-
|7
|ζ Corvi
|HIP 60189
|Constellation lines
|5.21
|-
|8
|3 Crv
|HIP 59394
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|9
| -
|HIP 59728
|Inside the hull
|5.807
|-
|10
| -
|HIP 60157
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|11
| -
|HIP 60809
|Inside the hull
|6.294
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 61208
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Hya kugel smh2024.jpg|Hydra with Crater and Corvus on the Kugel Globe (-1st c., drawing by SMH)
File:Hydra Corvus et Crater - Mercator.jpeg|Hydra with Corvus and Crater on the Mercator Globe (1551)
File:Hydra Uranometria.jpg|Hydra in the Uranometria (1603), Corvus not drawn but in map
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - L'Hydre, La Coupe, Le Corbeau (Hydra, Crater, Virgo).jpg|Corvus in Flamsteed (1776)
File:Crv+Crt Fortin1795.jpg|Corvus and Crater in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Noctua, Corvus, Crater, Sextans Uraniæ, Hydra, Felis, Lupus, Centaurus, Antlia Pneumatica, Argo Navis, and Pyxis Nautica.jpg|Corvus in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017084 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Corvus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Crv]]
[[Category:European]]

Crater

2026-05-20T12:10:43Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's Almagest Κρατήρ */ Missing heading, typos

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Crater IAU.svg|thumb|Crater, IAU and Sky & Telescope.]]
The constellation crater was created in antiquity, probably due to wordplay. It is unknown whether it happened intentionally or unintentionally. The constellation forms part of the ancient Greek super-constellation of Hydra-Corvus-Crater. As such it is mentioned by Aratus, Eratosthenes, Hipparchus and Ptolemy (and all Greek authors from Hellenistic time on). Greek mythology connects it to the adjacent constellations Hydra and Corvus, more details on mythology in [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/crater.html Ian Ridpath's Star Tales].

== Etymology & History ==

=== Etymology ===
An ancient 'crater' or 'krater' is a specific jar or vessel.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> Unlike an amphora, which has a narrow upper opening, a krater has a wide opening. The difference is similar to that between a water bottle and a fruit bowl. For obvious reasons, the word for a volcanic crater is derived from this ancient Greek word.

=== Origin of the Constellation ===
The constellation is Greek and has no known Babylonian precursors; it probably originated during the transfer of Babylonian star knowledge to Greece and was then given a legend. Mythologically, it is therefore linked to a legend about the constellations Raven and Water Snake, because this group had already existed for thousands of years in Sumer, Assyria, and Babylonia. Raven and Snake are Babylonian figures and are considered a double constellation in Hellenism.

In Greek, only the fact that a crater can be seen next to the stars of the Raven is established – and a large chalice can easily be recognized from an arc of faint stars. However, Greek astronomers interpret its exact shape differently: for Hipparchus, it is a bowl on a stately pedestal of four stars and without a handle, while for Ptolemy, the crater has two handles and stands on a single point, i.e., it has no distinct pedestal.

=== No Babylonian Predecessor ===

==== The pun which created the constellation ====
McHugh (2016)<ref>John McHugh (2016), How Cuneiform Puns Inspired Some of the Bizarre Greek Constellations and Asterisms, Archaeoastronomy and Ancient Technologies, 4(2), 69-100</ref> uses the term MUŠ stating that this Sumerian word has the Akkadian counterpart ``ṣēru<nowiki>''</nowiki> (also meaning the snake). However, the Akkadian word ``ṣēru<nowiki>''</nowiki> is a homonym, i. e. it has two meanings: it can denote a snake or a ceramic jug for wine. This way, astronomers from other cultures (e.g. the Mediterranean ones) could have confused the ṣēru (snake) with the ṣēru (crater) and thus put a crater on the back of Hydra. Compellingly, there is also a preposition ṣēru which means ``on top of, upon<nowiki>''</nowiki>. McHugh (2016, 87-88) therefore, produces the phrase ``wine-bowl on top of the water-snake<nowiki>''</nowiki> from the term MUŠ.

Kechagias and Hoffmann (2022)<ref>Kechagias and Hoffmann (2022). Intercultural Misunderstandings as a possible Source of Ancient Constellations, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.), Astronomy in Culture - Cultures of Astronomy, tredition, Ahrensburg, 205-234</ref> agree with the first idea concerning the homophony but reject the latter part: "the intercultural misunderstandings of a Sumerian word to transform a special deity to a usual Water-Snake and of a homophonous Akkadian term to change a snake into a wine-bowl, are rather convincing. In contrast, deriving the presence of a raven at the snake's tail from cuneiform wordplays is considered unnecessary."

The Sumerian cuneiform character MUŠ for this constellation can be expressed in Akkadian with the word Muschhuschu for the snake god. However, it can also stand for “the snake” in general, i.e., it can be rewritten with the word ''ṣēru''. The word ''ṣēru'' is itself ambiguous in Akkadian: it can mean “snake,” but also “vessel.” In written language, this is clearly distinguished by a determinative, a defining particle, but these words sound the same when pronounced. It is therefore easy to imagine that in an international environment, e.g., among traders or in international cities where cultures mixed (Babylon or any port city), one person said to another, “Look, there is the constellation ''ṣēru''.” Although the speaker meant a snake, the listener may have thought of a vessel and also identified this by seeing shapes in the stars. So perhaps a Babylonian teacher said, “This constellation is called ''Muschhuschu'', a ''ṣēru'',” and his Greek exchange student, who knew that Muschhuschu was the name of the snake god, thought that a snake and a vessel should be seen there.
[[File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium mulapin.jpg|alt=the Babylonian version of the "Hydra, Crater, Corvus" super-constellation does not contain a cup or jar. visualized in Stellarium (drawing by Jessica Gullberg)|thumb|the Babylonian version of the "Hydra, Crater, Corvus" super-constellation does not contain a cup or jar. visualized in Stellarium (drawing by Jessica Gullberg)]]

==== Depiction of Crater in Antiquity ====
[[File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium farnese.jpg|alt=the "Hydra, Crater, Corvus" super-constellation drawn on the Farnese Globe, visualized in Stellarium|thumb|the "Hydra, Crater, Corvus" super-constellation drawn on the Farnese Globe, visualized in Stellarium]]
The snake-like constellation called Hydra in Greek uranology used to be considered a straight line of stars at the celestial equator in the Sumerian and early Babylonian culture. It is depicted as a straight snake-body until the Seleucid period, particularly on the microzodiac clay tablets VAT 7847 and AO 6448. This traditional view is also represented on the preserved Greek silver globe (Galérie Kugel, Paris).

The super-constellation "Hydra+Corvus+Crater" is depicted on the other two globes preserved from Greco-Roman antiquity. On the marble Farnese Globe dated to Hellenistic times, the Hydra snake has a dip towards the south, forming a vessel for the smaller sub-constellations of Crater and Corvus. This depiction is reproduced in Roman and mediaeval images, possibly originally depicting the pun that the "snake" simultaneously "is" the jar it contains.

=== Greco-Roman Texts ===

==== Aratos ====
[448?] Midway on its coiling form is set the Crater, and at the tip the figure of a Raven [Corvus] that seems to peck at the coil.

[520?] the dim-lit Crater and the Crow

[600?] The Hydra rises higher as far as Crater,

(Kidd 1997)

==== Pseudo-Eratosthenes ====

==== Hipparchus ====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §2) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Leo 26 1/2
|Vir 10 1/2
|Tau 20 1/2
|Gem 7 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of the four at the foot (nu)
|the southern one of the six stars at the vascular bulge
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/4 hours = 75 min = 18 3/4 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §2) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 21
|Leo 12 1/2
|Sco 11 1/2
|Sgr 1
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of those in the feet (nu Hya)
|the southern and the northern one of those in the vascular bulge
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/3 hours = 80 min = 20°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

==== Geminos ====

=== Ptolemy's Almagest Κρατήρ ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κρατῆρος ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Crater
!
|-
|
|ὁ ἐκ τῇ βάσει τοῦ Κρατῆρος κοινὸς τοῦ Ὕδρου.
|The star in the base of bowl, which is [applied in] common to Hydra
|alf Crt
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῷ Κρατῆρι β ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the middle of the bowl
|gam Crt
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|del Crt
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς φοτίου περιφερείας τοῦ στόματος.
|The star on the southern rim of the mouth
|zet Crt
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς βορείου περιφερείας.
|The star on the northern rim
|eps Crt
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ φοτίου ὡτίου
|The star on the southern handle
|eta Crt
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ βορείου ὠτίου
|The star on the northern handle
|tet Crt
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ξ μεγέθους δ΄.
|{7 stars of the fourth magnitude}
|
|}
[[File:Krater Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Krater (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|δ Crateris
|HIP 55282
|Constellation lines
|3.56
|-
|2
|γ Crateris
|HIP 55705
|Constellation lines
|4.06
|-
|3
|Alkes
|HIP 53740
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.07
|-
|4
|θ Crateris
|HIP 56633
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.673
|-
|5
|ζ Crateris
|HIP 57283
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.706
|-
|6
|ϵ Crateris
|HIP 55687
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.802
|-
|7
|η Crateris
|HIP 58188
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.16
|-
|8
|ι Crateris
|HIP 56802
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|9
|κ Crateris
|HIP 55874
|Inside the hull
|5.923
|-
|10
| -
|HIP 56364
|Inside the hull
|6.044
|-
|11
| -
|HIP 57732
|Inside the hull
|6.122
|-
|12
|VX Crt
|HIP 56899
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|13
| -
|HIP 56901
|Inside the hull
|6.198
|}

== Transfer and Transformation ==
<gallery>
File:Hya kugel smh2024.jpg|Crater on Hydra: Kugel Globe (1st c. BCE), drawing by SMH 2024.
File:Hya+crt+crv stellarium farnese.jpg|Crater and Corvus on Hydra: Farnese Globe (2nd c. CE, drawing and mapping by SMH 2021)
File:Hydra Corvus et Crater - Mercator.jpeg|Hydra, Crater and Corvus on Mercator Globe (1551)
File:Corvus et Crater Hevelius.jpg|Crater and Corvus in Hevelius (1690)
File:Crv+Crt Fortin1795.jpg|Corvus and Crater in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Noctua, Corvus, Crater, Sextans Uraniæ, Hydra, Felis, Lupus, Centaurus, Antlia Pneumatica, Argo Navis, and Pyxis Nautica.jpg|Crater in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
<ref name=":0" />In the Greek legend, the god Apollo gives a raven a crater to fetch water (see [[Hydra]]). This crater is depicted here next to the raven.

==Weblinks==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/corvusandcrater.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
*IAU WGSN: [https://exopla.net/sternbilder/historical-images-comparison/ List of ancient images of the IAU-constellations: https://exopla.net]
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017080 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Crater]

== References ==

*

[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek]] [[Category:European]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Cra]]
[[Category:Modern]]

Corvus

2026-05-20T12:09:07Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κόραξ. */ Added total number of stars

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Corvus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Corvus star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. Since ancient times, it forms a super-constellation with [[Hydra]] and (later) [[Crater]].

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Leo+vir umzeichng4plani black.png|thumb|Leo and Virgo above the MUŠ-Dragon, two claytablet drawings from the Seleucid era (roughly 2nd century BCE), CC BY SMH based upon the drawings by E. Weidner (1967) and Thureau-Dangin (1922).]]

===Origin of Constellation===
The constellation is first found as a standalone constellation in the Greek literature. However, in Babylonian uranography it had existed already for millennium (at least) at that time.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[MUŠ|mul (d)MUŠ]]
* [[MUŠ.ḪUŠ|(mul)MUŠ.ḪUŠ]]
* [[UGA|UGAmušen]]

[[File:Hya kugel smh2024.jpg|thumb|Constellation Hydra with Crater and Corvus on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), detail from drawing by SMH (Hoffmann 2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
[448?] Midway on its coiling form is set the Crater, and at the tip the figure of a Raven [Corvus] that seems to peck at the coil.

[520?] the dim-lit Crater and the Crow

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §3) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Vir 16
|Vir 23
|Gem 14
|Gem 22
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the hip (gam)
|the one in the feet (beta)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3/5 hours = 36 min = 9 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |missing in the text (only the first ten words of the paragrph preserved)
|
|-
|star
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κόραξ. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κόρακος ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ῥάμφει καὶ κοιφὸς τοῦ Ὕδρου.
|The star in the beak, which is [applied in] common to Hydra
|alf Crv
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ πρὸς τῇ κεφαλῇἡ
|The star in the neck, by the head
|eps Crv
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στήθει.
|The star in the breast
|zet Crv
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐν τῇ προηγουμένῃ καὶ δεξιᾷ πτέρυγι.
|The star in the advance, right wing
|gam Crv
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐπομένῃ πτέρογι β’ ὁ ἠγούμενος;
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the rear wing
|del Crv
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶ
|The rearmost of them
|ety Crv
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ποδὸς κοιφὸς τοῦ Ὕδρου
|The star on the end of the leg, which is [applied in] common to Hydra
|bet Crv
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ὁ ἀστέρες ξ, ὧν γ’ μεγέθους ἔ, δ’ ἂ, ε’ ἄ
|{17 stars, 5 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Korax Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Korax (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Gienah
|HIP 59803
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.58
|-
|2
|Kraz
|HIP 61359
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.64
|-
|3
|Algorab
|HIP 60965
|Constellation lines
|2.94
|-
|4
|ϵ Corvi
|HIP 59316
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.98
|-
|5
|Alchiba
|HIP 59199
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.01
|-
|6
|η Corvi
|HIP 61174
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.294
|-
|7
|ζ Corvi
|HIP 60189
|Constellation lines
|5.21
|-
|8
|3 Crv
|HIP 59394
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|9
| -
|HIP 59728
|Inside the hull
|5.807
|-
|10
| -
|HIP 60157
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|11
| -
|HIP 60809
|Inside the hull
|6.294
|-
|12
| -
|HIP 61208
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Hya kugel smh2024.jpg|Hydra with Crater and Corvus on the Kugel Globe (-1st c., drawing by SMH)
File:Hydra Corvus et Crater - Mercator.jpeg|Hydra with Corvus and Crater on the Mercator Globe (1551)
File:Hydra Uranometria.jpg|Hydra in the Uranometria (1603), Corvus not drawn but in map
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - L'Hydre, La Coupe, Le Corbeau (Hydra, Crater, Virgo).jpg|Corvus in Flamsteed (1776)
File:Crv+Crt Fortin1795.jpg|Corvus and Crater in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Noctua, Corvus, Crater, Sextans Uraniæ, Hydra, Felis, Lupus, Centaurus, Antlia Pneumatica, Argo Navis, and Pyxis Nautica.jpg|Corvus in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017084 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Corvus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Crv]]
[[Category:European]]

Corona Australis

2026-05-20T12:05:27Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Corona Australis IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|CrA star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The constellation was invented in the first century CE.

==Etymology and History==
=== Origin of Constellation ===
<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>The name ‘Wreath’ for this group of stars has been reliably documented since the 1st century by Geminos. In mathematical astronomy, this constellation first appears in the Almagest; Hipparchus does not mention it. The almost closed ring of stars of approximately equal brightness is mentioned without a name by all earlier authors.

Aratos describes the group as ‘arranged in a ring’. Eratosthenes calls it ‘seven stars of the ship below his [Sagittarius's] lower leg’. This clearly does not refer to the Argo, but to another ship. It is interesting to note in this context that the stars of Corona Australis denote a river boat in Babylonian uranography.

It is quite possible, although not certain, that Eratosthenes' text proves a cultural transfer: In the 3rd century BCE, the Syrian wars raged between the Ptolemies, who ruled Egypt, and the Seleucids, who ruled Mesopotamia. In the last years of Eratosthenes' life and work, there had been a period of peace that made the 2nd century BCE, until the Parthian Wars, an extraordinary heyday of scientific exchange between Babylon and Alexandria. Eratosthenes thus brings together Mesopotamian and newly developed Greek culture.

Modern literature sometimes claims that Hyginus made a possible star prophecy: he tells of a myrtle wreath in memory of the deceased mother of the god Dionysus. However, it is unclear whether he is referring to Corona Borealis or Australis. If Hyginus, the librarian of Augustus, invented the constellation ‘Southern Crown’, there could be a connection to the emperor and his laurel wreath.

It is astonishing that the Southern Crown is depicted on the Farnese Globe. The globe is dated to the 2nd century CE, i.e. the time of Ptolemy. Since the figures are depicted in the Greek style, the globe is considered to be a copy of a Greek original from the BCE era. However, since this star group was not referred to as a wreath until the 1st century CE, the sculptor must have reworked this star figure in a contemporary style. It looks less like a Caesar's crown than a bridal wreath.

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Στεφάνου νοτίου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Southern Crown
!
|-
|1
|τῆς νοτίου περιφερείας ὁ προηγούμενος ἐκτός
|The most advanced of the stars on the southern rim, outside [the crown]
|alf Tel
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ Στεφάνου
|The star to the rear of this, on the crown
|eta1, eta2 CrA
|-
|3
|ὁ τούτο ἐπόμενος
|The one to the rear of this
|HR 7122
|-
|4
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἐπόμενος
|The one to the rear again of this
|zet CrA
|-
|5
|ὁ μετὰ τοῦτου πρὸ τοῦ γουατίου τοῦ Τοξότου
|The one after this, before the knee of Sagittarius
|del CrA
|-
|6
|ὁ μετὰ τοῦτον καὶ βορειότερος τοῦ ἐν τῷ γόνατι λαμπροῦ
|The one after this, which is north of the bright star in the knee [of Sagittarius]
|bet CrA
|-
|7
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος
|The star to the north of this
|alf CrA
|-
|8
|ὁ ἔπὶ τούτου βορειότερος
|The one to the north again of this
|gam CrA
|-
|9
|τῶν μετὰ τοῦτον προηγουμένωυ β’ ἐν τῇ βορείῳ περιφερείᾳ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 2 stars after this, in advance, in the northern rim
|eps CrA
|-
|10
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν β’ ἀμαυρῶν
|The more advanced of these 2 faint stars
|HR 7129
|-
|11
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος ἱκανόν
|The star quite some distance in advance of this
|lam CrA
|-
|12
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου προηχούμευος
|The one in advance again of this
|HR 6942
|-
|13
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ νοτιώτερος τοῦ προειρημένου
|The last one, which is south of the aforementioned star
|tet CrA
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες φ, ὥν δ’ μεγέθους ἐ, εξ. ϛ β
|{13 stars, 5 of the fourth magnitude, 6 of the fifth, 2 of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Stephanos Notios Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Stephanos Notios (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Meridiana
|HIP 94114
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.087
|-
|2
|β Coronae Australis
|HIP 94160
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.095
|-
|3
|γ 1 Coronae Australis
|HIP 93825
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.21
|-
|4
|δ Coronae Australis
|HIP 94005
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.571
|-
|5
|θ Coronae Australis
|HIP 90982
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.614
|-
|6
|ζ Coronae Australis
|HIP 93542
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.725
|-
|7
|ϵ Coronae Australis
|HIP 93174
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.85
|-
|8
|λ Coronae Australis
|HIP 91875
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.111
|-
|9
| -
|HIP 90887
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.155
|-
|10
|μ Coronae Australis
|HIP 92226
|Inside the hull
|5.217
|-
|11
| -
|HIP 92953
|Constellation lines
|5.346
|-
|12
|V686 CrA
|HIP 92989
|Constellation lines
|5.38
|-
|13
| -
|HIP 91989
|Inside the hull
|5.439
|-
|14
|η 1 Coronae Australis
|HIP 92308
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.456
|-
|15
|η 2 Coronae Australis
|HIP 92382
|Constellation lines
|5.587
|-
|16
|V701 CrA
|HIP 93552
|Inside the hull
|5.716
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 93858
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|18
| -
|HIP 93470
|Inside the hull
|6.209
|-
|19
| -
|HIP 90936
|Inside the hull
|6.217
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 93074
|Inside the hull
|6.284
|-
|21
| -
|HIP 92608
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 92866
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 92487
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 93209
|Inside the hull
|6.497
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:CrA Fortin1795.jpg|CrA in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
'''Greek'''<ref name=":0" />

Eratosthenes does not recount any myth about the river boat on which the archer stands, nor does Geminos give any reasons for the definition of the constellation. It is unclear where the inspiration came from to describe the group as a wreath. However, the Egyptianised style of the Dendera zodiac shows the centaur-like archer on small boats beneath his hooves. This is not surprising in Egypt, where for thousands of years the stars were imagined to glide silently across the sky on barges.

== Weblinks ==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017072 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Corona Australis]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)

* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Modern]] [[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:CrA]][[Category:European]]

Cetus

2026-05-20T12:02:19Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κῆτος */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Cetus IAU.svg|thumb|star chart of Cetus by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. It is related to the group of constellations around the constellation [[Andromeda]] and highly likely originates from the Mediterranean coast, definitely not from Mesopotamia (as this region was covered by the constellation [[SIM.MAḪ|SIM.MAH]]). There is a comprehensive paper on this constellation.<ref name=":0">'''Hoffmann, S.M.''', Vickers, D. and Geymeier, M. (2022). Constellation Cetus: Whale or Monster?, in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 287-340</ref> The Greek constellation probably originates from the east coast of the Mediterranean as the mythology of this seamonster either includes it in the tale of princess [[Andromeda]] threatened by a seamoster and rescued by the hero Perseus, or princess Hesione exposed to another seamonster and rescued by Hercules. The Andromeda saga is related to a rock in the ancient habour of Old Jaffa (Tel Aviv) while Hesione is a princess of Troy (Anatolia). In both cases, the seamonster is home to the Mediterranean.

==Etymology and History==
The Greek name κῆτος (''ketos'') does not in any case refer to a real animal, but only to a mythological creature. Its Latinized version "cetus", however, may also designate a whale. "Though archaeological findings of whale remains are uncommon in Greece, there exist few examples of ancient whalebones in the Aegean Sea, probably originating from stranded whales. ... Combined with archaeological artifacts as the bones of prehistorical giant sea creatures in the Wādī al-Ḥītān (Valley of Whales) in today's Egypt, this might have triggered traveller's imagination and have led to further stories (and cock-and-bull story)."<ref name=":0" />
=== Origin of Constellation ===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>As this constellation does not have a Babylonian equivalent, we suspect that it was taken from another culture in order to diversify the sky culture in Alexander's new empire.

Ketos ([[Cetus]]) is one of the classical Greek constellations: it belongs to the [[Andromeda]] group, which dates back to a tragedy by Sophocles (5th century BCE). In English texts from earlier centuries, the word was often mistakenly translated as ‘whale’. Apart from the fact that whales are not fish, Ketos is neither a whale nor a fish: it is the name of a sea monster, a terrifying mythical creature – it is best to leave the word untranslated, as with the names [[Cassiopeia]], [[Andromeda]] and [[Cepheus]].

The depiction on the Farnese Globe shows a dragon-like animal with a monstrous head with a kind of hump and a protruding tongue. It has a snake-like, coiled tail with a fish-like tail fin at the end. The creature has front legs with fins and claws. So it is definitely not a real animal.

Greek uranography ends below Ketos, i.e. there are no more constellations south of it because there are no more bright stars visible in the Mediterranean region. East of this area of the sky, too, there are only faint stars in a wide arc – there is a void of stars all the way to the Milky Way in [[Orion]]. From a few faint stars between Ketos and Orion, which do not form a distinctive pattern, a unimaginative chain of stars was formed, which was called ‘river’ ([[Eridanus]]). On the Farnese Globe, Ketos holds its front legs in this river. The tail fin touches the spout of [[Aquarius]], and above the dorsal fin is the band of the little fish.

Most likely, the poet Aratos meant this combination of water currents around Ketos when he wrote about the stars under Ketos' tail fin and up to the spout of Aquarius, ‘all of which are called water’. On the Farnese Globe, it looks as if the sculptor understood the winding water lines as the shores of a large star ocean in which Ketos romps. In Ptolemy, it is the monster's chest rather than its front legs that shares a star with the river: the concept that Ketos represents this connection between these waters seems to have become canonical in antiquity.

The constellation has no Babylonian roots: according to MUL.APIN, the constellation of the giant swallow ([[SIM.MAḪ]]), or rather its head and wings, was located in its place (see the constellation [[Pisces]]).

It is interesting to note that Aratos, Eratosthenes and Ptolemy mention only two bright stars: α and β Ceti, which are visually 2.0 and 2.5 mag bright, respectively. The variable star [[Mira]] does not appear in any of the ancient star lists, although this star also sometimes reaches 2 mag. However, the star fluctuates in brightness between visible and invisible, so it is sometimes there and sometimes gone within its cycle of 332 days (approx. 11 months). It is disputed whether Hipparchus observed the star, as Hipparchus' original data has not been preserved. If the star was seen and recorded by an observer, this observation was no longer verifiable a few weeks later, so it was not noted in catalogues.

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>Although she lies no small distance away, Andromeda is threatened by the approach of the great Sea-monster. [355] For in her course she lies exposed to the blast of the north wind from Thrace, while the southerly brings against her the hostile Monster, below the Ram and the two Fishes, and positioned a little above the starry River. For under the gods’ feet that too moves as a separate group, [360] a remnant of Eridanus, river of much weeping. It extends below the left foot of Orion. The tail-chains, by which the extremities of the Fishes are held, both come together as they descend from the tail-parts, and behind the Monster’s back-fin move jointly [365] as they converge, and terminate in a single star that lies close to the top of the Monster’s spine. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §8) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Psc 20
|Tau 7
|Sgr 23 1/2
|Cap 21 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of those in the tail (iota)
|Among the bright ones in the quadrilateral, the southern one of the rear (tau)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 hours = 120 min = 30 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §8) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Aqr 26 1/2
|Ari 14
|Tau 22
|Cnc 14 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southern one of those in the tail (bet)
|the rear one of those in the northern curvature of the head
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 7/8 hours = 232 1/2 min = 58 1/8°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Whale. With regard to the Sea-Monster, they say that it was sent by Neptune to kill Andromeda, about whom we have already spoken. But because it was killed by Perseus, on account of its huge size and his valour it was placed amongst the constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κῆτος ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κήτους ἀστερισμόρ
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ μυκτῆρος
|The star on the tip of the nostrils
|lam Cet
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ῥύγχει ἢ ὁ ἑπόμενος ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς σιαγόνος
|The three stars in the snout: the rearmost, on the end of the jaw
|alf Cet
|-
|3
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τῷ στόματι
|The three stars in the snout: the middle one, in the middle of the mouth
|gam Cet
|-
|4
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν ν’ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γένυος
|The three stars in the snout: the most advanced of the 3, on the cheek
|del Cet
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ὀφρόος καὶ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ
|The star on the eyebrow and the eye
|nu Cet
|-
|6
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος ὡς ἐπὶ τῆς τριχός
|The one to the north of this, about on the hair
|xi2 Cet
|-
|7
|ὁ τούτων προηγούμευος ὡς ἐπὶ τῆς χαίτης
|The one in advance of this, about on the mane
|xi1 Cet
|-
|8
|τοῦ ἐῃ τῷ στήθει τετραπλεύρου τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The quadrilateral in the chest: the northernmost star on the advance side
|rho Cet
|-
|9
|ὁ νότιος τῆς ἠγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the chest: the southernmost one on the advance side
|sig Cet
|-
|10
|τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The quadrilateral in the chest: the northernmost one on the rear side
|eps Cet
|-
|11
|ὁ νότιος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the chest: the southernmost one on the rear side
|pi Cet
|-
|12
|τῶν ἐν τῷ σώματι ἢ’ ὁ μέσος
|The midmost of the 3 stars in the body
|tau Cet
|-
|13
|ὁ νότιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|ups Cet
|-
|14
|ὁ βόρειος τῶν τριῶν
|The northernmost of the three
|zet Cet
|-
|15
|τῶν πρὸς τῷ παρούρῳ β ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 2 stars by the section next to the tail
|tet Cet
|-
|16
|ὁ προηγούμευος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|eta Cet
|-
|17
|τοῦ ἐν τῷ παρούρῳ τετραπλεύρου τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The quadrilateral in the section next to the tail: the northernmost star on the rear side
|phi2 Cet
|-
|18
|ὁ νότιος τῆς ἐπομένης πλευρᾶς.
|The quadrilateral in the section next to the tail: the southernmost one on the rear side
|HR 227
|-
|19
|τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The quadrilateral in the section next to the tail: the northernmost one on the advance side
|phi Cet
|-
|20
|ὁ νότιος τῆς προηγουμένης πλευρᾶς
|The quadrilateral in the section next to the tail: the southernmost one on the advance side
|HR 190
|-
|21
|τῶν ἐν ἄκροις τοῦς οὐραίοις ᾑ ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ βορείου.
|The 2 stars at the ends of the tail-fins: the one on the northern [tail-fin]
|iot Cet
|-
|22
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ φοτίου οὐραέου
|The 2 stars at the ends of the tail-fins: the one on the end of the southern tail-fin
|bet Cet
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες πβ, ὥν γ’ μεγέδους ἰ, δ’ ἢ, εἱ δ.
|{22 stars, 10 of the third magnitude, 8 of the fourth, 4 of the fifth}
|
|}
[[File:Ketos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Ketos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Diphda
|HIP 3419
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.01
|-
|2
|Menkar
|HIP 14135
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.53
|-
|3
|η Ceti
|HIP 5364
|Constellation lines
|3.45
|-
|4
|Kaffaljidhma
|HIP 12706
|Constellation lines
|3.47
|-
|5
|τ Ceti
|HIP 8102
|Inside the hull
|3.5
|-
|6
|ι Ceti
|HIP 1562
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.55
|-
|7
|θ Ceti
|HIP 6537
|Constellation lines
|3.59
|-
|8
|Baten Kaitos
|HIP 8645
|Constellation lines
|3.72
|-
|9
|υ Ceti
|HIP 9347
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.02
|-
|10
|δ Ceti
|HIP 12387
|Constellation lines
|4.07
|-
|11
|Alrescha A
|HIP 9487
|Inside the hull
|4.11
|-
|12
|π Ceti
|HIP 12770
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.236
|-
|13
|ξ 2 Ceti
|HIP 11484
|Constellation lines
|4.3
|-
|14
|ξ 1 Ceti
|HIP 10324
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.35
|-
|15
|ξ Piscium
|HIP 8833
|Inside the hull
|4.604
|-
|16
|χ Ceti
|HIP 8497
|Inside the hull
|4.68
|-
|17
|λ Ceti
|HIP 13954
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.7
|-
|18
|σ Ceti
|HIP 11783
|Constellation lines
|4.75
|-
|19
|ϕ 1 Ceti
|HIP 3455
|Constellation lines
|4.767
|-
|20
|ρ Ceti
|HIP 11345
|Constellation lines
|4.866
|-
|21
|ϵ Ceti
|HIP 12390
|Constellation lines
|4.87
|-
|22
|ν Ceti
|HIP 12093
|Constellation lines
|4.871
|-
|23
|46 Cet
|HIP 6670
|Inside the hull
|4.907
|-
|24
|175 G. Cet
|HIP 7999
|Inside the hull
|4.982
|-
|25
|37 Cet
|HIP 5799
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|26
|ϕ 2 Ceti
|HIP 3909
|Constellation lines
|5.19
|-
|27
|259 G. Cet
|HIP 11738
|Inside the hull
|5.269
|-
|28
|69 Cet
|HIP 11021
|Inside the hull
|5.287
|-
|29
|ϕ 3 Ceti
|HIP 4371
|Inside the hull
|5.326
|-
|30
|179 G. Cet
|HIP 8230
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|31
|75 Cet
|HIP 11791
|Inside the hull
|5.358
|-
|32
|50 Cet
|HIP 7450
|Inside the hull
|5.402
|-
|33
|25 Cet
|HIP 4914
|Inside the hull
|5.408
|-
|34
|238 G. Cet
|HIP 11029
|Inside the hull
|5.421
|-
|35
|70 Cet
|HIP 11046
|Inside the hull
|5.421
|-
|36
|60 Cet
|HIP 9589
|Inside the hull
|5.423
|-
|37
|39 Cet
|HIP 5951
|Inside the hull
|5.428
|-
|38
|57 Cet
|HIP 9326
|Inside the hull
|5.429
|-
|39
|67 Cet
|HIP 10642
|Inside the hull
|5.499
|-
|40
|47 Cet
|HIP 6748
|Inside the hull
|5.505
|-
|41
|AR Cet
|HIP 9372
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|42
|80 Cet
|HIP 12107
|Inside the hull
|5.535
|-
|43
|28 Cet
|HIP 5164
|Inside the hull
|5.565
|-
|44
|232 G. Cet
|HIP 10723
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|45
|81 G. Cet
|HIP 3849
|Inside the hull
|5.594
|-
|46
|49 Cet
|HIP 7345
|Inside the hull
|5.607
|-
|47
|203 G. Cet
|HIP 9622
|Inside the hull
|5.609
|-
|48
|ϕ 4 Ceti
|HIP 4587
|Inside the hull
|5.614
|-
|49
|64 Cet
|HIP 10212
|Inside the hull
|5.623
|-
|50
|81 Cet
|HIP 12247
|Inside the hull
|5.647
|-
|51
|66 Cet
|HIP 10305
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|52
|38 Cet
|HIP 5833
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|53
|78 G. Cet
|HIP 3717
|Inside the hull
|5.693
|-
|54
|30 Cet
|HIP 5296
|Inside the hull
|5.705
|-
|55
|84 Cet
|HIP 12530
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|56
|77 Cet
|HIP 12002
|Inside the hull
|5.731
|-
|57
|165 G. Cet
|HIP 7276
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 7916
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|59
|BK Cet
|HIP 8778
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|60
|286 G. Cet
|HIP 12444
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 12114
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|62
|272 G. Cet
|HIP 12148
|Inside the hull
|5.811
|-
|63
|AB Cet
|HIP 11348
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|64
|93 G. Cet
|HIP 4346
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|65
|202 G. Cet
|HIP 9572
|Inside the hull
|5.864
|-
|66
|42 Cet
|HIP 6226
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 9353
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|68
|131 G. Psc
|HIP 8404
|Inside the hull
|5.904
|-
|69
|34 Cet
|HIP 5594
|Inside the hull
|5.918
|-
|70
|137 G. Cet
|HIP 6564
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|71
|63 Cet
|HIP 10234
|Inside the hull
|5.933
|-
|72
|61 Cet
|HIP 9631
|Inside the hull
|5.942
|-
|73
|305 G. Cet
|HIP 13679
|Inside the hull
|5.963
|-
|74
|256 G. Cet
|HIP 11687
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|75
|219 G. Cet
|HIP 10215
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|76
|71 G. Cet
|HIP 3436
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|77
|297 G. Cet
|HIP 12862
|Inside the hull
|6.031
|-
|78
|289 G. Cet
|HIP 12584
|Inside the hull
|6.049
|-
|79
|213 G. Cet
|HIP 9999
|Inside the hull
|6.056
|-
|80
|27 Cet
|HIP 5121
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|81
| -
|HR 492
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|82
|128 G. Cet
|HIP 6272
|Inside the hull
|6.147
|-
|83
|18 Cet
|HIP 3559
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|84
|21 Cet
|HIP 4257
|Inside the hull
|6.161
|-
|85
|264 G. Cet
|HIP 12022
|Inside the hull
|6.163
|-
|86
|138 G. Cet
|HIP 6605
|Inside the hull
|6.164
|-
|87
|139 G. Cet
|HIP 6589
|Inside the hull
|6.183
|-
|88
|176 G. Cet
|HIP 8094
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|89
|44 Cet
|HIP 6539
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|90
|149 G. Cet
|HIP 6822
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|91
|EH Cet
|HIP 13756
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|92
|279 G. Cet
|HIP 12318
|Inside the hull
|6.237
|-
|93
|170 G. Cet
|HIP 7580
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 12318
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|95
|127 G. Cet
|HIP 6283
|Inside the hull
|6.246
|-
|96
|285 G. Cet
|HIP 12447
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|97
|207 G. Cet
|HIP 9827
|Inside the hull
|6.295
|-
|98
|71 Cet
|HIP 11261
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|99
|209 G. Cet
|HIP 9862
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|100
|276 G. Cet
|HIP 12272
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|101
|32 Cet
|HIP 5485
|Inside the hull
|6.394
|-
|102
|186 G. Cet
|HIP 8664
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|103
| -
|HIP 9094
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|104
|227 G. Cet
|HIP 10396
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|105
|144 G. Cet
|HIP 6717
|Inside the hull
|6.426
|-
|106
|166 G. Cet
|HIP 7362
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|107
|205 G. Cet
|HIP 9655
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|108
|171 G. Cet
|HIP 7597
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|109
|57 G. Cet
|HIP 2846
|Inside the hull
|6.444
|-
|110
|187 G. Cet
|HIP 8688
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|111
|193 G. Cet
|HIP 9237
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|112
|101 G. Cet
|HIP 4801
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|113
|Mira
|HIP 10826
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|114
|293 G. Cet
|HIP 12720
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|115
|133 G. Cet
|HIP 6427
|Inside the hull
|6.487
|-
|116
|63 G. Cet
|HIP 3175
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 10233
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|118
|221 G. Cet
|HIP 10273
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 10854
|Inside the hull
|6.491
|-
|120
| -
|HR 206
|Inside the hull
|6.498
|-
|121
|76 G. Cet
|HIP 3576
|Inside the hull
|6.499
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 6687
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|123
| -
|HIP 13482
|Inside the hull
|6.74
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:CetusCentered Kugel smh framed.jpg|an apparent vessel for Cetus on the Kugel-Globe (drawing SMH 2024), 2nd or 1st century BCE
File:Hydor Kugel smh2023.jpeg|map of the Kugel Globe, Cetus in the center of two lines with rings, drawing by SMH 2024, 2nd or 1st century BCE
File:Farnese dasWasser smh sw framed.jpeg|Some lines forming a stream of water in which Cetus is centered on the Farnese Globe (drawing by SMH 2021), 2nd or 1st century CE with Hellenistic predecessor
File:Hydor Farnese-Stellarium smh2022.jpeg|Figures of the Farnese Globe mapped to the Stellarium star chart (drawing and implementing by SMH 2021). Cetus-region.
File:Hydor Mainz smh2023.jpeg|map of the Mainz Globe with Cetus in the center, surrounded by many dots (star symbols), perhaps representing The Water (drawing by SMH 2023), 2nd century CE
</gallery>

<gallery>
File:Simon1894 Cet.jpg|Cetus at ''Planisferio celeste'' (Carlos Simón 1894)
</gallery>

== Mythology ==

Greek

The monster was placed among the stars because it was a creature of Poseidon, god of the sea, and is intended to commemorate the glorious deed of [[Perseus]]. Since [[Andromeda]] was to be sacrificed to the monster, Perseus successfully fought the mythical creature and earned the gratitude of the beautiful princess, her parents and the country.

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cetus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017081 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Cetus]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Cet]]

Cepheus

2026-05-20T11:59:33Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κηφεύς */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Cepheus IAU.svg|thumb|Cep star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
Cepheus, The King, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>In Greek mythology, Cepheus is the father of [[Andromeda]] and husband of Queen [[Cassiopeia]]. Aratos describes him as a lord with outstretched arms, as depicted on the Farnese Globe. Eratosthenes adds that his feet are pointing towards the pole and he is lying up to his chest in the Arctic Circle. His shoulders and head lie between the Arctic Circle and the circle of the summer solstice. This is important for Eratosthenes, as his original text systematically describes the sky from the North Pole southwards: only the [[Ursa Major]], [[Draco]] and Cepheus' feet lie within the polar cap, with the heads of Draco and Cepheus lying outside this ever-visible circle – at least when viewed from Alexandria in Egypt. In Athens, the dragon's head would still be fully within the Arctic Circle and only the head of Cepheus would protrude beyond it.

This information suggests a more northerly geographical latitude and could therefore indicate that this figure (group of figures) originated in what is now Greece. At least Eratosthenes' source seems to come from there – although it is impossible to make any definitive statements about transfers many centuries ago.

What is clear is that this figure does not originate from Mesopotamia, because at least the area outside the Arctic Circle, i.e. the head and shoulders of Cepheus, belonged in Mesopotamia to the figure of a giant demon with an open mouth. We describe this constellation of the demon in [[Cygnus]], the Swan.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[UD.KA.DU8.A|UD.KA.DU8.A]]

[[File:Kugel family.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe (1st c.BCE): Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Cepheus, drawing by SMH 2024.]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
Nor will the suffering family of Cepheus, son of Iasius, [180] be just left unmentioned: their name also has reached the sky, for they were akin to Zeus. Behind the Bear Cynosura [Ursa Minor] Cepheus himself is like a man stretching out both his arms. The line that extends from the tip of her tail to each of his feet equals the distance from foot to foot. [186] And you have only to look a little way past his belt if you are searching for the first coil o f the great Dragon.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 26 1/2
|Sgr 5 1/2
|Vir 8 1/2
|Vir 21
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one who preceds the three in the head (mu)
|the southern one of those in the head (eps)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3/4 hours = 45 min = 11 1/4 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Ari 7 1/2
|Ari 14
|Cnc 9
|Cnc 14
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southern one of those in the head (eps)
|the northern one of those [in the head]
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/3 hours = 20 min = 5°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Euripides and the rest have shown that he was the son of Phoenix, king of the Ethiopians, and father of Andromeda, the girl exposed to the sea-monster, according to the well-known tale. Perseus freed her from danger and made her his wife. And so, that the whole family be commemorated, the gods numbered Cepheus, too, among the constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κηφεύς ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κηφέως ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Cepheus
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός
|The star on the right leg
|kap Cep
|-
|2
|ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ποδός
|The one on the left leg
|gam Cep
|-
|3
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν ῥώνηη ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ πλευροῦ
|The star under the belt on the right side
|bet Cep
|-
|4
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὸν δεξιὸν ὤμου ἀπτόμευος.
|The star over the right shoulder, which touches it
|alf Cep
|-
|5
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὸν δεξιὸυ ἀγκῶνα ἀπτόμερος
|The star over the right elbow, which touches it
|eta Cep
|-
|6
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸν αὐτὸν ἀγκῶνα καὶ αὐτὸς ἀπτόμενος.
|The one under that elbow, which also touches it
|tet Cep
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στήθει
|The star in the chest
|xi Cep
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ βραχύουος
|The star on the left arm
|iot Cep
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς τιάρας 7’ ὁ νότιος.
|The southernmost of the 3 stars on the tiara
|eps Cep
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|zet Cep
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος τῶν τριῶν.
|The northernmost of the three
|lam Cep
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ιἄ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους ἄ, δ’ ξ,εη.
|{11 stars, l of the third magnitude, 7 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Τῶν περὶ Κηφέα ἀμορφώτων.
!Stars around Cepheus outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῆς τιάρας.
|The one in advance of the tiara
|mu Cep
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῇ τιάρα
|The one to the rear of the tiara
|del Cep
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀμόρφωτοι β, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ἄ, ε α
|2 stars outside the constellation, 1 of the fourth magnitude, 1 of the fifth
|
|}
[[File:Kepheus Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Kepheus (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Alderamin
|HIP 105199
|Constellation lines
|2.46
|-
|2
|Errai
|HIP 116727
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.21
|-
|3
|Alfirk
|HIP 106032
|Constellation lines
|3.23
|-
|4
|ζ Cephei
|HIP 109492
|Constellation lines
|3.35
|-
|5
|η Cephei
|HIP 102422
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.41
|-
|6
|ι Cephei
|HIP 112724
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.54
|-
|7
|Garnet Star
|HIP 107259
|Inside the hull
|4.08
|-
|8
|ϵ Cephei
|HIP 109857
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.18
|-
|9
|θ Cephei
|HIP 101093
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.22
|-
|10
|Kurhah
|HIP 108917
|Constellation lines
|4.29
|-
|11
|ν Cephei
|HIP 107418
|Inside the hull
|4.29
|-
|12
|κ Cephei
|HIP 99255
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.4
|-
|13
|9 Cep
|HIP 106801
|Inside the hull
|4.73
|-
|14
|24 Cep
|HIP 109400
|Inside the hull
|4.786
|-
|15
|VV Cep
|HIP 108317
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|16
| -
|HIP 108535
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|17
|λ Cephei
|HIP 109556
|Constellation lines
|5.05
|-
|18
| -
|HIP 111532
|Inside the hull
|5.05
|-
|19
|19 Cep
|HIP 109017
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|20
|78 Dra
|HIP 107230
|Inside the hull
|5.173
|-
|21
|6 Cep
|HIP 105268
|Inside the hull
|5.18
|-
|22
|AF Dra
|HIP 101260
|Inside the hull
|5.185
|-
|23
|30 Cep
|HIP 111797
|Inside the hull
|5.188
|-
|24
|20 Cep
|HIP 109005
|Inside the hull
|5.265
|-
|25
|18 Cep
|HIP 108924
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 109592
|Inside the hull
|5.359
|-
|27
|7 Cep
|HIP 105972
|Inside the hull
|5.41
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 110725
|Inside the hull
|5.469
|-
|29
|12 Cep
|HIP 107586
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|30
|26 Cep
|HIP 110817
|Inside the hull
|5.515
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 109474
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 106227
|Inside the hull
|5.522
|-
|33
|14 Cep
|HIP 108772
|Inside the hull
|5.542
|-
|34
|4 Cep
|HIP 102253
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 111242
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|36
|25 Cep
|HIP 110103
|Inside the hull
|5.741
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 111660
|Inside the hull
|5.777
|-
|38
| -
|HIP 109620
|Inside the hull
|5.778
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 108226
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 104171
|Inside the hull
|5.877
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 104968
|Inside the hull
|5.898
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 107374
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 108505
|Inside the hull
|5.979
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 103219
|Inside the hull
|5.988
|-
|45
| -
|HR 8375
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 110498
|Inside the hull
|6.032
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 109659
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 107197
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|49
|NGC 7160
|NGC 7160
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 105370
|Inside the hull
|6.104
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 109746
|Inside the hull
|6.121
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 108209
|Inside the hull
|6.125
|-
|53
|V426 Cep
|HIP 105949
|Inside the hull
|6.129
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 107723
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 101134
|Inside the hull
|6.221
|-
|56
| -
|HR 8595
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 110919
|Inside the hull
|6.285
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 109585
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 111325
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 108420
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 109190
|Inside the hull
|6.341
|-
|62
|80 Dra
|HIP 109434
|Inside the hull
|6.346
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 107893
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 104788
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 108364
|Inside the hull
|6.394
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 111314
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|67
|V431 Cep
|HIP 106604
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 107555
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 102771
|Inside the hull
|6.451
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 102370
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 107710
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|72
|V422 Cep
|HIP 105193
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==
Eratosthenes says that it was Athena's wish to place Cepheus and Andromeda in the heavens. He was her father and, according to Euripides, the king of Ethiopia. As he was responsible for his country, he is said to have reluctantly thrown his daughter to the sea monster to be devoured. However, she was saved by Perseus. The location of Aithiopia for the Greeks is disputed in research and may have varied over the centuries or for different poets. The name Aithiopians only indicates that they were dark-skinned – it could therefore refer to many places between India and North Africa.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017041 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Cepheus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Cep]]
[[Category:European]]

Centaurus

2026-05-20T11:57:21Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κένταυρος */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Centaurus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|IAU star chart (CC By: IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [https://xing.fmi.uni-jena.de/mediawiki/index.php/Category:88_IAU-Constellations 88 IAU constellations]. The ancient Greek constellation of the Centaur forms a [[:Category:Super-Constellation|super-constellation]] with [[Lupus]] and [[Ara]]. It is unknown whether or not Centaurus had a Babylonian predecessor: The Mesopotamian uranologies in this area mention a god ([[NU.MUŠ.DA|Numushda]]) whose appearance and exact location in the sky are not preserved, and the constellation [[UR.IDIM]] which is commonly translated as "Mad Dog" (or rabid dog) but also associated with a benevolent door keeper daemon who is a lion-man. Such a lion-man may possibly be depicted in seal imprints and mythologically named Urmahlullu.

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Kugel cen+lup+Ara.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Centaurus sacrifices Lupus on Ara (drawing by SMH 2024).]]
[[File:Kugel cen-lup-ara+sgr-sco.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: two centaurs in Cen and Sgr with Lup+Ara in between (drawing by SMH 2024).]]

===Origin of Constellation===
The Greek constellation is possibly derived from a Babylonian one.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> There were several centaur-like creatures and other mixed man-animal beings in Mesopotamian culture; seal imprints and reliefs witness them.

Ptolemy divides the super-constellation into separate figures and lists Lupus under the Centaur, but for Aratos (and therefore also in the version of Eratosthenes that has been handed down to us), it was only one image. The depictions of what the centaur is holding in his hands vary:

# On the Farnese Globe, the hunter centaur holds the spear with which he killed the beast in his left hand. Eratosthenes says it is a thyrsus. This is a cult object entwined with ivy, with a pine cone resting on its tip. It belongs to Dionysus (Latin: Bacchus), the god of wine, and his frivolous entourage, but also plays an important role in the initiation rites of the city of Eleusis (near Athens).
# In his right hand, the centaur holds the sacrificial animal, which he is bringing to the altar of smoke. Originally, it was not described in detail, but was simply called “the beast” – it was later renamed Lupus (wolf). The fact that Cheiron offers an animal sacrifice distinguishes him as particularly pious.
# The association of the dead beast with a wineskin, also recorded by Eratosthenes, is logical, since the skin of slaughtered animals can be used as a drinking vessel. This can still be seen today among some Sahara nomads.

It is therefore clear that in Greek uranography, the beast belongs to the centaur.

Centaurs are figures from Greek mythology with a human upper body on a horse's body. They represent masculine, impetuous, and lustful characters. Depictions of female centaurs are only documented in the late Hellenistic period. This is expressed in all myths about their origin as a result of the transgressions of the wicked king Ixion, their expulsion from Thessaly to the Peloponnese, their enemies, the virtuous Lapiths, and their combative encounters with Greek heroes such as Heracles. The origin of this hybrid creature is as controversial in research as the etymology of the word. A connection to ancient Indian lesser deities is under discussion, but there are no known Mesopotamian or Egyptian references.

==== Babylonian ====
In Mesopotamian astronomy, there are three constellations here: The beast is also a wild animal in Babylonian mythology, the “mad dog,” perhaps a wolf. The front part of the centaur, near the beast, especially the stars in the outstretched arm κ and η Centauri, are associated with the deity Numuschda. The larger part of the centaur forms the constellation Khabasiranu. The star at the horse's tail of the centaur (δ Cen) forms the head of this creature, but what exactly it is is not entirely clear – perhaps a giant mouse. Sometimes the Sumerian word is also interpreted as “shaggy winter star” and could then refer both to an animal and to the diffuse sight of the globular cluster ω Centauri, which lies on the back of the centaur. Ptolemy describes it as a “foggy star.”

In any case, the Mesopotamian deity associated with the constellation is Ningirsu, one of the city gods of Mesopotamia who later found a place in the Babylonian pantheon. He was equated with Ninurta, a god of war who was also responsible for hunting and fertility.

In this respect, at least, the religious backgrounds of the Babylonian and Greek constellations coincide—although not the constellation figures themselves.

See

* [[NU.MUŠ.DA|Numushda]]
* [[UR.IDIM]] and modern star name [[Uridim]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[400] This cluster as a whole men call The Water. But others low beneath the forefeet of the Archer (Centaur) [Centaurus], a tuned in a circled ring, go wheeling round the sky.

[436] The constellation of Centaur [Centaurus] thou wilt find beneath two others. For part in human form lies beneath Scorpio, but the rest, a horse’s trunk and tail, are beneath the Claws. He ever seems to stretch his right hand towards the round Altar, but though his hand is drawn and firmly grasped another sign – the Beast [Fera], for so men of old have named it.

[660?] So she is borne towards the West, but other signs in the East the vault of heaven brings from below, the remaining half of the Crown and the tail of the Hydra, and uplifts the body and head of the Centaur and the Beast that the Centaur holds in his right hand. But the fore-feet of the Centaur-Knight await the rising of the Bow.

[694] But opposite the Horse starry Night draws the Centaur, tail-first, beneath the horizon, but cannot yet engulf his head and his broad shoulders, breast and all. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Lib 10
|Sgr 4
|Cnc 12
|Vir 16 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|in the left shoulder (iota)
|the rear of the front feet (alf)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 1/3 hours = 260 min = 65 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|
|
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to be Chiron, son of Saturn and Philyra, who surpassed not only the other Centaurs but also men in justice, and is thought to have reared Aesculapius and Achilles. By his conscientiousness and diligence, therefore, he won inclusion among the stars.

When Hercules was once visiting Chiron, and while sitting with him was examining his arrows, one of them is said to have fallen on the foot of Chiron, and thus brought about his death. Others say that when the Centaur wondered at his being able to kill such huge creatures as Centaurs with such slight arrows, he himself tried to draw the bow, and the arrow, slipping from his hand, fell on his foot. For this reason Jupiter, pitying him, put him among the constellations with a victim which he seems to hold above the altar for sacrifice.

Others have said that he is Pholus the Centaurus, who was more skilled in augury that the rest. Consequently, by the will of Jove, he was represented coming to the altar with a victim. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κένταυρος ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κευταύρου ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ δ ὁ φοτιώτατος.
|The southernmost of the 4 stars in the head
|2 Cen
|-
|2
|ὁ βορειότατος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|4 Cen
|-
|3
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ μέσων β ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the other, middle 2
|1 Cen
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν καὶ λοιπὸς τῶν δ
|The rearmost of these, the last of the 4
|3 Cen
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ καὶ ἠγουμένου ὅμου
|The star on the left, advanced shoulder
|iot Cen
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὅμου
|The star on the right shoulder
|tet Cen
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς ὡμοπλάτης.
|The star on the left shoulder-blade
|HR 5089
|-
|8
|τῶν ἐν τῷ θύρσῳ ὁ τῶν ἠγουμένωυ β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|The 4 stars in the thyrsus: the northernmost of the advance 2
|psi Cen
|-
|9
|ὁ σοτιώτερορ αὐτῶ
|The 4 stars in the thyrsus: the southernmost of these
|HR 5378
|-
|10
|τῶν λοιπῶν β ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ θύρσου
|The 4 stars in the thyrsus: that one of the other two which is at the tip of the thyrsus
|HR 5485+5489
|-
|11
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ τούτου νοτιώτερος
|The 4 stars in the thyrsus: the last one, south of the latter
|HR 5471
|-
|12
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ πλευρῷ ἡ ὁ ἠρούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars in the right side
|nu Cen
|-
|13
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|mu Cen
|-
|14
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The rearmost of the three
|phi Cen
|-
|15
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ βραχίουος
|The star on the right upper arm
|chi Cen
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ πήχεως
|The star on the right forearm
|eta Cen
|-
|17
|ὁ ἐν ἄκρᾳ τῇ δεξιᾷ χειρύ
|The star in the right hand
|kap Cen
|-
|18
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἐκφύσει τοῦ ἀνθρωπείου σώματος λαμπρός
|The bright star in the place where the human body joins [the horse's]
|zet Cen
|-
|19
|τῶν βορειοτέρωυ αὐτοῦ β’ ἀμαυρῶν ὁ ἑπόμενος
|The rearmost of the 2 faint stars to the north of this
|ups2 Cen
|-
|20
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|ups1 Cen
|-
|21
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς τοῦ νώτου ἐκφύσεως
|The star on the place where the back joins [the horse's body]
|omega Cen
|-
|22
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ νώτου τοῦ ἴππου
|The star in advance of this, on the horse's back
|HR 4940
|-
|23
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος τ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of the stars on the rump
|gam Cen
|-
|24
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|tau Cen
|-
|25
|ὁ προηγούμενος τῶν τριῶν
|The most advanced of the three
|sig Cen
|-
|26
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ μηροῦ β συνεχῶν ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars close together on the right thigh
|del Cen
|-
|27
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|rho Cen
|-
|28
|ὁ ἐη τῷ στήθει ὑπὸ τὴν μασχάληη τοῦ ἴππου
|The star in the chest, under the horse's armpit
|HR 5172
|-
|29
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὴν κοιλίαυ β’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars under the belly
|eps Cen
|-
|30
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|Q Cen
|-
|31
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀγκύλης τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός
|The star on the knee-bend of the right [hind] leg
|gam Cru
|-
|32
|ὁ ἐν τῷ σφυρῷ τοῦ αὐτοῦ ποδός
|The star in the hock of the same leg
|bet Cru
|-
|33
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν ἀγκύληη τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ποδός
|The star under the knee-bend of the left [hind] leg
|del Cru
|-
|34
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ βατραχίου τοῦ αὐτοῦ ποδός
|The star on the frog of the hoof an the same leg
|alf Cru
|-
|35
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἄκρου τοῦ ἐμπροσθίου δεξιοῦ ποδός ἡ
|The star on the end of the right front leg
|alf Cen
|-
|36
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ γόνατος τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ποδός
|The star on the knee of the left [front] leg
|bet Cen
|-
|37
|ὁ ἐκτὸς ὑπὸ τὸν δεξιὸν ὀπισθόποδα
|The star outside, under the right hind leg
|mu Cru
|}

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Rigil Kentaurus
|HIP 71683
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|0.01
|-
|2
|Hadar
|HIP 68702
|Constellation lines
|0.58
|-
|3
|Acrux
|HIP 60718
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|0.76
|-
|4
|Mimosa
|HIP 62434
|Constellation lines
|1.25
|-
|5
|* alf01 Cru
|HR 4730
|Inside the hull
|1.28
|-
|6
|Gacrux
|HIP 61084
|Constellation lines
|1.64
|-
|7
|Menkent
|HIP 68933
|Constellation lines
|2.05
|-
|8
|γ Centauri
|HIP 61932
|Inside the hull
|2.17
|-
|9
|Uridim
|HIP 71860
|Inside the hull
|2.286
|-
|10
|ϵ Centauri
|HIP 66657
|Constellation lines
|2.3
|-
|11
|η Centauri
|HIP 71352
|Constellation lines
|2.31
|-
|12
|δ Centauri
|HIP 59196
|Constellation lines
|2.52
|-
|13
|Leepwal
|HIP 68002
|Constellation lines
|2.55
|-
|14
|Kulou
|HIP 65109
|Constellation lines
|2.73
|-
|15
|Imai
|HIP 59747
|Constellation lines
|2.752
|-
|16
|κ Centauri
|HIP 73334
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.11
|-
|17
|Heng
|HIP 67464
|Inside the hull
|3.386
|-
|18
|μ Centauri
|HIP 67472
|Inside the hull
|3.43
|-
|19
|ι Lupi
|HIP 69996
|Inside the hull
|3.529
|-
|20
|Ginan
|HIP 60260
|Inside the hull
|3.57
|-
|21
|ϕ Centauri
|HIP 68245
|Constellation lines
|3.802
|-
|22
|τ Centauri
|HIP 61622
|Constellation lines
|3.86
|-
|23
|υ 1 Centauri
|HIP 68282
|Constellation lines
|3.87
|-
|24
|d Cen
|HIP 65936
|Constellation lines
|3.88
|-
|25
|ω Cen
|HD 116790
|Inside the hull
|3.9
|-
|26
|σ Centauri
|HIP 60823
|Inside the hull
|3.91
|-
|27
|* bet Cen B
|* bet Cen B
|Inside the hull
|3.95
|-
|28
|ρ Centauri
|HIP 59449
|Constellation lines
|3.96
|-
|29
|ψ Centauri
|HIP 70090
|Inside the hull
|4.034
|-
|30
|μ 1 Crucis
|HIP 63003
|Inside the hull
|4.04
|-
|31
|ρ Lupi
|HIP 71536
|Inside the hull
|4.05
|-
|32
|2 Cen
|HIP 67457
|Constellation lines
|4.19
|-
|33
|1 Cen
|HIP 67153
|Constellation lines
|4.23
|-
|34
|n Cen
|HIP 62896
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.27
|-
|35
|ξ 2 Centauri
|HIP 64004
|Inside the hull
|4.27
|-
|36
|ο Lupi
|HIP 72683
|Inside the hull
|4.313
|-
|37
|e Cen
|HIP 62867
|Inside the hull
|4.33
|-
|38
|υ 2 Centauri
|HIP 68523
|Inside the hull
|4.33
|-
|39
|χ Centauri
|HIP 68862
|Constellation lines
|4.343
|-
|40
|v Cen
|HIP 70069
|Inside the hull
|4.35
|-
|41
|τ 2 Lupi
|HIP 70576
|Inside the hull
|4.35
|-
|42
|V761 Cen
|HIP 70300
|Inside the hull
|4.42
|-
|43
|σ Lupi
|HIP 71121
|Inside the hull
|4.423
|-
|44
|V863 Cen
|HIP 59173
|Inside the hull
|4.47
|-
|45
|J Cen
|HIP 65271
|Inside the hull
|4.509
|-
|46
|* 3 Cen A
|HIP 67669
|Inside the hull
|4.52
|-
|47
|τ 1 Lupi
|HIP 70574
|Inside the hull
|4.553
|-
|48
|V831 Cen
|HIP 64425
|Inside the hull
|4.593
|-
|49
|λ Crucis
|HIP 63007
|Inside the hull
|4.602
|-
|50
|A Cen
|HIP 56480
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.607
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 62327
|Inside the hull
|4.62
|-
|52
|M Cen
|HIP 67234
|Constellation lines
|4.632
|-
|53
|w Cen
|HIP 62012
|Inside the hull
|4.66
|-
|54
|ι Crucis
|HIP 62268
|Inside the hull
|4.686
|-
|55
|f Cen
|HIP 63945
|Inside the hull
|4.691
|-
|56
|4 Cen
|HIP 67786
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.73
|-
|57
|321 G. Cen
|HIP 69191
|Inside the hull
|4.736
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 70104
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|59
|G Cen
|HIP 60710
|Inside the hull
|4.808
|-
|60
|ξ 1 Centauri
|HIP 63724
|Inside the hull
|4.826
|-
|61
|185 G. Cen
|HIP 64408
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|62
|191 G. Cen
|HIP 64583
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|63
|CH Cru
|HIP 61966
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|64
|340 G. Cen
|HIP 70264
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|65
|F Cen
|HIP 60059
|Constellation lines
|5.01
|-
|66
|K Cen
|HIP 65810
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|67
|V795 Cen
|HIP 69618
|Inside the hull
|5.07
|-
|68
|217 G. Cen
|HIP 65535
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|69
|54 G. Cen
|HIP 56754
|Inside the hull
|5.14
|-
|70
|z Cen
|HIP 67244
|Inside the hull
|5.147
|-
|71
|52 G. Cen
|HIP 56656
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|72
|H Cen
|HIP 63210
|Inside the hull
|5.159
|-
|73
|μ 2 Crucis
|HIP 63005
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|74
|* Q Cen A
|HIP 66821
|Constellation lines
|5.217
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 72290
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|76
|182 G. Cen
|HIP 64348
|Inside the hull
|5.231
|-
|77
|C2 Cen
|HIP 56573
|Inside the hull
|5.252
|-
|78
|N Cen
|HIP 67703
|Inside the hull
|5.257
|-
|79
|NGC 3766
|NGC 3766
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 63117
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|81
|ome Cen Cluster
|DSO:NGC5139
|Constellation lines
|5.33
|-
|82
|E Cen
|HIP 59184
|Constellation lines
|5.34
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 60379
|Inside the hull
|5.366
|-
|84
|251 G. Cen
|HIP 66849
|Inside the hull
|5.372
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 70931
|Inside the hull
|5.376
|-
|86
|V918 Cen
|HIP 57512
|Inside the hull
|5.407
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 71500
|Inside the hull
|5.431
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 58379
|Inside the hull
|5.436
|-
|89
|V964 Cen
|HIP 65112
|Inside the hull
|5.443
|-
|90
|152 G. Cen
|HIP 63066
|Inside the hull
|5.445
|-
|91
|269 G. Cen
|HIP 67304
|Inside the hull
|5.446
|-
|92
|C3 Cen
|HIP 56700
|Inside the hull
|5.456
|-
|93
|BL Cru
|HIP 60781
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 70915
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|95
|NGC 5662
|NGC 5662
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|96
|43 G. Cen
|HIP 56497
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|97
|BG Cru
|HIP 61136
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 71419
|Inside the hull
|5.55
|-
|99
|74 G. Cen
|HIP 57870
|Inside the hull
|5.559
|-
|100
|324 G. Cen
|HIP 69462
|Inside the hull
|5.575
|-
|101
|172 G. Cen
|HIP 63972
|Inside the hull
|5.588
|-
|102
|NGC 5460
|NGC 5460
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|103
|248 G. Cen
|HIP 66656
|Inside the hull
|5.603
|-
|104
|330 G. Cen
|HIP 69598
|Inside the hull
|5.613
|-
|105
|221 G. Cen
|HIP 65593
|Inside the hull
|5.656
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 70054
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|107
|C1 Cen
|HIP 56518
|Inside the hull
|5.675
|-
|108
|177 G. Cen
|HIP 64053
|Inside the hull
|5.698
|-
|109
|142 G. Cen
|HIP 62703
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|110
|288 G. Cen
|HIP 67973
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|111
|DS Cru
|HIP 62732
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|112
|359 G. Cen
|HIP 71453
|Inside the hull
|5.736
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 72250
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|114
|205 G. Cen
|HIP 65144
|Inside the hull
|5.742
|-
|115
|278 G. Cen
|HIP 67663
|Inside the hull
|5.752
|-
|116
|127 G. Cen
|HIP 61379
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 62894
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|118
|181 G. Cen
|HIP 64332
|Inside the hull
|5.772
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 60969
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|120
|196 G. Cen
|HIP 64822
|Inside the hull
|5.803
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 70663
|Inside the hull
|5.811
|-
|122
|293 G. Cen
|HIP 68079
|Inside the hull
|5.815
|-
|123
|133 G. Cen
|HIP 61916
|Inside the hull
|5.816
|-
|124
|50 G. Cen
|HIP 56606
|Inside the hull
|5.819
|-
|125
|193 G. Cen
|HIP 64623
|Inside the hull
|5.831
|-
|126
| -
|HIP 71182
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|127
| -
|HIP 71184
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|128
|357 G. Cen
|HIP 71353
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|129
|283 G. Cen
|HIP 67836
|Inside the hull
|5.873
|-
|130
| -
|HIP 60308
|Inside the hull
|5.884
|-
|131
|239 G. Cen
|HIP 66454
|Inside the hull
|5.889
|-
|132
|151 G. Cen
|HIP 63033
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|133
|189 G. Cen
|HIP 64515
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|134
|190 G. Cen
|HIP 64580
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|135
|148 G. Cen
|HIP 62861
|Inside the hull
|5.908
|-
|136
|209 G. Cen
|HIP 65247
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|137
|268 G. Cen
|HIP 67292
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|138
| -
|HIP 66438A
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|139
|305 G. Cen
|HIP 68670
|Inside the hull
|5.923
|-
|140
|337 G. Cen
|HIP 69995
|Inside the hull
|5.925
|-
|141
|298 G. Cen
|HIP 68333
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|142
|V914 Cen
|HIP 56970
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|143
|κ Crucis
|HIP 62931
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|144
|256 G. Cen
|HIP 66924
|Inside the hull
|5.956
|-
|145
|236 G. Cen
|HIP 66427
|Inside the hull
|5.957
|-
|146
|V869 Cen
|HIP 69174
|Inside the hull
|5.961
|-
|147
|258 G. Cen
|HIP 66984
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|148
|174 G. Cen
|HIP 64033
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|149
| -
|HIP 62058
|Inside the hull
|5.982
|-
|150
|351 G. Cen
|HIP 70987
|Inside the hull
|5.983
|-
|151
| -
|HIP 70363
|Inside the hull
|5.993
|-
|152
|242 G. Cen
|HIP 66575
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|153
|V744 Cen
|HIP 66666
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|154
|253 G. Cen
|HIP 66925
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|155
|291 G. Cen
|HIP 68101
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|156
|V824 Cen
|HIP 64320
|Inside the hull
|6.026
|-
|157
|85 G. Cen
|HIP 58453
|Inside the hull
|6.031
|-
|158
|76 G. Cen
|HIP 58041
|Inside the hull
|6.045
|-
|159
| -
|HIP 66825
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|160
| -
|HIP 62026
|Inside the hull
|6.057
|-
|161
| -
|HIP 71639
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|162
| -
|HIP 72308
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|163
|V828 Cen
|HIP 68673
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|164
|203 G. Cen
|HIP 65129
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|165
|V716 Cen
|HIP 69491
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|166
| -
|HIP 70325
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|167
|V767 Cen
|HIP 67861
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|168
|302 G. Cen
|HIP 68493
|Inside the hull
|6.108
|-
|169
| -
|HIP 60870
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|170
|358 G. Cen
|HIP 71429
|Inside the hull
|6.141
|-
|171
| -
|HIP 58642
|Inside the hull
|6.142
|-
|172
|192 G. Cen
|HIP 64557
|Inside the hull
|6.147
|-
|173
|229 G. Cen
|HIP 66019
|Inside the hull
|6.148
|-
|174
| -
|HR 5034
|Inside the hull
|6.153
|-
|175
|319 G. Cen
|HIP 69113
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|176
|198 G. Cen
|HIP 64933
|Inside the hull
|6.173
|-
|177
|312 G. Cen
|HIP 68872
|Inside the hull
|6.176
|-
|178
|187 G. Cen
|HIP 64472
|Inside the hull
|6.184
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 67851
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|180
|200 G. Cen
|HIP 65108
|Inside the hull
|6.193
|-
|181
|186 G. Cen
|HIP 64478
|Inside the hull
|6.197
|-
|182
| -
|HIP 58901
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|183
|V992 Cen
|HIP 68842
|Inside the hull
|6.204
|-
|184
|* y Cen A
|HIP 67819
|Inside the hull
|6.218
|-
|185
| -
|HIP 60861
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|186
| -
|HIP 61443
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|187
|100 G. Cen
|HIP 59439
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|188
| -
|HIP 56550
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|189
|V789 Cen
|HIP 63820
|Inside the hull
|6.249
|-
|190
|141 G. Cen
|HIP 62655
|Inside the hull
|6.257
|-
|191
|222 G. Cen
|HIP 65630
|Inside the hull
|6.257
|-
|192
|120 G. Cen
|HIP 60729
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|193
|147 G. Cen
|HIP 62821
|Inside the hull
|6.262
|-
|194
|63 G. Cen
|HIP 57322
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|195
|365 G. Cen
|HIP 71746
|Inside the hull
|6.296
|-
|196
| -
|HIP 72338
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|197
|144 G. Cen
|HIP 62799
|Inside the hull
|6.304
|-
|198
|332 G. Cen
|HIP 69671
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|199
|220 G. Cen
|HIP 65606
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|200
|232 G. Cen
|HIP 66236
|Inside the hull
|6.319
|-
|201
| -
|HIP 60780
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|202
|347 G. Cen
|HIP 70580
|Inside the hull
|6.333
|-
|203
|V883 Cen
|HIP 69122
|Inside the hull
|6.339
|-
|204
|348 G. Cen
|HIP 70626
|Inside the hull
|6.346
|-
|205
|279 G. Cen
|HIP 67648
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|206
|210 G. Cen
|HIP 65303
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|207
|V765 Cen
|HIP 66645
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|208
| -
|HD 126111
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|209
| -
|HR 4619
|Inside the hull
|6.362
|-
|210
|350 G. Cen
|HIP 70966
|Inside the hull
|6.374
|-
|211
|126 G. Cen
|HIP 61328
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|212
|354 G. Cen
|HIP 71333
|Inside the hull
|6.384
|-
|213
|130 G. Cen
|HIP 61557
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|214
| -
|HIP 70320
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|215
| -
|HIP 70809
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|216
| -
|HIP 71658
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|217
|329 G. Cen
|HIP 69655
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|218
|223 G. Cen
|HIP 65621
|Inside the hull
|6.405
|-
|219
|254 G. Cen
|HIP 66923
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|220
|V1154 Cen
|HIP 63883
|Inside the hull
|6.418
|-
|221
|317 G. Cen
|HIP 69011
|Inside the hull
|6.418
|-
|222
| -
|HIP 60455
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|223
| -
|HIP 62084
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|224
|263 G. Cen
|HIP 67199
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|225
|168 G. Cen
|HIP 63849
|Inside the hull
|6.426
|-
|226
| -
|HIP 70451
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|227
| -
|HIP 72135
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|228
| -
|HIP 67537
|Inside the hull
|6.431
|-
|229
|V827 Cen
|HIP 67036
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|230
| -
|HR 4764
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|231
|238 G. Cen
|HIP 66521
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|232
| -
|HIP 65372
|Inside the hull
|6.464
|-
|233
|299 G. Cen
|HIP 68413
|Inside the hull
|6.469
|-
|234
|349 G. Cen
|HIP 70798
|Inside the hull
|6.469
|-
|235
|90 G. Cen
|HIP 58859
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|236
|237 G. Cen
|HIP 66405
|Inside the hull
|6.476
|-
|237
|155 G. Cen
|HIP 63204
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|238
| -
|HIP 65970
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|239
| -
|HIP 67008
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|240
| -
|HIP 71494
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|241
|310 G. Cen
|HIP 68902
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|242
| -
|HIP 71577
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|243
| -
|HIP 65373
|Inside the hull
|6.77
|}

=== Arabic Reception ===
Roland Laffitte (2025) elaborates: <blockquote>La figure de Κένταυρος / Kentauros, qui est une création grecque attestée chez Eudoxe1, fut reprise telle quelle par les Arabes sous le nom de Qanṭūris (voir Fig. 80a, p. suivante)2. Quant à Θηρίον / Thērion, la « Bête sauvage », liée à la précédente en une seule image et connue par Eudoxe, on y reconnaît la figure mésopotamienne de UR.IDIM, « le Chien sauvage », emblème de Kusu, manifestation de Nisaba, dieu de l’Écriture et des Études. Les astronomes arabes la reprirent sous le nom d’al-Sabuc, « la Bête féroce, le Lion »3 (voir Fig. 80a), puis, tardivement, al-Fahd, « le Guépard »4. Mais ils voyaient déjà, sur l’espace al-Šamāriḫ, « le Rameau de palmier [où il est resté des dattes] »5.</blockquote>English

Laffitte (2025) then lists the following star names:

Rigil Kentaurus (α Cen A : -0,01) / سرﻮﻄﻧ ﻞﺟر Emprunté au XIXe siècle pour α Cen, ce nom correspond à l’arabe Riğl Qanṭūris, « le Pied du Centaure », dans la représentation gréco-arabe, sachant que l’UAI vient de le spécialiser pour la plus importante des trois étoiles portant la même désignation de Bayer, soit α Cen6. AUTRE NOM : [Bungula]. Allen suppose qu’il s’agit d’un nom forgé p/ Burritt en joignant la lettre grecque β et du latin ungula, décrivant la situation de cette étoile dans l’Almageste, voir aussi KUNITZSCH & SMART, 27. Bungula, Wiki.

Toliman (α Cen B : 1,35) / نﺎﻤﻠﻈﻟا Introdruit dès le XIIe siècle et apparu dans sa forme moderne au XVIIe siècle, c’est al-Ẓalimān, « les Autruches mâles », employé comme nom de la constellation dans les premiers textes arabes7 tandis que comme nom d’étoiles, il correspond à α PsA et θ Eri8. L’UAI vient d’approuver ce nom en le fixant sur αB Cen .

Hadar [Centauri] (β Cen : 0,61) / ِ رﺎﻀﺣ Même si le nom Agena, introduit sans explication par Burritt a eu quelque succès, c’est Hadar, introduit au XXe siècle, qui est désormais approuvé par l’UAI. Ce nom est l’arabe Ḥaḍāri, qui pourrait concerner une divinité astrale dont l’étymologie reste énigmatique9. Cela dit, ce nom fait partie du couple Ḥaḍāri wa-l-Wazn10, lequel se nomme également al-Muḥlifān, « les Deux qui poussent à jurer » (voir γ Cen). Comme le rapporte al-Ṣūfī, ces deux étoiles se lèvent avant Suhayl et « quand se lève l’une de ces deux étoiles, quelqu’un prendra celle qu’il voit pour Suhayl et s’écrira : c’est Suhayl ! Un autre qui voit l’étoile et la connaît dira : ce n’est pas Suhayl ! Après quoi ils jureront chacun de son côté mais comme celui qui dit que c’est Suhayl jure faux, on nomme ces étoiles al-Muḫlifān ‘les Deux qui poussent à jurer’ ou al-Muḫniṯān, les Deux qui ‘poussent à se parjurer’ ». Nous avons déjà abordé ce couple (voir αβ Col), mais il semble bien que sa place la plus probable se situe dans la région du Centaure, où le nom paraît bien correspondre à αβ Cen11.

Muhlifain [Centauri] (γ Cen : 2,20) / نﺎﻔﻠﺤﻤﻟا Emprunté au XXe siècle, ce nom est al-Muḫlifān, « les Deux qui poussent à jurer », nom classique donné à plusieurs couples d’étoiles dans le ciel arabe traditionnel, et l’on peut penser qu’il convient bien à αβ Cen (voir β Cen)12.

Al Birdhaun (ε Cen : 2,29) / ن و ذﱪ ﻟا Emprunté de façon toute récente, c’est l’arabe al-Birḏawn, « le Cheval de somme »13, épithète utilisée pour la partie cheval du Centaure dans un texte arabe classique (voir supra, Fig. 80a).

Alnair [Centauri] (ζ Cen : 2,55) / [سرﻮﻄﻨﻗ نﺪﺑ] ﺮّﯿ ﻧ Emprunté au début du XXe siècle, ce nom vient de la locution arabe Nayyir Badan Qanṭūris, « la Brillante [du Tronc du Centaure] », attestée dans un catalogue arabe d’époque tardive14 (voir ci-après). AUTRE NOM : Baten Kentaurus. Ar. سرﻮﻄﻨﻗ نﺪﺑ [ﺮّﯿﻧ] Nayyir Badan Qanṭūris, al-Tīzīnī, voir ci-dessus. Troncation de ‘Al Nāir Al Baṭn Al Kentaurus’, Allen, repris p/ Nit. 02. Batn Kentaurus, Rhoads. Sans suite.

Marfikent (η Cen, 2,33) / سرﻮﻄﻨﻗ ﻖﻓﺮﻣ Introduit récemment, ce nom est la contraction de l’arabe Marfiq Qanṭūris, « l’Épaule droite du Centaure », dans un catalogue arabe tardive non repéré15.

Menkent (θ Cen, 2,06) / سرﻮﻄﻨﻗ [ﻦﻣ ﻦﻤﯾﻷا] ﺐﻜﻨﻤﻟا Introduit récemment, et reconnu par l’UAI, cette appellation est manifestement la contraction de l’expression al-Mankib al-Aysar min Qanṭūris, « l’Épaule droite du Centaure », dans une liste arabe tardive16. AUTRES NOMS : 1. Chort p/ θ Cen. Ar. نﺎﺗﺪﺨﻟا al-Ḫarātān, « les Deux Trous », Smyth, d’après Allen, nom déplacé de θ Leo. 2. Haratan, Photographical Atlas. Même explication, Sans suite.

Kabkent Prim., Sec. et Ter. (τυφ Cen : 3,85, 3,87 et 3,83) / سرﻮﻄﻨﻗ ﺐﻠﻗ Introduit récemment pour les étoiles τ, υ et φ Cen, ce nom doit être la contraction de Qalb Qanṭūris, « « le Cœur du Centaure », faite sur le modèle de Mankent (voir θ Cen)17. [Kakkab] p/ a Lup). Akkadien : mul [= kakkabu] ŠU GÙB UR.IDIM. À la suite d’Allen qui le relève, on trouve ce nom pour cette étoile dans les catalogues modernes, not. Pultar. Notons 1. que ce nom est l’akkadien pour « étoile », tout simplement, l’arabe étant kawkab, et 2. que ce nom est aujourd’hui affecté à θ Lup.

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Cen+lup kugel.jpg|Centaurus et Lupus on the ancient Greek Kugel Globe, drawing by SMH 2021.
File:FarneseSMH2017 web 11.jpg|Centaurus et Lupus on the ancient Greco-Roman Farnese Globe, drawing by SMH 2017.
File:Cen+lup mainz Globe.jpg|Centaurus et Lupus on the ancient Roman Mainz Globe, drawing by SMH 2021.
File:Centurus+Lupus Duerer.jpg|Centaurus & Lupus on Dürer's map.
File:Centaurus et Lupus - Mercator.jpeg|Centaurus and Lupus constellations from the Mercator celestial globe 1551 (CC0).
File:Cen+Lup Mercator1551.jpg|Centaurus et Lupus on Mercator's 1551 globe gores.
File:Cen+Lup+Crux Plancius.jpg|Centaurus et Lupus on Plancius's globe, first time with [[Crux]]
File:Uranometria Centaurus.jpg|Centaurus as drawn by Joh. Bayer (1603) and Lupus drawn by the user of this exemplar of the atlas (extra map for Bayer).
File:Cen+Lup+Crux Habrecht1621.jpg|Cen+Lup, Crux, Habrecht's map 1621
File:Crux inCenLup Royer south.jpg|Cen + Lup, Royer's map (1679)
File:Simon1894 Cen+Lup.jpg|Centaurus et Lupus at ''Planisferio celeste'' (Carlos Simón 1894)
</gallery>

==Greek Mythology==

Mythographers agree that this centaur was Cheiron. He lived in a cave on Mount Pelion and was the only centaur who was educated and wise—not boisterous and wild like his fellow centaurs. He was therefore the teacher of numerous Greek heroes, including Achilles and Asclepius. Heracles was probably also one of Chiron's students, as Eratosthenes reports that Heracles listened to Chiron, lived with him in his cave, and may have had a pederastic relationship with him.

One day, Chiron accidentally injured himself with one of Heracles' arrows. There are several versions of this story: Eratosthenes says that an arrow accidentally fell out of Heracles' quiver and landed on Chiron's foot. Later versions of the myth tell of an attack by the wild other centaurs, which Heracles repelled. In the process, an arrow fired at the attackers accidentally grazed his friend Chiron's leg. Whatever the case, Chiron had a very painful wound. Eratosthenes says that Chiron died from this wound. Later poets claim that Chiron was immortal, which would have condemned him to eternal pain. Since Heracles' arrows were dipped in the blood of the Hydra, none of the medicinal herbs known to the wise Chiron could heal the wound. In this version, Chiron gave up his immortality and thus freed Prometheus from his torment.

All poets agree that Cheiron was placed in the heavens by Zeus because his wisdom and virtue taught many heroes and because his justice surpassed that of all men.

There is no direct myth about the monster. It is sometimes claimed that he was the father of Arcas (Bootes), who was transformed into a wild animal by Zeus for his brutality. However, this seems to be a later addition.

==Weblinks==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/centaurus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017076 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Centaurus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:European]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Super-Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Cen]]

Cassiopeia

2026-05-20T11:53:17Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κασσιέπεια */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Cassiopeia IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Cas star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
Cassiopeia, The Queen, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]].

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>Cassiopeia is the name of a queen, which is not translated but only written in Latin with a ‘c’. The queen sits on a throne – in Eratosthenes' version it may be an armchair, but in general it is understood to be a throne. On star charts from the last 250 years, Cassiopeia is often depicted fussing with her hair or even – as in modern planetariums – looking in a mirror. These are supposed to be signs of her vanity. Her throne has a backrest that reaches up to her shoulders, and one of the bright stars sits in its upper third.

In ancient times, the figure was seen differently: on the Farnese Globe, whose pictorial model dates back to the Hellenistic period, the seat has no backrest. The queen also holds up one arm, but there is nothing in her raised hand – Aratos believes she is lamenting her child. Her other hand (her left) is stretched out towards her husband, as if the two were about to hold hands. Her hair is draped in a strict bun, as was and is customary for older women. This contrasts with the looser hair of her daughter [[Andromeda]].

In Greek art, women are not depicted naked – except for Aphrodite – so Cassiopeia, like her daughter, wears a long dress in the original. Bare-breasted depictions since the Middle Ages (Leiden Aratea) show the frivolous image of antiquity that was invented in retrospect.

It is unclear where the image of the queen comes from, as it is not the first thing that comes to mind when we see the zigzag pattern in the sky. Aratos does not describe the five bright stars that we call the ‘celestial W’ with a letter. The Greek sigma would have been a natural choice: Σ, but only a few people could write and the didactic poem was intended for everyone. Aratos compares the shape of the constellation to a key (bit) that opens a folding door. It is not entirely clear whether the folded door is also an allusion to the arrangement of the stars. In any case, the key is not a constellation, but, like our W in the sky, merely a mnemonic device.

It is unclear what this constellation was in Mesopotamia, but in any case it was not a queen. It could be the constellation of the deer or the plough – or something else entirely, which unfortunately cannot be determined with certainty based on the available data. Current philological research gives reason to believe that this is the constellation of the seed funnel plough, an innovation of the 2nd millennium that made it possible to scatter seeds from a storage funnel directly into the furrow.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[APIN]]

[[File:Kugel family.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe (1st c.BCE): Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Cepheus, drawing by SMH 2024.]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
In front of him revolves the tragic Cassiepeia, not very large, but visible on the night of a full moon; [190] only a few zigzagging stars adorn her, giving her all over a distinct outline. Like to a key with which men attacking a double door barred on the inside knock back the bolts, [194] such is the appearance of the individual stars that together comprise her. She extends outstretched arms just from her small shoulders: you would say she was grieving over her daughter.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §9) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 22
|Cap 12
|Lib 11
|Sco 2 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one at the throne
|the one in the head
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/3 hours = 80 min = 20 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §9) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Ari 21
|Tau 23 1/2
|Cnc 23 1/2
|Vir 5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the head (zeta)
|the one in the feet (eps)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Euripides and Sophocles and many others have said of her that she boasted that she excelled the Nereids in beauty. For this she was put among the constellations, seated in a chair [?]. On account of her impiety, as the sky turns, she seems to be carried along lying on her back. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κασσιέπεια ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κασσιεπείας ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Cassiopeia
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς
|The star on the head
|zet Cas
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐν τῷ στήθει
|The star in the breast
|alf Cas
|-
|3
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς ξώνης
|The one north of that, on the belt
|eta Cas
|-
|4
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὴν καθέδραη κατὰ τῶν μηρῶν
|The star over the throne, just over the thighs
|gam Cas
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐν τοῖς γόνασια.
|The star in the knees
|del Cas
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κυήμης.
|The star on the lower leg
|eps Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ποδός
|The star on the end of the leg
|iot Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ βραχίουος
|The star on the left upper arm
|tet Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ὑποκάτω τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star below the left elbow
|phi Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ πήχεως
|The star on the right fore-arm
|sig Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπάνω τοῦ ποδὸς τοῦ θρόνου
|The star above the foot of the throne
|kap Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ μέσου τοῦ ἀνακλίθρου
|The star on the middle of the back of the throne
|bet Cas
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ἀνακλίθρου
|The star on the top of the throne-back
|rho Cas
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες τῇ, ὥυ γ’ μεγέθους ὅ, δ’ ὅ, ε’ ἂ, ϛ’ β
|{13 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 6 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth, 2 of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Kassiepeia Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Kassiepeia (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Alioth
|HIP 62956
|Inside the hull
|1.77
|-
|2
|Mizar
|HIP 65378
|Inside the hull
|2.22
|-
|3
| -
|HIP 65378A
|Inside the hull
|2.22
|-
|4
|Schedar
|HIP 3179
|Constellation lines
|2.23
|-
|5
|Merak
|HIP 53910
|Inside the hull
|2.37
|-
|6
|Tiansi
|HIP 4427
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.39
|-
|7
|Ruchbah
|HIP 6686
|Constellation lines
|2.68
|-
|8
|Megrez
|HIP 59774
|Inside the hull
|3.32
|-
|9
|Segin
|HIP 8886
|Constellation lines
|3.37
|-
|10
|Achird
|HIP 3821
|Constellation lines
|3.44
|-
|11
|Fulu
|HIP 2920
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.66
|-
|12
|Grumium
|HIP 87585
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|13
|δ Cephei
|HIP 110991
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|14
|Miram
|HIP 13268
|Inside the hull
|3.79
|-
|15
| -
|HIP 65378B
|Inside the hull
|3.88
|-
|16
|Alcor
|HIP 65477
|Inside the hull
|4.01
|-
|17
|CS Cam
|HIP 16228
|Inside the hull
|4.22
|-
|18
|Kurhah
|HIP 108917
|Inside the hull
|4.29
|-
|19
|θ Cassiopeiae
|HIP 5542
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.33
|-
|20
|15 Lyn
|HIP 33449
|Inside the hull
|4.35
|-
|21
|2 Lyn
|HIP 30060
|Inside the hull
|4.434
|-
|22
|CE Cam
|HIP 16281
|Inside the hull
|4.54
|-
|23
|* iot Cas A
|HIP 11569
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.61
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 14382
|Inside the hull
|4.766
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 51459
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 82020
|Inside the hull
|4.837
|-
|27
|1 Cas
|HIP 114104
|Inside the hull
|4.84
|-
|28
|VV Cep
|HIP 108317
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|29
|78 UMa
|HIP 63503
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|30
|24 Lyn
|HIP 37609
|Inside the hull
|4.947
|-
|31
|ξ Aurigae
|HIP 27949
|Inside the hull
|4.96
|-
|32
|ϕ Cassiopeiae
|HIP 6242
|Constellation lines
|4.98
|-
|33
|σ Cas
|HIP 118243
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.01
|-
|34
|46 Dra
|HIP 91755
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|35
|4 Per
|HIP 9505
|Inside the hull
|5.04
|-
|36
|11 Cam
|HIP 23734
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 16292
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|38
|19 Cep
|HIP 109017
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 19018
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|40
|V509 Cas
|HIP 113561
|Inside the hull
|5.13
|-
|41
|37 UMa
|HIP 51814
|Inside the hull
|5.148
|-
|42
|V416 Lac
|HIP 111795
|Inside the hull
|5.167
|-
|43
|μ Cassiopeiae
|HIP 5336
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|44
|9 Per
|HIP 11060
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|45
|5 Lyn
|HIP 30679
|Inside the hull
|5.197
|-
|46
|44 Lyn
|HIP 47965
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|47
|16 Cam
|HIP 25197
|Inside the hull
|5.25
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 57477
|Inside the hull
|5.254
|-
|49
|20 Cep
|HIP 109005
|Inside the hull
|5.265
|-
|50
|17 UMa
|HIP 45455
|Inside the hull
|5.266
|-
|51
|4 Cam
|HIP 22287
|Inside the hull
|5.275
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 9312
|Inside the hull
|5.278
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 81437
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|54
|18 Cep
|HIP 108924
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|55
|13 Lyn
|HIP 32489
|Inside the hull
|5.335
|-
|56
|37 Cam
|HIP 29246
|Inside the hull
|5.355
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 112731
|Inside the hull
|5.439
|-
|58
|* 12 Lyn A
|HIP 32438
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|59
|CG UMa
|HIP 45915
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 49005
|Inside the hull
|5.485
|-
|61
|49 Dra
|HIP 93340
|Inside the hull
|5.513
|-
|62
|1 Per
|HIP 8704
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|63
|5 Cam
|HIP 22854
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|64
|70 UMa
|HIP 60212
|Inside the hull
|5.524
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 7617
|Inside the hull
|5.536
|-
|66
|RR Lyn
|HIP 30651
|Inside the hull
|5.54
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 118077
|Inside the hull
|5.561
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 114622
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|69
|81 UMa
|HIP 66198
|Inside the hull
|5.588
|-
|70
|53 Cas
|HIP 9573
|Inside the hull
|5.614
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 56510
|Inside the hull
|5.628
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 8362
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 107930
|Inside the hull
|5.657
|-
|74
|43 UMa
|HIP 53043
|Inside the hull
|5.661
|-
|75
|2 Cas
|HIP 114365
|Inside the hull
|5.679
|-
|76
|V472 Per
|HIP 9990
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 55797
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|78
|73 UMa
|HIP 60795
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 7251
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 26344
|Inside the hull
|5.716
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 71111
|Inside the hull
|5.718
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 19983
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|83
|DQ Dra
|HIP 80375
|Inside the hull
|5.734
|-
|84
|25 Cep
|HIP 110103
|Inside the hull
|5.741
|-
|85
|8 Per
|HIP 10718
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|86
|11 Per
|HIP 12692
|Inside the hull
|5.753
|-
|87
|44 Cas
|HIP 8046
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 39221
|Inside the hull
|5.772
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 109620
|Inside the hull
|5.778
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 17342
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|91
|19 Lyn
|HIP 35785
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|92
|39 UMa
|HIP 52478
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 18217
|Inside the hull
|5.786
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 15192
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 77738
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|96
|71 UMa
|HIP 60584
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|97
|66 UMa
|HIP 58181
|Inside the hull
|5.824
|-
|98
| -
|HIP 40305
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|99
|6 Lyn
|HIP 31039
|Inside the hull
|5.855
|-
|100
| -
|HIP 108226
|Inside the hull
|5.86
|-
|101
|30 Lyn
|HIP 40875
|Inside the hull
|5.877
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 77370
|Inside the hull
|5.878
|-
|103
|11 Lyn
|HIP 31665
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 39995
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 101084
|Inside the hull
|5.912
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 77272
|Inside the hull
|5.917
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 20380
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|108
|26 Cam
|HIP 27249
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|109
| -
|HIP 37046
|Inside the hull
|5.931
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 48802
|Inside the hull
|5.959
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 16599
|Inside the hull
|5.969
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 105080
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 112998
|Inside the hull
|5.984
|-
|114
|52 Cas
|HIP 9564
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 4962
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|116
| -
|HR 8375
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 33444
|Inside the hull
|6.013
|-
|118
|7 Per
|HIP 10729
|Inside the hull
|6.023
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 110498
|Inside the hull
|6.032
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 83138
|Inside the hull
|6.041
|-
|121
|24 Cam
|HIP 26942
|Inside the hull
|6.045
|-
|122
|4 Lyn
|HIP 30272
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|123
|23 Lyn
|HIP 37406
|Inside the hull
|6.076
|-
|124
| -
|HIP 19823
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 87744
|Inside the hull
|6.081
|-
|126
| -
|HIP 17707
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|127
| -
|HIP 14392
|Inside the hull
|6.105
|-
|128
| -
|HIP 109746
|Inside the hull
|6.121
|-
|129
|15 Cam
|HIP 24836
|Inside the hull
|6.125
|-
|130
| -
|HIP 28390
|Inside the hull
|6.129
|-
|131
|12 Cam
|HIP 23743
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|132
|30 Cam
|HIP 27731
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|133
| -
|HIP 24479
|Inside the hull
|6.135
|-
|134
| -
|HIP 81840
|Inside the hull
|6.172
|-
|135
| -
|HIP 20456
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|136
| -
|HIP 98946
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 58225
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|138
| -
|HIP 113684
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|139
| -
|HIP 116912
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|140
| -
|HR 2486
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|141
| -
|HIP 8148
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|142
|10 Per
|HIP 11279
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|143
|V480 Per
|HIP 13178
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|144
| -
|HIP 19400
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|145
| -
|HIP 57045
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|146
|CQ UMa
|HIP 66700
|Inside the hull
|6.273
|-
|147
| -
|HIP 56083
|Inside the hull
|6.278
|-
|148
| -
|HR 499
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|149
|KZ Cam
|HIP 16974
|Inside the hull
|6.282
|-
|150
| -
|HIP 20772
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|151
| -
|HIP 32609
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|152
|V440 Per
|HIP 11174
|Inside the hull
|6.291
|-
|153
| -
|HIP 19412
|Inside the hull
|6.295
|-
|154
|δ Cep C
|HIP 110988
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|155
|68 UMa
|HIP 59458
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|156
| -
|HIP 22300
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|157
| -
|HIP 28829
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|158
| -
|HIP 8020
|Inside the hull
|6.323
|-
|159
| -
|HIP 8115
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|160
| -
|HIP 56944
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|161
|41 UMa
|HIP 52685
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|162
| -
|HIP 7963
|Inside the hull
|6.348
|-
|163
|5 Per
|HIP 10227
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|164
| -
|HIP 112508
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|165
|V1817 Cyg
|HIP 96003
|Inside the hull
|6.369
|-
|166
| -
|HIP 38449
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|167
| -
|HIP 16602
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|168
| -
|HIP 107893
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|169
| -
|HIP 79164
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|170
| -
|HIP 16587
|Inside the hull
|6.409
|-
|171
|34 Cam
|HIP 28385
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|172
| -
|HR 1043
|Inside the hull
|6.414
|-
|173
| -
|HIP 107929
|Inside the hull
|6.419
|-
|174
| -
|HIP 114163
|Inside the hull
|6.419
|-
|175
| -
|HIP 75788
|Inside the hull
|6.427
|-
|176
| -
|HIP 113852
|Inside the hull
|6.428
|-
|177
| -
|HIP 10379
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|178
| -
|HIP 8847
|Inside the hull
|6.437
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 55485
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|180
| -
|HIP 117133
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|181
| -
|HIP 25973
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|182
| -
|HIP 13347
|Inside the hull
|6.443
|-
|183
| -
|HIP 17858
|Inside the hull
|6.448
|-
|184
| -
|HIP 101900
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|185
| -
|HIP 71251
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|186
| -
|HIP 113498
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|187
|7 Lyn
|HIP 31359
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|188
| -
|HIP 30357
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|189
| -
|HIP 10633
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|190
| -
|HIP 11020
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|191
| -
|HIP 28656
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|192
| -
|HIP 40086
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|193
|V1351 Cyg
|HIP 96919
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|194
|54 Cam
|HIP 39348
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|195
| -
|HIP 47521
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|196
| -
|HIP 99294
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|197
|NGC 654
|NGC 654
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|198
| -
|HIP 18413
|Inside the hull
|6.58
|-
|199
| -
|HIP 31552
|Inside the hull
|6.6
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==
The tragedian Sophocles is quoted by Eratosthenes as the source of the story: he recounts that Cassiopeia competed with the Nereids for beauty and thus fell into disfavour. Because of her, the sea god Poseidon is said to have sent a sea monster to ravage the land she ruled with her husband [[Cepheus]]. To save the land from the monster, the princess was to be sacrificed – but she was saved in the face of danger. The poets agree that Cassiopeia was punished for her vanity with her uncomfortable position in the sky (rapidly ascending and descending, and sometimes upside down).[[File:IauWGSN Cassiopeia SadeghFaghanpour2025.jpg|thumb|Cassiopeia with WGSN-names (CC BY Sadegh Faghanpour and Susanne M Hoffmann for WGSN 2025).]]

== IAU Star Naming ==

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017048 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Cassiopeia]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Cas]]
[[Category:European]]

Capricornus

2026-05-20T11:12:59Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Αἰγόκερως. */ OCR errors, duplicated line

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Capricornus IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Cap star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
Capricornus, The Goat-Horned, is one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. This hybrid creature, half fish, half goat, is a faithful companion of Ea, the Babylonian god of wisdom. It is certain that this constellation came from Babylon with the zodiac. There it was called the goat-fish and was a benign demon used in numerous cults, e.g. in the cult of medicine. It was therefore often depicted in images – not necessarily the constellation itself, but illustrations of the demon have been preserved in reliefs and sculptures.

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
The origin is Mesopotamian.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

The figure of the goatfish also reappears in art during the Roman period: a goatfish is depicted on the zodiac of Dendera in Egypt, which dates from the 1st century BCE, and in Ptolemy's star catalogue, the names of the stars suggest that he thought the same. Both sources date from the Greco-Roman period, which means that even the depiction in Dendera is no longer truly Egyptian, but rather an Egyptianisation of foreign – i.e. Greek and Babylonian – constellations. The figures depicted here in Egyptian style are a cultural mixture, although it is unclear whether the Babylonian influences came to Egypt directly from Babylon or via the Greek conquerors.

The figure of the goat fish has been used equally in Arabic and Latin medieval times since at least late antiquity, thus extending from Ptolemy to the last pictorial star charts in the 18th/19th century. In English, this figure is usually called ‘Capricorn’, although in Greek it actually means ‘the goat-horned’. The official name of the constellation in the IAU is also ‘Sea-Goat’, so the German form ‘Steinbock’ is simply a misnomer.

According to Eratosthenes, this refers to a deity that resembles Aigipan in appearance, because the depiction is inspired by him. Eratosthenes describes him as a figure with the lower body of an animal and horns on his head. However, the upper body is that of a man. On the Farnese Globe, whose model dates back to Hellenistic times, only the goat's head is depicted. The rest of the figure is missing due to architectural features that obscure the globe in this southernmost region of the sky. Since it is a goat's head and chest and not a human head with horns, the depiction here is probably also intended to be a goatfish and not an Aigipan.

==== Babylonian ====

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>Capricorn lies ahead and lower down, where the powerful sun turns back. [287] In that month I hope you will not be surged about by the sea through taking to open waters. Neither by day can you make much headway, for the days pass most swiftly then, [290] nor in your terror by night will the dawn come soon, however much you cry out. It is then that the dread southerlies strike, when the sun meets up with Capricorn; then the icy cold from Zeus is more cruel to the freezing sailor. But for that matter [295] the sea surges under the stem all the year long; and we, like diving shearwaters, often sit gazing round the ocean from our ships, turning our eyes towards the beaches; but the surf there is still far off, and only a little timber keeps death away. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>
===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote></blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §7) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 28 1/2
|Cap 27
|Lib 18 1/2
|Sco 18
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of the bright in the horns
|the rear one of the bright in the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 5/6 hours = 110 min = 27 1/2 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §7) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 2
|Cap 23 1/2
|Psc 10 1/2
|Ari 9
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southern one of those in the knees
|the rear one of those in the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/3 hours = 100 min = 25°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|
|}<blockquote></blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Αἰγόκερως. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Αἰγόκερω ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Capricornus
!
|-
|1
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῷ ἐπομένῳ κέρατι γ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of' the 3 stars in the rear horn
|alf1 + alf2 Cap
|-
|2
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|nu Cap
|-
|3
|ὁ νότιος τῶν τριῶη.
|The southernmost of the three
|bet Cap
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ἠγουμένου κέρατος
|The star on the tip of the advance horn
|xi1 + xi2 Cap
|-
|5
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ῥόγχει γ' ὁ φότιος.
|The southernmost of the 3 stars in the muzzle
|omi Cap
|-
|6
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ ἠχούμενος.
|The more advanced of the other two
|pi Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἑπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of these
|rho Cap
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἡ προηγούμενος ὑπὸ τὸν δεξιὸυ ὀφθαλμόν.
|The star in advance of the [above] 3, under the right eye
|sig Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the neck
|tau Cap
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|ups Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ κεκαμμένον γόνατος.
|The star on the left, doubled-up knee
|ome Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὸ δεξιὸν γονάτιοη.
|The star under the right knee
|psi Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὅμου.
|The star on the left shoulder
|24 Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὴν κοιλίαυ συνεχῶν β’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars close together under the belly
|zet Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of these
|36 Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῷ σώματι γ’ ὁ ἐπόμενος
|Thc rearmost of the 3 stars in the middle of the body
|phi Cap
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἠγουμένωυ β ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the other, advance 2
|chi Cap
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of them
|eta Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ νώτῳ β’ ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in thc back
|tet Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|iot Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ νοτίῳ ἀκάνθη β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in thc southern spine
|eps Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The reamost of them
|kap Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ παρούρῳ ῇ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the section [of the body] next to the tail
|gam Cap
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|Thc rearmost of them
|del Cap
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ βορείου μέρους τῆς οὐρᾶς δ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanccd of the 4 stars on thc northern portion of the tail
|42 Cap
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν γ’ ὁ τότιος
|The southernmost of the other 3
|mu Cap
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|Thc middle one of these
|lam Cap
|-
|
|ὁ βόρειος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ οὐραίου,
|The northernmost of them, on the end of the tail-fin
|46 Cap
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κη, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους ὅ, δ’ ὅ, ε θ,ς ς.
|{28 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 9 of the fourth, 9 of the fifth, 6 of the sixth}
|
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This sign resembles Aegipan, whom Jupiter wished to be put among the constellations because he was nourished with him, just as he put the goat nurse we have mentioned before. He, first, as Eratosthenes says, when Jupiter attacked the Titans, is said to have cast into the enemy the fear that is called panikos. The lower part of his body has fish formation, because he hurled shellfish against the enemy, too, instead of stones.

Egyptian priests and some poets say that once when many gods had assembled in Egypt, suddenly Typhon, an exceedingly fierce monster and deadly enemy of the gods, came to that place. Terrified by him, they changed their shapes into other forms: Mercury became an ibis, Apollo, the bird that is called Thracian, Diana, a cat. For this reason they say the Egyptians do not permit these creatures to be injured, because they are called representations of gods. At this same time, they say, Pan cast himself into the river, making the lower part of his body a fish, and the rest a goat, and thus escaped from Typhon. Jove, admiring his shrewdness, put his likeness among the constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Ovid, Fasti 1 =====
<blockquote>[651] When that is over, thou wilt quit Capricorn, O Phoebus, and wilt take thy course through the sign of the youth who carries water (Aquarius). (James George Frazer 1931)</blockquote>[[File:Aigokeros Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Aigokeros (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Deneb Algedi
|HIP 107556
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.83
|-
|2
|Dabih
|HIP 100345
|Constellation lines
|3.08
|-
|3
|Algedi
|HIP 100064
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.58
|-
|4
|Nashira
|HIP 106985
|Constellation lines
|3.67
|-
|5
|ζ Capricorni
|HIP 105881
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.74
|-
|6
|θ Capricorni
|HIP 104139
|Constellation lines
|4.07
|-
|7
|ω Capricorni
|HIP 102978
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.12
|-
|8
|ψ Capricorni
|HIP 102485
|Constellation lines
|4.122
|-
|9
|ι Capricorni
|HIP 105515
|Constellation lines
|4.27
|-
|10
|24 Cap
|HIP 104234
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.5
|-
|11
|36 Cap
|HIP 106039
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|12
|ϵ Capricorni
|HIP 106723
|Constellation lines
|4.55
|-
|13
|κ Capricorni
|HIP 107188
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.726
|-
|14
|Alshat
|HIP 100310
|Constellation lines
|4.76
|-
|15
|η Capricorni
|HIP 104019
|Inside the hull
|4.84
|-
|16
|* rho Cap A
|HD 194943A
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|17
|υ Capricorni
|HIP 101984
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|18
|π Capricorni
|HIP 100881
|Inside the hull
|5.14
|-
|19
|ϕ Capricorni
|HIP 104963
|Inside the hull
|5.152
|-
|20
|σ Capricorni
|HIP 100195
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.265
|-
|21
|χ Capricorni
|HIP 104365
|Inside the hull
|5.316
|-
|22
|29 Cap
|HIP 104974
|Inside the hull
|5.317
|-
|23
|33 Cap
|HIP 105665
|Inside the hull
|5.366
|-
|24
|* 14 Cap A
|HIP 101923
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|25
|30 Cap
|HIP 105143
|Inside the hull
|5.383
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 105576
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|27
|37 Cap
|HIP 106559
|Inside the hull
|5.696
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 103389
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|29
|35 Cap
|HIP 105928
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|30
|19 Cap
|HIP 103226
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 102026
|Inside the hull
|5.799
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 102772
|Inside the hull
|5.849
|-
|33
|ξ 2 Capricorni
|HIP 99572
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.85
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 103460
|Inside the hull
|5.869
|-
|35
|ο 1 Capricorni
|HIP 101123
|Constellation lines
|5.897
|-
|36
|17 Cap
|HIP 102487
|Inside the hull
|5.902
|-
|37
|DV Aqr
|HIP 103545
|Inside the hull
|5.963
|-
|38
| -
|HIP 104914
|Inside the hull
|6.037
|-
|39
|21 Cap
|HIP 103703
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|40
|β2 Cap
|HIP 100325
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 101221
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 101507
|Inside the hull
|6.116
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 104297
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 101608
|Inside the hull
|6.177
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 102780
|Inside the hull
|6.193
|-
|46
|27 Cap
|HIP 104452
|Inside the hull
|6.242
|-
|47
|20 Cap
|HIP 103616
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 101997
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 105662
|Inside the hull
|6.373
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 101011
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|51
| -
|HR 7989
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|52
|* rho Cap B
|HD 194943B
|Inside the hull
|6.88
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology/ Religion==
'''Babylonian'''

In Mesopotamian religion, the goatfish was an attribute or representation of the god Ea. Already in Sumerian times, Ea was considered one of the highest gods and, in the Babylonian pantheon, the one who always helped humans when other gods wanted to punish them. Illnesses were also interpreted as punishment from the gods, and the goatfish was the benign demon associated with Ea who helped people recover.

'''Greek'''

It is unclear whether Aigipan is always equivalent to Pan. In any case, this deity is probably a foster brother of Zeus. Aigipan therefore supported the Olympian gods in their battle against the Titans. He is said to have found a shell, which is called ‘pan’ because of the sound it makes. When the Titans heard this sound, they fled.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017068 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Capricornus]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Cap]]
[[Category:European]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Canis Minor

2026-05-20T11:07:37Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Προκύων */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Canis Minor IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|CMi star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. In antiquity, this area was named "pro kyon", "the one [star] before the dog". The name ‘Little Dog’ for the constellation is first documented by Ptolemy; however, Eratosthenes already mentions a group of three stars, which is the Hound of Orion. In the Almagest, two stars are listed for this constellation. This can therefore never have been descriptive, but was merely a name.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>
[[File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|thumb|Orion-Group of constellations on the Kugel Globe, drawing and animated GIF by SMH 2025.]]

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
Aratos, Eratosthenes, Hipparchus and other Greek astronomers call the constellation [[Procyon]],<ref name=":0" /> the name we ascribe to the brightest star today. The star Procyon therefore has one of the few original Greek names: ‘pro’ means ‘before’ and ‘kyos’ is the dog. The Procyon is therefore the ‘pre-dog’ or ‘the star that rises before the dog’, as Eratosthenes unimaginatively explains. Ptolemy calls the single star Sirius ‘the dog’ and therefore only a single bright star is the ‘pre-dog’. Just as the Egyptian word ‘Sothis’ for a group of three stars was later reduced to a single star ([[Sirius]]), the Greek word ‘Procyon’ suffered the same fate.

The bright star Procyon was possibly used in Mesopotamia as an indicator for the rising of Cancer. The stars in Cancer are so faint that you can barely see them at dusk - but the bright Procyon rises at the same time, which is suitable for telling the time.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>But yet another constellation sweeps across the horizon: they call it the Hydra. Like a living thing [445] it winds at great length, its head comes below the middle of the Crab, its coil under the Lion’s body, and its tail hangs over the Centaur himself. On its middle coil lies the Bowl, and on the last one the figure of a Raven that looks like one pecking the coil. [450] Yes, and there too Procyon shines brightly beneath the Twins. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §13) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 3 1/2
|Cnc 9
|Psc 15
|Psc 19 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one which is double (bet, gam)
|the rear and bright one
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/3 hours = 20 min = 5 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §13) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Gem 15
|Gem 18
|Lib 1
|Lib 4
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one which is double (bet, gam)
|the rear and bright one
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/5 hours = 12 min = 3°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Procyon seems to rise before the greater Dog; for this reason it is called the Fore-dog. By some it is thought to be Orion's dog, and it is put in all the same tales in which the greater Dog is numbered. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Ancient Globes ====
The Lesser Dog is only depicted on the Kugel Globe; it is absent on the Farnese Globe and the Mainz Globe.

==== Almagest Προκύων ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Πρόκυνος ἀστερισμός.
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ αὐχένι
|The star in the neck
|
|-
|2
|ὁ κατὰ τῶν ὀπισθίωυ λαμπρὸς καλούμενος Προκύωυ.
|The bright star just over the hindquarters, called Procyon
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες β, ὧν α μεγέθους α, δ’ ἄ.
|{2 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 1 of the fourth}
|
|}
[[File:Prokyon Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Prokyon (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Procyon
|HIP 37279
|Constellation lines
|0.37
|-
|2
|Gomeisa
|HIP 36188
|Constellation lines
|2.89
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Ori+cma+cmi kugel.jpg|Canis Minor on the Kugel Globe (1st c. BCE), drawing by SMH 2021
File:Canis Minor Uranometria.jpg|Canis Minor in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Prodromus Astronomia - Volume III "Firmamentum Sobiescianum, sive uranographia" - Tavola SS - Canis Minor.jpg|Canis Minor in Hevelius (1690)
File:John Flamsteed - Gemini and Canis Minor.jpg|Canis Minor with Gemini in Flamsteed (1728)
File:CMi bode.jpg|Canis Minor in Bode (1782/1805)
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Monocerus, Canis Minor, Canis Major.jpg|Canis Minor in Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Monoceros, Canis Minor, and Atelier Typographique.jpg|Canis Minor in Urania's Mirror (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
It was the Roman mythographer Hyginus who first handed down a legend about this constellation: if this dog was the dog of Ikarios - which Eratosthenes describes as one of the legends of the Great Dog - then this dog committed suicide when his master was murdered: the wine produced in ancient Greece was very strong and would probably be difficult for us to drink today. It wasn't easy to drink back then either. Ikarios is considered to be the one who introduced winemaking to Athens and it is said that he was murdered by some customers while intoxicated. His dog reported the crime by barking, but when he realised that his master could not be saved, he himself no longer wanted to live.

==Weblinks==
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017645 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Canis Minor]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:CMi]]
[[Category:European]]

Canis Major

2026-05-20T11:06:39Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κύων */ Missing line

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Canis Major (cma).tif|alt=star chart|thumb|CMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. This is the (one and only) constellation of the Dog in ancient Greek astronomy. Ptolemy ‍in ‍the ‍''‍Almagest'' ‍called ‍it ‍simply ‍‍Κύων ‍(Kyon), ‍the ‍Dog. ‍
[[File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|thumb|Orion-Group of constellations on the Kugel Globe, drawing and animated GIF by SMH 2025.]]

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> ===
In Hellenistic times, Greek astronomy had only one constellation, the Dog, so there was no need to distinguish between a large and a small dog. According to Eratosthenes, this dog had the bright star Sirius on its tongue. Ptolemy in Roman times placed it on the dog's snout.

What is interesting about [[Sirius]], however, is that today we use the Greek proper name from Hellenistic times. Ptolemy in Roman times called the brightest star of the constellation ‘the Dog’.

==== Bright Star ====
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and therefore particularly easy to observe at dusk. This makes it ideal for a special calendar function. In the course of the year, it does not matter where the beginning and end are – the only important thing is that the stellar year, like the solar year, has approximately 365 days. There were therefore several possibilities in different cultures as to when to celebrate the New Year: in Mesopotamia, it was usually the spring equinox, but there was also the variant with the autumn equinox. In Egypt, the New Year was celebrated in summer – with five days ‘between the years’ when it was hardly possible to work anyway due to the intense heat. This ancient Egyptian custom was still known when the country on the Nile was under Greek and Roman rule. This explains the ancient term ‘dog days’ for the hottest days of the year with the heliacal rising of Sirius.

The Greek word for the star – seirios, scorching – can refer both to its brightness and to the heat of summer at the time of its heliacal rising. The latter was certainly the case with the Egyptian word: since the 3rd millennium, the word ‘Sothis’ has been used to refer to a constellation of at least three stars, which later – perhaps only in the 1st millennium – was restricted to the bright Sirius. As in Mesopotamia, the Sothis star system was used in Egypt to determine the calendar. However, whether the rising of Sirius was really associated with the flooding of the Nile is highly controversial among researchers and difficult to prove. What is certain is that the star system was associated with the goddess of magic, Isis. She was always one of the supreme deities in the Egyptian pantheon, and in Roman times, the growing Christianity had to assert itself against the cult of Isis, among others, as an extremely strong competitor.

In the case of Sirius, however, it is interesting that we now use the Greek proper name from the Hellenistic period. Ptolemy in Roman times called the brightest star in the constellation ‘the dog’. Many astronomers were puzzled by the question of why Ptolemy described the star as reddish. This even sparked speculation about a possible supernova or nova on its companion, a white dwarf. Both can be dismissed because it may be a matter of uncertainty in text translations: Eratosthenes already described the star as ‘fiery’ and “flaming” or ‘flickering’. The flickering and shimmering in all colours is caused by the Earth's atmosphere. In most cultures, reddish stars are referred to as fire stars: e.g. [[Antares|Antare]]<nowiki/>s in China or [[Aldebaran]] in Mesopotamia. In the case of Sirius, the word probably means ‘glittering’ in the sense of ‘bright compared to other stars’. It would therefore be a metaphor for great brightness, like a beacon in the dark, heralding the new year and the hot season. The attribution of ‘red’ would therefore be a misunderstanding in one of the numerous stages of translation. Sirius is and was white in colour even back then. This is confirmed by other ancient astronomers and astrologers in their descriptions, e.g. Manilius in the first century.

==== Babylonian ====
Babylonian astronomy records the constellation Arrow ([[KAK.SI.SA2|KAK.SI.SA2]]) in this region of the sky. There are probably two constellations in this region of the sky: the Arrow and the Bow. In some versions of Babylonian uranography, they are held by a person, presumably a deity, standing east of the Milky Way. However, this does not seem to apply to all variants; in MUL.APIN, for example, no such figure is mentioned, but rather two independent constellations (Bow and Arrow), while textual descriptions from the 1st millennium suggest such a figure.

[[Sirius]] definitely belongs to the Arrow and, as the brightest star, sometimes stands alone for this constellation, especially when observed at twilight (i.e. for calendar determination). Therefore, there are various suggestions in research as to which stars other than Sirius also belong to the arrow. A line from Sirius to [[Procyon]] is rather unlikely from a calendar perspective. Presumably, the constellation of Sirius should be thought of as southward. Since the constellation of the bow should be located near the arrow, it is presumed to be in the southernmost stars of the dog or in the faint stars east of it. Whether it is a bow and arrow, just an arrow or a deity with an arrow (and bow), there is certainly no dog to be found here in Babylonian mythology: the Babylonian constellation Dog belongs to the goddess of medicine, [[Gula]], and is located in the area of our constellation [[Hercules]].

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[326] Such is also his guardian Dog, seen standing on its two legs below the soaring back of Orion, variegated, not bright overall, but dark in the region of the belly as it moves round; but the tip of its [330] jaw is inset with a formidable star, that blazes most intensely: and so men call it the Scorcher. When Sirius rises with the sun, trees can no longer outwit it by feebly putting forth leaves. For with its keen shafts it easily pierces their ranks, [335] and strengthens some, but destroys all the growth of others. We also hear of it at its setting. The other stars lying round about Sirius define the legs more faintly. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 15
|Leo 4 1/2
|Psc 28
|Ari 23 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the front and north of the feet (bet)
|the one at the tip of the tail (eta)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/3 hours = 100 min = 25 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 11
|Tau 29
|Leo 17
|Vir 11
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one in the hind foot
|the southernmost of the bright ones in the head
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/2 hours = 90 min = 22 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to have been given by Jove as a guardian for Europa, and later to have come to Minos. When Minos was ill, Procris, wife of Cephalus, is said to have cured him, and received the dog as a reward for her services, as she was very fond of hunting and the dog was so swift that no beast could escape. After her death the dog came to Cephalus her husband, who brought it to Thebes with him when he came. There was a fox there which was said to be so swift that it could outrun all dogs. So when the two animals met, Jupiter, in a dilemma, as Istros says, changed them both to stone.

Some have said that this is the dog of Orion, and because Orion was devoted to hunting, the dog was put with him among the stars. Others have called it the dog of Icarus. These many suggestions have their own advocates.

The Dog has one star on his tongue which itself is called Dog, and on its head another which Isis is thought to have put there under her own name, and to have called it Sirius on account of the brilliance of the flame because it seems to shine more than the rest. So, in order for men to recognize it more easily, she called it Sirius. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Almagest Κύων =====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κυνὸς ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Dog
!
|-
|1
|ἐν τῷ στόματι λαμπρότατος καλούμενος Κύωυ καὶ ὑπόκιρρος.
|The star in the mouth, the brightest, which is called 'the Dog' and is reddish
|alf CMa
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν ὡτοη.
|The star on the ears
|tet CMa
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆ
|The star on the head
|gam CMa
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐκ τῷ τραχήλῳ β ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the neck
|iot CMa
|-
|5
|ὁ φόσιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|pi CMa
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ στήθους.
|The star on the chest
|nu3 CMa
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος β ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars on the right knee
|nu2 CMa
|-
|8
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|bet CMa
|-
|9
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρῳ τῷ ἐμπροσθίῳ ποδί
|The star on the end of the front leg
|xi1 CMa
|-
|10
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ γόνατι β ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the left knee
|xi2 CMa
|-
|11
|ὁ ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|omi2 CMa
|-
|12
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ β’ ὁ ἑπόμενος;
|The rearmost of the 2 stars in the left shoulder
|omi1 CMa
|-
|13
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|del CMa
|-
|14
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἐκφύσει τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ μηροῦ.
|The star in the place where the left thigh joins [the body]
|del CMa
|-
|15
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν κοιλίαν ἐν τοῦς μεσομήροις
|The star below the belly, in the middle of the thighs
|eps CMa
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀγκύλης τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός
|The star on the joint of the right leg
|kap CMa
|-
|17
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός.
|The star on the end of the right leg
|zet CMa
|-
|18
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the tail
|eta CMa
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες τῆ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ ἓ, δ’ ἓ, ε’ ξ.
|{18 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 5 of the third, 5 of the fourth, 7 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Κύνα ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars round Canis Major outside the constellation:
!
|-
|19
|ὁ ἀπ’ ἄρκτου τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ Κυνός.
|The star to the north of the top of The Dog
|22 Mon
|-
|20
|τῶν ὑπὸ τοὺς ὀπισθίους πόδας ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας ὁ ὁ νοτιώτατος.
|The southernmost of the 4 stars almost on a straight line under the hind legs
|θ Col
|-
|21
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north of this
|κ Col
|-
|22
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north again of this
|δ Col
|-
|23
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ βορειότερος τῶν δ
|The last and northernmost of the 4
|λ CMa
|-
|24
|τῶν πρὸς δυσμὰς τοῦς τέσσαρσιη ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας γ ὁ προἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars almost on a straight line to the west of the [above] four
|μ Col
|-
|25
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|λ Col
|-
|26
|ὁ ἑπόμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The rearmost of the three
|γ Col
|-
|27
|τῶν ὑπὸ τούτους β λαμπρῶν ὁ ἐπόμευος.
|The rearmost of thc 2 bright stars under these
|β Col
|-
|28
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν.
|The more advanced of them
|α Col
|-
|29
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ νοτιώτερος τῶν προειρημένων.
|The last star, to the south of the above
|ε Col
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ἱα, ὥν β’ μεγέθους β, δ’ 9.
|{11 stars, 2 of the second magnitude, 9 of the fourth}
|
|}
[[File:Kyon Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Kyon (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Sirius
|HIP 32349
|Constellation lines
| -1.46
|-
|2
|NAME CMa Dwarf Galaxy
|NAME CMa Dwarf Galaxy
|Inside the hull
| -0.1
|-
|3
|Adhara
|HIP 33579
|Constellation lines
|1.5
|-
|4
|Wezen
|HIP 34444
|Constellation lines
|1.84
|-
|5
|Mirzam
|HIP 30324
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.97
|-
|6
|Aludra
|HIP 35904
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.45
|-
|7
|Cl Collinder 121
|Cl Collinder 121
|Inside the hull
|2.6
|-
|8
|Furud
|HIP 30122
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.99
|-
|9
|ο 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 33977
|Constellation lines
|3.02
|-
|10
|Nganurganity
|HIP 33856
|Constellation lines
|3.47
|-
|11
|ω Canis Majoris
|HIP 35037
|Constellation lines
|3.82
|-
|12
|ο 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 33152
|Constellation lines
|3.87
|-
|13
|κ Canis Majoris
|HIP 32759
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.89
|-
|14
|ν 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31592
|Constellation lines
|3.91
|-
|15
|θ Canis Majoris
|HIP 33160
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.08
|-
|16
|Muliphein
|HIP 34045
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.12
|-
|17
|ξ 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31125
|Constellation lines
|4.33
|-
|18
|ι Canis Majoris
|HIP 33347
|Constellation lines
|4.385
|-
|19
|τ Canis Majoris
|HIP 35415
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.4
|-
|20
|ν 3 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31700
|Constellation lines
|4.43
|-
|21
|ξ 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31416
|Constellation lines
|4.5
|-
|22
|M 41
|M 41
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 35205
|Inside the hull
|4.64
|-
|24
|27 CMa
|HIP 34981
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|25
|π Canis Majoris
|HIP 33302
|Constellation lines
|4.664
|-
|26
|15 CMa
|HIP 33092
|Constellation lines
|4.83
|-
|27
|μ Canis Majoris
|HIP 33345
|Constellation lines
|5.09
|-
|28
|10 CMa
|HIP 32292
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|29
|11 CMa
|HIP 32492
|Constellation lines
|5.272
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 35427
|Inside the hull
|5.288
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 32411
|Inside the hull
|5.298
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 33316
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 34624
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 33478
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 32677
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 35044
|Inside the hull
|5.582
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 33575
|Inside the hull
|5.583
|-
|38
| -
|HR 2522
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 30436
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|40
|LS CMa
|HIP 33804
|Inside the hull
|5.635
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 33077
|Constellation lines
|5.648
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 32385
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|43
|LZ CMa
|HIP 34579
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|44
|ν 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31564
|Inside the hull
|5.695
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 31870
|Constellation lines
|5.71
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 32810
|Inside the hull
|5.747
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 30836
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 32809
|Inside the hull
|5.771
|-
|49
|17 CMa
|HIP 33248
|Constellation lines
|5.792
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 34758
|Inside the hull
|5.825
|-
|51
|FV CMa
|HIP 34360
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|52
|26 CMa
|HIP 34798
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 31037
|Inside the hull
|5.903
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 32366
|Inside the hull
|5.916
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 34914
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 35611
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 31758
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 32368
|Inside the hull
|6.033
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 29843
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.04
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 33094
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 31859
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 30711
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 34142
|Inside the hull
|6.072
|-
|64
|12 CMa
|HIP 32504
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 34318
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|66
|GY CMa
|HIP 34924
|Inside the hull
|6.101
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 33079
|Inside the hull
|6.123
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 33126
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 32144
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 33492
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 33666
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 30062
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 34940
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 33760
|Inside the hull
|6.279
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 33703
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 32827
|Inside the hull
|6.314
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 31469
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 34248
|Inside the hull
|6.325
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 33330
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 35132
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 33532
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 30503
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 33591
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 31266
|Inside the hull
|6.402
|-
|85
|V415 CMa
|HIP 31593
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 32322
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 35326
|Inside the hull
|6.434
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 30988
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|89
|KX CMa
|HIP 33040
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 30141
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 31736
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|92
|NGC 2354
|NGC 2354
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Ori+cma+cmi kugel.jpg|Canis Major and Canis Minor on the Kugel Globe (1st c.BCE), drawing by SMH 2021.
File:Ori+lep+cmi mainz.jpg|Canis Major on the Mainz Globe following Orion (drawing by SMH 2021)
File:Lepus et Canis Major - Mercator.jpeg|Canis Major on Mercator (1551)
File:Uranometria Canis Major (1603).jpg|Canis Major in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Canus Major.jpg|Canis Major in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - La Licorne, Le Grand Chien (Monoceros & Canis Major).jpg|Canis Major in Flamsteed/ Fortin (1776)
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Monocerus, Canis Minor, Canis Major.jpg|Canis Major in Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Canis Major, Lepus, Columba Noachi & Cela Sculptoris.jpg|Canis Major in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
Eratosthenes recounts two stories about how the dog might have come to be in the sky: on the one hand, he could be Orion's faithful companion, and on the other, he could have been a gift to Princess Europa.

As Orion's dog, he accompanied him on the hunt and is considered a faithful companion and helper to humans against wild animals. That is why he was immortalised in the starry sky with Orion's ascent, writes Eratosthenes.

However, the dog could also have had a whole series of other owners: together with the javelin, it is said to have been given by Zeus to the king's daughter Europa as her guardian. She later passed these gifts on to her son Minos. As king of Crete, he later suffered from an illness from which the Attic princess Prokris cured him. Out of gratitude, he gave her the immortal dog and the accurate javelin. When Prokris married King Cephalus of Thebes, the gifts came into his possession. Thebes was plagued by an uncatchable fox, and when they hunted it with the swift dog, only Zeus could end the pursuit: He turned the fox to stone and placed the dog among the stars.

Hyginus and Ovid see the two dogs as the faithful companions of Ikarios, the bringer of culture, who, at the behest of the god Dionysus, introduced the art of viticulture and wine production to the land around Athens.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017643 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Canis Major]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:CMa]]
[[Category:European]]

Bootes

2026-05-20T11:02:50Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Boώrης */ Missing line

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Boötes IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Boötes star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. “Boötes” is not a proper name, but it term is sometimes used as if it was because there is always the question of the correct translation: some say “bear keeper” and others “ox driver.” Both are correct. One refers to the Greek constellations, the other to the Roman asterisms. At the same time, both are incorrect, because the Greek word βοώτηϛ means “ploughman.”

==Etymology and History==
=== Origin of Constellation ===
The word “Boötes” is used by Aratus, Hipparchus, and Ptolemy. Eratosthenes, however, calls the constellation “Arktophylakos,” bear keeper.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

Eratosthenes explains that the bear keeper is Arkas, a son of Zeus who grew up among shepherds. The word bear keeper refers to its proximity to the Greek constellation Ursa Major, which he guards. In Roman times, however, its seven brightest stars were interpreted as seven oxen driven by the ox driver.

What seems particularly unusual to the modern observer is that the brightest star in the area does not belong to the figure of Boötes: the anthropomorphic figure is formed by weaker stars of 2.5 to 4 mag – the brightest star stands incongruously between the legs of this figure and is called Arcturus, the guardian or watchman. In Greek, therefore, the star's name fits the figure.

==== Babylonian ====
Whether this was also the case in Babylonian culture cannot be said with certainty. In MUL.APIN, each constellation is assigned a deity, and in this region of the sky, the untranslatable word ŠU.PA is found. Perhaps it is derived from the Akkadian word for “bright” and refers to Arcturus, or perhaps it refers to a group of stars in the area. The star is associated with Enlil, the god of agriculture. His attributes include the wagon or cart and the plow, which orbit in the circumpolar region.

It is therefore conceivable that the Babylonian god, who can be seen as a shepherd or plowman, was a model for the Greek Boötes. However, the evidence for this is indirect.

see

* Enlil, [[En-lil2|d''En-lil'']]2
* [[ŠU.PA]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
[91] Behind Helice there comes, like a man driving, Arctophylax, whom men call Bootes, because he is seen to be just touching the Wagon-Bear. All of him is very conspicuous; below his belt circles Arcturus itself, a star distinct from the rest.

[580?] No longer great on both sides of the horizon is Arctophylax but only the lesser portion is visible, while the greater part is wrapt in night. For with four signs of the Zodiac Boötes sets and is received in the bosom of ocean; and when he is sated with the light he takes till past midnight in the loosing of this oxen, in the season when he sets with the sinking sun. Those nights are named after his late setting. So these stars are setting, but another, facing them, no dim star, even Orion with glittering belt and shining shoulders and trusting in the might of his sword, and brining all the River, rises from the other horn, the East.

[607] Nor can the rising Claws [Libra], though faintly shining, pass unremarked, when at a bound the mighty sign of Boötes rises, jeweled with Arcturus.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====
Var. 1:

Var. 2:

(Pamias and Zucker 2013)

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §1) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Vir 1
|Vir 27
|Tau 26 1/2
|Gem 27
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the head
|the one in the right foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 hours = 120 min = 30 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §1) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 6
|Cap 18 1/2
|Cap 22
|Ari 4
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southernmost of the those in the left foot
|the northernmost of those in the club
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 2/3 hours = 280 min = 70°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to be Arcas, the son of Jove and Callisto, whom Lycaon served at a banquet, cut up with other meat, when Jupiter came to him as a guest. For Lycaon wanted to know whether the one who had asked for his hospitality was a god or not. For this deed he was punished by no slight punishment, for Jupiter, quickly overturning the table, burned the house with a thunderbolt, and turned Lycaon himself into a wolf. But the scattered limbs of the boy he put together, and gave him to a certain Aitolian to care for. When, grown to manhood, he was hunting in the woods, he saw his mother changed to bear form, and did not recognize her. Intent on killing her, he chased her into the temple of Jove Lycaeus, where the penalty for entering is death, according to Arcadian law. And so, since both would have to die, Jupiter, out of pity, snatched them up and put them among the stars, as I have said before. As a result, Arcas is seen following the Bear, and since he guards Arctos, he is called Arctophylax.

Some have said that he is Icarus, father of Erigone, to whom, on account of his justice and piety, Father Liber gave wine, the vine, and the grape, so that he could show men how to plant the vine, what would grow from it, and how to use what was produced. When he had planted the vine, and by careful tending with a pruning-knife had made it flourish, a goat is said to have broken into the vineyard, and nibbled the tenderest leaves he saw there. Icarus, angered by this, took him and killed him and from his skin made a sack, and blowing it up, bound it tight, and cast it among his friends, directing them to dance around it. And so Eratosthenes says: Around the goat of Icarus they first danced.

Others say that Icarus, when he had received the wine from Father Liber, straightway put full wineskins on a wagon. For this he was called Bootes. When he showed it to the shepherds on going round through the Attic country, some of them, greedy and attracted by the new kind of drink, became stupefied, and sprawling here and there, as if half-dead, kept uttering unseemly things. The others, thinking poison had been given the shepherds by Icarus, so that he could drive their flocks into his own territory, killed him, and threw him into a well, or, as others say, buried him near a certain tree. However, when those who had fallen asleep, woke up, saying that they had never rested better, and kept asking for Icarus in order to reward him, his murderers, stirred by conscience, at once took to flight and came to the island of the Ceans. Received there as guests, they established homes for themselves.

But when Erigone, the daughter of Icarus, moved by longing for her father, saw he did not return and was on the point of going out to hunt for him, the dog of Icarus, Maera by name, returned to her, howling as if lamenting the death of its master. It gave her no slight suspicion of murder, for the timid girl would naturally suspect her father had been killed since he had been gone so many months and days. But the dog, taking hold of her dress with its teeth, led her to the body. As soon as the girl saw it, abandoning hope, and overcome with loneliness and poverty, with many tearful lamentations she brought death on herself by hanging from the very tree beneath which her father was buried. And the dog made atonement for her death by its own life. Some say that it cast itself into the well, Anigrus by name. For this reason they repeat the story that no one afterward drank from that well. Jupiter, pitying their misfortune, represented their forms among the stars. And so many have called Icarus, Bootes, and Erigone, the Virgin, about whom we shall speak later. The dog, however, from its own name and likeness, they have called Canicula. It is called Procyon by the Greeks, because it rises before the greater Dog. Others say these were pictured among the stars by Father Liber.

In the meantime in the district of the Athenians many girls without cause committed suicide by hanging, because Erigone, in dying, had prayed that Athenian girls should meet the same kind of death she was to suffer if the Athenians did not investigate the death of Icarus and avenge it. And so when these things happened as described, Apollo gave oracular response to them when they consulted him, saying that they should appease Erigone if they wanted to be free from the affliction. So since she hanged herself, they instituted a practice of swinging themselves on ropes with bars of wood attached, so that the one hanging could be moved by the wind. They instituted this as a solemn ceremony, and they perform it both privately and publicly, and call it aletis, aptly terming her mendicant who, unknown and lonely, sought for her father with the god. The Greeks call such people aletides.

In addition to this, Canicula, rising with its heat, scorched the land of the Ceans, and robbed their fields of produce, and caused the inhabitants, since they had welcomed the bandits, to be plagued by sickness, and to pay the penalty to Icarus with suffering. Their king, Aristaeus, son of Apollo and Cyrene, and father of Actaeon, asked his father by what means he could free the state from affliction. The god bade them expiate the death of Icarus with many victims, and ask from Jove that when Canicula rises he should send wind for forty days to temper the heat of Canicula. This command Aristaeus carried out, and obtained from Jove the favour that the Etesian winds should blow. Some have called them Etesian because they spring up at a certain time each year, for etos in Greek is annus in Latin. Some, too, have called them Etesian because they were "asked for" from Jove, and so obtained. But we shall leave this undecided, lest we be though to have anticipated everything.

To return to the matter at hand, Hermippus, who wrote about the stars, says that Ceres lay with Iasion, son of Thuscus. Many agree with Homer that for this he was struck with a thunderbolt. From them, as Petellides, Cretan writer of histories, shows, two sons were born, Philomelus and Plutus, who were never on good terms, for Plutus, who was richer, gave nothing of his wealth to his brother. Philomelus, however, compelled by necessity, bought two oxen with what he had, and became the inventor of the wagon. So, by plowing and cultivating the fields, he supported himself. His mother, admiring his invention, represented him plowing among the stars, and called him Bootes. From him they say Parias was born, who called the people Parians and the town Parion from his own name. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Boώrης ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Βοώτου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Bootes
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ χειρὶ γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the three in the left arm
|kap Boo
|-
|2
|ὁ μέσος καὶ νοτιώτερος τῶν τριῶν
|The middle and southernmost of the three
|iot Boo
|-
|3
|ὁ ἑπόμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The rearmost of the three
|tet Boo
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος.
|The star on the left elbow
|lam Boo
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὥμου
|The star on the left shoulder
|gam Boo
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς:
|The star on the head
|bet Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὥμου
|The star on the right shoulder
|del Boo
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ κολλορόβου
|The one to the north of these, on the staff
|mu Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου βορειότερος ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ κολλορόβου.
|The one farther to the north again of this, on the tip of the staff
|nu Boo
|-
|
|τῶν ὑποκάτω τοῦ ὤμου ἐν τῷ ῥοπάλῳ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the two stars below the shoulder, in the club
|eta Boo
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|omi Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς δεξιᾶς χειρός
|The star on the end of the right arm
|45 Boo
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῷ καρπῷ δύο ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two stars in the wrist
|psi Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|46 Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς λαβῆς τοῦ κολλορόβου.
|The star on the end of the handle of the staff
|omega Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ μηροῦ ἐν τῷ περιξώματι
|The star on the right thigh, in the apron
|eps Boo
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ζώνῃ δύο ὁ ἐπόμευος.
|The rearmost of the two stars in the belt
|sig Boo
|-
|
|ὁ προηφούμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of the two stars in the belt
|rho Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς πτέρυης
|The star on the right heel
|zet Boo
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ κυήμῃ ἡ’ ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 stars in the left lower leg
|eta Boo
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν
|The middle one of the three
|tau Boo
|-
|
|ὁ φότιος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|ups Boo
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κβ, ὥν γ μεγέθους ὅ, δ’ ὅ, ε θ.
|22 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 9 of the fourth, 9 of the fifth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Ὁ ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἀμόρφωτος.
!Star under [Bootes] outside the constellation:
!
|-
|
|ὁ μεταξὺ τῶν μηρῶν ὁ καλούμενος Ἀρκτοῦρος ὑπόκιρρος
|The star between the thighs, called 'Arcturus', reddish
|alf Boo
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστὴρ α μεγέθους α'
|1 star of the first magnitude
|
|}
[[File:Bootes Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Bootes (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Arcturus
|HIP 69673
|Inside the hull
| -0.05
|-
|2
|Izar
|HIP 72105
|Constellation lines
|2.45
|-
|3
|Muphrid
|HIP 67927
|Constellation lines
|2.68
|-
|4
|Seginus
|HIP 71075
|Constellation lines
|3.02
|-
|5
|δ Boötis
|HIP 74666
|Constellation lines
|3.49
|-
|6
|Nekkar
|HIP 73555
|Constellation lines
|3.52
|-
|7
|ρ Boötis
|HIP 71053
|Constellation lines
|3.59
|-
|8
|ζ Boötis
|HIP 71795
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.78
|-
|9
|θ Boötis
|HIP 70497
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.05
|-
|10
|υ Boötis
|HIP 67459
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.07
|-
|11
|Xuange
|HIP 69732
|Constellation lines
|4.18
|-
|12
|Alkalurops
|HIP 75411
|Constellation lines
|4.31
|-
|13
|σ Boötis
|HIP 71284
|Constellation lines
|4.47
|-
|14
|τ Boötis
|HIP 67275
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.49
|-
|15
|ψ Boötis
|HIP 73745
|Constellation lines
|4.55
|-
|16
|ξ Boötis
|HIP 72659
|Inside the hull
|4.593
|-
|17
|ο Boötis
|HIP 72125
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|18
|ι Boötis
|HIP 69713
|Constellation lines
|4.75
|-
|19
|W Boo
|HIP 71995
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 69879
|Inside the hull
|4.796
|-
|21
|* eps Boo B
|HR 5505
|Inside the hull
|4.801
|-
|22
|ω Boötis
|HIP 73568
|Constellation lines
|4.81
|-
|23
|12 Boo
|HIP 69226
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 70027
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|25
|π 1 Boötis
|HIP 71762
|Inside the hull
|4.893
|-
|26
|45 Boo
|HIP 73996
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.93
|-
|27
|9 Boo
|HIP 68103
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|28
|ν 1 Boötis
|HIP 75973
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.026
|-
|29
|BY Boo
|HIP 69038
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|30
|33 Boo
|HIP 71618
|Inside the hull
|5.387
|-
|31
|22 Boo
|HIP 70602
|Inside the hull
|5.394
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 72582
|Constellation lines
|5.48
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 73634
|Inside the hull
|5.513
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 75257
|Inside the hull
|5.532
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 70791
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|36
|40 Boo
|HIP 73369
|Inside the hull
|5.634
|-
|37
|46 Boo
|HIP 74087
|Constellation lines
|5.669
|-
|38
|7 Boo
|HIP 67787
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 71568
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 72012
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|41
|CH Boo
|HIP 71280
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|42
|10 Boo
|HIP 68276
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|43
|Merga
|HIP 72487
|Inside the hull
|5.757
|-
|44
|* pi.02 Boo
|HR 5476
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|45
|CY Boo
|HIP 69829
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 72552
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|47
|HP Boo
|HIP 72567
|Inside the hull
|5.867
|-
|48
|26 Boo
|HIP 71115
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 71571
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|50
|V* CN Boo
|HR 5343
|Inside the hull
|5.957
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 74561
|Inside the hull
|5.974
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 71277
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 71094
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|54
|DE Boo
|HIP 72848
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 70892
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 73068
|Inside the hull
|6.122
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 69316
|Inside the hull
|6.129
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 74571
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 72469
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 72139
|Inside the hull
|6.145
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 71729
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 74514
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 69818
|Inside the hull
|6.195
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 70762
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 71490
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 70310
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|67
|11 Boo
|HIP 68478
|Inside the hull
|6.221
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 69569
|Inside the hull
|6.227
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 70517
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 72124
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 71243
|Inside the hull
|6.306
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 70029
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 69862
|Inside the hull
|6.316
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 73941
|Inside the hull
|6.351
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 70873
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 71406
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 69735
|Inside the hull
|6.376
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 69592
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 68516
|Inside the hull
|6.384
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 71168
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 71857
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|82
| -
|HR 5346
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 70385
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 70051
|Inside the hull
|6.445
|-
|85
|kap01 Boo
|HIP 69481
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.69
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==
<ref name=":0" />Eratosthenes reports that Arkas was the son of Zeus and Callisto, the daughter of Lycaon. After the birth, Lycaon is said to have invited Zeus to a feast, at which he served him the dismembered newborn. Zeus was horrified, overturned the table, destroyed the palace with a thunderbolt, put the boy back together, gave him a beautiful form, and had him raised among shepherds. When the young man, unaware of his origins, wanted to marry his mother and was therefore to be sacrificed according to the law, Zeus saved him once again. He carried him up to the stars.

In another version of the legend, mythographers report that Arkas' mother Callisto was transformed into a bear: either by Artemis, who punished her for not remaining a virgin until initiation, or by her suitor Zeus, to protect her from the revenge of his wife Hera, or by Hera herself, who wanted revenge. Whatever the reason, as a young man, Arkas encountered the bear and did not recognize his mother. He hunted her until she fled to the temple of Zeus. Since it was forbidden to enter, the situation gave Zeus the opportunity to transport both of them to the heavens.

== Weblinks ==

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017042 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Boötes]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:European]]

Aquila

2026-05-20T11:00:15Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's Almagest Αετός. */ One more

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Aquila IAU.svg|thumb|Aquila as IAU constellation in the borders of 1930s, IAU & S&T. ]]
[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG|thumb|Depiction of Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe, SMH 2024.]]
Aquila, the Eagle, is one of the official IAU constellations. Its history goes back to a Sumerian constellation ([[TE8.mušen|TI8muš]]en, The Eagle or The Vulture) in the same area of the sky. In Babylonian uranography, the neighboring constellation is a corpse, and in Ptolemy's Almagest the asterism of [[Antinous]] (a recently passed away and deified favourite of the Roman emperor Hadrian) is split off.

== Etymology and History ==
"Aquila" is the Latin translation of the Ancient Greek term which is the translation of an Akkadian term which is the translation of a Sumerian term. It is unknown whether the Sumerians distinguished betwen eagles and vultures. The Greek term and mythology clearly refer to an eagle as a symbol of divine power. Still, the original Sumerian constellation might have had a different context: as it was placed next to the Sumerian constellation of The Corpse, the bird might have been considered a vulture.

The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts Aquila was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].

<ref name=":0" />However, the arrow is not depicted on the Farnese Globe, as some of the smaller constellations are missing there. There is also no room for it because the eagle is hanging upside down, its head resting on the brightest star and its feet pointing towards the swan: it looks as if the swan is pecking at the eagle's talons. Compared to the image we can draw using the Almagest star catalogue, this Greek eagle is rotated by 180°.

In fact, the constellation of the eagle can also be found in this position in the sky in Mesopotamian astronomy of the 2nd millennium BCE. This suggests that the constellation was adopted into Greek culture from Babylon: although it does not belong to the zodiac, it is close to it and mythologically intertwined with Aquarius in the zodiac.

Interestingly, near the Babylonian eagle is the Babylonian constellation ‘Dead Man’ or ‘Corpse,’ which has no analogue in Greek. It may have been located in the area east of the star Atair in Aquila, but it is impossible to say for sure. It is possible that Babylonian uranography referred to the constellation Delphinus as the corpse. Alternatively, the corpse could also have been located further south, i.e. ‘below’ the eagle. Calculations of Babylonian constellations do not allow for an exact position in declination, but only an estimate of the area in right ascension.

One argument in favour of the southern variant is that Ptolemy simply renamed a group of stars in Aquila in his Almagest, calling them ‘Antinous’. This young man was a favourite of the contemporary Emperor Hadrian and could be stylised in modern terms as the constellation of homosexual love – although pederasty in ancient times had a different, more initiatory and educational character. All that is known about Antinous is that he drowned in the Nile in 130 CE for unknown reasons, whereupon a new cult was established throughout the Roman Empire: festivals were invented, temples built and other things done in his honour, so that his death by the astronomer in Alexandria comes as no surprise. However, he depicts him as a dead man carried by the (established) constellation Aquila. The figure of the double constellation ‘Aquila with Antinous’ in Ptolemy can be reconstructed from the star names and coordinates, and this eagle does not have outstretched wings, but flies from west to east. He is depicted in profile.

Since Ptolemy makes numerous references to direct Babylonian sources, for example by using data on solar and lunar eclipses from there, it cannot be ruled out that his Antinous corresponds to the Babylonian constellation of the corpse.

Incidentally, the interpretation of the bird as an eagle is unclear for the Babylonian constellation: the language does not allow for a distinction between eagles and vultures. A vulture as a scavenger would suggest a very old interpretation of the constellation, which could perhaps even be related to the hygienic and medically advisable burial of the dead. A vulture next to a corpse makes more sense in this respect. However, when it comes to ideas about life after death, the eagle is more appropriate: in Sumerian and Babylonian culture, it is a symbol of life, which is best illustrated in the ancient myth of Etana. The constellation is also located in the Milky Way, which is interpreted in numerous cultures as a road to the afterlife, so that a connection to the cult of the dead is virtually inevitable.

Regardless of whether it was an eagle or a vulture, this constellation of a bird of prey has been found in Mesopotamian culture at that point in the sky since at least MUL.APIN.

=== Origin of constellation ===
The constellation of The Eagle [[TE8.mušen|mulTE8]] is listed in the Mesopotamian creation myth "Enuma Anu Enlil", in Astrolab P and Astrolab B, and in MUL.APIN's first list, all dating to the 2nd millennium BCE.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* The Eagle [[TE8.mušen|mulTE8]]

==== Graeco-Roman constellation ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[311] Ahead of the Archer is another Arrow lying all by itself without a bow. The Bird is outstretched beside it, nearer to the north. Close to it another bird is wafted, inferior in size, but stormy when it rises from the sea at the departure of night; and men call it the Eagle. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>The popular didactic poem by Aratos describes this bird as ‘dangerous when it emerges from the sea’ and calls it ‘the blown away’. Etymologically, this may be correct, but eagles do not emerge from the sea. The sentence therefore does not refer to the animal, but to the astronomy of the sunrise.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

===== Eratosthenes =====
Eratosthenes believes that the eagle is the only bird that flies towards the sun without ducking away from its rays. He explicitly mentions that the eagle is depicted with outstretched wings, as if it were swooping down. Its head is therefore facing south towards Aquarius and its tail feathers point north towards Lyra and Cygnus. Germanicus in Roman times supports this idea with his description of the eagle guarding the arrow of Eros, which makes humans and even Zeus fall in love. On the Carolingian Aratea, the eagle is therefore depicted holding the arrow in its talons.<ref name=":0" />

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §13) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of Aquila ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 9
|Sgr 13 1/2
|Vir 24
|Vir 29 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of the two small in the wings
|the southern of the three bright ones in the body
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/8 hours = 127.5 min = 31 7/8 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §13) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 16 1/2
|Cap 23
|Ari 2
|Ari 8
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the two little ones in the wing
|the northern one of the three bright ones in the body
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/3 hours = 20 min = 5°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Geminos =====
[[File:Aql Alm+Farnese stellarium.gif|thumb|Aquila as stickfigure drawn to the description in the Almagest (137 CE) and as drawn on the Farnese Globe (marble, 2nd c. CE), mapped to Stellarium by Susanne M Hoffmann (2021)]]

===== Ptolemy's Almagest Αετός. =====
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Αετοῦ ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|
|ὁ ἐῃ μέσῃ τῇ κεφαλῇ
|The star in the middle of the head
|τ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ τραχήλου.
|The one in advance of this, on the neck
|β Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ μεταφρένου λαμπρὸς καλούμενος Ἀετός
|The bright star on the place between the shoulders, called Aquila
|αAql
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου σύνεγγυς ἀπ’ ἄρκτων
|The one close to this towards the north
|ο Aql
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 in the left shoulder
|γ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|φ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὤμῳ δύο ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two in the right shoulder
|μ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἑπόμευος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|σ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν οὐρὰν τοῦ Ἀετοῦ ἀπωτέρω ἀπτόμενος τοῦ γαλαξίου.
|The star some distance under the tail of Aquila, touching the Milky Way
|ζ Aql
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ὅ, ὥν β’ μεγέθους ἄ, γ’ ὅ, δ’ α, ε' γ'
|9 stars, 1 of the second magnitude, 4 of the third, 1 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν άετόν, ἐφ’ ὧν ὁ Ἀντίνοος
!The stars around Aquila, to which the name 'Antinous' is given
!
|-
|
|Τὸ τῶν ἀπὸ φότου τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Ἀετοῦ β ὁ προηγούμενος,
|The more advanced of the 2 stars south of the head of Aquila
|η Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμερος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|θ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἀπὸ νότου καὶ λιβὸς τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὤμου τοῦ Ἀετοῦ.
|The star to the south and west of the right shoulder of Aquila
|δ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας
|The one to the south of this
|ι Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου φοτιώτερος
|The one to the south again of the latter
|κ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ πάντου προηφούμευος.
|The star most in advance of all
|λ Aql
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ξ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους ὅ, δ’ ἄ,
|6 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth
|
|}
[[File:Aetos kai Antinoos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Aetos kai Antinoos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Altair
|HIP 97649
|Inside the hull
|0.76
|-
|2
|Tarazed
|HIP 97278
|Constellation lines
|2.72
|-
|3
|Okab
|HIP 93747
|Constellation lines
|2.99
|-
|4
|Antinous
|HIP 99473
|Inside the hull
|3.22
|-
|5
|δ Aquilae
|HIP 95501
|Constellation lines
|3.36
|-
|6
|λ Aquilae
|HIP 93805
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.43
|-
|7
|Alshain
|HIP 98036
|Constellation lines
|3.71
|-
|8
|η Aquilae
|HIP 97804
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|9
|ϵ Aquilae
|HIP 93244
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.02
|-
|10
|ι Aquilae
|HIP 96468
|Constellation lines
|4.36
|-
|11
|μ Aquilae
|HIP 96229
|Constellation lines
|4.45
|-
|12
|Libertas
|HIP 97938
|Inside the hull
|4.707
|-
|13
|ν Aquilae
|HIP 95585
|Constellation lines
|4.72
|-
|14
|κ Aquilae
|HIP 96483
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.96
|-
|15
|26 Aql
|HIP 95066
|Inside the hull
|4.99
|-
|16
|36 Aql
|HIP 95937
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|17
|18 Aql
|HIP 93867
|Inside the hull
|5.086
|-
|18
|ο Aquilae
|HIP 97675
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|19
|21 Aql
|HIP 94477
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 95447
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|21
|σ Aquilae
|HIP 96665
|Constellation lines
|5.17
|-
|22
|19 Aql
|HIP 94068
|Constellation lines
|5.23
|-
|23
|11 Aql
|HIP 93203
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.258
|-
|24
|ϕ Aquilae
|HIP 98103
|Constellation lines
|5.278
|-
|25
|23 Aql
|HIP 94885
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|26
|ω1 Aquilae
|HIP 94834
|Inside the hull
|5.283
|-
|27
|132 G. Aql
|HIP 100541
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.301
|-
|28
|χ Aquilae
|HIP 96957
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|29
|27 Aql
|HIP 95073
|Inside the hull
|5.451
|-
|30
|66 Aql
|HIP 99631
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.47
|-
|31
|Tianfu
|HIP 98823
|Inside the hull
|5.508
|-
|32
|28 Aql
|HIP 94982
|Inside the hull
|5.518
|-
|33
|64 Ser
|HIP 93051
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.551
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 95822
|Inside the hull
|5.564
|-
|35
|22 Aql
|HIP 94727
|Inside the hull
|5.569
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 94624
|Constellation lines
|5.571
|-
|37
|V1291 Aql
|HIP 97871
|Constellation lines
|5.619
|-
|38
| -
|HIP 94720
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|39
|58 Aql
|HIP 97980
|Inside the hull
|5.631
|-
|40
|45 Aql
|HIP 96807
|Inside the hull
|5.637
|-
|41
|ϵ Sagittae
|HIP 96516
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.659
|-
|42
|42 Aql
|HIP 96556
|Constellation lines
|5.68
|-
|43
|62 Aql
|HIP 98844
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|44
|π Aquilae
|HIP 97473
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 95572
|Inside the hull
|5.754
|-
|46
|35 Aql
|HIP 95793
|Inside the hull
|5.783
|-
|47
|42 G. Aql
|HIP 95222
|Inside the hull
|5.811
|-
|48
|13 G. Aql
|HIP 93580
|Inside the hull
|5.815
|-
|49
|49 G. Aql
|HIP 95732
|Inside the hull
|5.839
|-
|50
|103 G. Aql
|HIP 98526
|Constellation lines
|5.91
|-
|51
|υ Aquilae
|HIP 97229
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|52
|64 Aql
|HIP 99171
|Inside the hull
|5.968
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 96481
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|54
|QS Aql
|HIP 96840
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|55
|ω2 Aquilae
|HIP 95002
|Inside the hull
|6.012
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 95898
|Inside the hull
|6.042
|-
|57
|V923 Aql
|HIP 95929
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|58
|R Aql
|HIP 93820
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 97970
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|60
|85 G. Aql
|HIP 97687
|Constellation lines
|6.13
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 97767
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|62
|34 G. Aql
|HIP 94833
|Inside the hull
|6.174
|-
|63
|101 G. Aql
|HIP 98385
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|64
|7 G. Aql
|HIP 93138
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|65
|88 G. Aql
|HIP 97697
|Inside the hull
|6.233
|-
|66
|ψ Aquilae
|HIP 97139
|Inside the hull
|6.243
|-
|67
|52 G. Aql
|HIP 95812
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|68
|STF 2644AB
|HIP 99585
|Constellation lines
|6.27
|-
|69
|12 G. Aql
|HIP 93488
|Inside the hull
|6.271
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 95664
|Constellation lines
|6.303
|-
|71
|37 G. Aql
|HIP 94916
|Inside the hull
|6.311
|-
|72
|25 G. Aql
|HIP 94149
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|73
|46 Aql
|HIP 96931
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|74
|44 G. Aql
|HIP 95253
|Inside the hull
|6.346
|-
|75
|67 G. Aql
|HIP 96630
|Inside the hull
|6.358
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 96428
|Inside the hull
|6.364
|-
|77
|61 G. Aql
|HIP 96351
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|78
|24 Aql
|HIP 94913
|Inside the hull
|6.404
|-
|79
|75 G. Aql
|HIP 97144
|Inside the hull
|6.428
|-
|80
|Chechia
|HIP 99894
|Inside the hull
|6.446
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 97454
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|82
|V1339 Aql
|HIP 97607
|Inside the hull
|6.478
|-
|83
|V450 Aql
|HIP 96204
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|84
|77 G. Aql
|HIP 97244
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 94478
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 95453
|Inside the hull
|6.499
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 93990
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 98922
|Constellation lines
|6.755
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 97384
|Constellation lines
|6.77
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 98314
|Constellation lines
|6.77
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 98313
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.83
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 97762
|Constellation lines
|7.51
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 97662
|Constellation lines
|7.64
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 98348
|Constellation lines
|8.17
|}
'''Hyginus, Astronomica'''<blockquote>This is the eagle which is said to have snatched Ganymede up and given him to his lover, Jove. This bird, too, Jupiter is thought first to have singled out from the tribe of birds, because it alone, men say, strives to fly straight into the rays of the rising sun. And so it seems to fly above Aquarius, who, as many imagine, is Ganymede.

Some, too, have said that the bird was a certain Meropes, who ruled the island of Cos, and who called the island Cos from the name of his daughter, and the inhabitants Meropians from his own name. He had a wife, Ethemea, of the race of nymphs, who was stuck with the arrows of Diana when she ceased worshipping her. At last she was snatched away alive by Proserpina to the Land of the Dead. Meropes, moved by longing for his wife, would have committed suicide, but Juno, pitying him, changed him into an eagle and put him among the constellations, for, if she had put him there in human form, since he would have a man's memory, he would still be moved with longing for his wife.

Aglaosthenes, who wrote the Naxica, says that Jove was taken secretly from Crete, brought to Naxos, and there nourished. After he came to man's estate and wished to attack the Titans in war, he sighted an eagle as he was sacrificing, and considering this an omen, he placed it among the stars.

Some, too, have said that Mercury (though others say Anaplades) stirred by Venus's beauty, fell in love with her, and when she permitted no favours, became greatly downcast, as if in disgrace. Jove pitied him, and when Venus was bathing in the river Achelous he sent and eagle to take her sandal to Amythaonia of the Egyptians and give it to Mercury. Venus, in seeking for it, came to him who loved her, and so he, on attaining his desire, as a reward put the eagle in the sky. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

'''Ovid, Fasti, III, 793ff.'''<blockquote>stella Lycaoniam vergit declinis ad Arcton

Miluus: haec illa nocte videnda venit.

quid dederit volucri, si vis cognoscere, caelum, 795

Saturnus regnis a Iove pulsus erat;

concitat iratus validos Titanas in arma,

quaeque fuit fatis debita temptat opem.

matre satus Terra, monstrum mirabile, taurus

parte sui serpens posteriore fuit: 800

hunc triplici muro lucis incluserat atris

Parcarum monitu Styx violenta trium.

viscera qui tauri flammis adolenda dedisset,

sors erat aeternos vincere posse deos.

immolat hunc Briareus facta ex adamante securi, 805

et iamiam flammis exta daturus erat:

Iuppiter alitibus rapere imperat: attulit illi

miluus, et meritis venit in astra suis.

''The star of the Kite slopes downwards towards the Lycaonian Bear: on that night it becomes visible. If you would know what raised the bird to heaven. Saturn had been dethroned by Jupiter. In his wrath he stirred up the strong Titans to take arms and sought the help the Fates allowed him. There was a bull born of its mother Earth, a wondrous monster, the hinder part whereof was a serpent: him, at the warning of the three Fates, grim Styx had shut up in gloomy woods enclosed by a triple wall. There was an oracle that he who should burn the inwards of the bull in the flames would be able to conquer the eternal gods. Briareus sacrificed him with an axe made of adamant, and was just about to put the entrails on the fire: Jupiter commanded the birds to snatch them away; the kite brought them to him and was promoted to the stars for his services.''</blockquote>

==== Medieval Epoch ====

==== Early Modern Epoch ====

=== Transfer and Transformation of the constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Aratea 54v and 55r.jpg|Aquila with Sagitta, Leiden Aratea, Fol. 54v and 55r, between circa 830 and circa 840
File:Aquila Uranometria.jpg|Aquila et Antinous (Bayer 1603)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Prodromus Astronomia - Volume III "Firmamentum Sobiescianum, sive uranographia" - Tavola R - Aquila et Antinous.jpg|"Aquila et Antinous" in Hevelius (1690) in "Firmamentum Sobiescianum, sive uranographia" in volume "Prodromus Astronomia"
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Delphinus, Sagitta, Aquila, and Antinous.jpg|"Delphinus, Sagitta, Aquila, and Antinous", plate 13 in [http://www.ianridpath.com/atlases/urania.html ''Urania's Mirror''], a set of celestial cards accompanied by ''A familiar treatise on astronomy ...'' by Jehoshaphat Aspin (1825). London. Astronomical chart, 1 print on layered paper board : etching, hand-colored.
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - L'Aigle, Antinous, La Fleche, Le Renard, Le Dauphin (Aquila, Sagitta, Vulpecula & Anser Delphinus).jpg|Aquila et Antinous, 1776 - Jean Fortin/ John Flamsteed - L'Aigle, Antinous, La Fleche, Le Renard, Le Dauphin (Aquila, Sagitta, Vulpecula & Anser Delphinus, [https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/66194/laigle-antinous-la-fleche-le-renard-le-dauphin-aquila-flamsteed-fortin source])
File:Aql bode.jpg|The constellation of Aquila (Eagle) and the constellation of Antinous, portrayed as Zeus and Ganymede, from the ''Uranographia'', by Johann Elert Bode (1782).
File:Simon Antinous spanish1894.jpg|Aquila et Antinous at ''Planisferio celeste'' (Carlos Simón 1894)
</gallery>

== Mythology ==

=== Greek ===
Hyginus, librarian to the Roman emperor Augustus, tells a story of an eagle and a swan: when Zeus fell in love with Nemesis, goddess of righteous wrath, he had to resort to trickery to seduce her. He transformed himself into a swan and had his eagle pursue him. Taking pity on the pursued, Nemesis gave the swan refuge in her lap, and Zeus, satisfied, placed his eagle in the sky.

According to another legend, the eagle was Zeus's attribute animal, accompanying him since his campaign against the Titans. Eratosthenes leaves no doubt that it was the eagle who brought Ganymede to Zeus. Referring to the youth of Zeus, who was raised on Naxos and then fought against the Titans, Eratosthenes reports that an eagle joined Zeus and accompanied him. Because he saw this as a good omen, Zeus later declared the animal sacred. When the gods divided the birds among themselves, Zeus received the eagle, as it ruled over all birds.

=== Babylonian ===
The eagle probably originates from the Sumerian myth of Etana. According to the royal lists, Etana is said to have been the first Sumerian king after the Flood. Since the neighbouring constellation of Aquarius is associated with this flood, the placement of the eagle in its immediate vicinity makes perfect sense in Mesopotamian thinking. Since the Etana myth dates back to at least the 24th century BC and may even be older, this connection could also suggest that the constellation Aquila is much older than the invention of writing. The myth already attests to the eagle's symbolism of life.

According to legend, Etana was childless, which saddened him greatly. A helpful eagle carried him on its back to the sky, where he wanted to fetch the life-giving ‘herb of childbirth’. The myth tells how Etana climbs higher and higher on the eagle's back, sees the earth from above and describes what he sees. Shortly before reaching the herb, the eagle and its rider fall. The story provides interesting insights into the imagination of people who were already able to picture what the earth might look like from above.

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/aquila.html Star Tales: online edition]”.

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017053 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Aquila]

== All HIP Stars within this constellation ==
HIP 93429,HIP 93244,HIP 97278,HIP 97649,HIP 99473,HIP 93551,HIP 93526,HIP 93716,HIP 93717,HIP 93805,HIP 95236,HIP 95937,HIP 93743,HIP 93836,HIP 94149,HIP 94053,HIP 95055,HIP 95073,HIP 95126,HIP 95222,HIP 95886,HIP 96007,HIP 96807,HIP 96468,HIP 96392,HIP 96851,HIP 97207,HIP 98844,HIP 99171,HIP 93417,HIP 93589,HIP 93385,HIP 93580,HIP 93557,HIP 93892,HIP 93990,HIP 94331,HIP 94833,HIP 94883,HIP 94885,HIP 94477,HIP 94913,HIP 95697,HIP 95793,HIP 95585,HIP 95812,HIP 95987,HIP 96603,HIP 96403,HIP 97804,HIP 98336,HIP 98385,HIP 98191,HIP 97980,HIP 98945,HIP 93647,HIP 94250,HIP 94247,HIP 94727,HIP 94873,HIP 95045,HIP 95121,HIP 95680,HIP 95501,HIP 95732,HIP 95898,HIP 95929,HIP 96159,HIP 96630,HIP 96351,HIP 96196,HIP 97255,HIP 97709,HIP 97877,HIP 98474,HIP 93833,HIP 93920,HIP 93937,HIP 94068,HIP 94512,HIP 94733,HIP 94478,HIP 94564,HIP 96071,HIP 96047,HIP 96229,HIP 96745,HIP 96423,HIP 96204,HIP 96665,HIP 97398,HIP 98036,HIP 93732,HIP 93488,HIP 93820,HIP 94103,HIP 94220,HIP 94612,HIP 94486,HIP 94916,HIP 95253,HIP 95325,HIP 96092,HIP 96241,HIP 96979,HIP 97101,HIP 97144,HIP 97607,HIP 97229,HIP 97779,HIP 93438,HIP 93867,HIP 93273,HIP 94009,HIP 94064,HIP 94098,HIP 94120,HIP 94452,HIP 94524,HIP 94834,HIP 94982,HIP 95002,HIP 95406,HIP 95586,HIP 95620,HIP 96024,HIP 96282,HIP 96416,HIP 96481,HIP 93747

== References ==
* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Aql]]

Aquarius

2026-05-20T10:59:30Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ὕδρος */ One more

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Aquarius (aqr).tiff|alt=star chart|thumb|Aqr star chart as defined since the 1920s (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. It is one of the 48 constellations handed down in the Almagest tradition, among them one of those that were taken over from Mesopotamian models.

==Etymology and History==

=== General History<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> ===
Eratosthenes writes that Aquarius probably got his name from the activity he is depicted performing: ‘He stands there with a wine jug in his hand and pours out a generous measure of liquid.’ What remains of Eratosthenes' text attests to a certain uncertainty about the nature of this liquid. If it is a wine jug, one might almost think that he is pouring fermented grape juice, but Eratosthenes does not mention this directly. He only reports that some of his contemporaries thought that this was Ganymede, the cupbearer of the gods. Ganymede was abducted by Zeus because of his beauty and, because of his good service, was deemed worthy by the gods to attain immortality. As cupbearer, he now pours out the nectar drunk by the gods in heaven.

According to Ovid's Fasti, the liquid that is poured out is a mixture of nectar and water, while Aratus leaves no doubt that it is water. He writes in verses 389 to 399 that faint stars ‘float’ in the middle between the monster ([[Cetus]]) and the Southern Fish ([[Piscis Austrinus]]), which are nameless but appear like a small splash of water here and there next to the right hand of the illustrious Aquarius. Aratos calls these numerous small stars in the space between the Ketos ([[Cetus]]), [[Pisces]] and Aquarius ‘the water’ ([[Hydor]]). For many researchers, it is a mystery what the poet might have meant here, because the constellation of water is not documented anywhere else.

It suggests that this refers to the large space without constellations that connects the watery constellations. The poet mentions two bright stars in this area, [[Diphda]] (β Ceti) and [[Fomalhaut]] (α PsA). Between them splashes the spout of Aquarius, consisting of numerous groups of two and three faint stars that could indeed look like splashes of water. On the Farnese Atlas, the spout of Aquarius is depicted as a winding line. Together with the band of [[Pisces]] and the river [[Eridanus]], it frames an area of faint stars, which are probably the Roman sculptor's interpretation of the mysterious constellation ‘the water’ mentioned only by Aratus.

In truth, the figure of Aquarius was already incomprehensible in Greece. The zodiac had been adopted from Babylon before the 4th century BC, and consequently all the figures in the zodiac are originally Babylonian.

In MUL.APIN, the constellation in this region of the sky is called ‘the Great One,’ referring to the greatest of the benevolent gods, Enki (Sumerian) or Ea (Akkadian). In the Babylonian pantheon, he is primarily a god of wisdom and magic, but thanks to his wisdom, he is also the god who often protects humans from the punishments and arbitrariness of other gods. He is a very benevolent godfather whose ‘children’ are symbolically humans.

In Mesopotamia, this wise god Ea has always been depicted with two streams of water flowing from his shoulders as a distinguishing feature. These are sometimes interpreted as the Euphrates and Tigris, but it does not matter whether they are real rivers. The only important thing is that they are fresh water, i.e. drinking water. The god of wisdom is said to live in the groundwater.

This image was, of course, incomprehensible to every other culture. For the Greeks, wisdom was a goddess, not a god. The image of two rivers flowing from a man's shoulders was not accessible to them; it had to be reinterpreted and a myth invented to explain it.

This not only clarifies the name of the figure as ‘Aquarius’, but also builds a bridge to the Greek Deucalion, for Deucalion is the 'Greek Noah' and the Babylonian god Ea is responsible for his ‘inspiration’ to build an ark.

The extremely positive connotation of the god represented by Aquarius is probably also the explanation for the numerous positive star names in Arabic. Although the origin of these names can no longer be directly proven according to Arabist Paul Kunitzsch, it seems reasonable to attribute names such as ‘happiness of the king’ and ‘happiness of the happiest’ for α and β Aquarii (as well as many other combinations with the word ‘happiness’) to Babylonian interpretations of the figure.

==== Historical Sub-Constellations<ref>Ian Ridpath, Star Tales, [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/aquarius.html Online Edition]</ref> ====

===== The Water =====
<blockquote>Ptolemy listed 20 stars as lying in the flow of water from the jar, almost as many stars as in the main figure of Aquarius itself – see, for example, Albrecht Dürer’s celestial chart of 1515. In fact, early writers such as Aratus, Eratosthenes, and Geminus regarded the Water (Hydor, Ὕδωρ) as either a separate constellation or a sub-constellation within Aquarius. The flow of water started at the star we know as Kappa Aquarii and ended at the first-magnitude star we call Fomalhaut, in the mouth of the southern fish, Piscis Austrinus. This is another example of stars being shared between constellations in the days before rigorous boundaries were established. Fomalhaut is now the exclusive property of the neighbouring Piscis Austrinus.</blockquote><blockquote>Ptolemy listed three other ‘unformed’ stars that formed a triangle near the flow of water; these have since been transferred across the border into neighbouring Cetus and are now known as 2, 6, and 7 Ceti.</blockquote>

===== Norma Nilotica, a short-lived sub-constellation =====
<blockquote>On his ''Celestial Atlas'' of 1822 the Scottish schoolmaster Alexander Jamieson introduced a new sub-constellation, Norma Nilotica, a rod for measuring the depth of the Nile, held in the left hand of Aquarius. This reappeared on the set of constellation cards called Urania’s Mirror in 1825 and was adopted by the American astronomer Elijah Hinsdale Burritt (1794–1838) on his popular Atlas Designed to Illustrate The Geography of the Heavens (1835 and many subsequent editions), but was otherwise ignored.</blockquote>

=== Origin of Constellation ===

==== Babylonian ====
The Babylonian name of the constellation is [[GU.LA|mulGU.LA]], in later times abbreviated GU.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[282] The two Fishes range about the Horse as it prances among them. Beside the Horse’s head the right hand of the Water-pourer stretches out: he rises after Capricorn.

Other stars lying scattered below the Water-pourer [390] hang in the sky between the celestial Monster and the Fish, but they are faint and nameless. Close to them, like a light spray of water being sprinkled this way and that from the right hand of the illustrious Water-pourer, some pale and feeble stars go round. [395] Among them go two rather brighter stars, not so very far apart nor yet very close, one beautiful and bright star beneath the two feet of the Waterpourer, the other below the dark Monster’s tail. Men call them collectively the Water. But a few others [400] below the Archer, under his orefeet, are curved in a ring as they go circling round.

(Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
Pamias and Zucker (2013, 80):<blockquote>Apparently, this character owes his name, Aquarius, to his activity. He stands upright, holding a wine jug in his hand and pouring a copious stream of liquid. Some argue that this is Ganymede, considering as decisive evidence the fact that the image represents a cupbearer serving wine. And they invoke the testimony of the Poet, arguing from the fact that he states that Ganymede was brought to Zeus, because of his supreme beauty, to take on the role of cupbearer, which the gods had deemed him worthy of performing, and that he obtained an immortality that remains unknown to men; the liquid it pours resembles nectar, which is precisely the drink of the gods, and those who see Ganymede in it consider this to be further evidence that it is indeed the drink of the gods that has just been mentioned.</blockquote>Pamias and Zucker (2013, 81):<blockquote>Aquarius has two dim stars on his head, one star on each shoulder, both large, one on each elbow, one bright star on his right hand, one on each nipple, one under each nipple, on both sides, one on his left hip, one on each knee, one on the right calf, and one on each foot. In total, there are seventeen. The Water Stream is composed of thirty-one stars, two of which are bright.</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §8) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 6
|Aqr 20 1/2
|Lib27
|Sgr 7
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one of those in the left hand
|the bright one in the right foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 17 1/2
|Aqr 15
|Ari 3
|Tau 6 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one of those in the left hand
|the rear one of those in the jug
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/8 hours = 127 min = 31 7/8°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Aquarius or Water Bearer. Many have said he is Ganymede, whom Jupiter is said to have made cupbearer of the gods, snatching him up from his parents because of his beauty. So he is shown as if pouring water from an urn. Hegesianax, however, says he is Deucalion, because during his reign such quantities of water poured from the sky that the great Flood resulted. Eubulus, again, points out that he is Cecrops, commemorating the antiquity of the race, and showing that men used water in the sacrificed of the gods before wine was given to them, and that Cecrops ruled before wine was discovered. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ὕδρος ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ὕδρου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Aquarius
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Ὑδροχόου
|The star on the head of Aquarius
|25 Aqr
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὤμῳ β ὁ λαμπρότερος
|The brighter of the 2 stars in the right shoulder
|alf Aqr
|-
|3
|ὁ ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἀμαυρότερος
|The fainter one, under it
|omi Aqr
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ.
|The star in the left shoulder
|bet Aqr
|-
|5
|ὁ ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ νώτῳ ὡς ὑπὸ τὴν μασχάλην
|The one under that, in the back, approximately under the armpit
|xi Aqr
|-
|6
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ χειρὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἱματίου ἢ’ ὁ ἐπόμενοςἡ
|The rearmost of the three stars in the left arm, on the coat
|nu Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|mu Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The most advanced of the three
|eps Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ πήχει
|The star in the right forearm
|gam Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀκροχείρου γ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 3 stars on the right hand
|pi Aqr
|-
|
|Τὸ τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ βορείωυ β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the other 2 to the south
|zet Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|eta Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ κοτύλη συνεχῶν β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars close together in the hollow of the right [hip]
|tet Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|rho Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γλουτοῦ
|The star on the right buttock
|sig Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ γλουτῷ Κ’ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the left buttock
|iot Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|38 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ κνήμῃ β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the right lower leg
|del Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν ἀγκύλην
|The northernmost of them, under the knee-bend
|tau Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐο τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὀπισθομήρῳ.
|The star in the back of the left thigh
|53 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ κνήμῃ β ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the left lower leg
|68 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν ὑπὸ τὸ γόνυ.
|The northernmost of these, under the knee
|66 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ῥύσεως τοῦ ὕδατος ἀπὸ τῆς χειρὸς ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The stars on the flow of water: the most advanced [in the section] beginning at the hand
|kap Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐχόμενος ἐκ φότου τοῦ προειρημένου
|the one next to the latter towards the south
|lam Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ τούτουυ ἐχόμενος μετὰ τὴν καμπήη
|the one next to this, after [the beginning of] the bend
|83 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἑπόμενος
|the one to the rear again of this
|phi Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου ἐν καμπῇ ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας…
|the one in the bend to the south of this
|chi Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας αὐτοῦ β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|the northernmost of the 2 stars to the south of this
|psi1 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τῶν δύο.
|the southernmost of the two
|psi3 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ διεστὼς αὐτῶν πρὸς μεσημβρύαν μουαχός-
|the lone star at some distance from thcsc [two] towards the south
|HR 8958
|-
|
|τῶν μετ’ αὐτὸν β συνεχῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|the more advanced of the 2 stars close together after the latter
|ome1 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|the rearmost of them
|ome2 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐχομένῃ συστροφῇ ἢ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|the northernmost of the 3 stars in the next group
|103 + 104 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν
|the middle one of the three
|106 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|the rearmost of them
|108 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁμοίως τῶν ἐφεξῆς γ' ὁ βόρειος.
|thc northernmost of thc next 3 [arranged] likewise
|98 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος τῶν τριῶν
|the southernmost of the three
|101 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|the middle one of thc three
|99 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ λοιπῇ συστροφῇ ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|the most advanced of the 3 stars in the remaining group
|86 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|the southernmost of the other 2
|89 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|the northernmost of them
|88 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἔσχατος τοῦ ὕδατος καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ νοτίου Ἰχθύος
|the star at the end of thc water and on the mouth of Piscis Austrinus
|alf PsA
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρερ μβ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ 3, δ’ ἢ, εἴ φ, ς’ ἄ.
|42 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 9 of the third, 18 of the fourth, 13 of the fifth, 1 of the sixth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Ὕδρου ἀμόρφωτοι
!Stars round Aquarius outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἐπομένων τῇ καμπῇ τοῦ ὕδατος φ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars to the rear of the bend in the water
|2 Cet
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the other 2
|6 Cet
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|7 Cet
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες γ μεγέθους δ’ μ.
|{3 stars of magnitude greater than the fourth}
|
|}

[[File:Hydrochoos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Hydrochoos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Sadalsuud
|HIP 106278
|Constellation lines
|2.89
|-
|2
|Sadalmelik
|HIP 109074
|Constellation lines
|2.94
|-
|3
|Skat
|HIP 113136
|Constellation lines
|3.28
|-
|4
|Safina
|HIP 114341
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.64
|-
|5
|ζ 1 Aquarii
|HIP 110960
|Inside the hull
|3.65
|-
|6
|Albali
|HIP 102618
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.77
|-
|7
|Shatabhisha
|HIP 112961
|Constellation lines
|3.79
|-
|8
|Sadachbia
|HIP 110395
|Constellation lines
|3.834
|-
|9
|τ 2 Aquarii
|HIP 112716
|Constellation lines
|3.98
|-
|10
|98 Aqr
|HIP 115438
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.98
|-
|11
|η Aquarii
|HIP 111497
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.03
|-
|12
|Ancha
|HIP 110003
|Constellation lines
|4.16
|-
|13
|ψ 1 Aquarii
|HIP 114855
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.25
|-
|14
|ι Aquarii
|HIP 109139
|Constellation lines
|4.27
|-
|15
|* zet01 Aqr
|HIP 110960
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|16
|ν Aquarii
|HIP 104459
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.52
|-
|17
|π Aquarii
|HIP 110672
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.64
|-
|18
|66 Aqr
|HIP 112211
|Constellation lines
|4.69
|-
|19
|Bunda
|HIP 106786
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|20
|ο Aquarii
|HIP 108874
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|21
|μ Aquarii
|HIP 103045
|Inside the hull
|4.72
|-
|22
|σ Aquarii
|HIP 111123
|Constellation lines
|4.81
|-
|23
|Situla
|HIP 111710
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|24
|46 Cap
|HIP 107382
|Inside the hull
|5.079
|-
|25
|μ Capricorni
|HIP 108036
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|26
|25 Aqr
|HIP 106944
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.1
|-
|27
|32 Aqr
|HIP 108991
|Inside the hull
|5.271
|-
|28
|42 Aqr
|HIP 110000
|Inside the hull
|5.333
|-
|29
|ρ Aquarii
|HIP 110273
|Inside the hull
|5.339
|-
|30
|38 Aqr
|HIP 109472
|Inside the hull
|5.422
|-
|31
|21 Aqr
|HIP 105767
|Inside the hull
|5.469
|-
|32
|83 Aqr
|HIP 113996
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|33
|7 Aqr
|HIP 103401
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|34
|30 Aqr
|HIP 108868
|Inside the hull
|5.543
|-
|35
|77 Aqr
|HIP 113148
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|36
|λ Capricorni
|HIP 107517
|Inside the hull
|5.567
|-
|37
|28 Aqr
|HIP 108691
|Inside the hull
|5.597
|-
|38
|26 Aqr
|HIP 107144
|Inside the hull
|5.641
|-
|39
|τ 1 Aquarii
|HIP 112542
|Inside the hull
|5.681
|-
|40
|94 G. Aqr
|HIP 108102
|Inside the hull
|5.704
|-
|41
|19 Aqr
|HIP 105761
|Inside the hull
|5.713
|-
|42
|44 Aqr
|HIP 110023
|Inside the hull
|5.751
|-
|43
|50 Aqr
|HIP 110602
|Inside the hull
|5.752
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 113184
|Inside the hull
|5.757
|-
|45
|80 G. Aqr
|HIP 106592
|Inside the hull
|5.778
|-
|46
|51 Aqr
|HIP 110578
|Inside the hull
|5.779
|-
|47
|74 Aqr
|HIP 113031
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 110009
|Inside the hull
|5.791
|-
|49
|* 12 Aqr A
|HIP 103981
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|50
|15 Aqr
|HIP 105164
|Inside the hull
|5.812
|-
|51
|16 Aqr
|HIP 105412
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|52
|60 Aqr
|HIP 111394
|Inside the hull
|5.875
|-
|53
|138 G. Aqr
|HIP 110532
|Inside the hull
|5.907
|-
|54
| -
|HR 8716
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|55
|225 G. Aqr
|HIP 115144
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|56
|45 Aqr
|HIP 110179
|Inside the hull
|5.959
|-
|57
|17 Aqr
|HIP 105574
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 109466
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|59
|47 Cap
|HIP 107487
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|60
|39 Aqr
|HIP 109624
|Inside the hull
|6.043
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 106938
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|62
|198 G. Aqr
|HIP 113531
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 114750
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|64
|155 G. Aqr
|HIP 111171
|Inside the hull
|6.139
|-
|65
|128 G. Aqr
|HIP 109984
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 113998
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 111170
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|68
|89 G. Aqr
|HIP 107596
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|69
|70 Aqr
|HIP 112615
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|70
|78 Aqr
|HIP 113127
|Inside the hull
|6.181
|-
|71
|82 Aqr
|HIP 113781
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 106758
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|73
|81 Aqr
|HIP 113674
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 110778
|Constellation lines
|6.22
|-
|75
|98 G. Aqr
|HIP 108506
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 110778A
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 108144
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 111761
|Inside the hull
|6.244
|-
|79
|M 2
|M 2
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|80
|49 G. Aqr
|HIP 104557
|Inside the hull
|6.267
|-
|81
|115 G. Aqr
|HIP 109442
|Inside the hull
|6.282
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 107750
|Inside the hull
|6.298
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 111965
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 110778B
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|85
|96 G. Aqr
|HIP 108453
|Inside the hull
|6.331
|-
|86
|56 Aqr
|HIP 111086
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|87
|61 Aqr
|HIP 111539
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|88
|20 Aqr
|HIP 105729
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 110091
|Inside the hull
|6.379
|-
|90
|189 G. Aqr
|HIP 113080
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|91
|58 Aqr
|HIP 111200
|Inside the hull
|6.381
|-
|92
|121 G. Aqr
|HIP 109647
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|93
|152 G. Aqr
|HIP 111066
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|94
|67 Aqr
|HIP 112179
|Inside the hull
|6.405
|-
|95
|213 G. Aqr
|HIP 114371
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 112168
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|97
|14 Aqr
|HIP 105019
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|98
| -
|HR 8629
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==

=== Greek ===
Ganymede was the son of King Tros, who gave Troy its name. He was considered the most beautiful youth in the world, which did not go unnoticed by the gods. According to one version of the myth, Zeus either transformed himself into an eagle and carried Ganymede up to heaven or sent an eagle to do the job. According to another version, the goddess of dawn, Eos, desired the beautiful man and therefore abducted him, whereupon Zeus stole him away from her. Regardless of which deity of the Greek pantheon snatched the mortal man first, he was the favourite of all the gods, served as their cupbearer, and they granted him immortality.

This myth was very popular in Greece and Rome, as the young man sooner or later ends up with Zeus, thereby legitimising or at least approving of pederasty. This form of homosexuality refers exclusively to young men: it was considered an honour for a young man to be the passive partner in homosexual intercourse with an older man, especially a teacher or patron. Same-sex love among young men was also tolerated, whereas among older men it was considered rather indecent.

The cupbearer of the gods had been made immortal as a young man, was often seen as frivolous, and was desired by men and women alike.

=== Roman ===
Nevertheless, there is an alternative myth: in the 1st century, Germanicus created a Roman adaptation of Aratus, approximately 400 years after the original work and at the time of Augustus' moral laws. He does not identify Aquarius as a sex icon, but with Deucalion, the mythological man who survived the flood and from whom modern humanity is descended.

Deucalion was commissioned by the gods to build a ship to save the species from the flood. When he and his wife Pyrrha went ashore after the flood, there were no other humans left. As they descended from the mountain, they threw stones behind them, and the stones they threw turned into men and women. Thus, the earth was repopulated.

=== Babylonian ===
The Babylonian water deity, the god Ea, was the god who indirectly saved humanity from the Flood: the Flood stories all go back to a Sumerian original and therefore always have the same basic pattern: the gods or a god plan to destroy humanity, whereby a selected human couple can save themselves and many animal couples in a specially built giant ship. In Babylonian mythology, the man who builds the ark is called Utnapishtim. He was secretly warned by Ea. Ea does not want to oppose the alliance of the gods, but he also does not want humanity to be wiped out forever. So he tells Utnapishtim's household about the gods' plans for the flood and prays that an ark will be built. Of course, the god of wisdom knows that Utnapishtim is at home and can hear him, but he did not tell him directly and thus did not break his pact with the gods.

== Weblinks ==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017069 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Aquarius]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]][[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Aqr]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Canis Major

2026-05-20T10:55:09Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κύων */ Two more

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Canis Major (cma).tif|alt=star chart|thumb|CMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. This is the (one and only) constellation of the Dog in ancient Greek astronomy. Ptolemy ‍in ‍the ‍''‍Almagest'' ‍called ‍it ‍simply ‍‍Κύων ‍(Kyon), ‍the ‍Dog. ‍
[[File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|thumb|Orion-Group of constellations on the Kugel Globe, drawing and animated GIF by SMH 2025.]]

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> ===
In Hellenistic times, Greek astronomy had only one constellation, the Dog, so there was no need to distinguish between a large and a small dog. According to Eratosthenes, this dog had the bright star Sirius on its tongue. Ptolemy in Roman times placed it on the dog's snout.

What is interesting about [[Sirius]], however, is that today we use the Greek proper name from Hellenistic times. Ptolemy in Roman times called the brightest star of the constellation ‘the Dog’.

==== Bright Star ====
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and therefore particularly easy to observe at dusk. This makes it ideal for a special calendar function. In the course of the year, it does not matter where the beginning and end are – the only important thing is that the stellar year, like the solar year, has approximately 365 days. There were therefore several possibilities in different cultures as to when to celebrate the New Year: in Mesopotamia, it was usually the spring equinox, but there was also the variant with the autumn equinox. In Egypt, the New Year was celebrated in summer – with five days ‘between the years’ when it was hardly possible to work anyway due to the intense heat. This ancient Egyptian custom was still known when the country on the Nile was under Greek and Roman rule. This explains the ancient term ‘dog days’ for the hottest days of the year with the heliacal rising of Sirius.

The Greek word for the star – seirios, scorching – can refer both to its brightness and to the heat of summer at the time of its heliacal rising. The latter was certainly the case with the Egyptian word: since the 3rd millennium, the word ‘Sothis’ has been used to refer to a constellation of at least three stars, which later – perhaps only in the 1st millennium – was restricted to the bright Sirius. As in Mesopotamia, the Sothis star system was used in Egypt to determine the calendar. However, whether the rising of Sirius was really associated with the flooding of the Nile is highly controversial among researchers and difficult to prove. What is certain is that the star system was associated with the goddess of magic, Isis. She was always one of the supreme deities in the Egyptian pantheon, and in Roman times, the growing Christianity had to assert itself against the cult of Isis, among others, as an extremely strong competitor.

In the case of Sirius, however, it is interesting that we now use the Greek proper name from the Hellenistic period. Ptolemy in Roman times called the brightest star in the constellation ‘the dog’. Many astronomers were puzzled by the question of why Ptolemy described the star as reddish. This even sparked speculation about a possible supernova or nova on its companion, a white dwarf. Both can be dismissed because it may be a matter of uncertainty in text translations: Eratosthenes already described the star as ‘fiery’ and “flaming” or ‘flickering’. The flickering and shimmering in all colours is caused by the Earth's atmosphere. In most cultures, reddish stars are referred to as fire stars: e.g. [[Antares|Antare]]<nowiki/>s in China or [[Aldebaran]] in Mesopotamia. In the case of Sirius, the word probably means ‘glittering’ in the sense of ‘bright compared to other stars’. It would therefore be a metaphor for great brightness, like a beacon in the dark, heralding the new year and the hot season. The attribution of ‘red’ would therefore be a misunderstanding in one of the numerous stages of translation. Sirius is and was white in colour even back then. This is confirmed by other ancient astronomers and astrologers in their descriptions, e.g. Manilius in the first century.

==== Babylonian ====
Babylonian astronomy records the constellation Arrow ([[KAK.SI.SA2|KAK.SI.SA2]]) in this region of the sky. There are probably two constellations in this region of the sky: the Arrow and the Bow. In some versions of Babylonian uranography, they are held by a person, presumably a deity, standing east of the Milky Way. However, this does not seem to apply to all variants; in MUL.APIN, for example, no such figure is mentioned, but rather two independent constellations (Bow and Arrow), while textual descriptions from the 1st millennium suggest such a figure.

[[Sirius]] definitely belongs to the Arrow and, as the brightest star, sometimes stands alone for this constellation, especially when observed at twilight (i.e. for calendar determination). Therefore, there are various suggestions in research as to which stars other than Sirius also belong to the arrow. A line from Sirius to [[Procyon]] is rather unlikely from a calendar perspective. Presumably, the constellation of Sirius should be thought of as southward. Since the constellation of the bow should be located near the arrow, it is presumed to be in the southernmost stars of the dog or in the faint stars east of it. Whether it is a bow and arrow, just an arrow or a deity with an arrow (and bow), there is certainly no dog to be found here in Babylonian mythology: the Babylonian constellation Dog belongs to the goddess of medicine, [[Gula]], and is located in the area of our constellation [[Hercules]].

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[326] Such is also his guardian Dog, seen standing on its two legs below the soaring back of Orion, variegated, not bright overall, but dark in the region of the belly as it moves round; but the tip of its [330] jaw is inset with a formidable star, that blazes most intensely: and so men call it the Scorcher. When Sirius rises with the sun, trees can no longer outwit it by feebly putting forth leaves. For with its keen shafts it easily pierces their ranks, [335] and strengthens some, but destroys all the growth of others. We also hear of it at its setting. The other stars lying round about Sirius define the legs more faintly. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 15
|Leo 4 1/2
|Psc 28
|Ari 23 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the front and north of the feet (bet)
|the one at the tip of the tail (eta)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/3 hours = 100 min = 25 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 11
|Tau 29
|Leo 17
|Vir 11
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one in the hind foot
|the southernmost of the bright ones in the head
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/2 hours = 90 min = 22 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to have been given by Jove as a guardian for Europa, and later to have come to Minos. When Minos was ill, Procris, wife of Cephalus, is said to have cured him, and received the dog as a reward for her services, as she was very fond of hunting and the dog was so swift that no beast could escape. After her death the dog came to Cephalus her husband, who brought it to Thebes with him when he came. There was a fox there which was said to be so swift that it could outrun all dogs. So when the two animals met, Jupiter, in a dilemma, as Istros says, changed them both to stone.

Some have said that this is the dog of Orion, and because Orion was devoted to hunting, the dog was put with him among the stars. Others have called it the dog of Icarus. These many suggestions have their own advocates.

The Dog has one star on his tongue which itself is called Dog, and on its head another which Isis is thought to have put there under her own name, and to have called it Sirius on account of the brilliance of the flame because it seems to shine more than the rest. So, in order for men to recognize it more easily, she called it Sirius. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Almagest Κύων =====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κυνὸς ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Dog
!
|-
|1
|ἐν τῷ στόματι λαμπρότατος καλούμενος Κύωυ καὶ ὑπόκιρρος.
|The star in the mouth, the brightest, which is called 'the Dog' and is reddish
|alf CMa
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν ὡτοη.
|The star on the ears
|tet CMa
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆ
|The star on the head
|gam CMa
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐκ τῷ τραχήλῳ β ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the neck
|iot CMa
|-
|5
|ὁ φόσιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|pi CMa
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ στήθους.
|The star on the chest
|nu3 CMa
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος β ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars on the right knee
|nu2 CMa
|-
|8
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|bet CMa
|-
|9
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρῳ τῷ ἐμπροσθίῳ ποδί
|The star on the end of the front leg
|xi1 CMa
|-
|10
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ γόνατι β ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the left knee
|xi2 CMa
|-
|11
|ὁ ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|omi2 CMa
|-
|12
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ β’ ὁ ἑπόμενος;
|The rearmost of the 2 stars in the left shoulder
|omi1 CMa
|-
|13
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|del CMa
|-
|14
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἐκφύσει τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ μηροῦ.
|The star in the place where the left thigh joins [the body]
|del CMa
|-
|15
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν κοιλίαν ἐν τοῦς μεσομήροις
|The star below the belly, in the middle of the thighs
|eps CMa
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀγκύλης τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός
|The star on the joint of the right leg
|kap CMa
|-
|17
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός.
|The star on the end of the right leg
|zet CMa
|-
|18
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the tail
|eta CMa
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες τῆ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ ἓ, δ’ ἓ, ε’ ξ.
|{18 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 5 of the third, 5 of the fourth, 7 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Κύνα ἀμόρφωτοι.
!
!
|-
|19
|ὁ ἀπ’ ἄρκτου τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ Κυνός.
|The star to the north of the top of The Dog
|22 Mon
|-
|20
|τῶν ὑπὸ τοὺς ὀπισθίους πόδας ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας ὁ ὁ νοτιώτατος.
|The southernmost of the 4 stars almost on a straight line under the hind legs
|θ Col
|-
|21
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north of this
|κ Col
|-
|22
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north again of this
|δ Col
|-
|23
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ βορειότερος τῶν δ
|The last and northernmost of the 4
|λ CMa
|-
|24
|τῶν πρὸς δυσμὰς τοῦς τέσσαρσιη ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας γ ὁ προἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars almost on a straight line to the west of the [above] four
|μ Col
|-
|25
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|λ Col
|-
|26
|ὁ ἑπόμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The rearmost of the three
|γ Col
|-
|27
|τῶν ὑπὸ τούτους β λαμπρῶν ὁ ἐπόμευος.
|The rearmost of thc 2 bright stars under these
|β Col
|-
|28
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν.
|The more advanccd of them
|α Col
|-
|29
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ νοτιώτερος τῶν προειρημένων.
|The last star, to the south of the abovc
|ε Col
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ἱα, ὥν β’ μεγέθους β, δ’ 9.
|{11 stars, 2 of the second magnitude, 9 of the fourth}
|
|}
[[File:Kyon Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Kyon (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Sirius
|HIP 32349
|Constellation lines
| -1.46
|-
|2
|NAME CMa Dwarf Galaxy
|NAME CMa Dwarf Galaxy
|Inside the hull
| -0.1
|-
|3
|Adhara
|HIP 33579
|Constellation lines
|1.5
|-
|4
|Wezen
|HIP 34444
|Constellation lines
|1.84
|-
|5
|Mirzam
|HIP 30324
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.97
|-
|6
|Aludra
|HIP 35904
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.45
|-
|7
|Cl Collinder 121
|Cl Collinder 121
|Inside the hull
|2.6
|-
|8
|Furud
|HIP 30122
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.99
|-
|9
|ο 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 33977
|Constellation lines
|3.02
|-
|10
|Nganurganity
|HIP 33856
|Constellation lines
|3.47
|-
|11
|ω Canis Majoris
|HIP 35037
|Constellation lines
|3.82
|-
|12
|ο 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 33152
|Constellation lines
|3.87
|-
|13
|κ Canis Majoris
|HIP 32759
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.89
|-
|14
|ν 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31592
|Constellation lines
|3.91
|-
|15
|θ Canis Majoris
|HIP 33160
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.08
|-
|16
|Muliphein
|HIP 34045
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.12
|-
|17
|ξ 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31125
|Constellation lines
|4.33
|-
|18
|ι Canis Majoris
|HIP 33347
|Constellation lines
|4.385
|-
|19
|τ Canis Majoris
|HIP 35415
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.4
|-
|20
|ν 3 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31700
|Constellation lines
|4.43
|-
|21
|ξ 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31416
|Constellation lines
|4.5
|-
|22
|M 41
|M 41
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 35205
|Inside the hull
|4.64
|-
|24
|27 CMa
|HIP 34981
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|25
|π Canis Majoris
|HIP 33302
|Constellation lines
|4.664
|-
|26
|15 CMa
|HIP 33092
|Constellation lines
|4.83
|-
|27
|μ Canis Majoris
|HIP 33345
|Constellation lines
|5.09
|-
|28
|10 CMa
|HIP 32292
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|29
|11 CMa
|HIP 32492
|Constellation lines
|5.272
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 35427
|Inside the hull
|5.288
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 32411
|Inside the hull
|5.298
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 33316
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 34624
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 33478
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 32677
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 35044
|Inside the hull
|5.582
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 33575
|Inside the hull
|5.583
|-
|38
| -
|HR 2522
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 30436
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|40
|LS CMa
|HIP 33804
|Inside the hull
|5.635
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 33077
|Constellation lines
|5.648
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 32385
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|43
|LZ CMa
|HIP 34579
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|44
|ν 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31564
|Inside the hull
|5.695
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 31870
|Constellation lines
|5.71
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 32810
|Inside the hull
|5.747
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 30836
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 32809
|Inside the hull
|5.771
|-
|49
|17 CMa
|HIP 33248
|Constellation lines
|5.792
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 34758
|Inside the hull
|5.825
|-
|51
|FV CMa
|HIP 34360
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|52
|26 CMa
|HIP 34798
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 31037
|Inside the hull
|5.903
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 32366
|Inside the hull
|5.916
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 34914
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 35611
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 31758
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 32368
|Inside the hull
|6.033
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 29843
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.04
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 33094
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 31859
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 30711
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 34142
|Inside the hull
|6.072
|-
|64
|12 CMa
|HIP 32504
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 34318
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|66
|GY CMa
|HIP 34924
|Inside the hull
|6.101
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 33079
|Inside the hull
|6.123
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 33126
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 32144
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 33492
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 33666
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 30062
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 34940
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 33760
|Inside the hull
|6.279
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 33703
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 32827
|Inside the hull
|6.314
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 31469
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 34248
|Inside the hull
|6.325
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 33330
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 35132
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 33532
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 30503
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 33591
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 31266
|Inside the hull
|6.402
|-
|85
|V415 CMa
|HIP 31593
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 32322
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 35326
|Inside the hull
|6.434
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 30988
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|89
|KX CMa
|HIP 33040
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 30141
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 31736
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|92
|NGC 2354
|NGC 2354
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Ori+cma+cmi kugel.jpg|Canis Major and Canis Minor on the Kugel Globe (1st c.BCE), drawing by SMH 2021.
File:Ori+lep+cmi mainz.jpg|Canis Major on the Mainz Globe following Orion (drawing by SMH 2021)
File:Lepus et Canis Major - Mercator.jpeg|Canis Major on Mercator (1551)
File:Uranometria Canis Major (1603).jpg|Canis Major in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Canus Major.jpg|Canis Major in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - La Licorne, Le Grand Chien (Monoceros & Canis Major).jpg|Canis Major in Flamsteed/ Fortin (1776)
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Monocerus, Canis Minor, Canis Major.jpg|Canis Major in Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Canis Major, Lepus, Columba Noachi & Cela Sculptoris.jpg|Canis Major in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
Eratosthenes recounts two stories about how the dog might have come to be in the sky: on the one hand, he could be Orion's faithful companion, and on the other, he could have been a gift to Princess Europa.

As Orion's dog, he accompanied him on the hunt and is considered a faithful companion and helper to humans against wild animals. That is why he was immortalised in the starry sky with Orion's ascent, writes Eratosthenes.

However, the dog could also have had a whole series of other owners: together with the javelin, it is said to have been given by Zeus to the king's daughter Europa as her guardian. She later passed these gifts on to her son Minos. As king of Crete, he later suffered from an illness from which the Attic princess Prokris cured him. Out of gratitude, he gave her the immortal dog and the accurate javelin. When Prokris married King Cephalus of Thebes, the gifts came into his possession. Thebes was plagued by an uncatchable fox, and when they hunted it with the swift dog, only Zeus could end the pursuit: He turned the fox to stone and placed the dog among the stars.

Hyginus and Ovid see the two dogs as the faithful companions of Ikarios, the bringer of culture, who, at the behest of the god Dionysus, introduced the art of viticulture and wine production to the land around Athens.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017643 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Canis Major]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:CMa]]
[[Category:European]]

Canis Major

2026-05-20T10:54:20Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κύων */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Canis Major (cma).tif|alt=star chart|thumb|CMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. This is the (one and only) constellation of the Dog in ancient Greek astronomy. Ptolemy ‍in ‍the ‍''‍Almagest'' ‍called ‍it ‍simply ‍‍Κύων ‍(Kyon), ‍the ‍Dog. ‍
[[File:Ori-grp Kugel hi smh.gif|thumb|Orion-Group of constellations on the Kugel Globe, drawing and animated GIF by SMH 2025.]]

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> ===
In Hellenistic times, Greek astronomy had only one constellation, the Dog, so there was no need to distinguish between a large and a small dog. According to Eratosthenes, this dog had the bright star Sirius on its tongue. Ptolemy in Roman times placed it on the dog's snout.

What is interesting about [[Sirius]], however, is that today we use the Greek proper name from Hellenistic times. Ptolemy in Roman times called the brightest star of the constellation ‘the Dog’.

==== Bright Star ====
Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky and therefore particularly easy to observe at dusk. This makes it ideal for a special calendar function. In the course of the year, it does not matter where the beginning and end are – the only important thing is that the stellar year, like the solar year, has approximately 365 days. There were therefore several possibilities in different cultures as to when to celebrate the New Year: in Mesopotamia, it was usually the spring equinox, but there was also the variant with the autumn equinox. In Egypt, the New Year was celebrated in summer – with five days ‘between the years’ when it was hardly possible to work anyway due to the intense heat. This ancient Egyptian custom was still known when the country on the Nile was under Greek and Roman rule. This explains the ancient term ‘dog days’ for the hottest days of the year with the heliacal rising of Sirius.

The Greek word for the star – seirios, scorching – can refer both to its brightness and to the heat of summer at the time of its heliacal rising. The latter was certainly the case with the Egyptian word: since the 3rd millennium, the word ‘Sothis’ has been used to refer to a constellation of at least three stars, which later – perhaps only in the 1st millennium – was restricted to the bright Sirius. As in Mesopotamia, the Sothis star system was used in Egypt to determine the calendar. However, whether the rising of Sirius was really associated with the flooding of the Nile is highly controversial among researchers and difficult to prove. What is certain is that the star system was associated with the goddess of magic, Isis. She was always one of the supreme deities in the Egyptian pantheon, and in Roman times, the growing Christianity had to assert itself against the cult of Isis, among others, as an extremely strong competitor.

In the case of Sirius, however, it is interesting that we now use the Greek proper name from the Hellenistic period. Ptolemy in Roman times called the brightest star in the constellation ‘the dog’. Many astronomers were puzzled by the question of why Ptolemy described the star as reddish. This even sparked speculation about a possible supernova or nova on its companion, a white dwarf. Both can be dismissed because it may be a matter of uncertainty in text translations: Eratosthenes already described the star as ‘fiery’ and “flaming” or ‘flickering’. The flickering and shimmering in all colours is caused by the Earth's atmosphere. In most cultures, reddish stars are referred to as fire stars: e.g. [[Antares|Antare]]<nowiki/>s in China or [[Aldebaran]] in Mesopotamia. In the case of Sirius, the word probably means ‘glittering’ in the sense of ‘bright compared to other stars’. It would therefore be a metaphor for great brightness, like a beacon in the dark, heralding the new year and the hot season. The attribution of ‘red’ would therefore be a misunderstanding in one of the numerous stages of translation. Sirius is and was white in colour even back then. This is confirmed by other ancient astronomers and astrologers in their descriptions, e.g. Manilius in the first century.

==== Babylonian ====
Babylonian astronomy records the constellation Arrow ([[KAK.SI.SA2|KAK.SI.SA2]]) in this region of the sky. There are probably two constellations in this region of the sky: the Arrow and the Bow. In some versions of Babylonian uranography, they are held by a person, presumably a deity, standing east of the Milky Way. However, this does not seem to apply to all variants; in MUL.APIN, for example, no such figure is mentioned, but rather two independent constellations (Bow and Arrow), while textual descriptions from the 1st millennium suggest such a figure.

[[Sirius]] definitely belongs to the Arrow and, as the brightest star, sometimes stands alone for this constellation, especially when observed at twilight (i.e. for calendar determination). Therefore, there are various suggestions in research as to which stars other than Sirius also belong to the arrow. A line from Sirius to [[Procyon]] is rather unlikely from a calendar perspective. Presumably, the constellation of Sirius should be thought of as southward. Since the constellation of the bow should be located near the arrow, it is presumed to be in the southernmost stars of the dog or in the faint stars east of it. Whether it is a bow and arrow, just an arrow or a deity with an arrow (and bow), there is certainly no dog to be found here in Babylonian mythology: the Babylonian constellation Dog belongs to the goddess of medicine, [[Gula]], and is located in the area of our constellation [[Hercules]].

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[326] Such is also his guardian Dog, seen standing on its two legs below the soaring back of Orion, variegated, not bright overall, but dark in the region of the belly as it moves round; but the tip of its [330] jaw is inset with a formidable star, that blazes most intensely: and so men call it the Scorcher. When Sirius rises with the sun, trees can no longer outwit it by feebly putting forth leaves. For with its keen shafts it easily pierces their ranks, [335] and strengthens some, but destroys all the growth of others. We also hear of it at its setting. The other stars lying round about Sirius define the legs more faintly. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cnc 15
|Leo 4 1/2
|Psc 28
|Ari 23 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the front and north of the feet (bet)
|the one at the tip of the tail (eta)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/3 hours = 100 min = 25 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 11
|Tau 29
|Leo 17
|Vir 11
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one in the hind foot
|the southernmost of the bright ones in the head
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 1/2 hours = 90 min = 22 1/2°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to have been given by Jove as a guardian for Europa, and later to have come to Minos. When Minos was ill, Procris, wife of Cephalus, is said to have cured him, and received the dog as a reward for her services, as she was very fond of hunting and the dog was so swift that no beast could escape. After her death the dog came to Cephalus her husband, who brought it to Thebes with him when he came. There was a fox there which was said to be so swift that it could outrun all dogs. So when the two animals met, Jupiter, in a dilemma, as Istros says, changed them both to stone.

Some have said that this is the dog of Orion, and because Orion was devoted to hunting, the dog was put with him among the stars. Others have called it the dog of Icarus. These many suggestions have their own advocates.

The Dog has one star on his tongue which itself is called Dog, and on its head another which Isis is thought to have put there under her own name, and to have called it Sirius on account of the brilliance of the flame because it seems to shine more than the rest. So, in order for men to recognize it more easily, she called it Sirius. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Almagest Κύων =====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κυνὸς ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of the Dog
!
|-
|1
|ἐν τῷ στόματι λαμπρότατος καλούμενος Κύωυ καὶ ὑπόκιρρος.
|The star in the mouth, the brightest, which is called 'the Dog' and is reddish
|alf CMa
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν ὡτοη.
|The star on the ears
|tet CMa
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆ
|The star on the head
|gam CMa
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐκ τῷ τραχήλῳ β ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the neck
|iot CMa
|-
|5
|ὁ φόσιος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|pi CMa
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ στήθους.
|The star on the chest
|nu3 CMa
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος β ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars on the right knee
|nu2 CMa
|-
|8
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|bet CMa
|-
|9
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρῳ τῷ ἐμπροσθίῳ ποδί
|The star on the end of the front leg
|xi1 CMa
|-
|10
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ γόνατι β ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the left knee
|xi2 CMa
|-
|11
|ὁ ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|omi2 CMa
|-
|12
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ β’ ὁ ἑπόμενος;
|The rearmost of the 2 stars in the left shoulder
|omi1 CMa
|-
|13
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν
|The more advanced of them
|del CMa
|-
|14
|ὁ ἐν τῇ ἐκφύσει τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ μηροῦ.
|The star in the place where the left thigh joins [the body)
|del CMa
|-
|15
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν κοιλίαν ἐν τοῦς μεσομήροις
|The star below the belly, in the middle of the thighs
|eps CMa
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀγκύλης τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός
|The star on the joint of the right leg
|kap CMa
|-
|17
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ δεξιοῦ ποδός.
|The star on the end of the right leg
|zet CMa
|-
|18
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the tail
|eta CMa
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες τῆ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ ἓ, δ’ ἓ, ε’ ξ.
|{18 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 5 of the third, 5 of the fourth, 7 of the fifth}
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Κύνα ἀμόρφωτοι.
!
!
|-
|19
|ὁ ἀπ’ ἄρκτου τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ Κυνός.
|The star to the north of the top of The Dog
|22 Mon
|-
|20
|τῶν ὑπὸ τοὺς ὀπισθίους πόδας ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας ὁ ὁ νοτιώτατος.
|The southernmost of the 4 stars almost on a straight line under the hind legs
|θ Col
|-
|21
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north of this
|κ Col
|-
|22
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north again of this
|δ Col
|-
|23
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ βορειότερος τῶν δ
|The last and northernmost of the 4
|λ CMa
|-
|24
|τῶν πρὸς δυσμὰς τοῦς τέσσαρσιη ὡς ἐπ’ εὐθείας γ ὁ προἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars almost on a straight line to the west of the [above] four
|μ Col
|-
|25
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|λ Col
|-
|26
|ὁ ἑπόμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The rearmost of the three
|γ Col
|-
|27
|τῶν ὑπὸ τούτους β λαμπρῶν ὁ ἐπόμευος.
|The rearmost of thc 2 bright stars under these
|β Col
|-
|28
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν.
|The more advanccd of them
|α Col
|-
|29
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ νοτιώτερος τῶν προειρημένων.
|The last star, to the south of the abovc
|ε Col
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ἱα, ὥν β’ μεγέθους β, δ’ 9.
|{11 stars, 2 of the second magnitude, 9 of the fourth)
|
|}
[[File:Kyon Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Kyon (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Sirius
|HIP 32349
|Constellation lines
| -1.46
|-
|2
|NAME CMa Dwarf Galaxy
|NAME CMa Dwarf Galaxy
|Inside the hull
| -0.1
|-
|3
|Adhara
|HIP 33579
|Constellation lines
|1.5
|-
|4
|Wezen
|HIP 34444
|Constellation lines
|1.84
|-
|5
|Mirzam
|HIP 30324
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.97
|-
|6
|Aludra
|HIP 35904
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.45
|-
|7
|Cl Collinder 121
|Cl Collinder 121
|Inside the hull
|2.6
|-
|8
|Furud
|HIP 30122
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.99
|-
|9
|ο 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 33977
|Constellation lines
|3.02
|-
|10
|Nganurganity
|HIP 33856
|Constellation lines
|3.47
|-
|11
|ω Canis Majoris
|HIP 35037
|Constellation lines
|3.82
|-
|12
|ο 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 33152
|Constellation lines
|3.87
|-
|13
|κ Canis Majoris
|HIP 32759
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.89
|-
|14
|ν 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31592
|Constellation lines
|3.91
|-
|15
|θ Canis Majoris
|HIP 33160
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.08
|-
|16
|Muliphein
|HIP 34045
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.12
|-
|17
|ξ 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31125
|Constellation lines
|4.33
|-
|18
|ι Canis Majoris
|HIP 33347
|Constellation lines
|4.385
|-
|19
|τ Canis Majoris
|HIP 35415
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.4
|-
|20
|ν 3 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31700
|Constellation lines
|4.43
|-
|21
|ξ 2 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31416
|Constellation lines
|4.5
|-
|22
|M 41
|M 41
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 35205
|Inside the hull
|4.64
|-
|24
|27 CMa
|HIP 34981
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|25
|π Canis Majoris
|HIP 33302
|Constellation lines
|4.664
|-
|26
|15 CMa
|HIP 33092
|Constellation lines
|4.83
|-
|27
|μ Canis Majoris
|HIP 33345
|Constellation lines
|5.09
|-
|28
|10 CMa
|HIP 32292
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|29
|11 CMa
|HIP 32492
|Constellation lines
|5.272
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 35427
|Inside the hull
|5.288
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 32411
|Inside the hull
|5.298
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 33316
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 34624
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 33478
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 32677
|Inside the hull
|5.51
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 35044
|Inside the hull
|5.582
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 33575
|Inside the hull
|5.583
|-
|38
| -
|HR 2522
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 30436
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|40
|LS CMa
|HIP 33804
|Inside the hull
|5.635
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 33077
|Constellation lines
|5.648
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 32385
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|43
|LZ CMa
|HIP 34579
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|44
|ν 1 Canis Majoris
|HIP 31564
|Inside the hull
|5.695
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 31870
|Constellation lines
|5.71
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 32810
|Inside the hull
|5.747
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 30836
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 32809
|Inside the hull
|5.771
|-
|49
|17 CMa
|HIP 33248
|Constellation lines
|5.792
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 34758
|Inside the hull
|5.825
|-
|51
|FV CMa
|HIP 34360
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|52
|26 CMa
|HIP 34798
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 31037
|Inside the hull
|5.903
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 32366
|Inside the hull
|5.916
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 34914
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 35611
|Inside the hull
|5.986
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 31758
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 32368
|Inside the hull
|6.033
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 29843
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.04
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 33094
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 31859
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 30711
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 34142
|Inside the hull
|6.072
|-
|64
|12 CMa
|HIP 32504
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 34318
|Inside the hull
|6.088
|-
|66
|GY CMa
|HIP 34924
|Inside the hull
|6.101
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 33079
|Inside the hull
|6.123
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 33126
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 32144
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 33492
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 33666
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 30062
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 34940
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 33760
|Inside the hull
|6.279
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 33703
|Inside the hull
|6.305
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 32827
|Inside the hull
|6.314
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 31469
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 34248
|Inside the hull
|6.325
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 33330
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 35132
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 33532
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 30503
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 33591
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 31266
|Inside the hull
|6.402
|-
|85
|V415 CMa
|HIP 31593
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 32322
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 35326
|Inside the hull
|6.434
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 30988
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|89
|KX CMa
|HIP 33040
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 30141
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 31736
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|92
|NGC 2354
|NGC 2354
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Ori+cma+cmi kugel.jpg|Canis Major and Canis Minor on the Kugel Globe (1st c.BCE), drawing by SMH 2021.
File:Ori+lep+cmi mainz.jpg|Canis Major on the Mainz Globe following Orion (drawing by SMH 2021)
File:Lepus et Canis Major - Mercator.jpeg|Canis Major on Mercator (1551)
File:Uranometria Canis Major (1603).jpg|Canis Major in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Canus Major.jpg|Canis Major in Hevelius (1690)
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - La Licorne, Le Grand Chien (Monoceros & Canis Major).jpg|Canis Major in Flamsteed/ Fortin (1776)
File:1822 - Alexander Jamieson - Monocerus, Canis Minor, Canis Major.jpg|Canis Major in Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Canis Major, Lepus, Columba Noachi & Cela Sculptoris.jpg|Canis Major in Hall (1825)
</gallery>

==Mythology==
Eratosthenes recounts two stories about how the dog might have come to be in the sky: on the one hand, he could be Orion's faithful companion, and on the other, he could have been a gift to Princess Europa.

As Orion's dog, he accompanied him on the hunt and is considered a faithful companion and helper to humans against wild animals. That is why he was immortalised in the starry sky with Orion's ascent, writes Eratosthenes.

However, the dog could also have had a whole series of other owners: together with the javelin, it is said to have been given by Zeus to the king's daughter Europa as her guardian. She later passed these gifts on to her son Minos. As king of Crete, he later suffered from an illness from which the Attic princess Prokris cured him. Out of gratitude, he gave her the immortal dog and the accurate javelin. When Prokris married King Cephalus of Thebes, the gifts came into his possession. Thebes was plagued by an uncatchable fox, and when they hunted it with the swift dog, only Zeus could end the pursuit: He turned the fox to stone and placed the dog among the stars.

Hyginus and Ovid see the two dogs as the faithful companions of Ikarios, the bringer of culture, who, at the behest of the god Dionysus, introduced the art of viticulture and wine production to the land around Athens.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017643 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Canis Major]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:CMa]]
[[Category:European]]

Cancer

2026-05-20T10:51:43Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Καρκίνος. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Cancer IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Cnc star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
[[File:CNC Cancer TF Anu kosmosInv.jpg|thumb|Throne of Anu in constellation Cancer, drawing by Kay Elzner (2021)]]
One of the 88 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Union IAU] constellations. The name "Crab" for this area is attested since the Babylonian compendium MUL.APIN, but there are alternative names such as "northern and southern donkey" for the two bright stars next to the star cluster M44, Praesepe for the star cluster, "The Seat of [sky god] Anu" for the box-shaped pattern of stars around the star cluster (where "the seat" of any Babylonian god is ambiguously his throne and his temple).

==Etymology and History==
[[File:Kugel Cnc+Leo+Stuhl.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Cancer, Leo and a chair-like structure to the north (drawing by SMH 2024)]]

===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>Cancer is documented as a constellation as early as the -2nd millennium, although there are only faint stars in this region of the sky and it was and is difficult to imagine an animal in it. An eye-catching open star cluster glitters conspicuously on moonless nights. It is called Praesepe (Latin for the manger), and the names of the two little stars next to the star cluster also fit this image: ‘northern’ and ‘southern donkey’.

Both the name for the star cluster and the names of the stars bordering it are already documented in antiquity. Ptolemy mentions these names in the Almagest star catalogue, Aratos mentions them, and Eratosthenes presents two completely different, somewhat far-fetched stories for them. Since we know that the constellation of Cancer was adopted from Babylon and, therefore, a Greek tale had to be invented for it, the star legends could indicate a deliberate merging of the Babylonian image with that of another subculture in Alexander's empire to form a new Greek image. However, it could also be that the name ‘donkey’ is derived from a double meaning of the cuneiform symbol: Over time, the original cuneiform characters were increasingly simplified and in late Babylonian times (i.e. in Greek times), the sign for ‘crab’ can also be read as ‘10’ and ‘foot’, whereby the sign for foot also had the secondary meaning of mule. This ambiguity of the symbol could have inspired Babylonian scholars to play with words or led to a Greek misunderstanding. If this celestial region, without a distinctive pattern, is described as a footprint, this fits humorously with the Greek myth that Heracles is said to have crushed the crab. The secondary meaning ‘mule’ of the cuneiform symbol may explain why the constellation is understood by some as a crab and by others as a (muzzled) donkey. However, in cuneiform script one would read either ‘the crab’ or ‘ten mules’, which is why the designation of the two stars is a later attribution.

In any case, the donkeys are not a Babylonian constellation. In MUL.APIN, the constellation ‘Cancer’ is described as the ‘seat of the god Anu’. An(u) is the Sumerian and Babylonian god of the sky. He may even have had a superior role as the supreme god in Sumerian times. In any case, he was always one of the most important gods in the pantheon. Before the city god, Marduk became the highest god as a result of the political rise of Babylon, the triumvirate of gods Enlil, Anu and Ea formed the highest authority, and so these three gods were each assigned a section of the sky parallel to the equator in the emerging mathematical astronomy of the -2nd millennium.

A square on the celestial equator represents the location of Ea. The seat of Anu is the square of faint stars around the star cluster Praesepe. Sumerian gods were depicted sitting on a square, whereby the ‘seat’ in the literal sense means a throne - perhaps intentionally ambivalent - the temple of the respective god. The fact that there is a cluster of stars on or in the seat of the sky god An(u) is, in any case, very plausible. It is not impossible that this was the original image, as it takes little imagination to visualise a square.

In Roman times, the mnemonic bridge is built in poetry that the stars are called ‘Cancer’ because the sun starts its crab course (backwards) from this position over the course of the year. This reference to the vague figure in relation to the summer solstice might be a late reinterpretation for didactic purposes and is not documented in mythology.

The fact that the stars of Cancer only shine dimly and cannot be observed at twilight was a problem for ancient civilisations, who determined their calendars based on the heliacal rising of the stars. For Mesopotamia, it is therefore very likely that the rising of the bright star Procyon was observed instead, as this star rises at the same time as Cancer and achieves twilight visibility.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[AL.LUL]]
* ''[[šubtu]]''

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====

===== Eratosthenes =====
Both variants as reconstructed in Greek by Pamias and Zucker (2013).

Var. 1 <blockquote>He is said to have been placed among the constellations by Hera, because, while the others were fighting alongside Heracles when he destroyed the Hydra [all alone], the Crab emerged from the marsh and bit the hero on the foot, according to Panyasis in his Heraclea. It seems that Heracles then crushed it furiously under his foot. That is why the Crab obtained the considerable honour of being counted among the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Some of these stars are called ‘the Asses’; it was Dionysus who raised them among the constellations; they are also marked by the presence of the Manger beside them. Here is their story: when the gods launched their offensive against the Giants, it is said that Dionysus, Hephaestus and the Satyrs set off riding on donkeys. When they were near the Giants, and even before the latter were in sight, the donkeys began to bray; when they heard the sound of their voices, the Giants fled. It is for this reason that the Donkeys had the honour of appearing in the constellation of the Crab on the western side.

The Crab has two bright stars on its shell: these are the Asses. The nebulous cluster is the Manger, which can be seen in the centre of the Crab, and it looks as if the Asses are standing next to it. The Crab has one star on each of its legs on the right side, two bright ones on the first leg on the left side, two on the second, one on the third and, similarly, one on the tip of the fourth, one on the mouth, three on the right claw and two similar and smaller ones on the left claw.

In total, there are eighteen.</blockquote>Var. 2<blockquote>The Crab is said to have been placed among the constellations by Hera; for when Heracles destroyed the Hydra, it sprang out of the marsh and bit him on the foot.

Another story is also told about them: when the gods, as has been said, launched their offensive against the Giants, Dionysus, Hephaestus and the Satyrs set off riding on donkeys; when they were near the Giants, and even before the latter were in sight, the donkeys began to bray; when they heard the sound of their voices, the Giants fled.

It is for this reason that donkeys were honoured and placed among the constellations.

The crab has two bright stars on its shell. It has one star on each of its right legs, one on its left leg, three on its right claw and two on its left claw. Twelve in total.</blockquote>

===== Ovid, Fasti 1 =====
<blockquote>[311] Therefore when the third night before the Nones has come, and the ground is sprinkled and drenched with heavenly dew, you shall look in vain for the claws of the eight-footed Crab: headlong he’ll plunge beneath the western waves. (James George Frazer (1931)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §1) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Gem 23
|Cnc 18
|Psc 5
|Ari 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the end of the northern claw
|the one at the end of the southern claw
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/3 hours = 100 min = 25 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap IV §1) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Gem 26 1/2
|Cnc 19 1/2
|Lib 17
|Sco 12
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the bright one in the southern leg of The Crab which is lying on a straight line with the those West of the nebular patch in the crab
|the one at the end of the northern claw of the crab
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 3/5 hours = 96 min = 24°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>The Crab is said to have been put among the stars by the favour of Juno, because, when Hercules had stood firm against the Lernaean Hydra, it had snapped at his foot from the swamp. Hercules, enraged at this, had killed it, and Juno put it among the constellations to be one of the twelve signs which are bound together by the circuit of the sun.

In one part of its figure there are certain stars called Asses, pictured on the shell of the Crab by Liber with two stars only. For Liber, when madness was sent upon him by Juno, is said to have fled wildly through Thesprotia intending to reach the oracle of Dodonaean Jove to ask how he might recover his former sanity. When he came to a certain large swamp which he couldn't cross, it is said two asses met him. He caught one of them and in this way was carried across, not touching the water at all. So when he came to the temple of Dodonaean Jove, freed at once from his madness, he acknowledged his thanks to the asses and placed them among the constellations.

Some say he gave a human voice to the ass which had carried him. This ass later had a contest with Priapus on a matter of physique, but was defeated and killed by him. Pitying him because of this, Liber numbered him among the stars, and so that it should be known that he did this as a god, not as a timid man fleeing from Juno, he placed him above the Crab which had been added to the stars by her kindness.

According to Eratosthenes, another story is told about the Asses. After Jupiter had declared war on the Giants, he summoned all the gods to combat them, and Father Liber, Vulcan, the Satyrs, and the Sileni came riding on asses. Since they were not far from the enemy, the asses were terrified, and individually let out a braying such as the Giants had never heard. At the noise the enemy took hastily to flight, and thus were defeated.

There is a story similar to this about the shell of Triton. He, too, when he had hollowed out the trumpet he had invented, took it with him against the Giants, and there blew strange sounds through the shell. The Giants, fearing that some wild beast had been brought by their adversaries, took to flight, and thus were overcome and came into their enemies' power. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Καρκίνος. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
! ident.
|-
!
!Καρκύνου ἀστερισμός.
!
!
|-
|1
|τῆς ἐν τῷ στήθει Φεφελοειδοῦς συστροφῆς καλουμένης Φάτηης τὸ μέσου
|The middle of the nebulous mass in the chest, called Praesepe
|M44
|-
|2
|τοῦ περὶ τὸ νεφέλιου τετραπλεύρου τῶν προηγουμένωυ β' ὁ βορειότεροςὁ βορειότερος
|The quadrilateral containing the nebula: the northernmost of the two stars in advance
|eta Cnc
|-
|3
|ὁ νοτιῶτερος τῶν προηγουμένωυ β'
|The quadrilateral containing the nebula: the southernmost of the two stars in advance
|tet Cnc
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐπομένων τοῦ τετραπλεύρου β καλουμένων δὲ Ὅνων ὁ βόρειος
|The quadrilateral containing the nebula: the northernmost of thc rear 2 stars on the quadrilateral, which are called 'Aselli'
|gam Cnc
|-
|5
|ὁ νότιος τῶν προειρημένων β.
|The quadrilateral containing the nebula: the southernmost of these two
|del Cnc
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς νοτίου χηλῆς
|The star on the southern claw
|alf Cnc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς βορείου χηλῆς
|Thc star on the northern claw
|iot Cnc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀπισθίου βορείου ποδός
|The star on the northern back leg
|mu Cnc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀπισθίου φοτίου ποδός.
|The star on the southern back leg
|bet Cnc
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες θ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους ξ, ε’ ἂ, νεφελοειδὴς ἂ.
|9 stars, 7 of the fourth magnitude, 1 of the fifth, 1 nebulous
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Καρκίνου ἀμόρφωτοι.
!Stars around Cancer outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὸν ἀγκῶνα τῆς νοτίου χηλῆς.
|The star over the joint in the southern claw
|pi Cnc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῷ ἄκρῳ τῆς νοτίου χηλῆς.
|The star to the rear of the tip of the southern claw
|kap Cnc
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπομένων ὑπὲρ τὸ νεφέλιον β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two stars over the nebula and to the rear of it
|nu Cnc
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of these [two]
|xi Cnc
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ὅ, ὧν δ’ μεγέθους β, ε’ β.
|4 stars, 2 of the fourth magnitude, 2 of the fifth
|
|}
[[File:Karkinos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Karkinos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Tarf
|HIP 40526
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.52
|-
|2
|Asellus Australis
|HIP 42911
|Constellation lines
|3.94
|-
|3
|ι 1 Cancri
|HIP 43103
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.018
|-
|4
|Acubens
|HIP 44066
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.249
|-
|5
|Asellus Borealis
|HIP 42806
|Constellation lines
|4.652
|-
|6
|μ 2 Cancri
|HIP 39780
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.3
|-
|7
|zet01 Cnc
|HIP 40167A
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|8
|η Cancri
|HIP 41909
|Constellation lines
|5.325
|-
|9
|θ Cancri
|HIP 41822
|Constellation lines
|5.337
|-
|10
|27 Cnc
|HIP 41400
|Inside the hull
|5.5
|-
|11
|45 Cnc
|HIP 42795
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|12
|υ 1 Cancri
|HIP 41816
|Inside the hull
|5.694
|-
|13
| -
|HIP 40167C
|Inside the hull
|5.79
|-
|14
| -
|HIP 40866
|Inside the hull
|5.798
|-
|15
|[AKS95] 73
|[AKS95] 73
|Inside the hull
|5.832
|-
|16
|50 Cnc
|HIP 43121
|Inside the hull
|5.885
|-
|17
|20 Cnc
|HIP 41117
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|18
|29 Cnc
|HIP 41578
|Inside the hull
|5.948
|-
|19
| -
|HIP 40231
|Inside the hull
|6.047
|-
|20
|28 Cnc
|HIP 41574
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|21
|21 Cnc
|HIP 41163
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|22
| -
|HIP 41319
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|23
| -
|HIP 40167B
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|24
|[AKS95] 69
|[AKS95] 69
|Inside the hull
|6.176
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 42010
|Inside the hull
|6.247
|-
|26
|Meleph
|HIP 42556
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 42187
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|28
|υ 2 Cancri
|HIP 41940
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 40354
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|30
|54 Cnc
|HIP 43454
|Inside the hull
|6.361
|-
|31
|39 Cnc
|HIP 42516
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 42549
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 40675
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 43427
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 41833
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 40342
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|}
[[File:Crab RL2026.png|thumb|Laffitte (2025). ''Fig. 29a''. ''Καρκίνος'' / ''Karkinos'' – ''al-Saraṭān,'' « le Crabe » (''ap.'' ms. de St-Pétersbourg)]]

=== Arabic ===
Laffitte (2025)<ref>Roland Laffitte (2025). 550 noms hérités des Arabes</ref>

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:CNC Cancer Anu smh.jpg|Babylonian original image in Cancer: Seat of God Anu (his temple as throne), 2nd millennium BCE.
File:Cnc AlRawi2001 details 300dpi.jpg|Cancer depicted on a Babylonian clay tablet, 1st millennium BCE.
File:Cnc Bab stellarium.jpg|Cancer depicted as Crab in Babylonian times (CC BY Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium), 1st millennium BCE.
File:Kugel cnc+leo+hya+vir.JPG|Cancer with Leo, Hydra and a planet on the ancient Greek Kugel Globe (1st century BCE)
File:Cancer Uranometria.jpg|Cancer in Uranometria (1603)
File:Cancer Prodromus Astronomiae.jpg|Cancer in Hevelius (1690)
File:Cancer Flamsteed.jpg|Cancer in John Flamsteed's atlas (1729)
File:John Bevis - Cancer.jpg|Cancer in John Bevis's atlas (1750)
File:Cancer and Leo Bode.jpg|Cancer in Bode (1801)
</gallery>

==Mythology==

=== Greek ===
Eratosthenes writes about the crab that was transferred to heaven by Hera. When Heracles fought the Hydra, the crab jumped out of the water and painfully pinched Heracles' foot. Enraged, Heracles crushed the crab, but Hera thanked him for his courageous endeavour by turning him into a star. Eratosthenes recites that it was an honour for the crab to be trampled by Heracles.

Eratosthenes reports that the donkeys were the mounts of the gods Dionysus, Hephaestus and the satyrs. After the Titans had fallen, the Greek gods fought against the monstrous giants. As they approached the giants, the donkeys began their characteristic cries of ‘hee-haw’. As the giants had never heard anything like this before, it probably frightened them so much that they fled before the gods even saw them.

Roman

=== Cultural Images ===
<gallery>
File:Stamp of Indonesia - 1992 - Colnect 252793 - Indonesian Cancer Foundation.jpeg|Stamp, Indonesia (1992)
File:50_Cents,_Slovenia.jpg|Coin, Slovenia (2007)
</gallery>

==Weblinks==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cancer.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017062 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Cancer]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:Zodiac]] [[Category:Cnc]]

Bootes

2026-05-20T10:47:19Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Boώrης */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Boötes IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Boötes star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. “Boötes” is not a proper name, but it term is sometimes used as if it was because there is always the question of the correct translation: some say “bear keeper” and others “ox driver.” Both are correct. One refers to the Greek constellations, the other to the Roman asterisms. At the same time, both are incorrect, because the Greek word βοώτηϛ means “ploughman.”

==Etymology and History==
=== Origin of Constellation ===
The word “Boötes” is used by Aratus, Hipparchus, and Ptolemy. Eratosthenes, however, calls the constellation “Arktophylakos,” bear keeper.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

Eratosthenes explains that the bear keeper is Arkas, a son of Zeus who grew up among shepherds. The word bear keeper refers to its proximity to the Greek constellation Ursa Major, which he guards. In Roman times, however, its seven brightest stars were interpreted as seven oxen driven by the ox driver.

What seems particularly unusual to the modern observer is that the brightest star in the area does not belong to the figure of Boötes: the anthropomorphic figure is formed by weaker stars of 2.5 to 4 mag – the brightest star stands incongruously between the legs of this figure and is called Arcturus, the guardian or watchman. In Greek, therefore, the star's name fits the figure.

==== Babylonian ====
Whether this was also the case in Babylonian culture cannot be said with certainty. In MUL.APIN, each constellation is assigned a deity, and in this region of the sky, the untranslatable word ŠU.PA is found. Perhaps it is derived from the Akkadian word for “bright” and refers to Arcturus, or perhaps it refers to a group of stars in the area. The star is associated with Enlil, the god of agriculture. His attributes include the wagon or cart and the plow, which orbit in the circumpolar region.

It is therefore conceivable that the Babylonian god, who can be seen as a shepherd or plowman, was a model for the Greek Boötes. However, the evidence for this is indirect.

see

* Enlil, [[En-lil2|d''En-lil'']]2
* [[ŠU.PA]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
[91] Behind Helice there comes, like a man driving, Arctophylax, whom men call Bootes, because he is seen to be just touching the Wagon-Bear. All of him is very conspicuous; below his belt circles Arcturus itself, a star distinct from the rest.

[580?] No longer great on both sides of the horizon is Arctophylax but only the lesser portion is visible, while the greater part is wrapt in night. For with four signs of the Zodiac Boötes sets and is received in the bosom of ocean; and when he is sated with the light he takes till past midnight in the loosing of this oxen, in the season when he sets with the sinking sun. Those nights are named after his late setting. So these stars are setting, but another, facing them, no dim star, even Orion with glittering belt and shining shoulders and trusting in the might of his sword, and brining all the River, rises from the other horn, the East.

[607] Nor can the rising Claws [Libra], though faintly shining, pass unremarked, when at a bound the mighty sign of Boötes rises, jeweled with Arcturus.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====
Var. 1:

Var. 2:

(Pamias and Zucker 2013)

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §1) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Vir 1
|Vir 27
|Tau 26 1/2
|Gem 27
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the head
|the one in the right foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 hours = 120 min = 30 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §1) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sco 6
|Cap 18 1/2
|Cap 22
|Ari 4
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the southernmost of the those in the left foot
|the northernmost of those in the club
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 2/3 hours = 280 min = 70°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>He is said to be Arcas, the son of Jove and Callisto, whom Lycaon served at a banquet, cut up with other meat, when Jupiter came to him as a guest. For Lycaon wanted to know whether the one who had asked for his hospitality was a god or not. For this deed he was punished by no slight punishment, for Jupiter, quickly overturning the table, burned the house with a thunderbolt, and turned Lycaon himself into a wolf. But the scattered limbs of the boy he put together, and gave him to a certain Aitolian to care for. When, grown to manhood, he was hunting in the woods, he saw his mother changed to bear form, and did not recognize her. Intent on killing her, he chased her into the temple of Jove Lycaeus, where the penalty for entering is death, according to Arcadian law. And so, since both would have to die, Jupiter, out of pity, snatched them up and put them among the stars, as I have said before. As a result, Arcas is seen following the Bear, and since he guards Arctos, he is called Arctophylax.

Some have said that he is Icarus, father of Erigone, to whom, on account of his justice and piety, Father Liber gave wine, the vine, and the grape, so that he could show men how to plant the vine, what would grow from it, and how to use what was produced. When he had planted the vine, and by careful tending with a pruning-knife had made it flourish, a goat is said to have broken into the vineyard, and nibbled the tenderest leaves he saw there. Icarus, angered by this, took him and killed him and from his skin made a sack, and blowing it up, bound it tight, and cast it among his friends, directing them to dance around it. And so Eratosthenes says: Around the goat of Icarus they first danced.

Others say that Icarus, when he had received the wine from Father Liber, straightway put full wineskins on a wagon. For this he was called Bootes. When he showed it to the shepherds on going round through the Attic country, some of them, greedy and attracted by the new kind of drink, became stupefied, and sprawling here and there, as if half-dead, kept uttering unseemly things. The others, thinking poison had been given the shepherds by Icarus, so that he could drive their flocks into his own territory, killed him, and threw him into a well, or, as others say, buried him near a certain tree. However, when those who had fallen asleep, woke up, saying that they had never rested better, and kept asking for Icarus in order to reward him, his murderers, stirred by conscience, at once took to flight and came to the island of the Ceans. Received there as guests, they established homes for themselves.

But when Erigone, the daughter of Icarus, moved by longing for her father, saw he did not return and was on the point of going out to hunt for him, the dog of Icarus, Maera by name, returned to her, howling as if lamenting the death of its master. It gave her no slight suspicion of murder, for the timid girl would naturally suspect her father had been killed since he had been gone so many months and days. But the dog, taking hold of her dress with its teeth, led her to the body. As soon as the girl saw it, abandoning hope, and overcome with loneliness and poverty, with many tearful lamentations she brought death on herself by hanging from the very tree beneath which her father was buried. And the dog made atonement for her death by its own life. Some say that it cast itself into the well, Anigrus by name. For this reason they repeat the story that no one afterward drank from that well. Jupiter, pitying their misfortune, represented their forms among the stars. And so many have called Icarus, Bootes, and Erigone, the Virgin, about whom we shall speak later. The dog, however, from its own name and likeness, they have called Canicula. It is called Procyon by the Greeks, because it rises before the greater Dog. Others say these were pictured among the stars by Father Liber.

In the meantime in the district of the Athenians many girls without cause committed suicide by hanging, because Erigone, in dying, had prayed that Athenian girls should meet the same kind of death she was to suffer if the Athenians did not investigate the death of Icarus and avenge it. And so when these things happened as described, Apollo gave oracular response to them when they consulted him, saying that they should appease Erigone if they wanted to be free from the affliction. So since she hanged herself, they instituted a practice of swinging themselves on ropes with bars of wood attached, so that the one hanging could be moved by the wind. They instituted this as a solemn ceremony, and they perform it both privately and publicly, and call it aletis, aptly terming her mendicant who, unknown and lonely, sought for her father with the god. The Greeks call such people aletides.

In addition to this, Canicula, rising with its heat, scorched the land of the Ceans, and robbed their fields of produce, and caused the inhabitants, since they had welcomed the bandits, to be plagued by sickness, and to pay the penalty to Icarus with suffering. Their king, Aristaeus, son of Apollo and Cyrene, and father of Actaeon, asked his father by what means he could free the state from affliction. The god bade them expiate the death of Icarus with many victims, and ask from Jove that when Canicula rises he should send wind for forty days to temper the heat of Canicula. This command Aristaeus carried out, and obtained from Jove the favour that the Etesian winds should blow. Some have called them Etesian because they spring up at a certain time each year, for etos in Greek is annus in Latin. Some, too, have called them Etesian because they were "asked for" from Jove, and so obtained. But we shall leave this undecided, lest we be though to have anticipated everything.

To return to the matter at hand, Hermippus, who wrote about the stars, says that Ceres lay with Iasion, son of Thuscus. Many agree with Homer that for this he was struck with a thunderbolt. From them, as Petellides, Cretan writer of histories, shows, two sons were born, Philomelus and Plutus, who were never on good terms, for Plutus, who was richer, gave nothing of his wealth to his brother. Philomelus, however, compelled by necessity, bought two oxen with what he had, and became the inventor of the wagon. So, by plowing and cultivating the fields, he supported himself. His mother, admiring his invention, represented him plowing among the stars, and called him Bootes. From him they say Parias was born, who called the people Parians and the town Parion from his own name. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Boώrης ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Βοώτου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Bootes
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ χειρὶ γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The most advanced of the three in the left arm
|kap Boo
|-
|2
|ὁ μέσος καὶ νοτιώτερος τῶν τριῶν
|The middle and southernmost of the three
|iot Boo
|-
|3
|ὁ ἑπόμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The rearmost of the three
|tet Boo
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος.
|The star on the left elbow
|lam Boo
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὥμου
|The star on the left shoulder
|gam Boo
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς:
|The star on the head
|bet Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὥμου
|The star on the right shoulder
|del Boo
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ κολλορόβου
|The one to the north of these, on the staff
|mu Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου βορειότερος ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ κολλορόβου.
|The one farther to the north again of this, on the tip of the staff
|nu Boo
|-
|
|τῶν ὑποκάτω τοῦ ὤμου ἐν τῷ ῥοπάλῳ β ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the two stars below the shoulder, in the club
|eta Boo
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|omi Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς δεξιᾶς χειρός
|The star on the end of the right arm
|45 Boo
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῷ καρπῷ δύο ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two stars in the wrist
|psi Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|46 Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς λαβῆς τοῦ κολλορόβου.
|The star on the end of the handle of the staff
|omega Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ μηροῦ ἐν τῷ περιξώματι
|The star on the right thigh, in the apron
|eps Boo
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ζώνῃ δύο ὁ ἐπόμευος.
|The rearmost of the two stars in the belt
|sig Boo
|-
|
|ὁ προηφούμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of the two stars in the belt
|rho Boo
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς δεξιᾶς πτέρυης
|The star on the right heel
|zet Boo
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ κυήμῃ ἡ’ ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of the 3 stars in the left lower leg
|eta Boo
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν
|The middle one of the three
|tau Boo
|-
|
|ὁ φότιος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|ups Boo
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κβ, ὥν γ μεγέθους ὅ, δ’ ὅ, ε θ.
|22 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 9 of the fourth, 9 of the fifth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Ὁ ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἀμόρφωτος.
!
!
|-
|
|ὁ μεταξὺ τῶν μηρῶν ὁ καλούμενος Ἀρκτοῦρος ὑπόκιρρος
|The star between the thighs, called 'Arcturus', reddish
|alf Boo
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστὴρ α μεγέθους α'
|1 star of the first magnitude
|
|}
[[File:Bootes Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Bootes (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Arcturus
|HIP 69673
|Inside the hull
| -0.05
|-
|2
|Izar
|HIP 72105
|Constellation lines
|2.45
|-
|3
|Muphrid
|HIP 67927
|Constellation lines
|2.68
|-
|4
|Seginus
|HIP 71075
|Constellation lines
|3.02
|-
|5
|δ Boötis
|HIP 74666
|Constellation lines
|3.49
|-
|6
|Nekkar
|HIP 73555
|Constellation lines
|3.52
|-
|7
|ρ Boötis
|HIP 71053
|Constellation lines
|3.59
|-
|8
|ζ Boötis
|HIP 71795
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.78
|-
|9
|θ Boötis
|HIP 70497
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.05
|-
|10
|υ Boötis
|HIP 67459
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.07
|-
|11
|Xuange
|HIP 69732
|Constellation lines
|4.18
|-
|12
|Alkalurops
|HIP 75411
|Constellation lines
|4.31
|-
|13
|σ Boötis
|HIP 71284
|Constellation lines
|4.47
|-
|14
|τ Boötis
|HIP 67275
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.49
|-
|15
|ψ Boötis
|HIP 73745
|Constellation lines
|4.55
|-
|16
|ξ Boötis
|HIP 72659
|Inside the hull
|4.593
|-
|17
|ο Boötis
|HIP 72125
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|18
|ι Boötis
|HIP 69713
|Constellation lines
|4.75
|-
|19
|W Boo
|HIP 71995
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 69879
|Inside the hull
|4.796
|-
|21
|* eps Boo B
|HR 5505
|Inside the hull
|4.801
|-
|22
|ω Boötis
|HIP 73568
|Constellation lines
|4.81
|-
|23
|12 Boo
|HIP 69226
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 70027
|Inside the hull
|4.85
|-
|25
|π 1 Boötis
|HIP 71762
|Inside the hull
|4.893
|-
|26
|45 Boo
|HIP 73996
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.93
|-
|27
|9 Boo
|HIP 68103
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|28
|ν 1 Boötis
|HIP 75973
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.026
|-
|29
|BY Boo
|HIP 69038
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|30
|33 Boo
|HIP 71618
|Inside the hull
|5.387
|-
|31
|22 Boo
|HIP 70602
|Inside the hull
|5.394
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 72582
|Constellation lines
|5.48
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 73634
|Inside the hull
|5.513
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 75257
|Inside the hull
|5.532
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 70791
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|36
|40 Boo
|HIP 73369
|Inside the hull
|5.634
|-
|37
|46 Boo
|HIP 74087
|Constellation lines
|5.669
|-
|38
|7 Boo
|HIP 67787
|Inside the hull
|5.709
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 71568
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 72012
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|41
|CH Boo
|HIP 71280
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|42
|10 Boo
|HIP 68276
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|43
|Merga
|HIP 72487
|Inside the hull
|5.757
|-
|44
|* pi.02 Boo
|HR 5476
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|45
|CY Boo
|HIP 69829
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 72552
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|47
|HP Boo
|HIP 72567
|Inside the hull
|5.867
|-
|48
|26 Boo
|HIP 71115
|Inside the hull
|5.897
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 71571
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|50
|V* CN Boo
|HR 5343
|Inside the hull
|5.957
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 74561
|Inside the hull
|5.974
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 71277
|Inside the hull
|5.999
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 71094
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|54
|DE Boo
|HIP 72848
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 70892
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 73068
|Inside the hull
|6.122
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 69316
|Inside the hull
|6.129
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 74571
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 72469
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 72139
|Inside the hull
|6.145
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 71729
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 74514
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 69818
|Inside the hull
|6.195
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 70762
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 71490
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 70310
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|67
|11 Boo
|HIP 68478
|Inside the hull
|6.221
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 69569
|Inside the hull
|6.227
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 70517
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 72124
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 71243
|Inside the hull
|6.306
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 70029
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|73
| -
|HIP 69862
|Inside the hull
|6.316
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 73941
|Inside the hull
|6.351
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 70873
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 71406
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 69735
|Inside the hull
|6.376
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 69592
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 68516
|Inside the hull
|6.384
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 71168
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 71857
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|82
| -
|HR 5346
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 70385
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 70051
|Inside the hull
|6.445
|-
|85
|kap01 Boo
|HIP 69481
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.69
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==
<ref name=":0" />Eratosthenes reports that Arkas was the son of Zeus and Callisto, the daughter of Lycaon. After the birth, Lycaon is said to have invited Zeus to a feast, at which he served him the dismembered newborn. Zeus was horrified, overturned the table, destroyed the palace with a thunderbolt, put the boy back together, gave him a beautiful form, and had him raised among shepherds. When the young man, unaware of his origins, wanted to marry his mother and was therefore to be sacrificed according to the law, Zeus saved him once again. He carried him up to the stars.

In another version of the legend, mythographers report that Arkas' mother Callisto was transformed into a bear: either by Artemis, who punished her for not remaining a virgin until initiation, or by her suitor Zeus, to protect her from the revenge of his wife Hera, or by Hera herself, who wanted revenge. Whatever the reason, as a young man, Arkas encountered the bear and did not recognize his mother. He hunted her until she fled to the temple of Zeus. Since it was forbidden to enter, the situation gave Zeus the opportunity to transport both of them to the heavens.

== Weblinks ==

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017042 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Boötes]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:European]]

Auriga

2026-05-20T10:07:50Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ἠνίοχος. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Auriga (aur).tif|alt=star chart|thumb|Auriga star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The three ancient globes (Farnese, Mainz, Kugel) depict completely different versions of this person: the Kugel Globe is the only one showing him in a chariot; in all other depictions he is drawn as shepherd carrying a goat or goatlets. Hoffmann (2022)<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2022). Multiple Greek Sky Cultures., in Hoffmann and Wolfschmidt (eds.). Astronomy in Culture – Cultures of Astronomy, tredition Hamburg/ OpenScienceTechnology Berlin, 491-523</ref> suggested to interpret this variety as an attempt to depict different stories/ legends. This could, of course, also be due to different cultures of origin of the makers.

==Etymology and History==
=== Origin of Constellation<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> ===
The constellation is called Auriga, but the brightest star in it is called Capella, the goat. A charioteer drives a chariot, but this particular charioteer has a goat on his shoulder and its young, two kids, in his left hand. This image seems strange because the goat family would rather hinder the charioteer in holding the reins – but this peculiar image is ancient; it already existed in Hellenism.

Eratosthenes has three possible interpretations for this figure: The charioteer can either be the first Athenian and bringer of culture, Erichthonios. As the first human, he is said to have harnessed a chariot to horses and led a procession for the goddess Athena on the Acropolis. Alternatively, the charioteer may be a son of Hermes, the charioteer of King Oinomaos of Pisa, a region in the north-western Peloponnese. According to Eratosthenes, the goat is the goat of the nymph Amalthea, who has nothing to do with the charioteer in either version.

The death of Zeus's nurses is a common narrative in archaic Greek mythology – only who the nurses are exactly is interpreted differently by different poets (see also bears). The Cretan cult of Zeus names Ida, the protective mountain in the form of a nymph, the honeybee nymph Melissa and the milk-giving goat Aix or Aiga with the nymphs Amalthea and Adrasteia. The name of the nymph Amalthea was later transferred to the goat.

The juxtaposition of the charioteer and the goat in Eratosthenes could indicate that constellations from several different cultures in Alexander's empire were mixed together to form one constellation. The charioteer is linked to the Greek polis of Athens through the Erichthonios saga and to the Peloponnese through the Pelops-Oinomaos saga. The goat links the figure to the Cretan Zeus myth. It is quite possible that this reflects the newly developed ‘Greekness’ or the identity-forming ‘being Greek’ in Hellenism.

On the Farnese Globe, the charioteer is depicted without a goat, i.e. at least in Hellenistic times, the goat was the name of a single star. The heliacal rising of the star Capella, or the goat constellation consisting of several stars representing a goat and her kids, was associated by the Greeks with the stormy season and seafaring. Since the Greek word ''aigis'' means both ‘stormy weather’ and ‘goat skin’, this could be the reason why Capella and not some other white star is referred to as a goat. The star's name could therefore have a calendrical function.

In any case, neither the star name nor the constellation has Babylonian roots, because in Babylonian astronomy, this constellation was not thought to represent an anthropomorphic figure, but rather a weapon: the so-called crooked wood, a throwing weapon. In Babylonian astral science, there is a goat constellation that plays an important role in medical cults. However, this is the (white) star [[Vega]], which is roughly opposite [[Capella]]. So either there is no connection here, or there is a significant shift.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[GAM3|GAM3]]

[[File:Kugel aur+tau.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Auriga and Taurus (drawing by SMH 2024)]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
If you are minded to observe the Charioteer and the Charioteer’s stars, and rumour has reached you of the Goat herself and the Kids, who have often looked down on men being tossed upon the heaving sea, [160] you will find the Charioteer lying large to the left of the Twins, while opposite Helice circles his head at that extremity. Fastened to his left shoulder is the sacred Goat, who is said to have tendered her breast to Zeus: the interpreters of Zeus call her the Olenian Goat. [165] Now he is large and brilliant, but her Kids there on the Charioteer’s wrist shine faintly.

Near the feet of the Charioteer look for the horned Bull crouching. This constellation is very recognisable, so clearly defined is its head: one needs no other [170] sign to identify the ox’s head, so well do the stars themselves model both sides of it as they go round. Their name is also very popular: the Hyades are not just nameless. They are set out all along the Bull’s face; the point of its left horn [175] and the right foot o f the adjacent Charioteer are occupied by a single star, and they are pinned together as they go. But the Bull is always ahead o f the Charioteer in sinking to the horizon, though it rises simultaneously.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Psc 10 1/2
|Tau 15 1/2
|Sgr 20
|Cap 29
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|those in the head
|the in the foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Tau 23
|Cnc 1 1/2
|Vir 2
|Lib 22
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the left foot (iota)
|the one in the head (delta, ksi)
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |3 hours = 180 min = 45°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>In Latin we call him "auriga" — Erichthonius by name, as Eratosthenes shows. Jupiter seeing that he first among men yoked horses in four-horse chariots, admired the genius of a man who could rival the invention of Sol, who first among the gods made use of the quadriga. Erichthonius first invented the four-horse chariot, as we said before, and also first established sacrifices to Minerva, and a temple on the citadel of the Athenians. Euripides gives the following account of his birth. Vulcan, inflamed by Minerva's beauty, begged her to marry him, but was refused. She hid herself in the place called Hephaestius, on account of the love of Vulcan. They say that Vulcan, following her there, tried to force her, and when, full of passion he tried to embrace her, he was repulsed, and some of his seed fell to the ground. Minerva overcome by shame, with her foot spread dust over it. From this the snake Erichthonius was born, who derives his name from the earth and their struggle. Minerva is said to have hidden him, like a cult-object, in a chest. She brought the chest to the daughters of Erechtheus and gave it to them to guard, forbidding them to open it. But man is by nature so curious, that the oftener he is forbidden to do something, the more he desired to do it. So the girls opened the chest and saw the snake. As a result they were driven mad by Minerva, and threw themselves from the Acropolis. But the snake fled to the shield of Minerva, and was reared by her.

Others have said that Erichthonius merely had snake-legs, and in his youth established the Panathenaic Games for Minerva, himself competing in the four-horse chariot race. In return for these deeds he was placed among the constellations.

Some too, who have written about the stars, have said that the Charioteer was an Argive by birth, named Orsilochus, who first invented the four-horse chariot, and for his invention gained a place among the stars.

Others identified him as the son of Mercury and Clytie, Myrtilus by name, the charioteer of Oinomaus. After his death, the manner of which is common knowledge, his father is said to have put his form in the sky.

On his left shoulder (the goat) Capra stands, and in his left hand the Kids seem to be placed. They tell this story about him. A certain Olenus, son of Vulcan, had two daughters, the nymphs Aex and Helice, who were nurses of Jove. Others have said that certain cities were named from them — Olenus in Aulis, Helice in the Peloponnesus, and Aex in Haemonia — about which Homer writes in the second book of the Iliad. But Parmeniscus say that a certain Melisseus was king in Crete, and to his daughters Jove was brought to nurse. Since they did not have milk, they furnished him a she-goat, Amalthea by name, who is said to have reared him. She often bore twin kids, and at the very time that Jove was brought to her to nurse, had borne a pair. And so because of the kindness of the mother, the kids, too were placed among the constellations. Cleostratus of Tenedos is said to have first pointed out these kids among the stars.

But Musaeus says Jove was nursed by Themis and the nymph Amalthea, to whom he was given by Ops, his mother. Now Amalthea had as a pet a certain goat which is said to have nursed Jove.

Some have called Aex the daughter of Sol, who surpassed many in beauty of body, but in contrast to this beauty, had a most horrible face. Terrified by it, the Titans begged Terra to hide her body, and Terra is said to have hidden her in a cave in the island of Crete. Later she became nurse of Jove, as we have said before. But when Jupiter, confident in his youth, was preparing for war against the Titans, oracular reply was given to him that if he wished to win, he should carry on the war protected with the skin of a goat, aigos, and the head of the Gorgon. The Greeks call this the aegis. When this was done, as we have shown above, Jupiter, overcoming the Titans, gained possession of the kingdom. Covering the remaining bones of the goat with a skin, he gave life to them and memorialised them, picturing them with stars. Afterwards he gave to Minerva the aegis with which he had been protected when he won.

Euhemerus says that a certain Aex was the wife of Pan. When she was embraced by Jove she bore a son whom she called son of Pan. So the child was called Aegipan, and Jove, Aegiochus. Since he was very fond of him, he placed in memory the form of a goat among the stars. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ἠνίοχος. ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ἡνιόχου ἀστερισμός
!Constellation of Auriga
!
|-
|1
|ὁ τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς δύο ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the two on the head
|del Aur
|-
|2
|ὁ βορειότερος καὶ ὑπὲρ τὴν κεφαλήν
|The northernmost [of these], over the head
|xi Aur
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὤμου καλούμευος Αἵξ.
|The star on the left shoulder, called Capella
|alf Aur
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὥμου
|The star on the right shoulder
|bet Aur
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀγκῶνος.
|The star on the right elbow
|nu Aur
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ καρποῦ.
|The star on the right wrist
|tet Aur
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος.
|The star on the left elbow
|eps Aur
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ καρποῦ β καλουμένων Ἑρίφων ὁ ἐπόμενος
|The rearmost of the two stars on the left wrist, which are called 'Haedi'
|eta Aur
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμενος αὐτῶν.
|The more advanced of these
|zet Aur
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ σφυροῦ.
|The star on the left ankle
|iot Aur
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ σφυροῦ κοινὸς κέρατος.
|The star on the right ankle, which is [applied in] common to the horn [of Taurus]
|bet Tau
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου ἀπ’ ἄρκτων ἐν τῷ περιποδύῳ.
|The one to the north of the latter, in the lower hem [of the garment]
|chi Aur
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου βορειότερος ἐπὶ τοῦ γλουτοῦ.
|The one north again of this, on the buttock
|phi Aur
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὸν ἀριστερὸν πόδα μικρός
|The small star over the left foot
|14 Aur
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἰδ, ὥν α μεγέθουςα, β’ ἂ, γ’ β, δ’ὁ, ε β, ς ἂ.
|14 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, l of the second, 2 of the third, 7 of the fourth, 2 of the fifth, 1 of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Heniochos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Heniochos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Capella
|HIP 24608
|Constellation lines
|0.08
|-
|2
|Elnath
|HIP 25428
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.65
|-
|3
|Menkalinan
|HIP 28360
|Constellation lines
|1.9
|-
|4
|Mahasim
|HIP 28380
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.62
|-
|5
|Hassaleh
|HIP 23015
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.69
|-
|6
|Almaaz
|HIP 23416
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.99
|-
|7
|Haedus
|HIP 23767
|Constellation lines
|3.18
|-
|8
|Bagu
|HIP 28358
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.72
|-
|9
|Saclateni
|HIP 23453
|Constellation lines
|3.75
|-
|10
|ν Aurigae
|HIP 27673
|Constellation lines
|3.95
|-
|11
|C 0519+409
|C 0519+409
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|12
|τ Aurigae
|HIP 27483
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|13
|λ Aurigae
|HIP 24813
|Inside the hull
|4.71
|-
|14
|υ Aurigae
|HIP 27639
|Inside the hull
|4.74
|-
|15
|2 Aur
|HIP 22678
|Inside the hull
|4.779
|-
|16
|χ Aurigae
|HIP 25984
|Constellation lines
|4.79
|-
|17
|μ Aurigae
|HIP 24340
|Inside the hull
|4.821
|-
|18
|1 Aur
|HIP 22453
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.867
|-
|19
|σ Aurigae
|HIP 25292
|Constellation lines
|4.996
|-
|20
|ω Aurigae
|HIP 23179
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|21
|KW Aur
|HIP 24504
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|22
|19 Aur
|HIP 24879
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|23
|ϕ Aurigae
|HIP 25541
|Inside the hull
|5.059
|-
|24
|ρ Aurigae
|HIP 25048
|Inside the hull
|5.207
|-
|25
|IQ Aur
|HIP 24799
|Inside the hull
|5.371
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 24902
|Inside the hull
|5.456
|-
|27
|ο Aurigae
|HIP 27196
|Constellation lines
|5.46
|-
|28
| -
|HIP 25143
|Inside the hull
|5.542
|-
|29
|PU Aur
|HIP 24738
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 25001
|Inside the hull
|5.67
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 25492
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|32
| -
|HIP 25471
|Inside the hull
|5.905
|-
|33
| -
|HIP 28343
|Inside the hull
|5.907
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 25291
|Inside the hull
|5.925
|-
|35
|AE Aur
|HIP 24575
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|36
|5 Aur
|HIP 23261
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 25816
|Inside the hull
|5.991
|-
|38
|M 36
|M 36
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 26363
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 22955
|Inside the hull
|6.089
|-
|41
| -
|HIP 26315
|Inside the hull
|6.095
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 23511
|Inside the hull
|6.111
|-
|43
|AR Aur
|HIP 24740
|Inside the hull
|6.144
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 25476
|Inside the hull
|6.151
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 25475
|Inside the hull
|6.158
|-
|46
|NGC 1912 562
|NGC 1912 562
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 24771
|Inside the hull
|6.199
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 23799
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 26071
|Inside the hull
|6.261
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 25290
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 27319
|Inside the hull
|6.292
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 26463
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 25810
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 27777
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|55
|M 38
|M 38
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 25580
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 26592
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 25301
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 27293
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 24332
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 26054
|Inside the hull
|6.474
|-
|62
|6 Aur
|HIP 23268
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 24881
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|64
|18 Aur
|HIP 24832
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 23724
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Aur Fortin1795.jpg|Auriga as Erichtonius in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
</gallery>

== Mythology ==
Three Greek myths must be told for this constellation:

'''The Athens legend:''' Erichthonios is said to have been a man who sprang from the earth goddess Gaia. She gave birth to him after the seed of the god Hephaistos fell on her, and this happened because Hephaistos had pursued Athena, who wanted to remain a virgin. Erichthonios was thus unwittingly fathered by a lustful god and grew out of the earth. He became an admired competitor and, together with another man, led the greatest religious festival in ancient Athens, the Panathenaea.

'''The legend of Pelops''', on the other hand, bears witness to ancient brutality:

Myrtilos was responsible for King Oinomaos' royal chariot. The king had promised his daughter to the man who could defeat him in a chariot race, which was impossible because he would strike his opponents from behind with a spear and kill them. The suitor Pelops therefore outwitted the king with the help of Myrtilos and a pact with the sea god Poseidon. Myrtilos sabotaged the chariot, causing Oinomaos to be dragged to his death and Pelops to win. But then Myrtilos himself claimed the king's daughter, whereupon he was thrown into the sea and drowned. A variation of the legend claims that Poseidon had given his favourite Pelops winged horses, with which he defeated Oinomaos. In any case, Pelops became the new king, which is commemorated to this day in the name of the island, Peloponnese.

'''The goat legend:''' When Zeus was born, the mother goddess Rhea was tired of her husband Kronos swallowing all newborn children. She gave Kronos a stone to swallow and handed the infant over to the Titaness Themis, a goddess of justice, who gave him to the nymphs. Ida nursed him in a cave, Amalthea fed him with the milk of her goat, and the goat Aix defended him from Kronos's gaze, losing a horn in the process. This magical goat's horn, known as the cornucopia, is always filled with whatever its owner desires. Thus Zeus was raised as a boy by his nurses, who were later joined by Ida's sister Adrasteia.

== Weblinks ==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017050 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Auriga]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Aur]][[Category:European]]

Aries

2026-05-20T10:06:16Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Κριός */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Aries (ari).tiff|alt=star chart|thumb|Aries star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]] is Aries, The Ram.

==Etymology and History==
Aries = The Ram in Latin, is a translation of the Ancient Greek constellation name Κριός (krios). It is unknown whether this constellation name was Indigenously from Macedonia, Greece or any other Mediterranean culture and inspired Babylonian transformations, or Babylonian puns led to the creation of a new image with no recognizable patterns among the stars. The latter is regarded more likely.

===Origin of Constellation===
In ancient times,<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> Aries was associated with the first month of the year because the beginning of the year was equated with the awakening of spring and the lambs' leap. In Old and Middle Babylonian, no animal was conceived at this point in the zodiac, but rather a human being: the wage labourer who was now rehired because cattle had to be herded in the pastures and agriculture had to be practised. The Babylonian constellation ‘Wage Labourer’ was associated with the god of shepherds, Dumuzi, the husband of the goddess Inanna/Ishtar.

How the wage labourer became an aries remains a mystery, for which science has several theories: Of course, it may be that the ram was Greek and that when the Babylonian zodiac was adopted, the foreign labourer was simply replaced by a constellation of their own. However, this is unlikely because all other foreign images were adopted, even if it was difficult to integrate them into their own Greek mythology (see Capricorn).

It is therefore more likely that the change already took place in Babylon before the zodiac was exported all over the world. Since the mid-20th century, there has been a hypothesis of a Babylonian play on words: the labourer is called LU.ḪUN.GA, whereby the prefix LU only indicates that this is a designation for a human being. Like all scientists, the Babylonians tended to use abbreviations and often wrote only the sign for the first spoken syllable, i.e. ḪUN: this is documented on clay tablets. However, this cuneiform sign is very similar to the sign for UDU, sheep, so it could be a joke or a misunderstanding in translations into Greek or other languages.

Aratos and Eratosthenes are certain that a ram was sacrificed here. In general, rams were popular sacrificial animals. In addition, Zeus himself is sometimes identified with a ram. The ram in the sky must therefore be a special ram, and that is what the myth is about.

==== Babylonian ====
[[File:Psc+ari+aqr+and.jpg|thumb|Dumuzi, the shepherd god, as Hired Man, as lover of Inanna who is depicted in the constellation Anunitu(m); both east of the One Field-constellation (IKU), and north of the Swallow SIM.MAH and the giant, GU.LA, the god Enki/Ea. Drawings by Robert Perdok and Susanne M Hoffmann 2016, mapped in Stellarium.]]
In the Middle Babylonian (MB) compendium MUL.APIN, no constellation of a ram existed. The constellation in the area of modern Aries was The Hired Man ([[ḪUN.GA2|mul lúḪUN.GA2]] (𒀯𒇽𒂠𒂷) = ''agru'').

The Babylonian asterism of The Ewe ([[U8|U8]]) has nothing to do with this constellation; it is in the area of [[Ursa Major]]. [[File:Kugel Globe Tri.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe: Aries and Triangulum, 1st century BCE (drawing by SMH 2024)]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[225] There too are the paths of the Ram, the swiftest because it speeds round the longest circle and yet does not lag behind the Bear Cynosura as it runs. The Ram itself is faint and starless, as if observed by moonlight, but you can still identify it from the girdle of Andromeda: for it is set a little way below her. [231] It traverses the great sky centrally, where the tips of the Claws and Orion’s belt revolve.</blockquote><blockquote>(Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Psc 18 1/2
|Ari 21
|Sgr 23 1/2
|Cap 14
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one at the front foot
|the rear one of those in the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1 2/5hours = 84 min = 21 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Psc 29
|Ari 26
|Gem 29
|Cnc 29
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one in the front feet
|the rear one of those in the tail
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 hours = 120 min = 30°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>This is thought to be the ram which carried Phrixus and Helle thought the Hellespont. Hesiod and Pherecydes say that it had a fleece of gold; about his we shall speak at greater length elsewhere. Many have said that Helle fell into the Hellespont, was embraced by Neptune, and bore Paeon, or, as some say, Edonus. They say, too, that Phrixus, on coming safely to Aeetes, sacrificed the ram to Jove, and hung the fleece up in the temple. The image of the ram itself, put among the constellations by Nubes, marks the time of year when grain is sown, because Ino earlier sowed it parched — the chief reason for the flight. Eratosthenes says that the ram itself removed its Golden Fleece, and gave it Phrixus as a memorial, and then came of its own accord to the stars; for this reason it seems somewhat dim, as we said before.

Phrixus was born, some say, in the town of Orchomenus, which is in Boeotia; others say, in the district of the Salones of Thessaly. Still others make Cretheus and Athamas with many others, sons of Aeolus; some, again, say that Salmoneus, son of Athamas, was a grandson of Aeolus. Cretheus had Demodice as wife; others name her Biadice. Moved by the beauty of Phrixus, son of Athamas, she fell in love with him, and could not obtain from him favour in return; so, driven by necessity, she accused him to Cretheus, saying that he had attacked her, and many similar things that women say. Stirred by this report, Cretheus, as was fitting for one who deeply loved his wife and was a king, persuaded Athamas to put Phrixus to death. However, Nubes intervened, and rescuing Phrixus and Helle his sister, put them on the ram, and bade them flee as far as they could through the Hellespont Helle fell off and paid the debt to nature, and the Hellespont was named from her name. Phrixus came to the Colchians, and, as we have said, hung up the fleece of the slain ram in a temple. He himself was brought back to Athamas by Mercury, who proved to his father that, relying on innocence, he had fled.

Hermippus says that at the time when Liber was attacking Africa he came with his army to the place called Ammodes from the great quantities of sand. He was in great danger, since he saw he had to advance, and an added difficulty was the great scarcity of water. The army were almost at the point of exhaustion, and the men were wondering what to do, when a certain ram, wandering apart, came by chance near the soldiers. When it saw them it took safety in flight. The soldiers, however, who had seen it, though they were advancing with difficulty oppressed by the sand and heat, gave chase, as if seeking booty from the flames, and followed it to that place which was named from the temple of Jove Hammon later founded there. When they had come there, the ram which they had followed was nowhere to be seen, but what was more to be desired, they found an abundant supply of water, and, refreshed in body, reported it at once to Liber. In joy he led his army to that place, and founded a temple to Jove Hammon, fashioning a statue there with the horns of a ram. He put the ram among the constellations in such a way that when the sun should be in that sign, all growing things would be refreshed; this happens in the spring for the reason that the ram's flight refreshed the army of Liber. He wished it, too, to be chief of the twelve signs, because the ram had been the best leader of his army.

But Leon, who wrote about Egyptian affairs, speaks of the statue of Hammon as follows. When Liber was ruling over Egypt and the other lands, and was said to have introduced all arts to mankind, a certain Hammon came from Africa and brought to him a great flock of sheep, in order more readily to enjoy his favour and be called the first inventor of something. And so, for his kindness, Liber is thought to have given him the land opposite Egyptian Thebes. Accordingly, those who make statues of Hammon, make them with horned heads, so that men may remember that he first showed the use of flocks. Those, however, who have wished to assign the gift to Liber, as not asked for from Hammon, but brought to him voluntarily, make those horned images for Liber, and say that in commemoration the ram was placed among the constellations. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Κριός ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Κριοῦ ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|1
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ κέρως β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars on the horn
|gam Ari
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐπόμεσος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|bet Ari
|-
|3
|ὁ τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ ῥύγχους β ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars on the muzzle
|eta Ari
|-
|4
|ὁ φοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|tet Ari
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ τραχήλου
|The star on the neck
|iot Ari
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος
|The star on the rump
|nu Ari
|-
|7
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The star on the place where the tail joins [the body]
|eps Ari
|-
|8
|τῶν ἐν τῇ οὐρᾷ 7 ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars in the tail
|del Ari
|-
|9
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|zet Ari
|-
|10
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|tau Ari
|-
|11
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ὀπισθομήρῳ!
|The star in the back of the thigh
|rho Ari
|-
|12
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν ἀγκύληη
|The star under the knee-bend
|sig Ari
|-
|13
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὀπισθίου ἀκρόποδος
|The star on the hind hoof
|mu Ari
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ιχ, ὧν γ’ μεγέθους β, δ’ δ,ἐς,ςα
|13 stars, 2 of the third magnitude, 4 of the fourth, 6 of the fifth, 1 of the sixth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Κριὸν ἀμόρφωτοι
!Stars around Aries outside the constellation
!
|-
|14
|ὁ ὑπὲρ τὴν κεφαλήν, ὃυ Ἴππαρχος ἐπὶ τοῦ ῥύγχους
|The star over the head, which Hipparchus [calls] 'the one on the muzzle'
|alf Ari
|-
|15
|τῶν ὑπὲρ τὴν ὀσφὺν δ ὁ ἐπόμενος καὶ λαμπρότερος.
|The 4 stars over the rump: the rearmost, which is brighter [than the others]
|41 Ari
|-
|16
|τῶν λοιπῶν γ’ καὶ ἀμαυροτέρων ὁ βόρειος.
|The 4 stars over the rump: the northernmost of the other 3, fainter stars
|39 Ari
|-
|17
|μέσος τῶν τριῶν
|The 4 stars over the rump: the middle one of these three
|35 Ari
|-
|18
|ὁ νότιος αὐτῶν.
|The 4 stars over the rump: the southernmost of them
|33 Ari
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες ἓ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους ἄ, δ’ ἂ, γ.
|5 stars, 1 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth
|
|}
[[File:Krios Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Krios (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Sheratan
|HIP 8903
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.65
|-
|2
|Bharani
|HIP 13209
|Constellation lines
|3.594
|-
|3
|μ Ceti
|HIP 12828
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.26
|-
|4
|Botein
|HIP 14838
|Constellation lines
|4.37
|-
|5
|Lilii Borea
|HIP 13061
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.51
|-
|6
|Mesarthim
|HIP 8832
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.52
|-
|7
|ϵ Arietis
|HIP 13914
|Constellation lines
|4.63
|-
|8
|35 Ari
|HIP 12719
|Constellation lines
|4.67
|-
|9
|ζ Arietis
|HIP 15110
|Constellation lines
|4.869
|-
|10
|κ Arietis
|HIP 9836
|Inside the hull
|5.019
|-
|11
|ι Arietis
|HIP 9110
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.105
|-
|12
|τ 2 Arietis
|HIP 15737
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.13
|-
|13
|38 Ari
|HIP 12832
|Constellation lines
|5.17
|-
|14
|η Arietis
|HIP 10306
|Constellation lines
|5.2
|-
|15
|33 Ari
|HIP 12489
|Constellation lines
|5.296
|-
|16
|* pi. Ari A
|HIP 13165
|Constellation lines
|5.34
|-
|17
|τ 1 Arietis
|HIP 15627
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.355
|-
|18
|ν Arietis
|HIP 12332
|Constellation lines
|5.451
|-
|19
|σ Arietis
|HIP 13327
|Constellation lines
|5.516
|-
|20
|θ Arietis
|HIP 10732
|Constellation lines
|5.572
|-
|21
|ρ 3 Arietis
|HIP 13702
|Constellation lines
|5.58
|-
|22
|31 Ari
|HIP 12153
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|23
|15 Ari
|HIP 10155
|Inside the hull
|5.688
|-
|24
|19 Ari
|HIP 10328
|Constellation lines
|5.7
|-
|25
|μ Arietis
|HIP 12640
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|26
|ο Arietis
|HIP 12803
|Inside the hull
|5.777
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 13834
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|28
|40 Ari
|HIP 13108
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 11670
|Inside the hull
|5.879
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 13121
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|31
| -
|HIP 9307
|Inside the hull
|5.892
|-
|32
|ρ 2 Arietis
|HIP 13654
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|33
|29 Ari
|HIP 11843
|Constellation lines
|5.988
|-
|34
|53 Ari
|HIP 14514
|Inside the hull
|6.117
|-
|35
|26 Ari
|HIP 11678
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 11578
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|37
| -
|HIP 9627
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|38
|27 Ari
|HIP 11698
|Inside the hull
|6.225
|-
|39
|54 Ari
|HIP 14586
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|40
| -
|HIP 13448
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|41
|85 Cet
|HIP 12647
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 14318
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 10050
|Constellation lines
|6.39
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 12744
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|45
|36 Ari
|HIP 12784
|Inside the hull
|6.398
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 14649
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|47
| -
|HIP 10795
|Inside the hull
|6.441
|-
|48
|30 Ari A
|HIP 12189
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|49
| -
|HIP 15048
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 13269
|Inside the hull
|6.63
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 9248
|Constellation lines
|6.79
|-
|52
| -
|HIP 9492
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|7.19
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 9815
|Constellation lines
|7.55
|}

===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===
<gallery>
File:Aries Bab-stellarium-R-Perdok2016.jpg|Late Babylonian Aries (Perdok 2016)
File:Aratea 34v.jpg|Aries in Leiden Aratea (c. 830)
File:Tri Duerer.JPG|Aries in Dürer (1515).
File:Aries Uranometria.jpg|Aries in Bayer's Uranometria (1603)
File:Apes Plancius1612 Capture.JPG|Aries in Plancius (1612)
File:Aries and Fleur-de-lis (Ignace Gaston Pardies-Plate 2).jpg|Aries and French "Lily" Ignace Gaston Pardies (1674)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Triangulum Majus, Triangulum Minus & Musca (also shows Aries, Andromeda, Piscis Boreus and Perseus).jpg|Aries in Hevelius (1690) with Fly
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - Le Belier (Aries).jpg|Aries in Flamsteed/ Fortin (1776) with a Fly
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Aries and Musca Borealis.jpg|Aries in Hall (1825) with a Fly
</gallery>

==Mythology==
<ref name=":0" />Eratosthenes recounts that the ram was an immortal creature given to the children Phrixos and Helle by the sorceress queen Nephele. She had been rejected by her husband and wanted to save her children from their stepmother. So the flying, talking ram with the golden fleece carried the two children away from the royal palace. He dropped the girl, Helle, into the sea, where she was saved by Poseidon. Helle bore Poseidon a son named Paion, and the sea is now named after the princess, Hellespont. The ram carried the boy, Phrixos, across the Black Sea to King Aietes. Then he took off his golden fleece, gave it to the king as a souvenir, and ascended to the stars himself.

Greek and Roman poets have adapted this story and added more details. They agree that the ram shines only faintly in the sky because its golden fleece remained in Colchis.

There it was hung in the sacred grove, and when the Greeks wanted it back, it gave rise to the voyage of the Argonauts. Jason, who had to earn his throne, travelled across the sea in the Argo and, after his polite requests were ignored, stole the fleece from the grove. He was helped in this by the king's daughter Medea, whom he subsequently married. They spent their wedding night on the golden fleece of the ram.

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017059 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Aries]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:Zodiac]] [[Category:Ari]]

Argo

2026-05-20T10:04:05Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's Almagest */ Added Almagest star total

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Argo over time (smh 2024).gif|alt=animated GIF for Argo of the transformation of the constellation Argo over the course of the centuries from ancient Greek to modern depictions (map: Stellarium) |right|366x366px]]
Argo Navis (short: Argo) is one of the constellations of the Almagest star catalogue (137 CE) that became standardized by common usage of several cultures in the subsequent centuries. In the Early Modern Era, the constellation was changed and finally included in the set of constellations, globally defined by the IAU over the course of the 1920s.

==Concordance, Etymology, History==
There is no Babylonian predecessor at the place of this Greek constellation.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> In the place of the Greek Argo, the Babylonian uranology recognizes the constellations of the Harrow ([[GAN2.UR3|gišGAN2.UR3]], ''[[GAN2.UR3|Maškakātu]]'') and the Asterism of Eridu (''[[Eridu]]''[[Eridu|ki]]).

Yet, the Babylonian uranology does contain a constellation of a ship ([[MA2.GUR8|MA2.GUR8]]) or rather a boat but this is at the opposite site of the sky, frequently identified with the stars in the modern constellations [[Sagittarius]] (Sgr), [[Corona Australis]] (CrA) and [[Capricornus]] (Cap, or only CrA). Some scholars think that The Ship (now called Argo) in the Greek culture is halved and sails backwards through the sky because of hypothetical roots in the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, this scholarly suggestions lacks evidence.

=== Origin of the Constellation ===
Eratosthenes reports that this heavenly ship was the first ship ever built. The reconstruction of his text does not allow for any definite conclusion as to whether the ship was constructed by the goddess Athena herself or by humans. In any case, it is said to have been the first to plough through the inaccessible sea and thus served as a model for all subsequent ships. The constellation is thus a symbol of the invention of the ship. Athena is said not to have placed it in its entirety in the sky because, on the one hand, this image was intended to be a memorial to the gods for the glory of this technical innovation. On the other hand, the existing parts – the mast, the rudder and the oars up to the mast – were intended to encourage sailors in their work. In Roman times (probably the 2nd century CE), Hyginus misunderstood this original Greek statement to mean that half the ship in the sky was intended to encourage sailors in the event of a shipwreck. The true reason for the disappearance of half a ship probably remains hidden in the pre-literate past.

With the star catalogue of the Almagest, the ship can be clearly reconstructed in the sky, and the image thus drawn corresponds to the image on the Farnese Globe. Even in Roman times, the Greek image was drawn unchanged.

With their explorations and voyages of discovery in the south, Europeans expanded the originally normal-sized Greek constellation to cover a very large area: in ancient times, the masthead was seen in the stars now called Pyxis, and the ship's hull ended at the stars κ and δ Velae, the upper right flank of the ‘false cross’. In early modern times, the stars up to β Carinae were added to the ship Argo. In ancient times, these had remained below the horizon in the Mediterranean region and were not assigned to any constellation. This measure made the ship longer, and where there had previously been only a mast, it now had a sail. However, it continued to be depicted as halved. The French astronomer Nicolas-Louis Lacaille considered this modern constellation Argo to be too large. Not only is it large, but its location in the Milky Way also means that it contains a great many stars. When compiling a star catalogue, however, it is practical to insert subheadings (constellation names) from time to time, especially with 160 stars in Argo listed in Lacaille's catalogue of 1755. A subdivision was therefore appropriate.

Thus, the ship was divided into its individual parts, the keel and the sails. The stern had already been depicted by Aratus as adorned with numerous stars. It therefore made sense to separate the stern or aft ship from the long list of stars in the hull. De Lacaille used the stars that had once formed the mast and now appeared to stand incoherently above the Milky Way to mark a grandiose invention of his time: the needle of the marine magnetic compass. Thus, the original constellation of the ship was transformed into a new group of four constellations with a marine context: stern ([[Puppis]]), hull (now [[Carina]]), sails ([[Vela]]) and a ship's compass ([[Pyxis]]), which, confusingly, is not located in the ship (hull) but next to the mast.

==== Babylonian ====
This constellation had only indirect Babylonian precursors. The Babylonians mainly engaged in river navigation with raft-like boats, and in Assyria, seaworthy ships for the Mediterranean are only documented in the 1st millennium, i.e. approximately half a millennium to a whole millennium after the canonisation of the constellations in MUL.APIN. The Babylonian constellation ‘Ship’ is not only in a completely different place in the sky (CrA or south of [[Sagittarius]]), but also looks completely different from the Greek Argo. However, the myths behind the Argo and the Babylonian ship have a common root: both myths and the story of Noah's Ark are likely to go back to a Sumerian original, which is told in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The Epic of Gilgamesh also mentions a ship with a smashed bow, which may explain the representation in the sky. However, these roots may have already been forgotten in the Greek archaic period.

==== Graeco-Roman ====

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>
Close to the great Dog’s tail is Argo towed stern first. Its course is not that of a ship proceeding on its normal business, but its movement is backward-turned, like that of real [345] ships when the sailors have already turned the stern about on entering harbour: all the crew quickly back water, and the ship surging astern makes fast to the land. So this Argo of Jason is towed stern first. Dark and starless from the prow as far as the actual mast she goes, but the rest is all bright. [351] The steering-oar is detached and set fast under the Dog’s hind legs as it runs ahead. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Other names =====
''Ratis'' (Manilius I, 623 and 694; Germanicus 622 and 683), ''Cymba'' (Avienus 757), ''Carina'' (Germanicus 374; Avienus 808), ''Puppis'' (Cic. Arat. 34; 389)

===== Eratosthenes =====

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §14) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Leo 6
|Lib 3 1/2
|Ari 25 1/2
|Cnc 3 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the one under the tip of the tail of the Great Dog, a triple star
|the southernmost [and] bright one at the cut-off of the vessel
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |4 2/3 hours = 280 min = 70 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §14) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Ari 16
|Gem 18
|Cnc 17
|Lib 5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the brightest and southernmost of those in the rudder, also called [[Canopus]]
|the northern one of those in the middle of the mast
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |5 hours = 300 min = 75°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Some have said this ship was called Argo in Greek on account of her speed, others because Argus was her inventor. Many have said she was the first ship on the sea, and for this reason especially was pictured in the stars. Pindar says she was built in the town of Magnesia called Demetrias — Callimachus in that district near the temple of Actian Apollo which the Argonauts are thought to have founded on their departure. The place is called Pagasae, in Greek pagasai, because the Argo was first fitted together there. Homer says that this same place was in the district of Thessaly. Aeschylus and some others say that in the same place a speaking beam was added by Minerva. The entire form of the ship does not appear in the stars; it is divided from stern to mast, signifying that men should not be in despair when their ships are wrecked. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

===Ptolemy's Almagest===
[[File:Azmidi Almagest Stellarium.jpg|thumb|Map of Argo in Stellarium with the Little Shield marked and the star "[[Azmidi]]" highlighted.]]
Argo, The Ship is one of the southern constellations.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Caption text
|-
!No.
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English translation
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ἀργοῦς ἀστερισμός.
!
!
|-
| 1
| τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀκροστολίῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος.||The more advanced of the 2 stars in the stern-ornament||11 (e) Pup
|-
|2
| ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.||The rearmost of them||rho Pup
|-
|3
| τῶν ὑπὲρ τὴν ἐν τῇ πρύμυῃ ἀσπιδίσκην β συνεχῶν ὁ βορειότερος||The northernmost of the 2 stars close together over the little shield in the poop
|xi Pup
|-
|4
| ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶ||The southernmost of them||o Pup
|-
|5
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος.
|The star in advance of these
|m Pup
HR 2944
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐν μέσῃ τῇ ἀσπιδίσκῃ λαμπφός
|The bright star in the middle of the little shield
|HR 2948 +29
|-
|7
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὴν ἀσπιδίσκηη γ’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars under the little shield
|p Pup
HR 2922
|-
|8
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|3 Pup
|-
|9
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν.
|The middle one of the three
|1 Pup
|-
|10
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ χηρίσκου.
|The star on the goose[-neck]
|HR 3113
|-
|11
|τῶν ἐν τῇ τρόπει τῆς πρύμνης β ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars in the stern-keel
|?
|-
|12
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶ
|The southernmost of them
|pi Pup
|-
|13
|τῶν ἐν τῷ καταστρώματι τῆς πρόμνης ὁ βορειότερος.
|Stars in the poop-deck:
1. the northernmost
|f Pup
HR 2937
|-
|14
|τῶν ἐφεξῆς ἡ ὁ προηγούμενος!
|2. the most advanced of the next 3
|HR 2961 + 64
|-
|15
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶ
|3. the middle one
|c Pup
HR 3017
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐπόμευος τῶν τριῶν
|4. the rearmost of the three
|b Pup
HR 3084
|-
|17
|ὁ τούτοις ἐπόμευος ἐπὶ τοῦ καταστρώματος λαμπρός
|5. the bright star on the deck to the rear of these
|zet Pup
|-
|18
|τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν λαμπρὸν ἀμαυρῶν β ὁ προηγούμενος
|6. the more advanced of the 2 faint stars under the bright one
|a Pup
HR 3080
|-
|19
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶ
|7. the rearmost of them
|HR 3162
|-
|20
|τῶν ὑπὲρ τὸν εἰρημένου λαμπρὸν β ὁ ἠγούμενοςἡ
|8. the more advanced of the 2 stars over the above-mentioned bright one
|h1 Pup
HR 3225
|-
|21
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|9. the rearmost of them
|h2 Pup
HR 3243
|-
|22
|τῶν ἐπὶ ταῖς ἀσπιδύσκαις ὡς ἐπὶ τῆς ἱστοδόκης ν’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 3 stars on the little shields, about on the mast holder
|HR 3439
|-
|23
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one
|d Vel
HR 3477
|-
|24
|ὁ γότιος τῶν τριῶν.
|The southernmost of the three
|e Vel
HR 3426
|-
|25
|τῶν ὑπὸ τούτους β συνεχῶν ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the 2 stars close together under these
|*a Vel
HR 3487
|-
|26
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|*b Vel
HR 3445
|-
|27
|τῶν ἐν μέσῳ τῷ ἱστῷ β ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the middle of the mast
|bet Pyx
|-
|28
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν.
|The northernmost of them
|alf Pyx
|-
|29
|τῶν πρὸς τῷ ἄκρῳ τοῦ ἱστοῦ β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars by the tip of the mast
|gam Pyx
|-
|30
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|del Pyx
|-
|31
|ὁ ὑποκάτω τῆς ν’ καὶ ἐπομένης ἀσπιδίσκης
|The star below the 3rd and rearmost little shield
|lam Vel
|-
|32
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀποτομῆς τοῦ καταστρώματος.
|The star on the cut-off of the deck
|psi Vel
|-
|33
|ὁ μεταξὺ τῶν πηδαλίωυ ἐν τῇ τρόπει
|The star between the steering-oars, in the keel
|sig Pup
|-
|34
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμενος ἀμαυρός.
|The faint star to the rear of this
|HR 3055
|-
|35
|ὁ τούτῳ ἐπόμενος ὑπὸ τὸ κατάστρωμα λαμπρός
|The bright star to the rear of this, under the deck
|gam Vel
|-
|36
|ὁ τούτου πρὸς νότου ἐπὶ τῆς κάτω τρόπεως λαμπρός
|The bright star to the south of this, on the lower [part of the] keel
|chi Car
|-
|37
|τῶν ἐπομένων τούτῳ ἢ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars to the rear of this
|omi Vel
|-
|38
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one
|del Vel
|-
|39
|ὁ ἐπόμενος τῶν τριῶν.
|The rearmost of the three
|HR 3498
|-
|40
|τῶν τούτοις ἐπομένων β ὁ πρὸς τῇ ἀποτομῇ ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars to the rear of these, near the cut-off
|kap Vel
|-
|41
|ὁ ἐπόμευος αὐτῶν .
|The rearmost of them
|N Vel
HR 3803
|-
|42
|τῶν ἐν τῷ βορείῳ καὶ ἠγουμένῳ πηδαλίῳ β ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the northern, advance steering-oar
|eta Col
|-
|43
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The rearmost of them
|nu Pup
|-
|44
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῷ λοιπῷ πηδαλίῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος καλούμενος. Κάνωβος
|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the other steering-oar, called Canopus
|alf Car
|-
|45
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The other, rearmost star
|tau Pup
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες με, ὥν α’ μεγέθους ἂ, β’ ξ, ἡ ἱα, δ’ ιθ, εξ, ς’ α
|{45 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 6 of the second, 11 of the third, 19 of the fourth, 7 of the fifth, 1 of the sixth}
|
|}
[[File:Argo Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Argo (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Canopus
|HIP 30438
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
| -0.74
|-
|2
|γ 2 Velorum
|HIP 39953
|Constellation lines
|1.83
|-
|3
|Alsephina
|HIP 42913
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.93
|-
|4
|Suhail
|HIP 44816
|Constellation lines
|2.21
|-
|5
|Naos
|HIP 39429
|Constellation lines
|2.25
|-
|6
|Markeb
|HIP 45941
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.473
|-
|7
|π Puppis
|HIP 35264
|Constellation lines
|2.7
|-
|8
|Tureis
|HIP 39757
|Constellation lines
|2.81
|-
|9
|τ Puppis
|HIP 32768
|Inside the hull
|2.93
|-
|10
|σ Puppis
|HIP 36377
|Constellation lines
|3.25
|-
|11
|Azmidi
|HIP 38170
|Constellation lines
|3.3
|-
|12
|χ Carinae
|HIP 38827
|Constellation lines
|3.431
|-
|13
|ψ Velorum
|HIP 46651
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.6
|-
|14
|c Pup
|HIP 37819
|Inside the hull
|3.61
|-
|15
|ο Velorum
|HIP 42536
|Inside the hull
|3.63
|-
|16
|α Pyxidis
|HIP 42828
|Constellation lines
|3.68
|-
|17
| -
|HIP 38414
|Inside the hull
|3.696
|-
|18
| -
|HIP 44511
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|19
| -
|HIP 42570
|Inside the hull
|3.81
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 43023
|Inside the hull
|3.91
|-
|21
|3 Pup
|HIP 37677
|Constellation lines
|3.93
|-
|22
|β Pyxidis
|HIP 42515
|Constellation lines
|3.954
|-
|23
|γ Pyxidis
|HIP 43409
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.01
|-
|24
| -
|HIP 42884
|Inside the hull
|4.046
|-
|25
| -
|HIP 38164
|Inside the hull
|4.11
|-
|26
| -
|HIP 42312
|Constellation lines
|4.14
|-
|27
|* gam01 Vel
|HR 3206
|Inside the hull
|4.173
|-
|28
|11 Pup
|HIP 38835
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.184
|-
|29
| -
|HIP 38518
|Inside the hull
|4.24
|-
|30
| -
|HIP 40706
|Inside the hull
|4.4
|-
|31
|V Pup
|HIP 38957
|Inside the hull
|4.41
|-
|32
|NS Pup
|HIP 40091
|Inside the hull
|4.42
|-
|33
|* k02 Pup
|HIP 37229
|Inside the hull
|4.429
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 40326
|Inside the hull
|4.44
|-
|35
| -
|HIP 44191
|Inside the hull
|4.446
|-
|36
|QZ Pup
|HIP 38455
|Inside the hull
|4.474
|-
|37
|ο Puppis
|HIP 38070
|Constellation lines
|4.49
|-
|38
|QW Pup
|HIP 34834
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|39
|* f Pup
|HIP 37096
|Inside the hull
|4.53
|-
|40
|1 Pup
|HIP 37648
|Constellation lines
|4.59
|-
|41
|IC 2395
|IC 2395
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|42
| -
|HIP 45448
|Inside the hull
|4.62
|-
|43
| -
|HIP 36917
|Constellation lines
|4.63
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 38500
|Inside the hull
|4.63
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 36514
|Inside the hull
|4.65
|-
|46
|PU Pup
|HIP 37173
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.67
|-
|47
|NV Pup
|HIP 35363
|Inside the hull
|4.67
|-
|48
|Q Pup
|HIP 38089
|Inside the hull
|4.71
|-
|49
|H Vel
|HIP 43878
|Inside the hull
|4.723
|-
|50
| -
|HIP 40096
|Inside the hull
|4.75
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 35020
|Inside the hull
|4.76
|-
|52
|MX Pup
|HIP 40274
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 42624
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|54
|χ Pup
|HIP 38901
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 40945
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|56
|HY Vel
|HIP 42726
|Inside the hull
|4.815
|-
|57
|* B Vel
|HIP 41039
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|58
|A Pup
|HIP 34495
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 37297
|Inside the hull
|4.84
|-
|60
|ζ Pyxidis
|HIP 42483
|Inside the hull
|4.872
|-
|61
|OU Pup
|HIP 34899
|Inside the hull
|4.874
|-
|62
| -
|HIP 36942
|Inside the hull
|4.92
|-
|63
|H Pup
|HIP 34059
|Inside the hull
|4.925
|-
|64
| -
|HIP 43347
|Inside the hull
|4.935
|-
|65
| -
|HIP 45439
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 33357
|Inside the hull
|4.95
|-
|67
|GX Vel
|HIP 45085
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 35226
|Inside the hull
|5.009
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 42088
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 39690
|Inside the hull
|5.021
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 31765
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 37606
|Inside the hull
|5.04
|-
|73
|N Pup
|HIP 38872
|Inside the hull
|5.064
|-
|74
|OS Pup
|HIP 40321
|Inside the hull
|5.064
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 38010
|Inside the hull
|5.068
|-
|76
|GU Vel
|HIP 41483
|Inside the hull
|5.073
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 36114
|Inside the hull
|5.081
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 34670
|Inside the hull
|5.09
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 45505
|Inside the hull
|5.094
|-
|80
|L2 Puppis
|HIP 34922
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|81
|NW Pup
|HIP 35406
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|82
|12 Pup
|HIP 39023
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|83
|KX Vel
|HIP 43413
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|84
|* 212 Pup A
|HIP 38423
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|85
|MZ Pup
|HIP 39487
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|86
|O Pup
|HIP 38917
|Inside the hull
|5.123
|-
|87
|NO Vel
|HIP 40285
|Inside the hull
|5.127
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 32765
|Inside the hull
|5.14
|-
|89
|FZ Vel
|HIP 44093
|Inside the hull
|5.146
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 41639
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 33779
|Inside the hull
|5.151
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 42834
|Inside the hull
|5.16
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 37664
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 41296
|Inside the hull
|5.17
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 40943
|Inside the hull
|5.176
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 39961
|Inside the hull
|5.183
|-
|97
|C Pup
|HIP 34081
|Inside the hull
|5.19
|-
|98
| -
|HR 3359
|Inside the hull
|5.19
|-
|99
|NZ Vel
|HIP 42504
|Inside the hull
|5.19
|-
|100
| -
|HIP 43352
|Inside the hull
|5.194
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 38020
|Inside the hull
|5.208
|-
|102
|IS Vel
|HIP 39970
|Inside the hull
|5.217
|-
|103
|NY Vel
|HIP 42540
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 39061
|Inside the hull
|5.224
|-
|105
|LN Vel
|HIP 42679
|Inside the hull
|5.227
|-
|106
|F Pup
|HIP 35393
|Inside the hull
|5.243
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 45344
|Inside the hull
|5.25
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 45631
|Inside the hull
|5.254
|-
|109
| -
|HIP 34065
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 35957
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 43671
|Inside the hull
|5.302
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 45544
|Inside the hull
|5.304
|-
|113
|E Pup
|HIP 34802
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|114
| -
|HIP 38146
|Inside the hull
|5.313
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 38846
|Inside the hull
|5.346
|-
|116
|171 G. Pup
|HIP 37853
|Inside the hull
|5.362
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 35589
|Inside the hull
|5.367
|-
|118
| -
|HIP 32494
|Inside the hull
|5.379
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 35855
|Inside the hull
|5.39
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 37450
|Inside the hull
|5.393
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 36363
|Inside the hull
|5.395
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 38497
|Inside the hull
|5.418
|-
|123
| -
|HIP 41323
|Inside the hull
|5.42
|-
|124
|NO CMa
|HIP 35795
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 42459
|Inside the hull
|5.439
|-
|126
|OW Pup
|HIP 36778
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|127
|OP Vel
|HIP 43082
|Inside the hull
|5.459
|-
|128
| -
|HIP 38593
|Inside the hull
|5.463
|-
|129
| -
|HIP 43325
|Inside the hull
|5.465
|-
|130
|HX Vel
|HIP 42712
|Inside the hull
|5.468
|-
|131
|KT Vel
|HIP 42715
|Inside the hull
|5.474
|-
|132
|V336 Pup
|HIP 39360
|Inside the hull
|5.497
|-
|133
| -
|HIP 39566
|Inside the hull
|5.509
|-
|134
| -
|HIP 40282
|Inside the hull
|5.514
|-
|135
|* 33 Vel A
|HIP 41616
|Inside the hull
|5.535
|-
|136
| -
|HIP 44299
|Inside the hull
|5.541
|-
|137
| -
|HIP 36258
|Inside the hull
|5.542
|-
|138
| -
|HR 3605
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|139
| -
|HIP 45924
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|140
| -
|HIP 31079
|Inside the hull
|5.573
|-
|141
| -
|HIP 40678
|Inside the hull
|5.578
|-
|142
| -
|HIP 37623
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|143
| -
|HIP 38200
|Inside the hull
|5.585
|-
|144
| -
|HIP 41723
|Inside the hull
|5.588
|-
|145
|V390 Pup
|HIP 37751
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|146
| -
|HIP 42535
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|147
| -
|HIP 35181
|Inside the hull
|5.622
|-
|148
| -
|HIP 37590
|Constellation lines
|5.628
|-
|149
| -
|HIP 42564
|Inside the hull
|5.648
|-
|150
|NN Vel
|HIP 39919
|Inside the hull
|5.654
|-
|151
|MY Pup
|HIP 37174
|Inside the hull
|5.658
|-
|152
| -
|HIP 37043
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|153
|V372 Car
|HIP 38438
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|154
|PR Pup
|HIP 35029
|Inside the hull
|5.715
|-
|155
| -
|HIP 42923
|Inside the hull
|5.722
|-
|156
| -
|HIP 45962
|Inside the hull
|5.729
|-
|157
|XY Pyx
|HIP 41515
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|158
| -
|HIP 37329
|Inside the hull
|5.747
|-
|159
| -
|HIP 43148
|Inside the hull
|5.748
|-
|160
|AH Vel
|HIP 40155
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|161
| -
|HIP 32402
|Inside the hull
|5.761
|-
|162
| -
|HIP 40344
|Inside the hull
|5.765
|-
|163
| -
|HIP 36362
|Inside the hull
|5.768
|-
|164
| -
|HIP 45122
|Inside the hull
|5.769
|-
|165
| -
|HIP 36848
|Constellation lines
|5.77
|-
|166
| -
|HIP 37322
|Inside the hull
|5.77
|-
|167
| -
|HIP 42177
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|168
|D Pup
|HIP 34339
|Inside the hull
|5.783
|-
|169
| -
|HIP 37710
|Inside the hull
|5.784
|-
|170
| -
|HIP 35202
|Inside the hull
|5.797
|-
|171
| -
|HIP 37223
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|172
|NGC 2477
|NGC 2477
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|173
|QS Pup
|HIP 38159
|Inside the hull
|5.805
|-
|174
| -
|HIP 40077
|Inside the hull
|5.806
|-
|175
| -
|HIP 43603
|Inside the hull
|5.806
|-
|176
| -
|HIP 39380
|Inside the hull
|5.808
|-
|177
| -
|HIP 40357
|Inside the hull
|5.836
|-
|178
|M Pup
|HIP 35347
|Inside the hull
|5.839
|-
|179
| -
|HIP 41621
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|180
| -
|HIP 39184
|Inside the hull
|5.846
|-
|181
| -
|HIP 45314
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|182
| -
|HIP 45386
|Inside the hull
|5.85
|-
|183
| -
|HIP 36444
|Inside the hull
|5.863
|-
|184
| -
|HIP 43370
|Inside the hull
|5.867
|-
|185
|V392 Pup
|HIP 37915
|Inside the hull
|5.869
|-
|186
| -
|HIP 37752
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|187
| -
|HIP 44024
|Inside the hull
|5.876
|-
|188
| -
|HIP 42614
|Inside the hull
|5.879
|-
|189
| -
|HIP 41074
|Inside the hull
|5.883
|-
|190
| -
|HIP 36143
|Inside the hull
|5.884
|-
|191
| -
|HIP 41081
|Inside the hull
|5.887
|-
|192
| -
|HIP 43589
|Inside the hull
|5.889
|-
|193
| -
|HIP 39251
|Inside the hull
|5.893
|-
|194
|Cl Pismis 4
|Cl Pismis 4
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|195
| -
|HIP 38267
|Inside the hull
|5.907
|-
|196
| -
|HIP 42001
|Inside the hull
|5.908
|-
|197
| -
|HIP 45270
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|198
|LR Vel
|HIP 45675
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|199
|V397 Pup
|HIP 38167
|Inside the hull
|5.936
|-
|200
| -
|HIP 35054
|Inside the hull
|5.942
|-
|201
| -
|HIP 39527
|Inside the hull
|5.943
|-
|202
| -
|HIP 42147
|Inside the hull
|5.944
|-
|203
| -
|HIP 35084
|Inside the hull
|5.947
|-
|204
| -
|HIP 34349
|Inside the hull
|5.952
|-
|205
| -
|HIP 35564
|Inside the hull
|5.953
|-
|206
| -
|HIP 39014
|Inside the hull
|5.963
|-
|207
| -
|HIP 41674
|Inside the hull
|5.969
|-
|208
|NAME HD 79416AB
|HIP 45189
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|209
|V468 Pup
|HIP 37345
|Inside the hull
|5.996
|-
|210
| -
|HIP 39122
|Inside the hull
|5.996
|-
|211
| -
|HIP 43392
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|212
| -
|HIP 45127
|Inside the hull
|6.002
|-
|213
| -
|HIP 37823
|Inside the hull
|6.012
|-
|214
| -
|HIP 40324
|Inside the hull
|6.014
|-
|215
|V438 Pup
|HIP 41250
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|216
| -
|HIP 41861
|Inside the hull
|6.021
|-
|217
| -
|HIP 45814
|Inside the hull
|6.027
|-
|218
| -
|HR 3386
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|219
|QU Pup
|HIP 38370
|Inside the hull
|6.032
|-
|220
| -
|HIP 45481
|Inside the hull
|6.04
|-
|221
| -
|HIP 41373
|Inside the hull
|6.041
|-
|222
|V390 Car
|HIP 37248
|Inside the hull
|6.044
|-
|223
| -
|HIP 46114
|Inside the hull
|6.049
|-
|224
| -
|HR 2726
|Inside the hull
|6.055
|-
|225
| -
|HIP 40341
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|226
| -
|HIP 38845
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|227
|IU Vel
|HIP 44213
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|228
| -
|HIP 34253
|Inside the hull
|6.083
|-
|229
| -
|HIP 46093
|Inside the hull
|6.086
|-
|230
| -
|HIP 36807
|Inside the hull
|6.095
|-
|231
|NGC 2669
|NGC 2669
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|232
|PY Pup
|HIP 39153
|Inside the hull
|6.107
|-
|233
|V461 Car
|HIP 39225
|Inside the hull
|6.111
|-
|234
| -
|HIP 42455
|Inside the hull
|6.114
|-
|235
| -
|HIP 38635
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|236
| -
|HIP 40485
|Inside the hull
|6.132
|-
|237
|T Pup
|HIP 38074
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|238
| -
|HIP 39617
|Inside the hull
|6.141
|-
|239
| -
|HIP 40947
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|240
|MX Vel
|HIP 39584
|Inside the hull
|6.159
|-
|241
| -
|HIP 43394
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|242
| -
|HIP 31265
|Inside the hull
|6.172
|-
|243
| -
|HIP 46067
|Inside the hull
|6.188
|-
|244
| -
|HIP 46297
|Inside the hull
|6.19
|-
|245
| -
|HIP 37202
|Inside the hull
|6.191
|-
|246
| -
|HIP 43073
|Inside the hull
|6.194
|-
|247
| -
|HIP 39920
|Inside the hull
|6.209
|-
|248
| -
|HIP 38879
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|249
| -
|HIP 33590
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|250
| -
|HIP 45002
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|251
| -
|HIP 41986
|Inside the hull
|6.221
|-
|252
| -
|HIP 44367
|Inside the hull
|6.238
|-
|253
| -
|HR 3234
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|254
|V376 Pup
|HIP 36728
|Inside the hull
|6.247
|-
|255
| -
|HIP 39035
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|256
| -
|HIP 33139
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|257
| -
|HIP 39038
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|258
| -
|HIP 43807
|Inside the hull
|6.26
|-
|259
| -
|HIP 46045
|Inside the hull
|6.264
|-
|260
| -
|HIP 43195
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|261
| -
|HIP 45242
|Inside the hull
|6.267
|-
|262
|NP Pup
|HIP 33189
|Inside the hull
|6.27
|-
|263
| -
|HIP 39420
|Inside the hull
|6.271
|-
|264
| -
|HIP 36856
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|265
| -
|HIP 41737
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|266
| -
|HIP 45259
|Inside the hull
|6.296
|-
|267
| -
|HIP 35893
|Inside the hull
|6.297
|-
|268
| -
|HIP 36045
|Inside the hull
|6.297
|-
|269
| -
|HIP 35463
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|270
|Cl Bochum 15
|Cl Bochum 15
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|271
|NGC 2546
|NGC 2546
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|272
| -
|HIP 40183
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|273
| -
|HIP 38183
|Inside the hull
|6.313
|-
|274
| -
|HIP 37939
|Inside the hull
|6.315
|-
|275
| -
|HIP 39691
|Inside the hull
|6.317
|-
|276
| -
|HIP 45603
|Inside the hull
|6.319
|-
|277
|V436 Pup
|HIP 41107
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|278
|OX Pup
|HIP 37982
|Inside the hull
|6.322
|-
|279
|AI Pyx
|HIP 43114
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|280
| -
|HIP 38355
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|281
| -
|HIP 41449
|Inside the hull
|6.331
|-
|282
| -
|HIP 41813
|Inside the hull
|6.333
|-
|283
| -
|HIP 39299
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|284
|PQ Pup
|HIP 39866
|Inside the hull
|6.339
|-
|285
| -
|HIP 36657
|Inside the hull
|6.346
|-
|286
| -
|HIP 43520
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|287
| -
|HIP 41941
|Inside the hull
|6.354
|-
|288
| -
|HIP 38667
|Inside the hull
|6.356
|-
|289
| -
|HIP 43177
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|290
| -
|HIP 37128
|Inside the hull
|6.362
|-
|291
|VX Pyx
|HIP 41939
|Inside the hull
|6.366
|-
|292
|HZ Vel
|HIP 43354
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|293
| -
|HIP 36345
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|294
|GK Vel
|HIP 46194
|Inside the hull
|6.371
|-
|295
| -
|HIP 41781
|Inside the hull
|6.373
|-
|296
| -
|HIP 40291
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|297
| -
|HIP 44423
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|298
| -
|HIP 41926
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|299
| -
|HIP 42070
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|300
| -
|HIP 40220
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|301
| -
|HIP 37666
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|302
|PX Pup
|HIP 38792
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|303
| -
|HIP 39514
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|304
| -
|HIP 32918
|Inside the hull
|6.404
|-
|305
| -
|HIP 37461
|Inside the hull
|6.406
|-
|306
| -
|HIP 43590
|Inside the hull
|6.409
|-
|307
| -
|HR 3251
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|308
| -
|HIP 42071
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|309
| -
|HIP 42775
|Inside the hull
|6.411
|-
|310
| -
|HIP 40433
|Inside the hull
|6.418
|-
|311
| -
|HIP 42075
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|312
| -
|HIP 43209
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|313
| -
|HIP 40656
|Inside the hull
|6.422
|-
|314
| -
|HIP 38686
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|315
| -
|HIP 33909
|Inside the hull
|6.431
|-
|316
| -
|HIP 42123
|Inside the hull
|6.431
|-
|317
| -
|HIP 42400
|Inside the hull
|6.431
|-
|318
| -
|HIP 38963
|Inside the hull
|6.432
|-
|319
| -
|HIP 40397
|Inside the hull
|6.437
|-
|320
| -
|HIP 40787
|Inside the hull
|6.437
|-
|321
| -
|HIP 44509
|Inside the hull
|6.438
|-
|322
| -
|HIP 40063
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|323
| -
|HIP 40749
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|324
|V469 Car
|HIP 41644
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|325
| -
|HD 57853
|Inside the hull
|6.443
|-
|326
| -
|HIP 40016
|Inside the hull
|6.447
|-
|327
| -
|HIP 43673
|Inside the hull
|6.447
|-
|328
| -
|HIP 34177
|Inside the hull
|6.449
|-
|329
| -
|HIP 37996
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|330
| -
|HIP 38292
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|331
| -
|HIP 33015
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|332
| -
|HIP 38925
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|333
| -
|HIP 41970
|Inside the hull
|6.461
|-
|334
| -
|HIP 43573
|Inside the hull
|6.463
|-
|335
| -
|HIP 40160
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|336
| -
|HIP 40299
|Inside the hull
|6.476
|-
|337
| -
|HIP 44979
|Inside the hull
|6.476
|-
|338
| -
|HIP 43528
|Inside the hull
|6.478
|-
|339
| -
|HIP 38316
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|340
| -
|HIP 41806
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|341
| -
|HIP 41905
|Inside the hull
|6.481
|-
|342
| -
|HIP 37293
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|343
|NO Puppis
|HIP 41361
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|344
| -
|HIP 41426
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|345
|AK Pyx
|HIP 43215
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|346
| -
|HIP 42302
|Inside the hull
|6.499
|-
|347
|NGC 2527
|NGC 2527
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|348
| -
|HIP 36837
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.65
|-
|349
| -
|HIP 37611
|Constellation lines
|6.93
|-
|350
| -
|HIP 36987
|Constellation lines
|7
|-
|351
| -
|HIP 37389
|Constellation lines
|7.8
|-
|352
| -
|HIP 37270
|Constellation lines
|8.26
|}

===Bayer's Uranometria===

===de Houtman's Star Catalogue===
==Transformation Images==
<gallery>
File:Argo almagest.jpg|Argo stickfigure according to the Almagest (published in Stellarium 2021)
File:Argo almagest+farnese.jpg|Argo stickfigure according to the Almagest and drawing from the contemporary Farnese marble Globe (both published in Stellarium 2021).
File:Argo farnese.jpg|Argo as drawn on the Farnese Globe (Stellarium 2021).
File:Argo leidenAratea.jpg|Argo in the Leiden Aratea (published in Stellarium 2022)
File:Argo earlymodern stickfig.jpg|Argo early modern stick figure (here first published)
File:Argo bayer1603.jpg|Argo drawn in Bayer (1603)
File:Argo doppelmayr1742.jpg|Argo drawn by Doppelmayr (1742)
File:Argo Bode1782.jpg|Argo drawn by Bode (1782)
File:Arg Fortin1795.jpg|Argo in Fortin's Atlas Céleste, 3rd edition (1795).
</gallery>

== Splitting Argo up into three constellations ==
[[File:Argo over time (smh 2024).gif|alt=animated GIF for Argo|thumb|animated GIF of the transformation of the constellation Argo over the course of the centuries from ancient Greek to modern depictions (map: Stellarium) ]]
In 1755, Nicolas Louis de Lacaille divided Argo into the three modern constellations that occupy much of the same area: Carina (the keel), Puppis (the poop deck or stern), and Vela (the sails).

In his 1768 ''Coelum Australe Stelliferum'', Lacaille divided the more than 160 stars in the constellation into the regions ''Argûs in carina'' (Carina, the keel), ''Argûs in puppi'' (Puppis, the stern), and ''Argûs in velis'' (Vela, the sails).

== Mythology ==
According to legend, the king's son Jason, accompanied by numerous other Greek heroes, set sail for Colchis, a region between the Caucasus and the Black Sea. From Thessaly in northern Greece, he chose his companions and made preparations for the journey, while a shipbuilder named Argos constructed the ship that was named after him. Argos went on board for the maiden voyage, and Jason's Argonauts to Colchis also included the twins Castor and Polydeuces (Latin: Pollux) and the musician Orpheus.

Their task was to capture the Golden Fleece of the flying and talking ram Chrysomeles. To do this, they sailed through the Isthmus, which until then had been reputed to be impassable for ships. The rocks on its shores are said to have moved whenever a ship approached them. The Argonauts outwitted the rocks with a trick by sending a dove ahead. The bird managed to escape the rocks, which then stopped shaking and allowed the Argo to pass.

The Argo is considered the first seaworthy ship. This can be reconciled with the legend by the fact that attempts had previously been made to cross the isthmus with river boats, which apparently failed.

The Argo then sailed across the Black Sea, reached Colchis, where Jason captured not only the Golden Fleece but also the king's daughter, and then continued on to new adventures for the Argonauts. After numerous other heroic deeds, the ship was initially erected as a monument. The elderly Jason then visited the rotting ship and lay down to rest in the wreck. As part of the mast broke off and killed him, he found his final resting place here. The remains of the ship were then placed in the sky by Poseidon.

Since the Greek Argo myth, like the Babylonian constellation Ship and Noah's Ark, also goes back to a Sumerian flood myth, it is worth mentioning what this ark might have looked like. A cuneiform text was discovered in the British Museum in London that describes in great detail the appearance of this monstrous ship that saved the animal world. In the mid-2010s, the media reported on the reconstruction of this huge round river boat. This shape (without sails and mast) impressively proves that the Argo really only has the mythological background in common with the ark and neither its shape nor its place in the sky.

== Weblinks ==

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017083 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Argo]

==References==

* [[References|References (general)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (early modern)]]
* Ian Ridpath's website ([http://ianridpath.com/startales/argo.html Argo], [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/argo2.html Argo_2])

[[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category: Eurasia]]
[[Category: European]]
[[Category: Ancient Greek]]
[[Category: Modern]]
[[Category: Almagest]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Aquila

2026-05-20T09:58:10Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's Almagest Αετός. */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Aquila IAU.svg|thumb|Aquila as IAU constellation in the borders of 1930s, IAU & S&T. ]]
[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG|thumb|Depiction of Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe, SMH 2024.]]
Aquila, the Eagle, is one of the official IAU constellations. Its history goes back to a Sumerian constellation ([[TE8.mušen|TI8muš]]en, The Eagle or The Vulture) in the same area of the sky. In Babylonian uranography, the neighboring constellation is a corpse, and in Ptolemy's Almagest the asterism of [[Antinous]] (a recently passed away and deified favourite of the Roman emperor Hadrian) is split off.

== Etymology and History ==
"Aquila" is the Latin translation of the Ancient Greek term which is the translation of an Akkadian term which is the translation of a Sumerian term. It is unknown whether the Sumerians distinguished betwen eagles and vultures. The Greek term and mythology clearly refer to an eagle as a symbol of divine power. Still, the original Sumerian constellation might have had a different context: as it was placed next to the Sumerian constellation of The Corpse, the bird might have been considered a vulture.

The confusion of the Eagle and the Vulture can be traced throughout all epochs. In medieval manuscripts Aquila was also commonly known as "vultur volans", see [https://www.thesaxlproject.com/assets/Uploads/00-Aquila-Master-0-R-6-October-2023.pdf Saxl-Project] while similarly, the (originally Arabian) eagle in [[Lyra]] also got the Latin name "vultur cadens". These names are preserved in late-medieval European astrolabes, star catalogues and from the sixteenth-century onwards on celestial globes. See for example the celestial globe [https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-233257345/view (1551) of Gerard Mercator]. The term "lucida vulturis" for Altair remained popular until far into the 17th century, and Bode's celestial atlas uses the German rhyme "der Geyer mit der Leyer" (the vulture with the lyre) for [[Lyra]].

<ref name=":0" />However, the arrow is not depicted on the Farnese Globe, as some of the smaller constellations are missing there. There is also no room for it because the eagle is hanging upside down, its head resting on the brightest star and its feet pointing towards the swan: it looks as if the swan is pecking at the eagle's talons. Compared to the image we can draw using the Almagest star catalogue, this Greek eagle is rotated by 180°.

In fact, the constellation of the eagle can also be found in this position in the sky in Mesopotamian astronomy of the 2nd millennium BCE. This suggests that the constellation was adopted into Greek culture from Babylon: although it does not belong to the zodiac, it is close to it and mythologically intertwined with Aquarius in the zodiac.

Interestingly, near the Babylonian eagle is the Babylonian constellation ‘Dead Man’ or ‘Corpse,’ which has no analogue in Greek. It may have been located in the area east of the star Atair in Aquila, but it is impossible to say for sure. It is possible that Babylonian uranography referred to the constellation Delphinus as the corpse. Alternatively, the corpse could also have been located further south, i.e. ‘below’ the eagle. Calculations of Babylonian constellations do not allow for an exact position in declination, but only an estimate of the area in right ascension.

One argument in favour of the southern variant is that Ptolemy simply renamed a group of stars in Aquila in his Almagest, calling them ‘Antinous’. This young man was a favourite of the contemporary Emperor Hadrian and could be stylised in modern terms as the constellation of homosexual love – although pederasty in ancient times had a different, more initiatory and educational character. All that is known about Antinous is that he drowned in the Nile in 130 CE for unknown reasons, whereupon a new cult was established throughout the Roman Empire: festivals were invented, temples built and other things done in his honour, so that his death by the astronomer in Alexandria comes as no surprise. However, he depicts him as a dead man carried by the (established) constellation Aquila. The figure of the double constellation ‘Aquila with Antinous’ in Ptolemy can be reconstructed from the star names and coordinates, and this eagle does not have outstretched wings, but flies from west to east. He is depicted in profile.

Since Ptolemy makes numerous references to direct Babylonian sources, for example by using data on solar and lunar eclipses from there, it cannot be ruled out that his Antinous corresponds to the Babylonian constellation of the corpse.

Incidentally, the interpretation of the bird as an eagle is unclear for the Babylonian constellation: the language does not allow for a distinction between eagles and vultures. A vulture as a scavenger would suggest a very old interpretation of the constellation, which could perhaps even be related to the hygienic and medically advisable burial of the dead. A vulture next to a corpse makes more sense in this respect. However, when it comes to ideas about life after death, the eagle is more appropriate: in Sumerian and Babylonian culture, it is a symbol of life, which is best illustrated in the ancient myth of Etana. The constellation is also located in the Milky Way, which is interpreted in numerous cultures as a road to the afterlife, so that a connection to the cult of the dead is virtually inevitable.

Regardless of whether it was an eagle or a vulture, this constellation of a bird of prey has been found in Mesopotamian culture at that point in the sky since at least MUL.APIN.

=== Origin of constellation ===
The constellation of The Eagle [[TE8.mušen|mulTE8]] is listed in the Mesopotamian creation myth "Enuma Anu Enlil", in Astrolab P and Astrolab B, and in MUL.APIN's first list, all dating to the 2nd millennium BCE.

==== Babylonian ====
see

* The Eagle [[TE8.mušen|mulTE8]]

==== Graeco-Roman constellation ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[311] Ahead of the Archer is another Arrow lying all by itself without a bow. The Bird is outstretched beside it, nearer to the north. Close to it another bird is wafted, inferior in size, but stormy when it rises from the sea at the departure of night; and men call it the Eagle. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>The popular didactic poem by Aratos describes this bird as ‘dangerous when it emerges from the sea’ and calls it ‘the blown away’. Etymologically, this may be correct, but eagles do not emerge from the sea. The sentence therefore does not refer to the animal, but to the astronomy of the sunrise.<ref name=":0">Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>

===== Eratosthenes =====
Eratosthenes believes that the eagle is the only bird that flies towards the sun without ducking away from its rays. He explicitly mentions that the eagle is depicted with outstretched wings, as if it were swooping down. Its head is therefore facing south towards Aquarius and its tail feathers point north towards Lyra and Cygnus. Germanicus in Roman times supports this idea with his description of the eagle guarding the arrow of Eros, which makes humans and even Zeus fall in love. On the Carolingian Aratea, the eagle is therefore depicted holding the arrow in its talons.<ref name=":0" />

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §13) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of Aquila ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Sgr 9
|Sgr 13 1/2
|Vir 24
|Vir 29 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the northern one of the two small in the wings
|the southern of the three bright ones in the body
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/8 hours = 127.5 min = 31 7/8 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §13) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 16 1/2
|Cap 23
|Ari 2
|Ari 8
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the two little ones in the wing
|the northern one of the three bright ones in the body
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |1/3 hours = 20 min = 5°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Geminos =====
[[File:Aql Alm+Farnese stellarium.gif|thumb|Aquila as stickfigure drawn to the description in the Almagest (137 CE) and as drawn on the Farnese Globe (marble, 2nd c. CE), mapped to Stellarium by Susanne M Hoffmann (2021)]]

===== Ptolemy's Almagest Αετός. =====
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Αετοῦ ἀστερισμός
!
!
|-
|
|ὁ ἐῃ μέσῃ τῇ κεφαλῇ
|The star in the middle of the head
|τ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ τραχήλου.
|The one in advance of this, on the neck
|β Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ μεταφρένου λαμπρὸς καλούμενος Ἀετός
|The bright star on the place between the shoulders, called Aquila
|αAql
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου σύνεγγυς ἀπ’ ἄρκτων
|The one close to this towards the north
|ο Aql
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 in the left shoulder
|γ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|φ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὤμῳ δύο ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two in the right shoulder
|μ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἑπόμευος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|σ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν οὐρὰν τοῦ Ἀετοῦ ἀπωτέρω ἀπτόμενος τοῦ γαλαξίου.
|The star some distance under the tail of Aquila, touching the Milky Way
|ζ Aql
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ὅ, ὥν β’ μεγέθους ἄ, γ’ ὅ, δ’ α, ε' γ'
|9 stars, 1 of the second magnitude, 4 of the third, 1 of the fourth, 3 of the fifth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν άετόν, ἐφ’ ὧν ὁ Ἀντίνοος
!The stars araund Aquila, to which the name 'Antinous' is given
!
|-
|
|Τὸ τῶν ἀπὸ φότου τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Ἀετοῦ β ὁ προηγούμενος,
|The more advanced of the 2 stars south of the head of Aquila
|η Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμερος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|θ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἀπὸ νότου καὶ λιβὸς τοῦ δεξιοῦ ὤμου τοῦ Ἀετοῦ.
|The star to the south and west of the right shoulder of Aquila
|δ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας
|The one to the south of this
|ι Aql
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου φοτιώτερος
|The one to the south again of the latter
|κ Aql
|-
|
|ὁ πάντου προηφούμευος.
|The star most in advance of all
|λ Aql
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρες ξ, ὥν γ’ μεγέθους ὅ, δ’ ἄ,
|6 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 1 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth
|
|}
[[File:Aetos kai Antinoos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Aetos kai Antinoos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Altair
|HIP 97649
|Inside the hull
|0.76
|-
|2
|Tarazed
|HIP 97278
|Constellation lines
|2.72
|-
|3
|Okab
|HIP 93747
|Constellation lines
|2.99
|-
|4
|Antinous
|HIP 99473
|Inside the hull
|3.22
|-
|5
|δ Aquilae
|HIP 95501
|Constellation lines
|3.36
|-
|6
|λ Aquilae
|HIP 93805
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.43
|-
|7
|Alshain
|HIP 98036
|Constellation lines
|3.71
|-
|8
|η Aquilae
|HIP 97804
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|9
|ϵ Aquilae
|HIP 93244
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.02
|-
|10
|ι Aquilae
|HIP 96468
|Constellation lines
|4.36
|-
|11
|μ Aquilae
|HIP 96229
|Constellation lines
|4.45
|-
|12
|Libertas
|HIP 97938
|Inside the hull
|4.707
|-
|13
|ν Aquilae
|HIP 95585
|Constellation lines
|4.72
|-
|14
|κ Aquilae
|HIP 96483
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.96
|-
|15
|26 Aql
|HIP 95066
|Inside the hull
|4.99
|-
|16
|36 Aql
|HIP 95937
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|17
|18 Aql
|HIP 93867
|Inside the hull
|5.086
|-
|18
|ο Aquilae
|HIP 97675
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|19
|21 Aql
|HIP 94477
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|20
| -
|HIP 95447
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|21
|σ Aquilae
|HIP 96665
|Constellation lines
|5.17
|-
|22
|19 Aql
|HIP 94068
|Constellation lines
|5.23
|-
|23
|11 Aql
|HIP 93203
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.258
|-
|24
|ϕ Aquilae
|HIP 98103
|Constellation lines
|5.278
|-
|25
|23 Aql
|HIP 94885
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|26
|ω1 Aquilae
|HIP 94834
|Inside the hull
|5.283
|-
|27
|132 G. Aql
|HIP 100541
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.301
|-
|28
|χ Aquilae
|HIP 96957
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|29
|27 Aql
|HIP 95073
|Inside the hull
|5.451
|-
|30
|66 Aql
|HIP 99631
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.47
|-
|31
|Tianfu
|HIP 98823
|Inside the hull
|5.508
|-
|32
|28 Aql
|HIP 94982
|Inside the hull
|5.518
|-
|33
|64 Ser
|HIP 93051
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.551
|-
|34
| -
|HIP 95822
|Inside the hull
|5.564
|-
|35
|22 Aql
|HIP 94727
|Inside the hull
|5.569
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 94624
|Constellation lines
|5.571
|-
|37
|V1291 Aql
|HIP 97871
|Constellation lines
|5.619
|-
|38
| -
|HIP 94720
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|39
|58 Aql
|HIP 97980
|Inside the hull
|5.631
|-
|40
|45 Aql
|HIP 96807
|Inside the hull
|5.637
|-
|41
|ϵ Sagittae
|HIP 96516
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.659
|-
|42
|42 Aql
|HIP 96556
|Constellation lines
|5.68
|-
|43
|62 Aql
|HIP 98844
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|44
|π Aquilae
|HIP 97473
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|45
| -
|HIP 95572
|Inside the hull
|5.754
|-
|46
|35 Aql
|HIP 95793
|Inside the hull
|5.783
|-
|47
|42 G. Aql
|HIP 95222
|Inside the hull
|5.811
|-
|48
|13 G. Aql
|HIP 93580
|Inside the hull
|5.815
|-
|49
|49 G. Aql
|HIP 95732
|Inside the hull
|5.839
|-
|50
|103 G. Aql
|HIP 98526
|Constellation lines
|5.91
|-
|51
|υ Aquilae
|HIP 97229
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|52
|64 Aql
|HIP 99171
|Inside the hull
|5.968
|-
|53
| -
|HIP 96481
|Inside the hull
|5.975
|-
|54
|QS Aql
|HIP 96840
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|55
|ω2 Aquilae
|HIP 95002
|Inside the hull
|6.012
|-
|56
| -
|HIP 95898
|Inside the hull
|6.042
|-
|57
|V923 Aql
|HIP 95929
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|58
|R Aql
|HIP 93820
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|59
| -
|HIP 97970
|Inside the hull
|6.127
|-
|60
|85 G. Aql
|HIP 97687
|Constellation lines
|6.13
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 97767
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|62
|34 G. Aql
|HIP 94833
|Inside the hull
|6.174
|-
|63
|101 G. Aql
|HIP 98385
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|64
|7 G. Aql
|HIP 93138
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|65
|88 G. Aql
|HIP 97697
|Inside the hull
|6.233
|-
|66
|ψ Aquilae
|HIP 97139
|Inside the hull
|6.243
|-
|67
|52 G. Aql
|HIP 95812
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|68
|STF 2644AB
|HIP 99585
|Constellation lines
|6.27
|-
|69
|12 G. Aql
|HIP 93488
|Inside the hull
|6.271
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 95664
|Constellation lines
|6.303
|-
|71
|37 G. Aql
|HIP 94916
|Inside the hull
|6.311
|-
|72
|25 G. Aql
|HIP 94149
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|73
|46 Aql
|HIP 96931
|Inside the hull
|6.321
|-
|74
|44 G. Aql
|HIP 95253
|Inside the hull
|6.346
|-
|75
|67 G. Aql
|HIP 96630
|Inside the hull
|6.358
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 96428
|Inside the hull
|6.364
|-
|77
|61 G. Aql
|HIP 96351
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|78
|24 Aql
|HIP 94913
|Inside the hull
|6.404
|-
|79
|75 G. Aql
|HIP 97144
|Inside the hull
|6.428
|-
|80
|Chechia
|HIP 99894
|Inside the hull
|6.446
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 97454
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|82
|V1339 Aql
|HIP 97607
|Inside the hull
|6.478
|-
|83
|V450 Aql
|HIP 96204
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|84
|77 G. Aql
|HIP 97244
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|85
| -
|HIP 94478
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|86
| -
|HIP 95453
|Inside the hull
|6.499
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 93990
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 98922
|Constellation lines
|6.755
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 97384
|Constellation lines
|6.77
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 98314
|Constellation lines
|6.77
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 98313
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|6.83
|-
|92
| -
|HIP 97762
|Constellation lines
|7.51
|-
|93
| -
|HIP 97662
|Constellation lines
|7.64
|-
|94
| -
|HIP 98348
|Constellation lines
|8.17
|}
'''Hyginus, Astronomica'''<blockquote>This is the eagle which is said to have snatched Ganymede up and given him to his lover, Jove. This bird, too, Jupiter is thought first to have singled out from the tribe of birds, because it alone, men say, strives to fly straight into the rays of the rising sun. And so it seems to fly above Aquarius, who, as many imagine, is Ganymede.

Some, too, have said that the bird was a certain Meropes, who ruled the island of Cos, and who called the island Cos from the name of his daughter, and the inhabitants Meropians from his own name. He had a wife, Ethemea, of the race of nymphs, who was stuck with the arrows of Diana when she ceased worshipping her. At last she was snatched away alive by Proserpina to the Land of the Dead. Meropes, moved by longing for his wife, would have committed suicide, but Juno, pitying him, changed him into an eagle and put him among the constellations, for, if she had put him there in human form, since he would have a man's memory, he would still be moved with longing for his wife.

Aglaosthenes, who wrote the Naxica, says that Jove was taken secretly from Crete, brought to Naxos, and there nourished. After he came to man's estate and wished to attack the Titans in war, he sighted an eagle as he was sacrificing, and considering this an omen, he placed it among the stars.

Some, too, have said that Mercury (though others say Anaplades) stirred by Venus's beauty, fell in love with her, and when she permitted no favours, became greatly downcast, as if in disgrace. Jove pitied him, and when Venus was bathing in the river Achelous he sent and eagle to take her sandal to Amythaonia of the Egyptians and give it to Mercury. Venus, in seeking for it, came to him who loved her, and so he, on attaining his desire, as a reward put the eagle in the sky. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

'''Ovid, Fasti, III, 793ff.'''<blockquote>stella Lycaoniam vergit declinis ad Arcton

Miluus: haec illa nocte videnda venit.

quid dederit volucri, si vis cognoscere, caelum, 795

Saturnus regnis a Iove pulsus erat;

concitat iratus validos Titanas in arma,

quaeque fuit fatis debita temptat opem.

matre satus Terra, monstrum mirabile, taurus

parte sui serpens posteriore fuit: 800

hunc triplici muro lucis incluserat atris

Parcarum monitu Styx violenta trium.

viscera qui tauri flammis adolenda dedisset,

sors erat aeternos vincere posse deos.

immolat hunc Briareus facta ex adamante securi, 805

et iamiam flammis exta daturus erat:

Iuppiter alitibus rapere imperat: attulit illi

miluus, et meritis venit in astra suis.

''The star of the Kite slopes downwards towards the Lycaonian Bear: on that night it becomes visible. If you would know what raised the bird to heaven. Saturn had been dethroned by Jupiter. In his wrath he stirred up the strong Titans to take arms and sought the help the Fates allowed him. There was a bull born of its mother Earth, a wondrous monster, the hinder part whereof was a serpent: him, at the warning of the three Fates, grim Styx had shut up in gloomy woods enclosed by a triple wall. There was an oracle that he who should burn the inwards of the bull in the flames would be able to conquer the eternal gods. Briareus sacrificed him with an axe made of adamant, and was just about to put the entrails on the fire: Jupiter commanded the birds to snatch them away; the kite brought them to him and was promoted to the stars for his services.''</blockquote>

==== Medieval Epoch ====

==== Early Modern Epoch ====

=== Transfer and Transformation of the constellation ===
<gallery>
File:Aratea 54v and 55r.jpg|Aquila with Sagitta, Leiden Aratea, Fol. 54v and 55r, between circa 830 and circa 840
File:Aquila Uranometria.jpg|Aquila et Antinous (Bayer 1603)
File:Johannes Hevelius - Prodromus Astronomia - Volume III "Firmamentum Sobiescianum, sive uranographia" - Tavola R - Aquila et Antinous.jpg|"Aquila et Antinous" in Hevelius (1690) in "Firmamentum Sobiescianum, sive uranographia" in volume "Prodromus Astronomia"
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Delphinus, Sagitta, Aquila, and Antinous.jpg|"Delphinus, Sagitta, Aquila, and Antinous", plate 13 in [http://www.ianridpath.com/atlases/urania.html ''Urania's Mirror''], a set of celestial cards accompanied by ''A familiar treatise on astronomy ...'' by Jehoshaphat Aspin (1825). London. Astronomical chart, 1 print on layered paper board : etching, hand-colored.
File:1776 - John Flamsteed - L'Aigle, Antinous, La Fleche, Le Renard, Le Dauphin (Aquila, Sagitta, Vulpecula & Anser Delphinus).jpg|Aquila et Antinous, 1776 - Jean Fortin/ John Flamsteed - L'Aigle, Antinous, La Fleche, Le Renard, Le Dauphin (Aquila, Sagitta, Vulpecula & Anser Delphinus, [https://www.raremaps.com/gallery/detail/66194/laigle-antinous-la-fleche-le-renard-le-dauphin-aquila-flamsteed-fortin source])
File:Aql bode.jpg|The constellation of Aquila (Eagle) and the constellation of Antinous, portrayed as Zeus and Ganymede, from the ''Uranographia'', by Johann Elert Bode (1782).
File:Simon Antinous spanish1894.jpg|Aquila et Antinous at ''Planisferio celeste'' (Carlos Simón 1894)
</gallery>

== Mythology ==

=== Greek ===
Hyginus, librarian to the Roman emperor Augustus, tells a story of an eagle and a swan: when Zeus fell in love with Nemesis, goddess of righteous wrath, he had to resort to trickery to seduce her. He transformed himself into a swan and had his eagle pursue him. Taking pity on the pursued, Nemesis gave the swan refuge in her lap, and Zeus, satisfied, placed his eagle in the sky.

According to another legend, the eagle was Zeus's attribute animal, accompanying him since his campaign against the Titans. Eratosthenes leaves no doubt that it was the eagle who brought Ganymede to Zeus. Referring to the youth of Zeus, who was raised on Naxos and then fought against the Titans, Eratosthenes reports that an eagle joined Zeus and accompanied him. Because he saw this as a good omen, Zeus later declared the animal sacred. When the gods divided the birds among themselves, Zeus received the eagle, as it ruled over all birds.

=== Babylonian ===
The eagle probably originates from the Sumerian myth of Etana. According to the royal lists, Etana is said to have been the first Sumerian king after the Flood. Since the neighbouring constellation of Aquarius is associated with this flood, the placement of the eagle in its immediate vicinity makes perfect sense in Mesopotamian thinking. Since the Etana myth dates back to at least the 24th century BC and may even be older, this connection could also suggest that the constellation Aquila is much older than the invention of writing. The myth already attests to the eagle's symbolism of life.

According to legend, Etana was childless, which saddened him greatly. A helpful eagle carried him on its back to the sky, where he wanted to fetch the life-giving ‘herb of childbirth’. The myth tells how Etana climbs higher and higher on the eagle's back, sees the earth from above and describes what he sees. Shortly before reaching the herb, the eagle and its rider fall. The story provides interesting insights into the imagination of people who were already able to picture what the earth might look like from above.

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/aquila.html Star Tales: online edition]”.

*[https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017053 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Aquila]

== All HIP Stars within this constellation ==
HIP 93429,HIP 93244,HIP 97278,HIP 97649,HIP 99473,HIP 93551,HIP 93526,HIP 93716,HIP 93717,HIP 93805,HIP 95236,HIP 95937,HIP 93743,HIP 93836,HIP 94149,HIP 94053,HIP 95055,HIP 95073,HIP 95126,HIP 95222,HIP 95886,HIP 96007,HIP 96807,HIP 96468,HIP 96392,HIP 96851,HIP 97207,HIP 98844,HIP 99171,HIP 93417,HIP 93589,HIP 93385,HIP 93580,HIP 93557,HIP 93892,HIP 93990,HIP 94331,HIP 94833,HIP 94883,HIP 94885,HIP 94477,HIP 94913,HIP 95697,HIP 95793,HIP 95585,HIP 95812,HIP 95987,HIP 96603,HIP 96403,HIP 97804,HIP 98336,HIP 98385,HIP 98191,HIP 97980,HIP 98945,HIP 93647,HIP 94250,HIP 94247,HIP 94727,HIP 94873,HIP 95045,HIP 95121,HIP 95680,HIP 95501,HIP 95732,HIP 95898,HIP 95929,HIP 96159,HIP 96630,HIP 96351,HIP 96196,HIP 97255,HIP 97709,HIP 97877,HIP 98474,HIP 93833,HIP 93920,HIP 93937,HIP 94068,HIP 94512,HIP 94733,HIP 94478,HIP 94564,HIP 96071,HIP 96047,HIP 96229,HIP 96745,HIP 96423,HIP 96204,HIP 96665,HIP 97398,HIP 98036,HIP 93732,HIP 93488,HIP 93820,HIP 94103,HIP 94220,HIP 94612,HIP 94486,HIP 94916,HIP 95253,HIP 95325,HIP 96092,HIP 96241,HIP 96979,HIP 97101,HIP 97144,HIP 97607,HIP 97229,HIP 97779,HIP 93438,HIP 93867,HIP 93273,HIP 94009,HIP 94064,HIP 94098,HIP 94120,HIP 94452,HIP 94524,HIP 94834,HIP 94982,HIP 95002,HIP 95406,HIP 95586,HIP 95620,HIP 96024,HIP 96282,HIP 96416,HIP 96481,HIP 93747

== References ==
* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Aql]]

Aquarius

2026-05-20T09:56:27Z

IanRidpath: /* Almagest Ὕδρος */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Aquarius (aqr).tiff|alt=star chart|thumb|Aqr star chart as defined since the 1920s (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. It is one of the 48 constellations handed down in the Almagest tradition, among them one of those that were taken over from Mesopotamian models.

==Etymology and History==

=== General History<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> ===
Eratosthenes writes that Aquarius probably got his name from the activity he is depicted performing: ‘He stands there with a wine jug in his hand and pours out a generous measure of liquid.’ What remains of Eratosthenes' text attests to a certain uncertainty about the nature of this liquid. If it is a wine jug, one might almost think that he is pouring fermented grape juice, but Eratosthenes does not mention this directly. He only reports that some of his contemporaries thought that this was Ganymede, the cupbearer of the gods. Ganymede was abducted by Zeus because of his beauty and, because of his good service, was deemed worthy by the gods to attain immortality. As cupbearer, he now pours out the nectar drunk by the gods in heaven.

According to Ovid's Fasti, the liquid that is poured out is a mixture of nectar and water, while Aratus leaves no doubt that it is water. He writes in verses 389 to 399 that faint stars ‘float’ in the middle between the monster ([[Cetus]]) and the Southern Fish ([[Piscis Austrinus]]), which are nameless but appear like a small splash of water here and there next to the right hand of the illustrious Aquarius. Aratos calls these numerous small stars in the space between the Ketos ([[Cetus]]), [[Pisces]] and Aquarius ‘the water’ ([[Hydor]]). For many researchers, it is a mystery what the poet might have meant here, because the constellation of water is not documented anywhere else.

It suggests that this refers to the large space without constellations that connects the watery constellations. The poet mentions two bright stars in this area, [[Diphda]] (β Ceti) and [[Fomalhaut]] (α PsA). Between them splashes the spout of Aquarius, consisting of numerous groups of two and three faint stars that could indeed look like splashes of water. On the Farnese Atlas, the spout of Aquarius is depicted as a winding line. Together with the band of [[Pisces]] and the river [[Eridanus]], it frames an area of faint stars, which are probably the Roman sculptor's interpretation of the mysterious constellation ‘the water’ mentioned only by Aratus.

In truth, the figure of Aquarius was already incomprehensible in Greece. The zodiac had been adopted from Babylon before the 4th century BC, and consequently all the figures in the zodiac are originally Babylonian.

In MUL.APIN, the constellation in this region of the sky is called ‘the Great One,’ referring to the greatest of the benevolent gods, Enki (Sumerian) or Ea (Akkadian). In the Babylonian pantheon, he is primarily a god of wisdom and magic, but thanks to his wisdom, he is also the god who often protects humans from the punishments and arbitrariness of other gods. He is a very benevolent godfather whose ‘children’ are symbolically humans.

In Mesopotamia, this wise god Ea has always been depicted with two streams of water flowing from his shoulders as a distinguishing feature. These are sometimes interpreted as the Euphrates and Tigris, but it does not matter whether they are real rivers. The only important thing is that they are fresh water, i.e. drinking water. The god of wisdom is said to live in the groundwater.

This image was, of course, incomprehensible to every other culture. For the Greeks, wisdom was a goddess, not a god. The image of two rivers flowing from a man's shoulders was not accessible to them; it had to be reinterpreted and a myth invented to explain it.

This not only clarifies the name of the figure as ‘Aquarius’, but also builds a bridge to the Greek Deucalion, for Deucalion is the 'Greek Noah' and the Babylonian god Ea is responsible for his ‘inspiration’ to build an ark.

The extremely positive connotation of the god represented by Aquarius is probably also the explanation for the numerous positive star names in Arabic. Although the origin of these names can no longer be directly proven according to Arabist Paul Kunitzsch, it seems reasonable to attribute names such as ‘happiness of the king’ and ‘happiness of the happiest’ for α and β Aquarii (as well as many other combinations with the word ‘happiness’) to Babylonian interpretations of the figure.

==== Historical Sub-Constellations<ref>Ian Ridpath, Star Tales, [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/aquarius.html Online Edition]</ref> ====

===== The Water =====
<blockquote>Ptolemy listed 20 stars as lying in the flow of water from the jar, almost as many stars as in the main figure of Aquarius itself – see, for example, Albrecht Dürer’s celestial chart of 1515. In fact, early writers such as Aratus, Eratosthenes, and Geminus regarded the Water (Hydor, Ὕδωρ) as either a separate constellation or a sub-constellation within Aquarius. The flow of water started at the star we know as Kappa Aquarii and ended at the first-magnitude star we call Fomalhaut, in the mouth of the southern fish, Piscis Austrinus. This is another example of stars being shared between constellations in the days before rigorous boundaries were established. Fomalhaut is now the exclusive property of the neighbouring Piscis Austrinus.</blockquote><blockquote>Ptolemy listed three other ‘unformed’ stars that formed a triangle near the flow of water; these have since been transferred across the border into neighbouring Cetus and are now known as 2, 6, and 7 Ceti.</blockquote>

===== Norma Nilotica, a short-lived sub-constellation =====
<blockquote>On his ''Celestial Atlas'' of 1822 the Scottish schoolmaster Alexander Jamieson introduced a new sub-constellation, Norma Nilotica, a rod for measuring the depth of the Nile, held in the left hand of Aquarius. This reappeared on the set of constellation cards called Urania’s Mirror in 1825 and was adopted by the American astronomer Elijah Hinsdale Burritt (1794–1838) on his popular Atlas Designed to Illustrate The Geography of the Heavens (1835 and many subsequent editions), but was otherwise ignored.</blockquote>

=== Origin of Constellation ===

==== Babylonian ====
The Babylonian name of the constellation is [[GU.LA|mulGU.LA]], in later times abbreviated GU.

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>[282] The two Fishes range about the Horse as it prances among them. Beside the Horse’s head the right hand of the Water-pourer stretches out: he rises after Capricorn.

Other stars lying scattered below the Water-pourer [390] hang in the sky between the celestial Monster and the Fish, but they are faint and nameless. Close to them, like a light spray of water being sprinkled this way and that from the right hand of the illustrious Water-pourer, some pale and feeble stars go round. [395] Among them go two rather brighter stars, not so very far apart nor yet very close, one beautiful and bright star beneath the two feet of the Waterpourer, the other below the dark Monster’s tail. Men call them collectively the Water. But a few others [400] below the Archer, under his orefeet, are curved in a ring as they go circling round.

(Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
Pamias and Zucker (2013, 80):<blockquote>Apparently, this character owes his name, Aquarius, to his activity. He stands upright, holding a wine jug in his hand and pouring a copious stream of liquid. Some argue that this is Ganymede, considering as decisive evidence the fact that the image represents a cupbearer serving wine. And they invoke the testimony of the Poet, arguing from the fact that he states that Ganymede was brought to Zeus, because of his supreme beauty, to take on the role of cupbearer, which the gods had deemed him worthy of performing, and that he obtained an immortality that remains unknown to men; the liquid it pours resembles nectar, which is precisely the drink of the gods, and those who see Ganymede in it consider this to be further evidence that it is indeed the drink of the gods that has just been mentioned.</blockquote>Pamias and Zucker (2013, 81):<blockquote>Aquarius has two dim stars on his head, one star on each shoulder, both large, one on each elbow, one bright star on his right hand, one on each nipple, one under each nipple, on both sides, one on his left hip, one on each knee, one on the right calf, and one on each foot. In total, there are seventeen. The Water Stream is composed of thirty-one stars, two of which are bright.</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib III Cap III §8) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 6
|Aqr 20 1/2
|Lib27
|Sgr 7
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one of those in the left hand
|the bright one in the right foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 17 1/2
|Aqr 15
|Ari 3
|Tau 6 1/2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|the front one of those in the left hand
|the rear one of those in the jug
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/8 hours = 127 min = 31 7/8°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|}

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Aquarius or Water Bearer. Many have said he is Ganymede, whom Jupiter is said to have made cupbearer of the gods, snatching him up from his parents because of his beauty. So he is shown as if pouring water from an urn. Hegesianax, however, says he is Deucalion, because during his reign such quantities of water poured from the sky that the great Flood resulted. Eubulus, again, points out that he is Cecrops, commemorating the antiquity of the race, and showing that men used water in the sacrificed of the gods before wine was given to them, and that Cecrops ruled before wine was discovered. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ὕδρος ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ὕδρου ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Aquarius
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Ὑδροχόου
|The star on the head of Aquarius
|25 Aqr
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὤμῳ β ὁ λαμπρότερος
|The brighter of the 2 stars in the right shoulder
|alf Aqr
|-
|3
|ὁ ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἀμαυρότερος
|The fainter one, under it
|omi Aqr
|-
|4
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ.
|The star in the left shoulder
|bet Aqr
|-
|5
|ὁ ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ νώτῳ ὡς ὑπὸ τὴν μασχάλην
|The one under that, in the back, approximately under the armpit
|xi Aqr
|-
|6
|ὁ τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ χειρὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἱματίου ἢ’ ὁ ἐπόμενοςἡ
|The rearmost of the three stars in the left arm, on the coat
|nu Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|mu Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ προηγούμευος τῶν τριῶν.
|The most advanced of the three
|eps Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ πήχει
|The star in the right forearm
|gam Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀκροχείρου γ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|The northernmost of the 3 stars on the right hand
|pi Aqr
|-
|
|Τὸ τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ βορείωυ β ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the other 2 to the south
|zet Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|eta Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ κοτύλη συνεχῶν β ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The more advanced of the 2 stars close together in the hollow of the right [hip]
|tet Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The rearmost of them
|rho Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γλουτοῦ
|The star on the right buttock
|sig Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ γλουτῷ Κ’ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the left buttock
|iot Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|38 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ δεξιᾷ κνήμῃ β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the right lower leg
|del Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ὑπὸ τὴν ἀγκύλην
|The northernmost of them, under the knee-bend
|tau Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐο τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὀπισθομήρῳ.
|The star in the back of the left thigh
|53 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἀριστερᾷ κνήμῃ β ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the 2 stars in the left lower leg
|68 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν ὑπὸ τὸ γόνυ.
|The northernmost of these, under the knee
|66 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς ῥύσεως τοῦ ὕδατος ἀπὸ τῆς χειρὸς ὁ προηγούμενος.
|The stars on the flow of water: the most advanced [in the section] beginning at the hand
|kap Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐχόμενος ἐκ φότου τοῦ προειρημένου
|the one next to the latter towards the south
|lam Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ τούτουυ ἐχόμενος μετὰ τὴν καμπήη
|the one next to this, after [the beginning of] the bend
|83 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτῳ ἑπόμενος
|the one to the rear again of this
|phi Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου ἐν καμπῇ ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας…
|the one in the bend to the south of this
|chi Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας αὐτοῦ β’ ὁ βορειότερος.
|the northernmost of the 2 stars to the south of this
|psi1 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος τῶν δύο.
|the southernmost of the two
|psi3 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ διεστὼς αὐτῶν πρὸς μεσημβρύαν μουαχός-
|the lone star at some distance from thcsc [two] towards the south
|HR 8958
|-
|
|τῶν μετ’ αὐτὸν β συνεχῶν ὁ προηγούμενος
|the more advanced of the 2 stars close together after the latter
|ome1 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|the rearmost of them
|ome2 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐχομένῃ συστροφῇ ἢ’ ὁ βόρειος.
|the northernmost of the 3 stars in the next group
|103 + 104 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν
|the middle one of the three
|106 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|the rearmost of them
|108 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁμοίως τῶν ἐφεξῆς γ' ὁ βόρειος.
|thc northernmost of thc next 3 [arranged] likewise
|98 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ νότιος τῶν τριῶν
|the southernmost of the three
|101 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|the middle one of thc three
|99 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῇ λοιπῇ συστροφῇ ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|the most advanced of the 3 stars in the remaining group
|86 Aqr
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ νοτιώτερος
|the southernmost of the other 2
|89 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
|the northernmost of them
|88 Aqr
|-
|
|ὁ ἔσχατος τοῦ ὕδατος καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ στόματος τοῦ νοτίου Ἰχθύος
|the star at the end of thc water and on the mouth of Piscis Austrinus
|alf PsA
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|all
|ἀστέρερ μβ, ὥν αἱ μεγέθους ἂ, γ’ 3, δ’ ἢ, εἴ φ, ς’ ἄ.
|42 stars, 1 of the first magnitude, 9 of the third, 18 of the fourth, 13 of the fifth, 1 of the sixth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Οἱ περὶ τὸν Ὕδρου ἀμόρφωτοι
!Stars round Aquarius outside the constelfation
!
|-
|
|ὁ τῶν ἐπομένων τῇ καμπῇ τοῦ ὕδατος φ’ ὁ ἠγούμενος
|The most advanced of the 3 stars to the rear of the bend in the water
|2 Cet
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν β’ ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the other 2
|6 Cet
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|7 Cet
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες γ μεγέθους δ’ μ.
|{3 stars of magnitude greater than the fourth}
|
|}

[[File:Hydrochoos Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Hydrochoos (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Sadalsuud
|HIP 106278
|Constellation lines
|2.89
|-
|2
|Sadalmelik
|HIP 109074
|Constellation lines
|2.94
|-
|3
|Skat
|HIP 113136
|Constellation lines
|3.28
|-
|4
|Safina
|HIP 114341
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.64
|-
|5
|ζ 1 Aquarii
|HIP 110960
|Inside the hull
|3.65
|-
|6
|Albali
|HIP 102618
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.77
|-
|7
|Shatabhisha
|HIP 112961
|Constellation lines
|3.79
|-
|8
|Sadachbia
|HIP 110395
|Constellation lines
|3.834
|-
|9
|τ 2 Aquarii
|HIP 112716
|Constellation lines
|3.98
|-
|10
|98 Aqr
|HIP 115438
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.98
|-
|11
|η Aquarii
|HIP 111497
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.03
|-
|12
|Ancha
|HIP 110003
|Constellation lines
|4.16
|-
|13
|ψ 1 Aquarii
|HIP 114855
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.25
|-
|14
|ι Aquarii
|HIP 109139
|Constellation lines
|4.27
|-
|15
|* zet01 Aqr
|HIP 110960
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|16
|ν Aquarii
|HIP 104459
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.52
|-
|17
|π Aquarii
|HIP 110672
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.64
|-
|18
|66 Aqr
|HIP 112211
|Constellation lines
|4.69
|-
|19
|Bunda
|HIP 106786
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|20
|ο Aquarii
|HIP 108874
|Inside the hull
|4.69
|-
|21
|μ Aquarii
|HIP 103045
|Inside the hull
|4.72
|-
|22
|σ Aquarii
|HIP 111123
|Constellation lines
|4.81
|-
|23
|Situla
|HIP 111710
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|24
|46 Cap
|HIP 107382
|Inside the hull
|5.079
|-
|25
|μ Capricorni
|HIP 108036
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|26
|25 Aqr
|HIP 106944
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|5.1
|-
|27
|32 Aqr
|HIP 108991
|Inside the hull
|5.271
|-
|28
|42 Aqr
|HIP 110000
|Inside the hull
|5.333
|-
|29
|ρ Aquarii
|HIP 110273
|Inside the hull
|5.339
|-
|30
|38 Aqr
|HIP 109472
|Inside the hull
|5.422
|-
|31
|21 Aqr
|HIP 105767
|Inside the hull
|5.469
|-
|32
|83 Aqr
|HIP 113996
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|33
|7 Aqr
|HIP 103401
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|34
|30 Aqr
|HIP 108868
|Inside the hull
|5.543
|-
|35
|77 Aqr
|HIP 113148
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|36
|λ Capricorni
|HIP 107517
|Inside the hull
|5.567
|-
|37
|28 Aqr
|HIP 108691
|Inside the hull
|5.597
|-
|38
|26 Aqr
|HIP 107144
|Inside the hull
|5.641
|-
|39
|τ 1 Aquarii
|HIP 112542
|Inside the hull
|5.681
|-
|40
|94 G. Aqr
|HIP 108102
|Inside the hull
|5.704
|-
|41
|19 Aqr
|HIP 105761
|Inside the hull
|5.713
|-
|42
|44 Aqr
|HIP 110023
|Inside the hull
|5.751
|-
|43
|50 Aqr
|HIP 110602
|Inside the hull
|5.752
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 113184
|Inside the hull
|5.757
|-
|45
|80 G. Aqr
|HIP 106592
|Inside the hull
|5.778
|-
|46
|51 Aqr
|HIP 110578
|Inside the hull
|5.779
|-
|47
|74 Aqr
|HIP 113031
|Inside the hull
|5.78
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 110009
|Inside the hull
|5.791
|-
|49
|* 12 Aqr A
|HIP 103981
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|50
|15 Aqr
|HIP 105164
|Inside the hull
|5.812
|-
|51
|16 Aqr
|HIP 105412
|Inside the hull
|5.848
|-
|52
|60 Aqr
|HIP 111394
|Inside the hull
|5.875
|-
|53
|138 G. Aqr
|HIP 110532
|Inside the hull
|5.907
|-
|54
| -
|HR 8716
|Inside the hull
|5.92
|-
|55
|225 G. Aqr
|HIP 115144
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|56
|45 Aqr
|HIP 110179
|Inside the hull
|5.959
|-
|57
|17 Aqr
|HIP 105574
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 109466
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|59
|47 Cap
|HIP 107487
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|60
|39 Aqr
|HIP 109624
|Inside the hull
|6.043
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 106938
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|62
|198 G. Aqr
|HIP 113531
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 114750
|Inside the hull
|6.12
|-
|64
|155 G. Aqr
|HIP 111171
|Inside the hull
|6.139
|-
|65
|128 G. Aqr
|HIP 109984
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 113998
|Inside the hull
|6.143
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 111170
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|68
|89 G. Aqr
|HIP 107596
|Inside the hull
|6.168
|-
|69
|70 Aqr
|HIP 112615
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|70
|78 Aqr
|HIP 113127
|Inside the hull
|6.181
|-
|71
|82 Aqr
|HIP 113781
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 106758
|Inside the hull
|6.214
|-
|73
|81 Aqr
|HIP 113674
|Inside the hull
|6.215
|-
|74
| -
|HIP 110778
|Constellation lines
|6.22
|-
|75
|98 G. Aqr
|HIP 108506
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|76
| -
|HIP 110778A
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 108144
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|78
| -
|HIP 111761
|Inside the hull
|6.244
|-
|79
|M 2
|M 2
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|80
|49 G. Aqr
|HIP 104557
|Inside the hull
|6.267
|-
|81
|115 G. Aqr
|HIP 109442
|Inside the hull
|6.282
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 107750
|Inside the hull
|6.298
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 111965
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|84
| -
|HIP 110778B
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|85
|96 G. Aqr
|HIP 108453
|Inside the hull
|6.331
|-
|86
|56 Aqr
|HIP 111086
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|87
|61 Aqr
|HIP 111539
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|88
|20 Aqr
|HIP 105729
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 110091
|Inside the hull
|6.379
|-
|90
|189 G. Aqr
|HIP 113080
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|91
|58 Aqr
|HIP 111200
|Inside the hull
|6.381
|-
|92
|121 G. Aqr
|HIP 109647
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|93
|152 G. Aqr
|HIP 111066
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|94
|67 Aqr
|HIP 112179
|Inside the hull
|6.405
|-
|95
|213 G. Aqr
|HIP 114371
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 112168
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|97
|14 Aqr
|HIP 105019
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|98
| -
|HR 8629
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Mythology ==

=== Greek ===
Ganymede was the son of King Tros, who gave Troy its name. He was considered the most beautiful youth in the world, which did not go unnoticed by the gods. According to one version of the myth, Zeus either transformed himself into an eagle and carried Ganymede up to heaven or sent an eagle to do the job. According to another version, the goddess of dawn, Eos, desired the beautiful man and therefore abducted him, whereupon Zeus stole him away from her. Regardless of which deity of the Greek pantheon snatched the mortal man first, he was the favourite of all the gods, served as their cupbearer, and they granted him immortality.

This myth was very popular in Greece and Rome, as the young man sooner or later ends up with Zeus, thereby legitimising or at least approving of pederasty. This form of homosexuality refers exclusively to young men: it was considered an honour for a young man to be the passive partner in homosexual intercourse with an older man, especially a teacher or patron. Same-sex love among young men was also tolerated, whereas among older men it was considered rather indecent.

The cupbearer of the gods had been made immortal as a young man, was often seen as frivolous, and was desired by men and women alike.

=== Roman ===
Nevertheless, there is an alternative myth: in the 1st century, Germanicus created a Roman adaptation of Aratus, approximately 400 years after the original work and at the time of Augustus' moral laws. He does not identify Aquarius as a sex icon, but with Deucalion, the mythological man who survived the flood and from whom modern humanity is descended.

Deucalion was commissioned by the gods to build a ship to save the species from the flood. When he and his wife Pyrrha went ashore after the flood, there were no other humans left. As they descended from the mountain, they threw stones behind them, and the stones they threw turned into men and women. Thus, the earth was repopulated.

=== Babylonian ===
The Babylonian water deity, the god Ea, was the god who indirectly saved humanity from the Flood: the Flood stories all go back to a Sumerian original and therefore always have the same basic pattern: the gods or a god plan to destroy humanity, whereby a selected human couple can save themselves and many animal couples in a specially built giant ship. In Babylonian mythology, the man who builds the ark is called Utnapishtim. He was secretly warned by Ea. Ea does not want to oppose the alliance of the gods, but he also does not want humanity to be wiped out forever. So he tells Utnapishtim's household about the gods' plans for the flood and prays that an ark will be built. Of course, the god of wisdom knows that Utnapishtim is at home and can hear him, but he did not tell him directly and thus did not break his pact with the gods.

== Weblinks ==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017069 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Aquarius]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]][[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]] [[Category:Aqr]][[Category:Zodiac]]

Andromeda

2026-05-20T09:50:21Z

IanRidpath: /* Ptolemy's Almagest */ OCR errors

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Andromeda IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|And star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]][[File:Corinthian amphora, Andromeda, Perseus, Cetus, 575-550 BC, Berlin F 1652, 141650.jpg|alt=Perseus defends Andromeda from the monster Cetus by pelting it with stones. Corinthian amphora, 575–550 BC|thumb|Perseus defends Andromeda from the monster Cetus by pelting it with stones. Corinthian amphora, 575–550 BCE. Note that no rock is visible, only the stones which are thrown at the monster by Perseus (Antikensammlung Berlin, Altes Museum, F 1652, Zdenek Kratochvil). ]]

Andromeda is the daughter of Queen Kassiepeia (Latin: [[Cassiopeia]]) and King Kepheus ([[Cepheus]]) of Ethiopia. The mythology<ref>[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/andromeda.html Ian Ridpath, online edition, "Andromeda", Star Tales]</ref> of her being married to [[Perseus]] and becoming the ancestress of the people of Tiryn connects her to ancient matriarchs. It is assumed that the actors are mythological figures without a historical counterpart. The visual representation of the constellation and the interpretation underwent strong transformations.<ref>Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.</ref>

== Etymology and History ==
The origin of the term "Andromeda" remains unclear. Possible derivatives are thinkable from ἀνδρίς (andris, woman) or ἀνδρός (andros, man/ human), or δρομάς (running/ runner).<ref>Susanne M. Hoffmann,* Khalid AlAjaji, B.S. Shylaja, Yang Boshun, Danielle Adams, Eric Mamajek, Ian Ridpath, Paul Baki, Juan Antonio Belmonte Avilés, Sze-Leung Cheung, Daniel Cunnama, Jörg Matthias Determann, M. Sadegh Faghanpour, Steven Gullberg, Duane Hamacher, Roland Laffitte, Alejandro M. López, Javier Mejuto, Thierry Montmerle, Clive Ruggles, Shi Yunli, Doris Vickers, Sun Xiaochun, and Hitoshi Yamaoka (2025). The IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN): '''Research Finds in 2025'''. ''Journal of Astronomical History and Heritage'', 28(4), 1026–1038 (2025).</ref> The latter is also the origin of the term "dromedary" for the one-humped camels that are native to North Africa and Arabia and contrast the two-humped camels from Central Asia.<ref>Joris Peters and Martin Heide (2021). Camels in the Biblical World, Eisenbraun, Winnona Lake, here Chap. 4</ref> Two-humped camels have been domesticated much earlier than one-humped camels: the first one being proven already in the 3rd millennium BCE while the dromedary is attested only from around 1100 BCE±100y onwards.<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref> This is also the time of the Trojan War and the Jewish "exodus", the migration of Israelites from Egypt to the promised land: seems to be a time of change all over the Mediterranean. It is not excluded that the name "Andromeda" of a princess in Greek mythology is somehow related to the domestication of dromedaries.

=== Andromeda in Ancient Source ===

==== Babylonian Predecessor ====
In the area of this constellation, Babylonian uranography had the goddess [[Anunitu|Anunitu(m)]], an epithet of Inanna/ Ištar, a goddess of love and war.

==== Greco-Roman ====
[[File:Kugel family.JPG|thumb|Kugel Globe (1st c.BCE): Andromeda, Cassiopeia, Perseus, Cepheus, drawing by SMH 2024.]]

===== Eudoxus =====
<blockquote>Vor dem Kepheus befindet sich die Kassiopeja, unter dieser aber die Andromeda; letzt re hat die linke Schulter über dem nördlichen Fisch und den Gürtel über dem Widder, wenn man von dem Dreieck absieht, welches dazwischen liegt. Den Stern im Kopfe hat sie gemeinsam mit dem Pferde, an dessen Bauche er steht.

(Hipp Lib I Cap II §13)

Eudoxos on the summer solstice circle:

"Es liegt auf diesem die Mitte des Krebses und der Längsdurchschnitt von dem Körper des Löwen, von der Jungfrau die nur wenig nördlich gelegenen Teile, der Nacken der getragenen Schlange, die rechte Hand des Knieenden, der Kopf des Schlangenträgers, der Hals und der linke Flügel des Schwanes, die Füße des Pferdes , ferner sowohl die rechte Hand der Andromeda als auch der Raum zwischen ihren Füßen, vom Perseus die linke Schulter und das linke Schienbein , ferner die Kniee des Fuhrmanns und die Köpfe der Zwillinge; dann schließt er sich wieder an die Mitte des Krebses an. '

(Hipp Lib I Cap. II §18)</blockquote>

===== Aratus =====
<blockquote>There too revolves that awesome figure of Andromeda, well defined beneath her mother. I do not think you will have to look all round the night sky in order to sight her very quickly, [200] so clear are her head, the shoulders on either side, the feet at her extremity, and all her girdle. Even there, however, she is extended with outstretched arms, and bonds are laid on her even in the sky; those arms of hers are raised and out-spread there all the time.

(Kidd 1997)<ref>English translation by Douglas Kidd (1997).

Aratus: Phaenomena, Cambridge Classical Texts and Commentaries, Series Number 34</ref></blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1:''' It owes Athena its place among the constellations, to remind us of Perseus' exploits; She has her arms crossed, in the position in which she was exposed to the sea monster. Consequently Andromeda decided, once she had been saved by Perseus, not to not to remain with her father and mother, and, inspired by her generosity, voluntarily chose to leave with Perseus and accompany him to Argos. This is what Euripides explicitly recounts in the play he wrote about her.

Andromeda has a shining star on her head, one on each shoulder, one on the right elbow, one shining the end of the arm, one on the left elbow, two shining stars on the oar at the end of the arm, three on the belt, four above the belt, one shining on each knee, two on the right foot and one on the left foot. A total of 20.

'''Var. 2:''' Elle doit à Athéna de se trouver parmi les constellation, pour rappeler au souvenir les exploits de Persée; elle a les bras en croiy, dans la position dans laquelle elle fut persée. Euripide le dit aussi dans la pièce de théatre en question.

Andromède a une étoile brillante sur la tête, une sur le coude droit, une à l'extrémité de la main, une sur chaque épaule, trois sur la ceinture, quatre au-dessus de la ceinture, une brilante sur chaque genou, deux sur le pied <droit> et une sur le gauche. En tout dix-sept.

(Pamias and Zucker 2013)<ref>French translation by: Jordi Pàmias i Massana and Arnaud Zucker (2013). Ératosthènes de Cyrène – Catastérismes, Les Belles Lettres, Paris</ref></blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
<blockquote>The Rising of Andromeda ... </blockquote>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
! colspan="2" |east
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Cap 15
|Aqr 23.5
|Sco 5.5
|Sgr 7.5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|The more noble of those in the right hand
|The one at the end of the left hand
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 1/8 hours = 127.5 min = 31 7/8 degree
|}

====== Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
! colspan="2" |west
! colspan="2" |south
|-
!
!lam1
!lam2
!lam1
!lam2
|-
|
|Ari 21
|Tau 23.5
|Cnc 23.5
|Vir 5
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|star
|The one on the head
|The more northerly of those in the right foot
|
|
|-
|duration
| colspan="4" |2 2/3 hours = 160 min = 40°
|}

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|Der nödlichere von denen in der rechten Hand
|The more noble of those in the right hand
|lam And
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, first
|
|-
|
|
|Der am Ende der linken Hand
|The one at the end of the left hand
|zet And
|Lib II Cap V §10
|rising, east, last
|
|-
|
|
|Der in der linken Hand der Andromeda
|The one in the left hand of the Andromeda
|zet And
|Lib II Cap VI §2
|setting CrB, south, last
|Psc 13.5
|-
|
|
|Von der Andromeda der im linken Fuße
|From the Andromeda in the left foot
|gam And
|Lib II Cap VI §13
|setting Aql, south, first
|Ari 2
|-
|
|
|Von der Andromeda der nördlichste von denen an der Brust
|From Andromeda the northernmost of those on the chest
|pi And
|Lib III Cap I §9
|rising Ori, south, last
|Psc 13
|-
|
|
|Der am Kopfe
|The one on the head
|alf And
|Lib II Cap VI §10
|setting, west, first
|
|-
|
|
|Der nördlichere von denen im rechten Fuße
|The more northerly of those in the right foot
|phi Per
|Lib II Cap VI §10
|setting, west, last
|
|-
|
|
|Von der Andromeda der nachfolgende von denen im Gürtel
|From the Andromeda the following of those in the belt
|bet And
|Lib III Cap I §13
|rising CMi, south, first
|Psc 15
|-
|
|
|Der helle im Kopfe der Andromeda
|The bright one in the head of Andromeda
|alf And
|Lib III Cap III §1b
|rising Cnc, south, first
|Psc 5
|-
|
|
|Von der Andromeda der linke Fuß, wenig östlich des Meridians
|From Andromeda the left foot, a little east of the meridian
|gam And
|Lib III Cap III §1
|rising Cnc, south, last
|Ari 0.5
|-
|
|
|Von der Andromeda der mittelste von den dreien in der rechten Schulter
|From the Andromeda, the centre one of the three in the right shoulder
|rho And
|Lib III Cap III §12
|rising Gem, south, last
|Psc 8.5
|-
|
|
|Von der Andromeda der nördlichere von denen an der Brust
|Of the Andromeda, the more northerly of those on the chest
|pi And
|Lib III Cap IV §7
|setting Cap, south, first
|Psc 10.5
|}

===== Geminos =====

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>They say she was put among the constellations by the favour of Minerva, on account of the valor of Perseus, who freed her from danger when exposed to the sea-monster. Nor did he receive less kindness from her in return for his good deed. For neither her father Cepheus nor her mother Cassiepia could dissuade her from following Perseus, leaving parents and country. About her Euripides has written a most excellent play with her name as title. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

==== Ptolemy's Almagest ====
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
!English
(Toomer 1984)
! identification
(Toomer 1984)
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐν τῷ μεταφρένῳ
|The star in the place between the shoulders
|δ And
|-
|2
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὤμῳ
|The star in the right shoulder
| π And
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐν τῷ ἀριστερῷ ὤμῳ
|The star in the left shoulder
|ε And
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ βραχίονος γ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 3 stars on the right upper arm
|σ And
|-
|5
|ὁ βόρειος αὐτῶν
|The northernmost of them
|θ And
|-
|6
| ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν
|The middle one of the three
| ρ And
|-
|7
|τῶν ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ ἀκροχείρου γ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 3 stars on the right band
| ι And
|-
|8
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|κ And
|-
|9
|ὁ βόρειος τῶν τριῶν
|The northernmost of the three
|λ And
|-
|10
| ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ βραχίονος
|The star on the left upper arm
|ζ And
|-
|11
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ἀγκῶνος
|The star on the left elbow
|η And
|-
|12
|τῶν ὑπερ τὸ περίζωμα γ ὁ νότιος
|The southernmost of the 3 stars over the girdle
|β And
|-
|13
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν
|The middle one of these
|μ And
|-
|14
|ὁ βόρειος τῶν τριῶν
|The northernmost of the three
|ν And
|-
|15
|ὁ ύπὲρ τὸν άριστερὸν πόδα
|The star over the left foot
|γ And
|-
|16
|ὁ ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ποδί
| The star in the right foot
|φ Per
|-
|17
|ὁ τούτοv vοτιώτερος
|The one south of the latter
|51 And
|-
|18
|τῶv ἐπι τῆς ἀριστερᾶς ἀγκύλης β ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the 2 stars on the left knee-bend
|υ And
|-
|19
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶv
|The southernmost of them
| τ And
|-
|20
|ὁ ἐπι τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος
|The star on the right knee
| φ And
|-
|21
|τῶν ἐν τῷ σύρματι β ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the two stars in the lower hem [of the garment]
| 49 And
|-
|22
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost or them
|χ And
|-
|23
|ὁ ἐκτὸς καὶ προηγούμενος τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ἀκροχείρῳ γ
|The star in advance of the three in the right hand, outside [of it]
|ο And
|}
{23 stars, 4 of the third magnitude, 15 of the fourth, 4 of the fifth}

[[File:Andromeda Youla CH.png|thumb|Convex Hull for the stars inside Andromeda (CC BY Youla Azkarrula).]]

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Capella
|HIP 24608
|Inside the hull
|0.08
|-
|2
|Deneb
|HIP 102098
|Inside the hull
|1.25
|-
|3
|Mirfak
|HIP 15863
|Inside the hull
|1.79
|-
|4
|Menkalinan
|HIP 28360
|Inside the hull
|1.9
|-
|5
|Mirach
|HIP 5447
|Constellation lines
|2.05
|-
|6
|Alpheratz
|HIP 677
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.06
|-
|7
|Almach
|HIP 9640
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|2.1
|-
|8
|Algol
|HIP 14576
|Inside the hull
|2.12
|-
|9
|Scheat
|HIP 113881
|Inside the hull
|2.42
|-
|10
|Mahasim
|HIP 28380
|Inside the hull
|2.62
|-
|11
|Hassaleh
|HIP 23015
|Inside the hull
|2.69
|-
|12
|ζ Persei
|HIP 18246
|Inside the hull
|2.85
|-
|13
|Fawaris
|HIP 97165
|Inside the hull
|2.87
|-
|14
|Cor Caroli
|HIP 63125
|Inside the hull
|2.88
|-
|15
|ϵ Persei
|HIP 18532
|Inside the hull
|2.89
|-
|16
|Matar
|HIP 112158
|Inside the hull
|2.95
|-
|17
|Almaaz
|HIP 23416
|Inside the hull
|2.99
|-
|18
|Alaybasan
|HIP 10064
|Inside the hull
|3
|-
|19
|δ Persei
|HIP 17358
|Inside the hull
|3.01
|-
|20
|ψ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 54539
|Inside the hull
|3.01
|-
|21
|Seginus
|HIP 71075
|Inside the hull
|3.02
|-
|22
|Tania Australis
|HIP 50801
|Inside the hull
|3.05
|-
|23
|Talitha
|HIP 44127
|Inside the hull
|3.14
|-
|24
|Haedus
|HIP 23767
|Inside the hull
|3.18
|-
|25
|δ Andromedae
|HIP 3092
|Constellation lines
|3.28
|-
|26
|ρ Persei
|HIP 14354
|Inside the hull
|3.39
|-
|27
|Tania Borealis
|HIP 50372
|Inside the hull
|3.45
|-
|28
|Nekkar
|HIP 73555
|Inside the hull
|3.52
|-
|29
|Alkaphrah
|HIP 44471
|Inside the hull
|3.55
|-
|30
|θ Geminorum
|HIP 33018
|Inside the hull
|3.6
|-
|31
|Alfarasalkamil
|HIP 113726
|Inside the hull
|3.62
|-
|32
|Taiyangshou
|HIP 57399
|Inside the hull
|3.72
|-
|33
|ξ Cygni
|HIP 104060
|Inside the hull
|3.73
|-
|34
|Saclateni
|HIP 23453
|Inside the hull
|3.75
|-
|35
|ν Persei
|HIP 17529
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|36
|ι Herculis
|HIP 86414
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|37
|ο1 Cyg
|HIP 99675
|Inside the hull
|3.8
|-
|38
|Misam
|HIP 14668
|Inside the hull
|3.81
|-
|39
|Udkadua
|HIP 116584
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.82
|-
|40
|μ Andromedae
|HIP 4436
|Constellation lines
|3.87
|-
|41
|τ Herculis
|HIP 79992
|Inside the hull
|3.87
|-
|42
|Atik
|HIP 17448
|Inside the hull
|3.91
|-
|43
|38 Lyn
|HIP 45688
|Inside the hull
|3.92
|-
|44
|ν Aurigae
|HIP 27673
|Inside the hull
|3.95
|-
|45
|10 UMa
|HIP 44248
|Inside the hull
|3.96
|-
|46
|Apdu
|HIP 10670
|Inside the hull
|4
|-
|47
|R Lyr
|HIP 92862
|Inside the hull
|4
|-
|48
|ρ Cygni
|HIP 106481
|Inside the hull
|4.02
|-
|49
|48 Per
|HIP 19343
|Inside the hull
|4.03
|-
|50
|ι Persei
|HIP 14632
|Inside the hull
|4.04
|-
|51
|Shimu
|HIP 3693
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.06
|-
|52
|Dajiangjunbei
|HIP 8068
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.06
|-
|53
|Menkib
|HIP 18614
|Inside the hull
|4.06
|-
|54
|θ Persei
|HIP 12777
|Inside the hull
|4.11
|-
|55
|1 Lac
|HIP 109937
|Inside the hull
|4.15
|-
|56
|μ Persei
|HIP 19812
|Inside the hull
|4.16
|-
|57
|Xuange
|HIP 69732
|Inside the hull
|4.18
|-
|58
|σ Herculis
|HIP 81126
|Inside the hull
|4.196
|-
|59
|C 0519+409
|C 0519+409
|Inside the hull
|4.2
|-
|60
|β Leonis Minoris
|HIP 51233
|Inside the hull
|4.21
|-
|61
| -
|HIP 13254
|Inside the hull
|4.21
|-
|62
|ψ Persei
|HIP 16826
|Inside the hull
|4.23
|-
|63
|Junnanmen
|HIP 5434
|Constellation lines
|4.25
|-
|64
|π Aurigae
|HIP 28404
|Inside the hull
|4.25
|-
|65
|Alsciaukat
|HIP 41075
|Inside the hull
|4.25
|-
|66
|Chara
|HIP 61317
|Inside the hull
|4.25
|-
|67
|58 Per
|HIP 21476
|Inside the hull
|4.26
|-
|68
|ϕ Herculis
|HIP 79101
|Inside the hull
|4.27
|-
|69
|Rasalnaqa
|HIP 116631
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.29
|-
|70
|π Andromedae
|HIP 2912
|Constellation lines
|4.36
|-
|71
|σ Persei
|HIP 16335
|Inside the hull
|4.36
|-
|72
|5 Lac
|HIP 111022
|Inside the hull
|4.37
|-
|73
|ϵ Andromedae
|HIP 3031
|Constellation lines
|4.38
|-
|74
|Kui
|HIP 4463
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.42
|-
|75
|11 Lac
|HIP 111944
|Inside the hull
|4.46
|-
|76
|21 LMi
|HIP 49593
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 109754
|Inside the hull
|4.49
|-
|78
|τ Aurigae
|HIP 27483
|Inside the hull
|4.5
|-
|79
|6 Lac
|HIP 111104
|Inside the hull
|4.511
|-
|80
|ν Andromedae
|HIP 3881
|Constellation lines
|4.53
|-
|81
|17 Per
|HIP 13328
|Inside the hull
|4.53
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 44700
|Inside the hull
|4.539
|-
|83
|2 Lac
|HIP 110351
|Inside the hull
|4.54
|-
|84
|4 Lac
|HIP 110609
|Inside the hull
|4.58
|-
|85
|10 LMi
|HIP 46952
|Inside the hull
|4.6
|-
|86
|ω Persei
|HIP 14817
|Inside the hull
|4.607
|-
|87
|θ Andromedae
|HIP 1366
|Constellation lines
|4.61
|-
|88
|21 Lyn
|HIP 36145
|Inside the hull
|4.61
|-
|89
|χ Herculis
|HIP 77760
|Inside the hull
|4.62
|-
|90
|ω Ursae Majoris
|HIP 53295
|Inside the hull
|4.664
|-
|91
|52 Per
|HIP 19811
|Inside the hull
|4.691
|-
|92
|20 CVn
|HIP 64844
|Inside the hull
|4.698
|-
|93
|π Persei
|HIP 13879
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|94
|υ Herculis
|HIP 78592
|Inside the hull
|4.709
|-
|95
|65 And
|HIP 11313
|Inside the hull
|4.71
|-
|96
|λ Aurigae
|HIP 24813
|Inside the hull
|4.71
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 51658
|Inside the hull
|4.715
|-
|98
|34 Per
|HIP 16244
|Inside the hull
|4.735
|-
|99
|υ Aurigae
|HIP 27639
|Inside the hull
|4.74
|-
|100
|56 Peg
|HIP 114155
|Inside the hull
|4.74
|-
|101
|ψ1 Aurigae
|HIP 30520
|Inside the hull
|4.75
|-
|102
|57 Cyg
|HIP 103089
|Inside the hull
|4.77
|-
|103
|2 Aur
|HIP 22678
|Inside the hull
|4.779
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 47029
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|105
|55 UMa
|HIP 55266
|Inside the hull
|4.8
|-
|106
|53 Per
|HIP 20354
|Inside the hull
|4.812
|-
|107
|30 Cyg
|HIP 99639
|Inside the hull
|4.819
|-
|108
|58 And
|HIP 9977
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|109
| -
|HIP 15416
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|110
|ψ2 Aurigae
|HIP 31832
|Inside the hull
|4.82
|-
|111
|μ Aurigae
|HIP 24340
|Inside the hull
|4.821
|-
|112
|52 Her
|HIP 82321
|Inside the hull
|4.823
|-
|113
|60 And
|HIP 10340
|Inside the hull
|4.826
|-
|114
|Quadrans
|HIP 73695
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|115
|Deltoton
|HIP 10644
|Inside the hull
|4.83
|-
|116
|55 Cyg
|HIP 102724
|Inside the hull
|4.86
|-
|117
|1 Aur
|HIP 22453
|Inside the hull
|4.867
|-
|118
|La Superba
|HIP 62223
|Inside the hull
|4.87
|-
|119
|10 Lac
|HIP 111841
|Inside the hull
|4.88
|-
|120
|63 Aur
|HIP 34752
|Inside the hull
|4.886
|-
|121
|ψ10 Aur
|HIP 33485
|Inside the hull
|4.893
|-
|122
|Jishui
|HIP 37265
|Inside the hull
|4.9
|-
|123
|12 Per
|HIP 12623
|Inside the hull
|4.92
|-
|124
|54 Per
|HIP 20252
|Inside the hull
|4.929
|-
|125
|24 Per
|HIP 13905
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|126
|15 Lac
|HIP 112917
|Inside the hull
|4.938
|-
|127
|τ Andromedae
|HIP 7818
|Constellation lines
|4.94
|-
|128
| -
|HIP 64540
|Inside the hull
|4.94
|-
|129
|32 Per
|HIP 15648
|Inside the hull
|4.946
|-
|130
| -
|HIP 16147
|Inside the hull
|4.97
|-
|131
|40 Per
|HIP 17313
|Inside the hull
|4.972
|-
|132
|ψ7 Aurigae
|HIP 32844
|Inside the hull
|4.975
|-
|133
|ν2 Boötis
|HIP 76041
|Inside the hull
|4.978
|-
|134
|Cl Melotte 20 772
|Cl Melotte 20 772
|Inside the hull
|4.989
|-
|135
|σ Aurigae
|HIP 25292
|Inside the hull
|4.996
|-
|136
| -
|HIP 88788
|Inside the hull
|4.997
|-
|137
|ω Aurigae
|HIP 23179
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|138
|KW Aur
|HIP 24504
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|139
|68 Cyg
|HIP 105186
|Inside the hull
|5
|-
|140
|16 Lyr
|HIP 93408
|Inside the hull
|5.006
|-
|141
|χ Andromedae
|HIP 7719
|Constellation lines
|5.008
|-
|142
|72 Peg
|HIP 116310
|Inside the hull
|5.008
|-
|143
|6 CVn
|HIP 60646
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|144
|30 Her
|HIP 80704
|Inside the hull
|5.01
|-
|145
|ψ4 Aurigae
|HIP 32173
|Inside the hull
|5.02
|-
|146
|ν1 Boötis
|HIP 75973
|Inside the hull
|5.026
|-
|147
|19 Aur
|HIP 24879
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|148
|56 UMa
|HIP 55560
|Inside the hull
|5.03
|-
|149
|31 Per
|HIP 15444
|Inside the hull
|5.032
|-
|150
|22 And
|HIP 841
|Inside the hull
|5.04
|-
|151
| -
|HIP 35384
|Inside the hull
|5.05
|-
|152
|Chalawan
|HIP 53721
|Inside the hull
|5.05
|-
|153
| -
|HIP 102843
|Inside the hull
|5.05
|-
|154
|ϕ Aurigae
|HIP 25541
|Inside the hull
|5.059
|-
|155
| -
|HIP 96825
|Inside the hull
|5.06
|-
|156
|49 UMa
|HIP 53838
|Inside the hull
|5.062
|-
|157
| -
|HIP 83947
|Inside the hull
|5.065
|-
|158
| -
|HIP 109102
|Inside the hull
|5.07
|-
|159
|13 Lac
|HIP 112242
|Inside the hull
|5.08
|-
|160
|75 Cyg
|HIP 106999
|Inside the hull
|5.086
|-
|161
|21 Per
|HIP 13775
|Inside the hull
|5.093
|-
|162
|15 LMi
|HIP 48113
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|163
|19 LMi
|HIP 48833
|Inside the hull
|5.104
|-
|164
|42 Per
|HIP 17886
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|165
|μ Coronae Borealis
|HIP 76307
|Inside the hull
|5.11
|-
|166
|65 Aur
|HIP 35710
|Inside the hull
|5.12
|-
|167
| -
|HIP 73695A
|Inside the hull
|5.136
|-
|168
|14 Tri
|HIP 11784
|Inside the hull
|5.144
|-
|169
|35 Lyn
|HIP 43531
|Inside the hull
|5.148
|-
|170
|90 Her
|HIP 87563
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|171
| -
|HIP 52469
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|172
|29 Per
|HIP 15404
|Inside the hull
|5.157
|-
|173
| -
|HIP 96459
|Inside the hull
|5.169
|-
|174
|DU Lyn
|HIP 37946
|Inside the hull
|5.18
|-
|175
|* 2 And A
|HIP 113788
|Inside the hull
|5.18
|-
|176
|66 Aur
|HIP 35907
|Inside the hull
|5.188
|-
|177
|64 And
|HIP 11220
|Inside the hull
|5.19
|-
|178
| -
|HIP 58684
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|179
|ρ Aurigae
|HIP 25048
|Inside the hull
|5.207
|-
|180
|ψ6 Aurigae
|HIP 32562
|Inside the hull
|5.216
|-
|181
|71 Cyg
|HIP 106093
|Inside the hull
|5.217
|-
|182
|Veritate
|HIP 116076
|Inside the hull
|5.22
|-
|183
|12 Lac
|HIP 112031
|Inside the hull
|5.229
|-
|184
|ψ5 Aurigae
|HIP 32480
|Inside the hull
|5.23
|-
|185
|7 Tri
|HIP 10559
|Inside the hull
|5.249
|-
|186
|UU Aur
|HIP 31579
|Inside the hull
|5.25
|-
|187
|ϕ Boötis
|HIP 76534
|Inside the hull
|5.254
|-
|188
|42 Lyn
|HIP 47300
|Inside the hull
|5.276
|-
|189
|BY Boo
|HIP 69038
|Inside the hull
|5.28
|-
|190
|36 Lyn
|HIP 45290
|Inside the hull
|5.282
|-
|191
|4 And
|HIP 114200
|Inside the hull
|5.294
|-
|192
|59 Per
|HIP 21928
|Inside the hull
|5.298
|-
|193
|V575 Per
|HIP 15770
|Inside the hull
|5.3
|-
|194
|62 And
|HIP 10819
|Inside the hull
|5.31
|-
|195
|36 Per
|HIP 16499
|Inside the hull
|5.32
|-
|196
|ψ3 Aurigae
|HIP 31789
|Inside the hull
|5.331
|-
|197
| -
|HIP 96288
|Inside the hull
|5.336
|-
|198
|11 LMi
|HIP 47080
|Inside the hull
|5.34
|-
|199
|20 Per
|HIP 13490
|Inside the hull
|5.343
|-
|200
|40 Aur
|HIP 28946
|Inside the hull
|5.345
|-
|201
|64 Peg
|HIP 115355
|Inside the hull
|5.348
|-
|202
|57 UMa
|HIP 56034
|Inside the hull
|5.354
|-
|203
|34 Lyn
|HIP 42604
|Inside the hull
|5.359
|-
|204
|8 LMi
|HIP 46735
|Inside the hull
|5.37
|-
|205
|IQ Aur
|HIP 24799
|Inside the hull
|5.371
|-
|206
|15 Tri
|HIP 12086
|Inside the hull
|5.374
|-
|207
| -
|HIP 18396
|Inside the hull
|5.379
|-
|208
|2 Her
|HIP 77907
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|209
|W Cyg
|HIP 106642
|Inside the hull
|5.38
|-
|210
|33 Boo
|HIP 71618
|Inside the hull
|5.387
|-
|211
|Intercrus
|HIP 46471
|Inside the hull
|5.393
|-
|212
| -
|HIP 20156
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|213
|NGC 2281
|NGC 2281
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|214
|14 Cyg
|HIP 96693
|Inside the hull
|5.4
|-
|215
|EW Lac
|HIP 113327
|Inside the hull
|5.43
|-
|216
|60 Cyg
|HIP 103732
|Inside the hull
|5.432
|-
|217
|14 Per
|HIP 12768
|Inside the hull
|5.435
|-
|218
|68 Psc
|HIP 4510
|Inside the hull
|5.438
|-
|219
| -
|HIP 92831
|Inside the hull
|5.44
|-
|220
|26 Lyn
|HIP 38639
|Inside the hull
|5.446
|-
|221
| -
|HIP 53781
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|222
|36 And
|HIP 4288
|Inside the hull
|5.45
|-
|223
| -
|HIP 24902
|Inside the hull
|5.456
|-
|224
|ο Aurigae
|HIP 27196
|Inside the hull
|5.46
|-
|225
|V396 Per
|HIP 16470
|Inside the hull
|5.461
|-
|226
| -
|HIP 103094
|Inside the hull
|5.462
|-
|227
|30 Per
|HIP 15338
|Inside the hull
|5.476
|-
|228
| -
|HIP 80008
|Inside the hull
|5.48
|-
|229
| -
|HIP 13965
|Inside the hull
|5.485
|-
|230
| -
|HIP 18434
|Inside the hull
|5.488
|-
|231
| -
|HIP 67250
|Inside the hull
|5.501
|-
|232
|ϵ Trianguli
|HIP 9570
|Inside the hull
|5.516
|-
|233
| -
|HIP 19335
|Inside the hull
|5.52
|-
|234
| -
|HIP 109745
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|235
| -
|HIP 35136
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|236
| -
|HIP 56770
|Inside the hull
|5.53
|-
|237
| -
|HIP 75257
|Inside the hull
|5.532
|-
|238
| -
|HIP 25143
|Inside the hull
|5.542
|-
|239
| -
|HIP 103519
|Inside the hull
|5.547
|-
|240
|67 Peg
|HIP 115591
|Inside the hull
|5.548
|-
|241
| -
|HIP 34267
|Inside the hull
|5.551
|-
|242
|11 Tri
|HIP 11432
|Inside the hull
|5.552
|-
|243
| -
|HIP 89482
|Inside the hull
|5.556
|-
|244
|63 Peg
|HIP 115271
|Inside the hull
|5.557
|-
|245
|V819 Her
|HIP 84949
|Inside the hull
|5.561
|-
|246
|V340 And
|HIP 116354
|Inside the hull
|5.563
|-
|247
| -
|HIP 17203
|Inside the hull
|5.57
|-
|248
| -
|HIP 16210
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|249
|70 Gem
|HIP 37204
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|250
| -
|HIP 100437
|Inside the hull
|5.572
|-
|251
| -
|HIP 105769
|Inside the hull
|5.58
|-
|252
| -
|HIP 37441
|Inside the hull
|5.581
|-
|253
|16 Lac
|HIP 113281
|Inside the hull
|5.587
|-
|254
| -
|HIP 17460
|Inside the hull
|5.588
|-
|255
|PZ And
|HIP 10944
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|256
|74 Her
|HIP 84835
|Inside the hull
|5.59
|-
|257
|V1942 Cyg
|HIP 108845
|Inside the hull
|5.596
|-
|258
|α1 Canum Venaticorum
|HIP 63121
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|259
|23 CVn
|HIP 65072
|Inside the hull
|5.6
|-
|260
|43 Lyn
|HIP 47570
|Inside the hull
|5.61
|-
|261
|73 Peg
|HIP 116355
|Inside the hull
|5.621
|-
|262
| -
|HIP 97757
|Inside the hull
|5.63
|-
|263
|40 Boo
|HIP 73369
|Inside the hull
|5.634
|-
|264
| -
|HIP 63916
|Inside the hull
|5.637
|-
|265
| -
|HIP 7943
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|266
| -
|HIP 22545
|Inside the hull
|5.643
|-
|267
|PU Aur
|HIP 24738
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|268
| -
|HIP 37023
|Inside the hull
|5.65
|-
|269
| -
|HIP 21823
|Inside the hull
|5.652
|-
|270
| -
|HIP 17584
|Inside the hull
|5.655
|-
|271
| -
|HIP 17932
|Inside the hull
|5.657
|-
|272
|2 CVn
|HIP 59831
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|273
| -
|HIP 24109
|Inside the hull
|5.66
|-
|274
| -
|HIP 102155
|Inside the hull
|5.664
|-
|275
| -
|HIP 88122
|Inside the hull
|5.67
|-
|276
| -
|HIP 111544
|Inside the hull
|5.67
|-
|277
| -
|HIP 22699
|Inside the hull
|5.675
|-
|278
| -
|HIP 80953
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|279
|51 Aur
|HIP 31771
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|280
|8 Lac A
|HIP 111546
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|281
|23 And
|HIP 1086
|Inside the hull
|5.69
|-
|282
| -
|HIP 9021
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|283
|3 Per
|HIP 9222
|Inside the hull
|5.702
|-
|284
|36 Aur
|HIP 28499
|Inside the hull
|5.706
|-
|285
| -
|HIP 12072
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|286
| -
|HIP 36348
|Inside the hull
|5.71
|-
|287
| -
|HIP 43923
|Inside the hull
|5.711
|-
|288
| -
|HR 8407
|Inside the hull
|5.715
|-
|289
|55 Per
|HIP 20579
|Inside the hull
|5.718
|-
|290
|M 33
|M 33
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|291
| -
|HIP 50786
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|292
| -
|HIP 109831
|Inside the hull
|5.72
|-
|293
| -
|HIP 71568
|Inside the hull
|5.721
|-
|294
| -
|HIP 113222
|Inside the hull
|5.725
|-
|295
| -
|HIP 85888
|Inside the hull
|5.726
|-
|296
| -
|HIP 16168
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|297
| -
|HIP 37369
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|298
| -
|HIP 72012
|Inside the hull
|5.73
|-
|299
|V388 And
|HIP 115755
|Inside the hull
|5.736
|-
|300
| -
|HIP 35643
|Inside the hull
|5.739
|-
|301
| -
|HIP 19525
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|302
|CO UMa
|HIP 54522
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|303
| -
|HIP 76568
|Inside the hull
|5.742
|-
|304
|4 Her
|HIP 77986
|Inside the hull
|5.75
|-
|305
|33 Lyn
|HIP 42090
|Inside the hull
|5.751
|-
|306
|Merga
|HIP 72487
|Inside the hull
|5.757
|-
|307
| -
|HIP 18212
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|308
| -
|HIP 8433
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|309
|12 And
|HIP 115280
|Inside the hull
|5.765
|-
|310
|V2015 Cyg
|HIP 101475
|Inside the hull
|5.769
|-
|311
| -
|HIP 18081
|Inside the hull
|5.772
|-
|312
|IW Per
|HIP 16591
|Inside the hull
|5.776
|-
|313
|19 CVn
|HIP 64692
|Inside the hull
|5.777
|-
|314
|32 LMi
|HIP 51420
|Inside the hull
|5.784
|-
|315
|10 And
|HIP 115191
|Inside the hull
|5.789
|-
|316
| -
|HIP 11090
|Inside the hull
|5.795
|-
|317
|56 Per
|HIP 20591
|Inside the hull
|5.795
|-
|318
| -
|HIP 15876
|Inside the hull
|5.8
|-
|319
| -
|HIP 113084
|Inside the hull
|5.805
|-
|320
| -
|HIP 112590
|Inside the hull
|5.809
|-
|321
| -
|HIP 81289
|Inside the hull
|5.814
|-
|322
| -
|HIP 9640B
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|323
| -
|HIP 16340
|Inside the hull
|5.82
|-
|324
| -
|HIP 22407
|Inside the hull
|5.824
|-
|325
| -
|HIP 11840
|Inside the hull
|5.826
|-
|326
| -
|HIP 52139
|Inside the hull
|5.83
|-
|327
|TU CVn
|HIP 63024
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|328
| -
|HIP 97081
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|329
| -
|HIP 112417
|Inside the hull
|5.84
|-
|330
| -
|HIP 49893
|Inside the hull
|5.842
|-
|331
| -
|HIP 95352
|Inside the hull
|5.853
|-
|332
| -
|HIP 21972
|Inside the hull
|5.856
|-
|333
| -
|HIP 13339
|Inside the hull
|5.859
|-
|334
| -
|HIP 99889
|Inside the hull
|5.864
|-
|335
|47 Aur
|HIP 30972
|Inside the hull
|5.866
|-
|336
| -
|HIP 9001
|Inside the hull
|5.867
|-
|337
| -
|HIP 79357
|Inside the hull
|5.868
|-
|338
|ψ9 Aurigae
|HIP 33377
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|339
|64 Aur
|HIP 35341
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|340
|V636 Her
|HIP 82172
|Inside the hull
|5.87
|-
|341
| -
|HIP 62641
|Inside the hull
|5.872
|-
|342
| -
|HIP 65550
|Inside the hull
|5.873
|-
|343
| -
|HIP 13949
|Inside the hull
|5.877
|-
|344
| -
|HIP 33415
|Inside the hull
|5.877
|-
|345
| -
|HIP 67194
|Inside the hull
|5.877
|-
|346
| -
|HIP 43894
|Inside the hull
|5.88
|-
|347
| -
|HIP 111259
|Inside the hull
|5.88
|-
|348
| -
|HIP 54537
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|349
| -
|HIP 28823
|Inside the hull
|5.89
|-
|350
| -
|HIP 16518
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|351
| -
|HIP 12181
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|352
| -
|HIP 41935
|Inside the hull
|5.9
|-
|353
| -
|HIP 113174
|Inside the hull
|5.901
|-
|354
| -
|HIP 25471
|Inside the hull
|5.905
|-
|355
| -
|HIP 37140
|Inside the hull
|5.906
|-
|356
|17 CVn
|HIP 64246
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|357
|14 Lac
|HIP 112778
|Inside the hull
|5.91
|-
|358
| -
|HIP 15004
|Inside the hull
|5.913
|-
|359
| -
|HIP 67210
|Inside the hull
|5.919
|-
|360
| -
|HIP 33421
|Inside the hull
|5.927
|-
|361
| -
|HIP 8423
|Inside the hull
|5.929
|-
|362
| -
|HIP 34358
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|363
| -
|HIP 15669
|Inside the hull
|5.93
|-
|364
| -
|HIP 98383
|Inside the hull
|5.933
|-
|365
| -
|HIP 45590
|Inside the hull
|5.938
|-
|366
| -
|HIP 45661
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|367
| -
|HR 8708
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|368
| -
|HIP 112041
|Inside the hull
|5.94
|-
|369
|58 UMa
|HIP 56148
|Inside the hull
|5.942
|-
|370
| -
|HIP 44613
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|371
|10 CVn
|HIP 62207
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|372
| -
|HIP 43553
|Inside the hull
|5.956
|-
|373
| -
|HIP 20241
|Inside the hull
|5.958
|-
|374
| -
|HIP 28562
|Inside the hull
|5.959
|-
|375
|AE Aur
|HIP 24575
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|376
| -
|HIP 103371
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|377
| -
|HIP 21847
|Inside the hull
|5.96
|-
|378
| -
|HIP 7906
|Inside the hull
|5.961
|-
|379
| -
|HIP 101986
|Inside the hull
|5.965
|-
|380
| -
|HIP 15334
|Inside the hull
|5.967
|-
|381
|V376 Per
|HIP 17846
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|382
|5 Aur
|HIP 23261
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|383
|AN And
|HIP 115065
|Inside the hull
|5.97
|-
|384
| -
|HIP 113048
|Inside the hull
|5.98
|-
|385
| -
|HIP 43550
|Inside the hull
|5.984
|-
|386
| -
|HIP 82611
|Inside the hull
|5.987
|-
|387
| -
|HIP 64212
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|388
| -
|HIP 45412
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|389
| -
|HIP 112241
|Inside the hull
|5.99
|-
|390
| -
|HIP 25816
|Inside the hull
|5.991
|-
|391
|V573 Per
|HIP 15241
|Inside the hull
|5.994
|-
|392
| -
|HIP 22220
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|393
|M36
|M36
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|394
| -
|HIP 53726
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|395
| -
|HIP 94755
|Inside the hull
|6
|-
|396
| -
|HIP 41224
|Inside the hull
|6.001
|-
|397
| -
|HIP 87445
|Inside the hull
|6.001
|-
|398
|44 Boo
|HIP 73695B
|Inside the hull
|6.004
|-
|399
| -
|HIP 51200
|Inside the hull
|6.007
|-
|400
| -
|HIP 50546
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|401
| -
|HIP 53791
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|402
| -
|HIP 33044
|Inside the hull
|6.016
|-
|403
|51 UMa
|HIP 54136
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|404
|62 Aur
|HIP 33614
|Inside the hull
|6.021
|-
|405
|4 CVn
|HIP 60467
|Inside the hull
|6.022
|-
|406
| -
|HIP 111869
|Inside the hull
|6.023
|-
|407
| -
|HIP 13832
|Inside the hull
|6.028
|-
|408
| -
|HIP 13713
|Inside the hull
|6.03
|-
|409
| -
|HIP 53465
|Inside the hull
|6.034
|-
|410
| -
|HIP 17437
|Inside the hull
|6.042
|-
|411
| -
|HIP 14365
|Inside the hull
|6.05
|-
|412
| -
|HIP 92098
|Inside the hull
|6.051
|-
|413
| -
|HIP 75369
|Inside the hull
|6.055
|-
|414
| -
|HIP 22842
|Inside the hull
|6.058
|-
|415
| -
|HIP 41262
|Inside the hull
|6.059
|-
|416
| -
|HIP 82012
|Inside the hull
|6.059
|-
|417
| -
|HIP 116030
|Inside the hull
|6.059
|-
|418
| -
|HIP 15118
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|419
| -
|HIP 37580
|Inside the hull
|6.06
|-
|420
| -
|HIP 65951
|Inside the hull
|6.065
|-
|421
|59 And A
|HIP 10176
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|422
| -
|HIP 27778
|Inside the hull
|6.07
|-
|423
| -
|HIP 12160
|Inside the hull
|6.075
|-
|424
|60 UMa
|HIP 56789
|Inside the hull
|6.076
|-
|425
|57 Per
|HIP 21242
|Inside the hull
|6.078
|-
|426
| -
|HIP 22034
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|427
| -
|HIP 19302
|Inside the hull
|6.08
|-
|428
| -
|HIP 26363
|Inside the hull
|6.082
|-
|429
| -
|HIP 22955
|Inside the hull
|6.089
|-
|430
|V576 Per
|HIP 15988
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|431
|* 38 Lyn B
|HIP 45688B
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|432
| -
|HR 8962
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|433
| -
|HIP 17475
|Inside the hull
|6.091
|-
|434
| -
|HIP 26315
|Inside the hull
|6.095
|-
|435
|59 Aur
|HIP 33041
|Inside the hull
|6.099
|-
|436
|67 Psc
|HIP 4366
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|437
| -
|HIP 10180
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|438
| -
|HIP 28677
|Inside the hull
|6.1
|-
|439
| -
|HIP 111567
|Inside the hull
|6.105
|-
|440
| -
|HIP 13997
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|441
| -
|HIP 63211
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|442
|AR Lac
|HIP 109303
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|443
| -
|HIP 28908
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|444
|26 And
|HIP 1501
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|445
| -
|HIP 23511
|Inside the hull
|6.111
|-
|446
|CY Lyn
|HIP 43685
|Inside the hull
|6.129
|-
|447
| -
|HIP 74571
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|448
| -
|HIP 109033
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|449
| -
|HIP 89604
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|450
| -
|HIP 115171
|Inside the hull
|6.13
|-
|451
| -
|HIP 75770
|Inside the hull
|6.138
|-
|452
| -
|HIP 14887
|Inside the hull
|6.139
|-
|453
|13 LMi
|HIP 47631
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|454
| -
|HIP 75093
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|455
| -
|HIP 99685
|Inside the hull
|6.14
|-
|456
|AR Aur
|HIP 24740
|Inside the hull
|6.144
|-
|457
| -
|HIP 29025
|Inside the hull
|6.144
|-
|458
|41 Aur A
|HIP 29388
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|459
| -
|HIP 1302
|Inside the hull
|6.15
|-
|460
| -
|HIP 25476
|Inside the hull
|6.151
|-
|461
|V352 Aur
|HIP 33269
|Inside the hull
|6.151
|-
|462
| -
|HIP 10924
|Inside the hull
|6.154
|-
|463
| -
|HIP 103532
|Inside the hull
|6.156
|-
|464
| -
|HIP 25475
|Inside the hull
|6.158
|-
|465
| -
|HIP 105101
|Inside the hull
|6.159
|-
|466
| -
|HIP 96805
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|467
| -
|HIP 116582
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|468
| -
|HIP 110849
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|469
| -
|HIP 110566
|Inside the hull
|6.16
|-
|470
| -
|HIP 82355
|Inside the hull
|6.165
|-
|471
| -
|HIP 20231
|Inside the hull
|6.167
|-
|472
| -
|HIP 21038
|Inside the hull
|6.169
|-
|473
|NGC 1912 562
|NGC 1912 562
|Inside the hull
|6.17
|-
|474
| -
|HIP 116365
|Inside the hull
|6.173
|-
|475
| -
|HIP 41798
|Inside the hull
|6.174
|-
|476
| -
|HIP 110171
|Inside the hull
|6.179
|-
|477
| -
|HIP 15209
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|478
| -
|HIP 113371
|Inside the hull
|6.18
|-
|479
|9 LMi
|HIP 46904
|Inside the hull
|6.181
|-
|480
| -
|HIP 109121
|Inside the hull
|6.181
|-
|481
| -
|HIP 34462
|Inside the hull
|6.185
|-
|482
|32 Lyn
|HIP 41975
|Inside the hull
|6.186
|-
|483
| -
|HIP 74514
|Inside the hull
|6.187
|-
|484
| -
|HIP 12287
|Inside the hull
|6.191
|-
|485
|V543 Lyr
|HIP 93177
|Inside the hull
|6.192
|-
|486
| -
|HIP 24771
|Inside the hull
|6.199
|-
|487
| -
|HIP 28438
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|488
| -
|HIP 44231
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|489
|CP Cyg
|HIP 106752
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|490
|V545 Per
|HIP 20063
|Inside the hull
|6.205
|-
|491
| -
|HIP 42777
|Inside the hull
|6.205
|-
|492
| -
|HIP 32190
|Inside the hull
|6.206
|-
|493
| -
|HIP 23799
|Inside the hull
|6.207
|-
|494
| -
|HIP 106420
|Inside the hull
|6.209
|-
|495
| -
|HIP 13462
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|496
| -
|HIP 105034
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|497
| -
|HIP 114526
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|498
|V533 Lyr
|HIP 91250
|Inside the hull
|6.211
|-
|499
| -
|HIP 28861
|Inside the hull
|6.213
|-
|500
| -
|HIP 16252
|Inside the hull
|6.217
|-
|501
| -
|HIP 10814
|Inside the hull
|6.22
|-
|502
| -
|HIP 38723
|Inside the hull
|6.221
|-
|503
| -
|HIP 12200
|Inside the hull
|6.226
|-
|504
| -
|HIP 69569
|Inside the hull
|6.227
|-
|505
|V423 Per
|HIP 15204
|Inside the hull
|6.229
|-
|506
|5 Tri
|HIP 10220
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|507
| -
|HIP 91491
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|508
|* Del Cyg B
|* del Cyg B
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|509
|V1981 Cyg
|HIP 103828
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|510
|V1339 Cyg
|HIP 107140
|Inside the hull
|6.23
|-
|511
| -
|HIP 33056
|Inside the hull
|6.236
|-
|512
| -
|HIP 4317
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|513
| -
|HIP 115261
|Inside the hull
|6.24
|-
|514
|11 CVn
|HIP 62516
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|515
| -
|HIP 96706
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|516
| -
|HIP 116292
|Inside the hull
|6.246
|-
|517
| -
|HIP 12982
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|518
| -
|HIP 12990
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|519
| -
|HIP 11651
|Inside the hull
|6.252
|-
|520
| -
|HIP 17732
|Inside the hull
|6.252
|-
|521
|25 Lyn
|HIP 38623
|Inside the hull
|6.253
|-
|522
| -
|HIP 39938
|Inside the hull
|6.255
|-
|523
| -
|HIP 26071
|Inside the hull
|6.261
|-
|524
| -
|HIP 8930
|Inside the hull
|6.267
|-
|525
| -
|HIP 68567
|Inside the hull
|6.269
|-
|526
| -
|HIP 92599
|Inside the hull
|6.269
|-
|527
| -
|HIP 100016
|Inside the hull
|6.273
|-
|528
| -
|HIP 111627
|Inside the hull
|6.275
|-
|529
|* 65 Psc B
|HIP 3885
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|530
| -
|HIP 12690
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|531
| -
|HIP 16424
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|532
| -
|HIP 55936
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|533
|15 CVn
|HIP 64217
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|534
| -
|HIP 70517
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|535
| -
|HIP 12305
|Inside the hull
|6.287
|-
|536
|35 LMi
|HIP 51914
|Inside the hull
|6.287
|-
|537
| -
|HIP 66892
|Inside the hull
|6.289
|-
|538
| -
|HIP 82419
|Inside the hull
|6.29
|-
|539
| -
|HIP 27319
|Inside the hull
|6.292
|-
|540
| -
|HIP 78153
|Inside the hull
|6.297
|-
|541
| -
|HIP 89474
|Inside the hull
|6.298
|-
|542
|BD+26 128
|BD+26 128
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|543
| -
|HIP 8086
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|544
| -
|HIP 34428
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|545
| -
|HIP 100515
|Inside the hull
|6.3
|-
|546
|EE UMa
|HIP 56135
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|547
| -
|HIP 102530
|Inside the hull
|6.303
|-
|548
| -
|HIP 15191
|Inside the hull
|6.304
|-
|549
| -
|HIP 19810
|Inside the hull
|6.308
|-
|550
| -
|HIP 70029
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|551
| -
|HIP 103949
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|552
| -
|HIP 41484
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|553
| -
|HIP 33271
|Inside the hull
|6.311
|-
|554
| -
|HIP 18565
|Inside the hull
|6.313
|-
|555
| -
|HIP 115148
|Inside the hull
|6.315
|-
|556
| -
|HIP 69862
|Inside the hull
|6.316
|-
|557
| -
|HIP 28820
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|558
| -
|HIP 35623
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|559
|OP Her
|HIP 87850
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|560
|V377 Lac
|HIP 113009
|Inside the hull
|6.32
|-
|561
|43 Aur
|HIP 29949
|Inside the hull
|6.323
|-
|562
| -
|HIP 39279
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|563
| -
|HIP 48861
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|564
| -
|HIP 60305
|Inside the hull
|6.325
|-
|565
| -
|HIP 14914
|Inside the hull
|6.327
|-
|566
| -
|HIP 2583
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|567
| -
|HIP 86501
|Inside the hull
|6.33
|-
|568
| -
|HIP 114607
|Inside the hull
|6.331
|-
|569
| -
|HIP 65230
|Inside the hull
|6.332
|-
|570
|V2136 Cyg
|HIP 102827
|Inside the hull
|6.333
|-
|571
| -
|HIP 49870
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|572
| -
|HIP 62172
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|573
| -
|HIP 116505
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|574
| -
|HIP 29114
|Inside the hull
|6.339
|-
|575
| -
|HIP 21144
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|576
| -
|HIP 31889
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|577
| -
|HIP 37091
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|578
| -
|HIP 54842
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|579
|V343 Peg
|HIP 114187
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|580
| -
|HIP 12057
|Inside the hull
|6.345
|-
|581
|DT Psc
|HIP 5772
|Inside the hull
|6.347
|-
|582
| -
|HIP 28642
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|583
|28 Lyn
|HIP 39722
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|584
|BX Boo
|HIP 73454
|Inside the hull
|6.351
|-
|585
|9 CVn
|HIP 61692
|Inside the hull
|6.352
|-
|586
| -
|HIP 89246
|Inside the hull
|6.352
|-
|587
| -
|HIP 115389
|Inside the hull
|6.354
|-
|588
| -
|HIP 26463
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|589
| -
|HIP 83013
|Inside the hull
|6.355
|-
|590
| -
|HIP 51290
|Inside the hull
|6.357
|-
|591
| -
|HIP 34168
|Inside the hull
|6.359
|-
|592
| -
|HIP 10562
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|593
| -
|HIP 38959
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|594
| -
|HIP 83816
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|595
| -
|HIP 87434
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|596
| -
|HIP 70873
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|597
| -
|HIP 112032
|Inside the hull
|6.36
|-
|598
| -
|HIP 32268
|Inside the hull
|6.369
|-
|599
|V405 Lac
|HIP 110408
|Inside the hull
|6.369
|-
|600
| -
|HIP 47633
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|601
| -
|HIP 56410
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|602
| -
|HIP 66223
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|603
| -
|HIP 105017
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|604
| -
|HIP 111753
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|605
| -
|HIP 88565
|Inside the hull
|6.374
|-
|606
|V521 Per
|HIP 14544
|Inside the hull
|6.375
|-
|607
| -
|HIP 69735
|Inside the hull
|6.376
|-
|608
| -
|HIP 86713
|Inside the hull
|6.376
|-
|609
| -
|HIP 25810
|Inside the hull
|6.377
|-
|610
| -
|HIP 114152
|Inside the hull
|6.379
|-
|611
| -
|HIP 9983
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|612
| -
|HR 1371
|Inside the hull
|6.38
|-
|613
| -
|HIP 44331
|Inside the hull
|6.386
|-
|614
| -
|HIP 79385
|Inside the hull
|6.388
|-
|615
|V354 Peg
|HIP 116119
|Inside the hull
|6.388
|-
|616
| -
|HIP 18769
|Inside the hull
|6.389
|-
|617
| -
|HIP 27777
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|618
| -
|HIP 36740
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|619
| -
|HIP 45888
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|620
| -
|HIP 114725
|Inside the hull
|6.395
|-
|621
| -
|HIP 15323
|Inside the hull
|6.399
|-
|622
|M38
|M38
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|623
| -
|HIP 35725
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|624
| -
|HIP 50509
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|625
| -
|HIP 25580
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|626
|NGC 7243
|NGC 7243
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|627
| -
|HIP 16938
|Inside the hull
|6.402
|-
|628
| -
|HIP 10830
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|629
|KP Per
|HIP 16516
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|630
|* 60 Aur A
|HIP 33064
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|631
| -
|HIP 36351
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|632
|CC Lyn
|HIP 36965
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|633
| -
|HIP 54745
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|634
| -
|HIP 56170
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|635
|V385 And
|HIP 115530
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|636
| -
|HIP 16447
|Inside the hull
|6.411
|-
|637
| -
|HIP 102585
|Inside the hull
|6.411
|-
|638
|LN And
|HIP 113802
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|639
|V350 Lac
|HIP 111072
|Inside the hull
|6.42
|-
|640
| -
|HIP 112144
|Inside the hull
|6.421
|-
|641
| -
|HIP 113750
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|642
|[AKS95] 151
|[AKS95] 151
|Inside the hull
|6.435
|-
|643
| -
|HIP 13257
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|644
| -
|HIP 26592
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|645
| -
|HIP 83593
|Inside the hull
|6.441
|-
|646
| -
|HIP 112305
|Inside the hull
|6.441
|-
|647
| -
|HIP 17558
|Inside the hull
|6.443
|-
|648
|ψ8 Aurigae
|HIP 33133
|Inside the hull
|6.443
|-
|649
|V1773 Cyg
|HIP 100142
|Inside the hull
|6.443
|-
|650
| -
|HIP 13176
|Inside the hull
|6.448
|-
|651
| -
|HIP 9163
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|652
| -
|HIP 19746
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|653
|Groombridge 1830
|HIP 57939
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|654
| -
|HIP 98253
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|655
| -
|HIP 101133
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|656
| -
|HIP 110055
|Inside the hull
|6.45
|-
|657
| -
|HIP 114981
|Inside the hull
|6.455
|-
|658
| -
|HIP 110487
|Inside the hull
|6.457
|-
|659
| -
|HIP 15282
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|660
| -
|HIP 25301
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|661
| -
|HIP 103596
|Inside the hull
|6.465
|-
|662
|V509 Per
|HIP 14264
|Inside the hull
|6.467
|-
|663
| -
|HIP 13036
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|664
| -
|HIP 24332
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|665
| -
|HIP 46879
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|666
|29 LMi
|HIP 51047
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|667
| -
|HIP 56809A
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|668
| -
|HIP 26054
|Inside the hull
|6.474
|-
|669
|V1584 Cyg
|HIP 100250
|Inside the hull
|6.478
|-
|670
| -
|HIP 67778
|Inside the hull
|6.479
|-
|671
|ET And
|HIP 115036
|Inside the hull
|6.479
|-
|672
| -
|HIP 22003
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|673
|6 Aur
|HIP 23268
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|674
| -
|HIP 24881
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|675
| -
|HIP 32746
|Inside the hull
|6.48
|-
|676
| -
|HIP 32040
|Inside the hull
|6.481
|-
|677
|V771 Her
|HIP 88030
|Inside the hull
|6.481
|-
|678
| -
|HIP 35317
|Inside the hull
|6.485
|-
|679
| -
|HIP 103871
|Inside the hull
|6.486
|-
|680
| -
|HR 8549
|Inside the hull
|6.487
|-
|681
|18 Aur
|HIP 24832
|Inside the hull
|6.489
|-
|682
| -
|HIP 13275
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|683
| -
|HIP 16425
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|684
| -
|HIP 28634
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|685
| -
|HIP 58119
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|686
| -
|HIP 61283
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|687
| -
|HIP 65723
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|688
| -
|HIP 113603
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|689
| -
|HIP 109079
|Inside the hull
|6.494
|-
|690
|V550 Lyr
|HIP 93808
|Inside the hull
|6.496
|-
|691
| -
|HIP 23724
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|692
| -
|HIP 33453
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|693
| -
|HIP 35113
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|694
| -
|HIP 38349
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|695
| -
|HIP 38403
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|696
| -
|HIP 39094
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|697
| -
|HR 4098
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|698
| -
|HIP 65135
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|699
| -
|HIP 114844
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|700
| -
|HIP 110790
|Inside the hull
|6.51
|-
|701
| -
|HIP 116613
|Inside the hull
|6.58
|-
|702
| -
|HIP 58287
|Inside the hull
|6.59
|-
|703
| -
|HIP 44728
|Inside the hull
|6.6
|-
|704
| -
|HIP 79248
|Inside the hull
|6.61
|-
|705
| -
|HIP 58708
|Inside the hull
|6.63
|-
|706
| -
|HIP 50505
|Inside the hull
|6.65
|-
|707
| -
|HIP 56145
|Inside the hull
|6.66
|-
|708
| -
|HIP 75107
|Inside the hull
|6.74
|-
|709
| -
|HIP 32275
|Inside the hull
|6.91
|-
|710
| -
|HIP 90720
|Inside the hull
|6.99
|}

=== Ancient Globes ===
<gallery>
File:Andromeda Kugel smh2024.jpg|Andromeda on the Kugel Globe, -2nd or -1st c BCE (drawing Susanne M Hoffmann, see: Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.)
File:And onFarnese drawn.jpg|Andromeda on the Farnese Globe, 2nd century CE (drawing by SMH)
File:DeaSyria 300dpi.jpg|Globus Farnese group of Andromeda, Pisces, Aquarius mapped to Stellarium (SMH 2023, cf. Hoffmann (2025), Some Results on the Ancient Globes, Globe Studies – The Journal of the International Coronelli Society, 69, 4169.)
File:And mainz.jpg|Andromeda on the Mainz Globe, 2nd century CE, drawn by Susanne M Hoffmann
</gallery>

=== Ancient Background: Princess of Ethiopia? ===
In ancient legends, Andromeda is described as the princess of Ethiopia without the location of this country being specified. The place of her sacrification, Andromeda's Rock, is at the coast of Tel Aviv (modern Israel) which is in contrast to the location of the modern country of Ethiopia in Africa. It lies east of southern Egypt (today’s Sudan) on the Red Sea. Although the ancient geographer Strabo also places Ethiopia in Africa, the Greek name of the ethnic group of the Αἰθίοψ (aithiops), “those with burned faces”, means the same as “dark-skinned person”. Ethiopia (Αἰθιοπία) is thus “the land of the dark-skinned” and, according to the Hellenistic worldview, this could be anything between India and Sudan. Strabo dates to Roman times (1st century BCE), so it is worth looking at archaeological historical research.

The Egyptian empire had previously (from c. 1550 BCE for about 4 centuries) not only encompassed the Sinai Peninsula, but also temporarily reached into the region of southwest Asia that is now Israel and Lebanon. The Jewish story of the Exodus (liberation from slavery by flight from Egypt, which is said to have taken place between 1200 and 1000 BCE) thus reports of exchanges (of people and culture) between Egypt and this fertile (flourishing) land. This is confirmed by historical research. Exchanges with the more eastern empires of Babylon and Assur can also be attested long before. Several generations of Egyptian pharaohs actually came from the area around Carthum (Sudan) in the 8th century BCE, the so-called “Black Pharaohs” and relations & exchanges between the milky coffee-coloured Berbers in the North African coastal region and the Blacks further south were of course always present – long before (in the 4th century BCE) light-skinned Macedonians conquered the land from Anatolia via the Levant to Egypt and called it “Greek”.

Leaving aside ancient Greek racism and “whitewashing” when Hellenism and Rome imagined that all peoples (even in Black Africa) were ruled by whites, all these changing state boundaries, rulers and migrations of peoples say nothing about the geographical location of the ethnic group of the Αἰθίοψ (aithiops).

==== Location according to ancient scholars ====
Herodotus (Greek historian, 5th century BCE) likes to play with words. For him Perseus is the progenitor of the Persians and Andromeda therefore also their progenitor [Hdt. 1:7]:

* ''When Perseus, the son of Danae and Zeus, came to Cepheus, the son of Belus, and married his daughter Andromeda, a son was born to him, whom he called Perses, and he left him there; for Cepheus had no male offspring; from this Perses the Persians have their name.''

Herodotus was from what was then Persia, a place called Ἁλικαρνᾱσσός (Halikarnāssós, modern Bodrum in Turkey), which further places this pun in the realm of popular legends common at the time. One would thus conjecture that Cepheus and his grandson Perses ruled over a land located in present-day Turkey on the Mediterranean Sea.

Such folk etymologies are quite common in antiquity. However, no one seriously knows where the proper names used in this myth come from. Does the name “Andromeda” perhaps contain the verb δρομάς (to walk, to run), from which the name of the animal “dromedary” also derives – or the verb ἀνδρόω (to become a man)? What do the names “Cepheus” and “Cassiopeia” mean? No one knows.

Therefore, the linking of Perses and his father Perseus with the Persians seems to be rather invented after the fact.

==== References to Andromeda's Rock ====
[[File:And-rock2023.png|alt=Andromeda's Rock in front of the skyline of modern Tel Aviv.|thumb|Andromeda's Rock in front of the skyline of modern Tel Aviv (Susanne M Hoffmann 2023). ]]
Two historical reports are known in which the rock to which Andromeda was chained is geographically located: the geographer Strabo in the 1st century BCE and the Jewish-Roman chronicler Flavius Josephus in the 1st century CE both name Joppa (=Jaffa = historical old city of Tel Aviv), i.e. also the Mediterranean coast, but clearly south of Bodrum (Turkey).

===== Strabo (-1st century) =====
Strabo’s indication here is strange to misleading [Strabo, Geography, 2:16.2]:<blockquote>''[enumeration of cities.]''

''Then Joppa, where the coast of Egypt, extending at first eastward, makes a notable bend to the north. According to some writers, Andromeda was exposed to the sea monster at this place. It is high enough and is said to offer a view of Jerusalem, the capital of the Jews….''</blockquote>Joppa and the coastal strip south of it (including Ashkalon and Gaza) actually belonged to Egypt at the time, but I doubt you can see Jerusalem from there because 1) Jerusalem is 750 m higher than Tel Aviv and 2) there is a mountain in between. Nevertheless, the proximity of Jaffa and Jerusalem is remarkable when one looks at the legend of Andromeda, because – like the most famous of all Jewish prophets, who was later executed by Romans in Jerusalem – Andromeda is also guiltlessly sacrificed by her people for the sins of others (esp. her mother). This kind of belief in a human redeemer from the sins (of the people) is thus demonstrably not uncommon in this geographical area.

===== Josephus Flavius (+1st century) =====
[[File:Jaffa luftbild smh-1024x444.jpg|alt=Old Jaffa seen from above (Susanne M Hoffmann 2023).|thumb|Old Jaffa seen from above (Susanne M Hoffmann 2023).]]

Josephus is a Jew who at first wanted to defend Jerusalem, but later joined the Roman conquerors and therefore took the name of the emperor Flavius. After going to Rome, he wrote a chronicle of the Jewish-Roman war (in which the famous Second Jerusalem Temple was destroyed). So Josephus, writing after 70 CE, will have reported that he still saw the chains of Andromeda on the rock (or at least remains of them), [Flavius Josephus 1:3.419]:<blockquote>''Joppa, however, is not by nature a harbour, for it ends on a rough shore, while everything else is straight, but the two ends bend towards each other, where there are deep chasms and great stones jutting into the sea, and where the chains with which Andromeda was bound have left their traces, which bear witness to the antiquity of this fable.''</blockquote>However, he also tells of “deep chasms and great stones” and this is indeed the image on the coast of the historic old city of Tel Aviv.

The Andromeda Rock, photographed here seaward against the skyline of the modern district (Tel Aviv, Bauhaus style), is marked with an Israeli flag. This modern city was built after the world wars and borders directly north on the historic old city (Joppa=Jaffa), so that the official name of the metropolis is now Tel Aviv-Jaffa. First the Philistine people settled there, later the area was conquered by the Egyptians and still later by the Romans.

For those who do not believe what Josephus describes from the above photos or with the knowledge of the tourist beach promenade of Tel Aviv, this aerial photo (which I took with my mobile phone when I left) may seem a more credible proof: there are really no large rocks far and wide on the coast of today’s Tel Aviv, but plenty of “menhirs in the water”, if one may say so somewhat casually.

So if Andromeda was chained to a rock here, it certainly didn’t look like she was depicted in early modern paintings (screenshot from wikipedia below) with her arms raised upwards, because there would have been no rock for that – apart from the fact that ancient depictions don’t show her naked, but always clothed (vases: heroes naked, ladies clothed, ancient celestial globes).

None of the rocks is taller than a human being. Possible would be a pose as painted by Guido Reni in the 17th century or as erotically draped in sculptural art by Daniel Chester French in 1931. In any case, the Andromeda saga is virtually the ancient version of Fifty Shades of Grey.

No surprise that the story and depiction of Andromeda has been controversial for centuries! It is sexist, frivolous, depicts clear patriarchal gender roles, is suspected of ancient racism, which would be called “whitewashing” in modern times… Indeed: the skin colour of Andromeda has also long been the subject of controversy: Ovid (living in Roman times and restaging many ancient sagas by combining narrative strands from different cultures of the empire) describes her sometimes marble-coloured and sometimes dark-skinned, while images on Greek vases show a fair-skinned figure at all times (since 600 BCE). The wikipedia reports on this in detail.

==== When did the story take place (if at all)? ====
No one is able to prove the historicity of this story, but Ernst Künzl pointed out in an article on the origin of the star sagas that all “Greek” constellation sagas take place in the time before the Trojan War. Earliest Greek-language texts are attributed to an author named Homer, of whom it is not known whether it was really just one person (or denotes a group), because the word “homer” actually means exactly “host”, so it can also denote one or more person(s) from another culture (e.g. Babylonian) who wrote in Greek. This person or group of people is dated to about 800 (give or take centuries) BCE.

Ancient historians tried to date the legendary Trojan War already in classical times and got dates before 1000 BCE, maybe 1200 BCE…. but these dates were derived half a millennium to a millennium later. If they are right, that would be exactly the time in which the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt guided by Moses is supposed to have taken place – with an equally vague dating.

The Andromeda story would therefore have to have taken place (if at all) when this land had not yet been settled by the Israelites or at the latest at the time of their arrival. All sources in the form of images and writing date many centuries later and could already paint the picture mythically transfigured (not truthfully).

==== So where does Andromeda come from? ====
… from Africa (today’s Eritrea/Ethiopia), from the (today’s) Turkish coast or from the (today’s) Israeli coast? The answer is probably not clear. The tendency is probably more from West Asia than Africa.

The beliefs (of patriarchal societies in nomadic peoples, the equal worship of 4 matriarchs and 3 patriarchs in the Jewish faith, the innocent human sacrifice for the redemption of sins in the Christian etc.) are present in this region and also the story of the sea monster Ketos seems to originate rather from there, i.e. here too (AFAIK) literary research sees the origin in various source stories in the eastern Mediterranean region: the myth of Heracles and Hesione is said to have come from Anatolia, whereby Heracles rescues the princess Hesione but (in most variants) does not marry her (but gives her to a follower as a bride or enslaves her). From the Levant there is the above-mentioned erotic Andromeda story, from which the “Persians” in Anatolia are said to have descended. Both deal with a sea monster and a lady who (as an idle figure) is saved from it by a hero.

However, the constellation of Andromeda is also located at the place where the Babylonian goddess of erotic love has her constellation. Therefore, the suspicion is that the Greek figure of '''Andromeda is a syncretism''': a fusion of '''(i)''' the Babylonian erotic goddess (possibly mixed with the “goddess of Ashkelon”, who was also a love goddess), '''(ii)''' the sex idol from the Levant who was sacrificed for the sins of her mother and '''(iii)''' Hesione from Anatolia, who was sacrificed by her father for his sins.

== Transfer and Transformation of the constellation ==
[[File:Psc-And-Aqr grp-GIF engl.gif|alt=animated GIF showing the transformation of constellations in the Andromeda-region|thumb|transformation of the constellation in the Andromeda-region from Babylonian "Anunitu" through Syriac deities to the Greek mythological princess (by Susanne M Hoffmann 2016)]]
The Greek legend of a '''princess sacrificed''' to a sea monster is know from two places: 1) Troy where the hero Hercules rescued the Troyan princess Hesione who was offered to the seamonster by her father, and 2) Jaffa (other spellings: Japho, Joppa, Yāfō and Yāfā) where the hero Perseus rescued the princess Andromeda. Hesione should pay for the sins of her father, Andromeda for those of her mother and both are considered to rescue their people with it. The kingdom in Anatolia where the Hesione myth stems from is said to have been established by Perseus which may imply a connection between the two tales.

In Babylonian time, the western part of the constellation was named "[[Anunitu]]" which is a by-name of the goddess of love and war, Ishtar. She was depicted next to her lover, the god of shepherds, Dumuzi, represented by the constellation of the Hired Man (Akkadian: ''Agru'', mul lúḪUN.GÁ) as reported in MUL.APIN I i 42-43. Ishtar's attribute animal is the lion as they represent her on the famous city gate of Babylon, the Ishtar Gate (now: Vorderasiatisches Museum, Berlin).

=== Goddess of Ashkelon ===
In Ashkelon (40 km south of Tel Aviv), a special syncretism was worshipped: the Babylonian goddess of love was merged with the Egyptian goddess of love. The goddess of Ashkelon was strongly connected with fish as her attribute animal. Fish were holy for her and she is even occasionally depicted with a fish-tail. Thus, the northern one of the two fish of modern Pisces, was originally meant as an attribut of the goddess.

The Greek mythology of Andromeda originates from the area of Tel Aviv where a rock in the water used to be called "Andromeda's Rock" since at least Greco-Roman time. The story, of course, is much older, predates the written sources and similar mythologies existed in other areas (such as Troy, Anatolia, modern-day Turkey). <gallery>
File:Andromeda-pisces.jpg|Andromeda with one of the fish of Pisces next to her. Engraving of the Farnese globe by Louis-Philippe Boitard (fl. 1733–58).
File:Andromeda Farnse stellarium.jpg|Andromeda drawing on the Farnese Globe with a fish (unconnected to the other in Pisces) as her attribute, mapped to Stellarium. When her head is at α And, her right arm cannot be placed at ι, κ, λ And but needs to be placed further east (CC BY Susanne M Hoffmann 2021).
File:DemetriusIIICoin.png|Goddess of Ashkelon with a fish tail; coin ~100 BCE.
File:And+horse+camel ArabianSky.png|The Indigenous Arabian constellations of The Horse and The Camel next to the adopted Syrian constellation of the Love Goddess with a Fish (Andromeda) in an al-Sufi manuscript dating AH 519/ 1125 CE, copied by 'Ali bin 'Abd al-Jalil bin 'Ali bin Muhammad. Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 exhibition: of [[Al Faras|al-Faras]] al-Kamil and [[An-naqa|al-Naqa]]. (Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar. MS.2.1998), study by [https://www.academia.edu/11565988/The_Most_Authoritative_Copy_of_%CA%BFAbd_al_Rahman_al_Sufi_s_Tenth_century_Guide_to_the_Constellations_In_God_is_Beautiful_He_Loves_Beauty_The_Object_in_Islamic_Art_and_Culture_ed_by_Sheila_Blair_and_Jonathan_Bloom_New_Haven_Yale_UP_2013_pp_122_155 Emilie Savage-Smith (2013)].
File:Sufi74v beduinConst Fish+Camel+Horse.jpg|Detail from "Kitāb Ṣuwar al-kawākib al-thābitah", Bodleian Library MS. Huntington 212, from Mosul 1170, [https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/fba70a3f-2cf2-40cd-8d43-017b3eaed5c3/surfaces/ef471168-0326-4b79-b9b4-b6e91786c4fb/ digitalisation] . Clearly visible that the lady (goddess/ Andromeda) rides on the fish.
File:And asSufi MSGotha.jpg|Andromeda with a fish next to her in a 15th century copy of as-Sufi's Book of Fixed Stars (Forschungsbibliothek Gotha).
</gallery>

=== Other deities ===
'''Herodotus (Historia, I, 105)''' mentions that the cult of Ashkelon came through Cyprus to Greece; the temple in Ashkelon is the oldest one, he says, and equals the Greek "Celestial Aphrodite" (Aphrodite Urania) with her. The goddess of Ashkelon is a love goddess who is a syncretism of the Egyptian Isis, Phoenician and Babylonian goddess. "Aphrodite Urania" got a temple in "the gardens" (ἐν κήποις) in Athens.

'''Strabo (XVI,4,27)''' identifies Aphrodite Urania (Ἀφροδίτη Οὐρανία) with Atargatis, the Dea Syria with the most important temple in Bambyke (close to modern Aleppo).

The Roman poet '''Ovid''' reports a story of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, escaping from the Giants with her son, Eros. When they arrived at the Euphrates, they jumped into the water and were rescued by two fish.

Ovid also reports a story of the birth of Aphrodite/ Venus from a huge egg that was rolled out of the Euphrates river by a fish. This creation myth of the goddess (invented in Roman time) contradicts the classical Greek creation myth where Aphrodite is born from the foam of the sea. This traditional narrative gave her the name because Ἀφροδίτη derives from ἀφρός, ''aphrós'', foam.

'''Result:''' Dea Syria is identified with

* Atargatis, a goddess of love and fertility from Bambyke,
* Derketo, a goddess of love and the sea from Ashkelon,
* Aphrodite Urania, a love goddess, worshipped in Cyprus and Athens
* Tarantha, a variant of Atargatis worshipped in Edessa
<gallery>
File:Sanctuary of Aphrodite Urania, Athens.jpg|Sanctuary of Aphrodite Urania, Athens
File:Altar of Aphrodite Urania.jpg|Altar of Aphrodite Urania, Athenia Agora, current state
File:Aphrodite Ourania Ladder.jpg|Terracotta ladder, symbol of Aphrodite Ourania, goddess of marriage, 6th century BC. Acropolis Museum, Athens (phot o by Catlemur).
File:Erotes, relief, Aphrodite Urania, 2nd century BC, ACMA, 224961.jpg|Slab with a procession of Erotes who hold oinochoai and incense burners. Sanctuary of the Aphrodite Urania, probably from the precinct of sanctuary, 2nd century BC. Acropolis Museum Athens, NAM 1451 (photo by Zde on wikicommons)
File:Relief of Atargatis and Hadad from Dura-Europos.tif|Relief of Atargatis and Hadad (ca. 100–256 CE)
File:Statue of Atargatis, Amman.jpg|Statue of Atargatis, Amman
File:Coin of Atargatis.jpg|SYRIA, Cyrrhestica. ''Bambyce''. Abdahad. Circa 342-331 BC. AR Didrachm (6.72 g, 12h). "Atarateh" in Aramaic, draped bust of Atargatis left, wearing turreted crown; crescent and circle behind / “Abdahad” in Aramaic, Great King and driver, who hold reins, in quadriga of mules left. Mildenberg, Note 12 (this coin); Seyrig, ''Hieropolis'' pl. 1, 2; Price, More 14-15; BMC -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG München -. EF, toned, test cut on reverse. Very rare. (342-335 BCE)
File:Marriage of Inanna and Dumuzi.png|An ancient Sumerian depiction of the marriage of Inanna and Dumuzid
File:Ishtar Eshnunna Louvre AO12456.jpg|Ishtar holding her symbol. Terracotta relief, early 2nd millennium BC. From Eshnunna (2004-1595 BCE).
File:Ancient Akkadian Cylindrical Seal Depicting Inanna and Ninshubur.jpg|Ancient Akkadian Cylindrical Seal Depicting Inanna/ Ishtar and Ninshubur
File:Inanna-Ishtar diosa mesopotámica del cielo.jpg|A Mesopotamian goddess whose iconography may look "chained" to foreigners, either Innana/ Ishtar or Ereshkigal (probably the latter because of the owls).
File:Griepenkerl, Venus Urania.jpg|Venus Urania at the ceiling painting above the grand staircase in the Oldenburg Augusteum (1877/8)
</gallery>[[File:Andromeda Alm stellarium.jpg|thumb|Almagest Andromeda in Stellarium, drawn and labelled in Stellarium (Alina Schmidt, Lea Jabschinski, Marie von Seggern and Susanne M. Hoffmann 2021)]]

=== Medieval and Early Modern Variants ===
...

==== Dürer ====
...

==== Bayer's Uranometria 1603 ====
Bayer's Star Catalogue follows Ptolemy but lists only 22 stars.
[[File:And Uranometria1603 (2).jpg|thumb|Andromeda Star Catalog in the Uranometria (1603). ]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!
!Bayer
!translation
|-
|
|α
|Caput Andromedae ỏ ĸοινὸς ἵπω. καὶ ἀνδρομέδασ ἀςὴζ. Hyginus: Eademenim stella & umbilicus Pegasi, et Andromedae caput appellatur.
|The head of Andromeda... Hyginus: this star is called the navel of Pegasus and the head of Andromeda.
|-
|
|β
|Ptolemaeo ἐν τῷ περι ζώμα.ι Australior, Arabibus Mirach, rectius Mizar, latinis Ventrale, plurimis cingulum dicitur.
|Towards noon, called by the Arabs Mirach, or more correct Mizar, the Latins call it Ventrale, most people call it Cingulum.
|-
|
|γ
|In Australi pede lucida, Alamak, seu Almaak, perperam Alhames.
|The bright one in the Southern foot, Alamak, or Almaak, but not correctly Alhames.
|-
|
|δ
|In eductione brachij sinistri Borealior, aliis in scapulâ dextrâ.
|
|-
|
|ε
|Australior
|The southern one
|-
|
|ζ
|In eiusdem προπηχίῳ.
|In the same...
|-
|
|η
|In cubito
|In the ellbow.
|-
|
|θ
|Εν τῷ προπηχίῳ dextro, trium Borealior,
|
|-
|
|ι
|In summâ manu dextrâ, trium Australior, quibusdam in extremitate spatulae, Ptole. ἐν ἄκρῳ τῆς χειρὸς.
|At the joint of the right hand, the southern one of the three, the one at the very extremity..., Ptole. "in the high hand"
|-
|
|κ
|Media.
|The middle one.
|-
|
|λ
|Borealior
|The northern one
|-
|
|μ
|ἐν τῷ περι ζώμα.ι Borealior.
|
|-
|
|ν
|Sequens in cathenâ
|The one that follows the chains.
|-
|
|ξ
|Ad suram pedis Borealis, superior.
|
|-
|
|ο
|In Cathenae annulo, nonnullis tres in dextrâ manu antecedens. Nonnusin Andro. lib: 25. Εισέ.ι δεσμὸν ἔχω καὶ ἐν ἀςζάσιν: vincula me in caelo retinent quoque.
|
|-
|
|π
|Pectus τὸς ῆθος, ςέρνον Andromedae, Elecile tereballe, tabularum auctoribus in scapulis, Ptole. ἐν τῷ μεταφρένῳ.
|
|-
|
|ρ
|Εν τῷ προρηχίῳ dextro trium media.
|
|-
|
|σ
|Australior.
|
|-
|
|τ
|In femore Australi
|
|-
|
|υ
|in genu.
|
|-
|
|φ
|in femore dexto, seu Boreali
|
|-
|
|χ
|Ad suram pedis Borealis, inferior
|
|-
|
|ψ
|In dextrae manus pollice.
|
|-
|
|ω
|Surae Borealis media.
|
|-
|
|A
|in tibiâ.
|
|-
|
|b
|Εν τῷ σύρμα.ι περιποδίῳ Astrologis Adhil.
|
|-
|
|c
|In pedis plantâ Septentrionalis
|
|}

==== Medieval and Early Modern Maps ====
<gallery>
File:Aratea 30v.jpg|Andromeda in the Leiden Aratea (c. 830)
File:F19.v. Andromeda NLW MS 735C.png|F19.v. Andromeda NLW MS 735C (dated 1150). The oldest scientific manuscript in the National Library the volume contains various Latin texts on astronomy. The volume, written in Caroline minuscule, consists of two sections, the first (ff. 1-26) copied c. 1000, in the Limoges area of France, probably in the milieu of Adémar de Chabannes (989-1034), whilst the second (ff. 27-50), from a scriptorium in the same region, may be dated c. 1150.
File:Andromeda et Cassiopeia - Mercator.jpeg|Andromeda on the Mercator Globe (1551)
File:And Uranometria1603 (1).jpg|Andromeda in Bayer's ''Uranometria'' (1603).
File:Andromeda Hevelius.jpg|Andromeda in Hevelius (1690)
File:IV. Cassiopeia, Perseus, Andromeda... Coelum Stellatum.jpg|Andromeda in Bode's ''Uranographia'' (1801) http://raremaps.com/gallery/detail/73725/iv-cassiopeia-perseus-andromeda-coelum-stellatum-bode
File:Alexander Jamieson - Andromeda, Perseus & Caput Medusae.jpg|Andromeda in Alexander Jamieson (1822)
File:Sidney Hall - Urania's Mirror - Gloria Frederici, Andromeda, and Triangula.jpg|Sidney Hall (1825), Urania's Mirror. Constellations Gloria Frederici, Andromeda, and Triangula.
File:And earlymod.JPG|Andromeda in Carlos Simon's 1894 atlas
</gallery>

== Mythology ==

== All HIP Stars within this constellation ==

=== Inside the ancient constellations (Ptolemy's Almagest: convex hulls) ===
...

=== Inside the modern constellation (IAU Boundaries) ===
HIP 4463,HIP 3693,HIP 677,HIP 113726,HIP 116584,HIP 7607,HIP 9640,HIP 116292,HIP 117221,HIP 116849,HIP 116584,HIP 116941,HIP 117963,HIP 118214,HIP 118004,HIP 118224,HIP 116579,HIP 116667,HIP 116761,HIP 117426,HIP 117000,HIP 117503,HIP 118177,HIP 116030,HIP 116365,HIP 116360,HIP 116781,HIP 117844,HIP 118230,HIP 115530,HIP 115567,HIP 115667,HIP 116267,HIP 116354,HIP 116847,HIP 116882,HIP 117769,HIP 114604,HIP 115065,HIP 115261,HIP 115191,HIP 115755,HIP 116127,HIP 116312,HIP 116259,HIP 116582,HIP 116626,HIP 116631,HIP 116657,HIP 116805,HIP 116940,HIP 117129,HIP 117672,HIP 118071,HIP 767,HIP 841,HIP 63,HIP 424,HIP 1346,HIP 1456,HIP 1642,HIP 1026,HIP 3414,HIP 3638,HIP 3365,HIP 3045,HIP 3919,HIP 3854,HIP 3604,HIP 4317,HIP 4288,HIP 2565,HIP 2865,HIP 3331,HIP 3070,HIP 4366,HIP 3719,HIP 3946,HIP 4235,HIP 1477,HIP 1799,HIP 2583,HIP 2355,HIP 3031,HIP 3885,HIP 4197,HIP 3830,HIP 3914,HIP 4329,HIP 858,HIP 619,HIP 652,HIP 659,HIP 1630,HIP 1123,HIP 1657,HIP 1208,HIP 1493,HIP 1952,HIP 2243,HIP 3092,HIP 4159,HIP 3617,HIP 4246,HIP 4005,HIP 432,HIP 394,HIP 1769,HIP 2241,HIP 2475,HIP 2539,HIP 2912,HIP 3438,HIP 2942,HIP 3897,HIP 4390,HIP 4058,HIP 3,HIP 19,HIP 1333,HIP 1030,HIP 1366,HIP 1686,HIP 1715,HIP 1579,HIP 1473,HIP 1809,HIP 2576,HIP 2270,HIP 2851,HIP 2753,HIP 4129,HIP 3981,HIP 4185,HIP 4436,HIP 365,HIP 525,HIP 714,HIP 508,HIP 626,HIP 1164,HIP 1575,HIP 2948,HIP 3293,HIP 3231,HIP 3494,HIP 3840,HIP 3881,HIP 4017,HIP 4127,HIP 137,HIP 119,HIP 254,HIP 1009,HIP 1011,HIP 1093,HIP 1474,HIP 1496,HIP 1233,HIP 1302,HIP 1501,HIP 1818,HIP 1905,HIP 2225,HIP 2455,HIP 2553,HIP 2900,HIP 4411,HIP 4501,HIP 4555,HIP 4771,HIP 4675,HIP 5551,HIP 5993,HIP 6162,HIP 6411,HIP 6481,HIP 6047,HIP 5650,HIP 6682,HIP 6858,HIP 6401,HIP 6711,HIP 6733,HIP 6813,HIP 6259,HIP 6560,HIP 4584,HIP 4688,HIP 5434,HIP 5939,HIP 5677,HIP 4983,HIP 6999,HIP 6087,HIP 7457,HIP 4893,HIP 4809,HIP 4608,HIP 4510,HIP 4517,HIP 5034,HIP 4868,HIP 5339,HIP 5772,HIP 4889,HIP 5175,HIP 5717,HIP 5671,HIP 5544,HIP 6025,HIP 5586,HIP 5679,HIP 4552,HIP 4990,HIP 5055,HIP 5465,HIP 5765,HIP 5694,HIP 5936,HIP 4710,HIP 5270,HIP 5447,HIP 5550,HIP 6140,HIP 6568,HIP 6480,HIP 6925,HIP 7201,HIP 7147,HIP 7289,HIP 7344,HIP 4542,HIP 5045,HIP 5002,HIP 6010,HIP 6514,HIP 7321,HIP 7095,HIP 4903,HIP 5269,HIP 5298,HIP 5493,HIP 5944,HIP 6118,HIP 6823,HIP 6241,HIP 6709,HIP 6878,HIP 6794,HIP 7444,HIP 7513,HIP 5276,HIP 7719,HIP 7825,HIP 7944,HIP 7918,HIP 9640,HIP 9158,HIP 9045,HIP 7651,HIP 8127,HIP 8370,HIP 8044,HIP 7700,HIP 7994,HIP 8123,HIP 7793,HIP 7767,HIP 7775,HIP 7818,HIP 7991,HIP 8814,HIP 8902,HIP 8922

== Weblinks ==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017057 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Andromeda]

== References ==

* Ian Ridpath, [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/andromeda.html Star Tales, Online edition]
* Strabo, Geography (1st century)
* Josephus Flavius, Bellum Judaicum (1st century)

[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]

Ursa Minor

2026-05-20T09:48:18Z

IanRidpath: /* Weblinks */ Added Warburg link

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Ursa Minor (umi).jpg|alt=star chart|thumb|UMi star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. Ursa Minor, The Little Bear. The tail tip of Ursa Minor is the brightest star in the figure, but six of the seven stars in the Big Dipper are brighter – the star is only famous today because it is now almost exactly at the north celestial pole ([[Polaris]]). This was not the case for Greek and Phoenician navigation, nor for Babylonian astronomers, nor for the time of pyramid construction in Egypt. The greatest astronomer of antiquity, Hipparchus of Nicaea, even writes explicitly in the only surviving text he wrote that there is no North Star ([[Polaris]]). He writes to a student that there are people who speak of a star at the pole. Yet one should not be misled, he says, because the pole is ‘empty’ and only at some distance can one find four moderately bright stars.

==Etymology and History==
===Origin of Constellation===
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>Homer, who mentions the Great Bear as early as 700 BC, does not mention a Little Bear. Either the constellation did not yet exist at that time or it was insignificant. Nevertheless, the Little Bear – like the Great Bear – is a Greek constellation. The Babylonian sky in the circumpolar region is very difficult to reconstruct because there are no rise and set dates for the constellations from which calculations could be made. German researchers like to assume that the German ‘Little Dipper’ is also the Babylonian ‘Chariot of Heaven’, but since the figure is neither particularly impressive to look at nor had any special function for navigation, this can be doubted. To be honest, we must say that, given the current state of the data, we cannot know exactly where the Babylonian ‘Wagon of Heaven’ was located.

Aratos calls this figure ‘Helike’ (curl), which fits the curved shape formed by the brighter stars. The arc of stars runs close to the north celestial pole.

However, the absence of a pole star may not have been of great significance: at that time, most shipping was coastal, sailing at best across the Mediterranean or Black Sea. Navigation consisted largely of sighting land from time to time. This is not comparable to the weeks-long voyages across the Atlantic or the voyages of discovery in the Pacific during the Renaissance and early modern period. In this respect, ancient navigators did not need an exact North Star ([[Polaris]]), but only an approximate direction – and that is what the [[Ursa Major]] constellation provides. If you wanted to know more precisely, e.g. when planning architecture, you measured the position of the sun during the day and not the stars at night. When building houses, it is sufficient if the sun terrace is not facing north, i.e. only very rough directions are needed here. If you wanted to build temples or pyramids more precisely in a north-south direction, the shadow stick or sundial indicated the direction perfectly. All you had to do was record the shadow cast from sunrise to sunset. The midpoint then indicates the south direction – much more accurately than the stars, as long as there is no North Star. Measured over the course of a year, the midpoint between all sunrise points indicates east and the midpoint between all sunset points indicates west. So you can determine the cardinal directions very accurately with a sundial or a simple shadow stick (or an obelisk).

==== Babylonian ====
see

* Babylonian ‘Wagon of Heaven’ [[MAR.GID2.DA AN.NA|mulMAR.GID2.DA AN.NA]]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
<blockquote>Two poles terminate it at the two ends; [25] but one is not visible, while the opposite one in the north is high above the horizon. On either side of it two Bears wheel in unison, and so they are called the Wagons. They keep their heads for ever pointing to each other’s loins, and for ever they move with shoulders leading, [30] aligned towards the shoulders, but in opposite directions. If the tale is true, these Bears ascended to the sky from Crete by the will of great Zeus, because when he was a child then in fragrant Lyctus near Mount Ida, they deposited him in a cave and tended him for the year, [35] while the Curetes of Dicte kept Cronus deceived. Now one of the Bears men call Cynosura by name, the other Helice. Helice is the one by which Greek men at sea judge the course to steer their ships, while Phoenicians cross the sea relying on the other. [40] Now the one is clear and easy to identify, Helice, being visible in all its grandeur as soon as night begins; the other is slight, yet a better guide to sailors, for it revolves entirely in a smaller circle: so by it the Sidonians sail the straightest course. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1''' This is the one known as ‘the Little Bear’, and commonly known as ‘Phoinikè’ (the Phoenician). Artemis had esteemed her, but as she did not know that it was Zeus who had raped her, she made her wild. It is said that later Artemis, once the young girl was out of danger, increased her glory by placing a second figure among the constellations so that she was doubly honoured. Aglaosthenes , in his Naxica, says that this was Kynosoura, who nursed Zeus and was one of the nymphs of Ida. Her name is also found in the city called Histoi, founded by Nicostratus and his companions: the name Kynosoura refers to the port of this city and to a locality overlooking the town.

Aratos, for his part, calls it ‘Hélikè’ (Spiral), and says that she was from Crete; she nursed Zeus, and for this she obtained the privilege of being honoured in heaven. The Little Dipper has a shining star on each corner of the quadrilateral and three bright ones on the tail. In all, there are seven. Below the second of those which lead the movement the movement towards the west, there is another star placed called the Pole, and we get the impression that the whole universe revolves around it. </blockquote><blockquote>'''Var. 2:''' The Little Dipper is commonly known as ‘Phoinikè’ (the Phoenician). Artemis held her in high esteem, due to the adventures we recounted earlier but as she didn't know that it was Zeus who had raped her, she turned her into a wild beast. It is said later Artemis, having understood what had happened, placed a second figure among the constellations to highlight her constellations, so that she would be doubly honoured. Aglaosthenes, in his Naxica, says that the figure in question was Kynosoura, who nursed Zeus and was one of the nymphs of Ida. And we find her name in the city called Histoi, founded by Nicostratus and his companions: the name of Kynosoura is that of the port of this city and of a place overlooking the city. The nymph came with the Telchines, who were the servants of Rhea, like the Couretes and the Dactyls of Ida. Aratos, for his part, calls her ‘Hélikè’ (Spiral), and says that she was from Crete; she nursed Zeus, and to which she owes its honour in the heavens. The Little Dipper has a shining star on each corner of the quadrilateral and three bright stars on its tail.</blockquote>The equation of the Bear with a Wagon is a reminiscence of the unification of various astronomy cultures: the wagons are Mesopotamian names while the bears have a Mediterranean origin.

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>Aglaosthenes, who wrote the ''Naxica'', says that she is Cynosura, one of the nurses of Jove from the number of the Idaean nymphs. He says, too, that in the city called Histoe, founded by Nicostratus and his friends, both the harbour and the greater part of the land are called Cynosura from her name. She, too, was among the Curetes who were attendants of Jove. Some say that the nymphs Helice and Cynosura were nurses of Jove, and so for gratitude were placed in the sky, both being called Bears. We call them Septentriones.

But many have said that the Great Bear is like a wagon, and the Greeks do call it ''amaza''. This reason has been handed down: Those who, at the beginning, observed the stars and supposed the number of stars into the several constellations, called this group no “Bear” but “Wain,” because two of the seven stars which seemed of equal size and closest together were considered oxen, and the other five were like the figure of a wagon. And so the sign which is nearest to this they wished to be called Boötes. We shall speak of him later on. Aratus, indeed, says that neither Boötes nor the Wain has these names for the reason above, but because the Bear seems, wagon-like, to wheel around the pole which is called North, and Boötes, is said to drive her. In this he seems to be considerably in error, for later, in connection with the seven stars, as Parmeniscus says, twenty-five were grouped by certain astronomers to complete the form of the Bear, not seven. And so the one that followed the wagon and was formerly called Boötes, was now called Arctophylax [Bear Watchter], and she, at the same time that Homer lived, was called Bear. About the Septentriones Homer says that she was called both Bear and Wain; nowhere does he mention that Boötes was called Arctophylax.

There is a great diversity of opinion, too, as to why the Lesser Bear is called Phoenice, and why those who observe her are said to navigate more exactly and carefully; why, also, if she is more reliable than the Great Bear, al do not watch her. These people do not seem to realize the reason for her being called Phoenice. Thales of Miletus, who searched into these matters carefully, and first called her Bear, was by birth a Phoenician, as Herodotus says. Therefore all those in the Peloponnesus use the first Arctos; the Phoenicians, however, observe the one they received from her discoverer, and by watching her carefully, are thought to navigate more exactly, and suitably call her Phoenice from the race of her discoverer. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====
not a rising/ setting constellation

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest άρκτος μεκρά ====
{| class="wikitable"
!id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!Ἄρκτου μικρᾶς ἀστερισμός.
!
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The star on the end of the tail
|alf UMi
|-
|2
|ὁ μετ’ αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The one next to it on the tail
|del UMi
|-
|3
|ὁ μετ’ αὐτὸν πρὸ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The one next to that, before the place where the tail joins [the body]
|eps UMi
|-
|4
|τῆς προηγουμένης τοῦ πλιυθύου πλευρᾶς ὁ φότιος
|The southernmost of the stars in the advance side of the rectangle
|zet UMi
|-
|5
|τῆς αὐτῆς πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The northernmost of [those in] the same side
|eta UMi
|-
|6
|τῶν ἐν τῇ ἐπομένῃ πλευρᾷ ὁ νότιος
|The southern star in the rear side
|beta UMi
|-
|
|τῆς αὐτῆς πλευρᾶς ὁ βόρειος
|The northern one in the same side
|gam UMi
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρερ ξ, ὥν β’ μεγέθους β, γα, δ’ ὅ.
|7 stars, 2 of the second magnitude, 1 of the third, 4 of the fourth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!ὁ περὶ αὐτὴν ἀμόρφωτος
!Nearby star outside the constellation:
!
|-
|
|ὁ τοῖς ἐν τῇ ἐπομένῃ πλευρᾷ ἐπ’ εὐθεύας καὶ νοτιώτερος
|The star lying on a straight line with the stars in the rear side [of the rectangle] and south of them
|5 UMi
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστὴρ ἂ μεγέδους δ’
|1 star of the fourth magnitude
|
|}
===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===

==Mythology==

==Weblinks==

* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017039 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Ursa Minor]

==References==

*[[References]] (general)
*[[References (Babylonian)]]
*[[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
*[[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]]
[[Category:Constellation]]
[[Category:Almagest]]
[[Category:Mesopotamian]]
[[Category:West Asian]]
[[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]
[[Category:European]]

Ursa Major

2026-05-20T09:46:48Z

IanRidpath: /* Weblinks */ Added Warburg link

Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
----
[[File:Ursa Major (uma).jpg|alt=map|thumb|UMa star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope) ]]
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The figure of the bear is Greek; it is one of the few constellations that are already documented in Homer. It has been handed down through all Greek eras. Aratos mentions that the constellation is also called the Chariot, but this is not documented anywhere else in Greek literature. Alternative to the Greek image of a large bear, many cultures saw different figures in this area - most of them only using the seven brightest stars. The ‘Chariot’ and the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ are two Babylonian constellations in the northern circumpolar region, and the [[:Category:BigDipper|Big Dipper]] (American English), Northern Dipper (Chinese), Plough (British English), [[Charles's Wain]] (Old English/ Norse) are certainly some of them. In Dutch and French a saucepan or casserole. For the Navajo, an indigenous people of the North American West, it represents seven human figures.

==Etymology and History==
<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>The Greek Great She-Bear, which includes many weaker stars, is also called Kynosura, the Dog's Tail, because it has such a long tail.

The Roman mythographer Hyginus adds that the Romans did not see a bear or a wagon here, but seven threshing oxen, the Septemtrionis. The pattern of seven bright stars has a specific name all over the world – only the Greeks used numerous faint stars and called the area ‘Bear’.

In a time when there was no bright star at the north celestial pole, seafaring peoples used this asterism for navigation because it runs quite close to the pole. At that time, the direction was not so important in astronavigation at sea, because ships always sailed close to the coast and could see land from time to time. The fact that Strabo's Greek geography book describes all the countries of the then known world not only by their position relative to the sun in winter and summer, but also by characteristic animals, explains the name of this constellation: basically, the star figure could also be called a dog, mouse or fox, because its outline can only be recognised as ‘some kind of animal’. However, as this constellation indicates the direction north, i.e. the ‘land of bears’ or the climate zone where bears live, the name was prefigured by the geographical aspect.

In Mesopotamia, the bright stars were regarded as The Chariot. However, it has not yet been clearly established where the other Babylonian chariot, the Chariot of Heaven, is located. The suggestion that the two Babylonian constellations ‘Wagon’ and ‘Wagon of Heaven’ are located in the places of the Greek Ursae seems quite possible based on Aratus' mention. However, this is not well documented due to a lack of rise and set data. It has also been suggested that the ‘Chariot of Heaven’ also refers to the Big Dipper in the constellation Ursa Major, rather than designating another constellation. The chariot is so important to the Mesopotamians because it is the seat of one of their most important gods: the god of agriculture, Enlil.

=== Origin of Constellation ===

==== Babylonian ====
see

* [[MAR.GID2.DA|mul (giš)MAR.GID2.DA, ''eriqqu'']]
* [[MAR.GID2.DA.AN.NA|mul (giš)MA.GID2.DA AN.NA, ''eriqqu ša šamê'']]

==== Greco-Roman ====

===== Aratos =====
Two poles terminate it at the two ends; [25] but one is not visible, while the opposite one in the north is high above the horizon. On either side of it two Bears wheel in unison, and so they are called the Wagons. They keep their heads for ever pointing to each other’s loins, and for ever they move with shoulders leading, [30] aligned towards the shoulders, but in opposite directions. If the tale is true, these Bears ascended to the sky from Crete by the will of great Zeus, because when he was a child then in fragrant Lyctus near Mount Ida, they deposited him in a cave and tended him for the year, [35] while the Curetes of Dicte kept Cronus deceived. Now one of the Bears men call Cynosura by name, the other Helice. Helice is the one by which Greek men at sea judge the course to steer their ships, while Phoenicians cross the sea relying on the other. [40] Now the one is clear and easy to identify, Helice, being visible in all its grandeur as soon as night begins; the other is slight, yet a better guide to sailors, for it revolves entirely in a smaller circle: so by it the Sidonians sail the straightest course.

(Kidd 1997)

===== Eratosthenes =====
<blockquote>'''Var. 1.''' Hesiod says that she is the daughter of Lycaon; she lived in Arcadia and had chosen to spend her time in the mountains, in the company of Artemis, hunting wild beasts. Violated by Zeus, she stayed with the goddess, without the latter but later her secret was discovered when, shortly before secret was discovered when, shortly before giving birth, Artemis saw her taking a bath. The goddess, furious the goddess angrily changed her into a beast, and thus changed into a bear, she gave birth to Arcas. While she was in the mountains, she was chased hunted by goatherds and delivered her cub to Lycaon. Later, she was tempted to enter the inviolable sanctuary of Zeus, because she was unaware of the law concerning it. Her own son Arcas and the Arcadians pursued her there pursued her there and were on the point of executing her for breaking the law in question, when Zeus, because of the bond to her, removed her from the pursuers and placed her among the constellations. In view of her adventure, the god gave her the name ‘Bear ’. She has seven dull stars on her head, two on each of her ears, one shining star on her shoulders, one on her chest, two on her foreleg, one shining on her back, one shining on the belly, two on the hind legs, two on the tip of the leg and three on the tail. In all, twenty-four.

'''Var. 2:''' Hesiod tells us that the Great Bear is the daughter of Lycaon; she lived in Arcadia and had chosen to hunt in the mountains in the mountains, in the company of Artemis, to hunt wild beasts. Violated by Zeus, she began by her misadventure from Artemis, but when she was about to give, the goddess saw her taking a bath. The goddess was furious, changed her into a beast, and in this state she gave birth to a bear who was named Arcas. Amphis, the comic poet, says that Zeus took the guise of Artemis and went to the mountain and, during a common hunt, raped her. In time, her belly swelled up, but when she was questioned she said that the one responsible for her misfortune was none other than Artemis. The goddess was furious and turned her into a beast. While she was in the mountains, she was chased by goatherds, and handed over with her young to Lycaon. Later, she was tempted to enter the inviolable sanctuary of Zeus, because she was unaware of the law that concerned him. Her own son Arcas and the Arcadians pursued her there, and both she and her son were about to be put to death for having broken the law in question, when Zeus, on account of the bond which united him to them, placed her among the constellations, naming her ‘Bear’ because of her adventure. She has seven stars on her head, two on each of her ears, one on the shoulder ... a bright one, two on the hind leg, and three on the tail.</blockquote>The tale reflects the female initiation rites led by the goddess Artemis. The bathing scene is an expression of the stripping ritual (ἐκδυσία) that marks the end of a maiden's innocence. The anecdote of blaming a goddess for fathership might stem from a comedia, just to entertain the audience.

===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
<blockquote>We begin, then as we said above, with the Great Bear. Hesiod says she is named Callisto, daughter of Lycaon, who ruled in Arcadia. Out of her zeal for hunting she joined Diana, and was greatly loved by the goddess because of their similar temperaments. Later, when made pregnant by Jove, she feared to tell the truth to Diana. But she couldn’t conceal it long, for as her womb grew heavier near the time of her delivery, when she was refreshing her tired body in a stream, Diana realized she had not preserved her virginity. In keeping with her deep distrust, the goddess inflicted no light punishment. Taking away her maiden features, she changed her into the form of a bear, called ''arktos'' in Greek . In this form she bore Arcas.

But as Amphis, writer of comedies, says, Jupiter, assuming the form of Diana, followed the girl as if to aid her in hunting, and embraced her when out of sight of the rest. Questioned by Diana as to the reason for her swollen form, she replied that it was the goddess’ fault, and because of this reply, Diana changed her into the shape we mentioned above. When wandering like a wild beast in the forest, she was caught by certain Aetolians and brought into Arcadia to King Lycaon along with her son as a gift, and there, in ignorance of the law, she is said to have rushed into the temple of Jove Lycaeus. Her son at once followed her, and the Arcadians in pursuit were trying to kill them, when Jupiter, mindful of his indiscretion, rescued her and placed her and her son among the constellations. He named her Arctos, and her son Arctophylax. About him we shall speak later.

Some, too, have said that when Callisto was embraced by Jove, Juno in anger turned her into a bear; then, when she met Diana hunting, she was killed by her, and later, on being recognized, was placed among the stars.

But others say that when Jupiter was pursuing Callisto in the woods, Juno, suspecting what had happened, hurried there so that she could say she had caught him openly. But Jove, the more easily to conceal his fault, left her changed to bear form. Juno, then, finding a bear instead of a girl in that place, pointed her out for Diana, who was hunting, to kill. Jove was distressed to see this, and put in the sky the likeness of a bear represented with stars.

This constellation, as many have stated, does not set, and those who desire some reason for this fact say that Tethys, wife of Ocean, refuses to receive her when the other stars come there to their setting, because Tethys was the nurse of Juno, in whose bed Callisto was a concubine.

Araethus of Tegea, however, writer of histories, says that she wasn’t Callisto, but Megisto, and wasn’t the daughter of Lycaon, but of Ceteus, and so granddaughter of Lycaon. He says, too, that Ceteus himself was called the Kneeler. The other details agree with what has been said above. All this is shown to have taken place on the Arcadian mountain Nonacris. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

===== Hipparchus =====

====== Rising and Setting ======
No rising and setting of the constellation in the latitudes of Greece.

====== Stars Mentioned ======
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Greek
!German
!English
!ident.
!src
!
!lam_culm
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|Lib x Cap y §10
|
|
|-
|
|
|von UMa der nördlichere von den beiden Sternen in den Vorderfüßen
|the northern one of the two stars in the front feet
|iota UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: helle an der Hüfte
|the bright one in the whip
|delta UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: der helle an der Brust
|the bright one in the chest
|beta UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: hintere Knie
|rear knee
|psi UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: Schultern
|shoulder
|alpha UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: der vorangehende in den Hinterfüßen
UMa: die vorangehenden in den Hinterfüße
|the front one in the rear feet
|nu UMa(?)
lam UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: Ende des Schwanzes
|tip of the tail
|eta UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|Große Bärin, helle in den vorderen Knieen
|the bright one in the front knees
|tet UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|Schnauze der Großen Bärin
|the snout
|omi UMa
|
|
|
|-
|
|
|UMa: helle in Vorderbein
|the bright one in the front leg
|tet UMa
|
|
|
|}

===== Geminos =====

==== Almagest Ἄρκτος μεγάλη. ====
{| class="wikitable"
! id
!Greek
(Heiberg 1898)
!English
(Toomer 1984)
!ident.
|-
!
!άρκτου μεγάλης ἀστερισμός.
!Constellation of Ursa Major
!
|-
|1
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ῥύγχους
|The star on the end of the snout
|omi UMa
|-
|2
|τῶν ἐν τοῦς δυσὶν ὀφθαλμοῦς ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced or the s.tars in the two eyes
|2 UMa
|-
|3
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The one to the rear
|pi2 UMa
|-
|4
|τῶν ἐν τῷ μετώπῳ β ὁ προηγούμευος.
|The more advanced of the two stars in the forehead
|rho UMa
|-
|5
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
|The one to the rear
|sig2 UMa
|-
|6
|ὁ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ἠγουμένου ὡτίου
|The star on the tip of the advance ear
|24 UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ τραχήλῳ β’ ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced of the two stars in the neck
|tau UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν.
|The one to the rear
|23 UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ στήθει δύο ὁ βορειότερος
|The northernmost of the two stars in the chest
|ups UMa
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|phi UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόνατος.
|The star on the left knee
|tet UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ἐμπροσθίῳ ἀριστερῷ ἀκρόποδι ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost or the ( two J in the front left paw
|iot UMa
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν.
|The southernmost of them
|kap UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπάνω τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος.
|The star above the right knee
|18 UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ὑποκάτω τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατόρ
|The star below the right knee
|15 UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐκ τῷ τετραπλεύρῳ ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ νώτου,
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the one on the back
|alf UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς λαγόνος αὐτῶν.
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the one on the flank
|bet UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἐκφύσεως τῆς οὐρᾶς.
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the one on the place where the tail joins [the body]
|del UMa
|-
|
|ὁ λοιπὸς καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ὀπισθίου μηροῦ
|The stars in the quadrilateral: the remaining one, on the left hind thigh
|gam UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ ὀπισθίῳ ἀριστερῷ ἀκρόποδι ὁ προηγούμενος
|The more advanced or the [two stars] in the left hind paw
|lam UMa
|-
|
|ὁ τούτῳ ἑπόμενος
|The one to the rear of it
|mu UMa
|-
|
|ὁ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς ἀγκύλης.
|The star on the left knee-bend
|psi UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ὀπισθίῳ ἀκρόποδι ὁ βορειότερος.
|The northernmost of the [two stars] in the right hind paw
|nu UMa
|-
|
|ὁ νοτιώτερος αὐτῶν
|The southernmost of them
|xi UMa
|-
|
|τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς οὐρᾶς γ’ ὁ μετὰ τὴν ἔκφυσιν πρῶτος
|The first ofthe three stars on the tail next to the place where it joins [the body]
|eps UMa
|-
|
|ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν.
|The middle one
|eps UMa
|-
|
|ὁ τρίτος καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρας τῆς οὐρᾶς
|The third, on the end of the tail
|eta UMa
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀστέρες κξ, ὥν μεγέθους β’ς, γ ἡ, δ’ ἡ, ε ἔ-
|127 stars, 6 of the second magnitude, 8 of the third, 8·of the fourth, 5 of the fifth
|
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
!
!Τῶν ὑπ’ αὐτὴν ἀμορφώτων.
!Stars under [Ursa Major] outside the constellation
!
|-
|
|ὁ ὑπὸ τὴν οὐρὰν ἄπωθεν εἰς νότου.
|The star under the tail, at some distance towards the south
|alf CVn
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος ἀμαυρότερος.
|The rather faint star in advance of it
|bet CVn
|-
|
|τῶν μεταξὺ τῶν ἐμπροσθίωυ ποδῶν τῆς άρκτου καὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τοῦ Λέουτος ὁ νοτιώτερος.
|The southernmost of the [two] stars between the front legs of Ursa [Major] and the head of Leo
|40 Lyn
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου βορειότερος.
|The one north of it
|38 Lyn
|-
|
|τῶν λοιπῶν καὶ ἀμαυρῶν τ’ ὁ ἐπόμενος.
|The rearmost of the remaining three faint stars
|10 LMi
|-
|
|ὁ τούτου προηγούμενος.
|The one in advance of this
|HR 3809
|-
|
|ὁ ἔτι τούτου προηγούμενος.
|The one in advance again of the latter
|HR 3612
|-
|
|ὁ μεταξὺ τῶν ἐμπροσθίου ποδῶν καὶ τῶν Αιδύμωυ.
|The star between the front legs [of Ursa Major] and Gemini
|31 Lyn
|-
|
|
|
|
|-
|
|ἀμόρφωτοι ἤ, ὥν γ’ μεγέδους α, δ’ β, ε’α, ἀμαυροὶ δ.
|8 stars outside the constellation, I of the third magnitude, 2 of the fourth, 1 of the fifth, 4 faint
|
|}

===== Stars within the Constellation Area =====
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+
!id
!Label
!IAU design.
!description
!Vmag
|-
|1
|Alioth
|HIP 62956
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.77
|-
|2
|Dubhe
|HIP 54061
|Constellation lines
|1.79
|-
|3
|Alkaid
|HIP 67301
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|1.86
|-
|4
|Mizar
|HIP 65378
|Constellation lines
|2.22
|-
|5
|Merak
|HIP 53910
|Constellation lines
|2.37
|-
|6
|Phecda
|HIP 58001
|Constellation lines
|2.44
|-
|7
|ψ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 54539
|Constellation lines
|3.01
|-
|8
|Tania Australis
|HIP 50801
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.05
|-
|9
|Talitha
|HIP 44127
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.14
|-
|10
|θ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 46853
|Constellation lines
|3.18
|-
|11
|Megrez
|HIP 59774
|Constellation lines
|3.32
|-
|12
|Muscida
|HIP 41704
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.42
|-
|13
|Tania Borealis
|HIP 50372
|Constellation lines
|3.45
|-
|14
|Alkaphrah
|HIP 44471
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|3.55
|-
|15
|23 UMa
|HIP 46733
|Constellation lines
|3.67
|-
|16
|Taiyangshou
|HIP 57399
|Inside the hull
|3.72
|-
|17
|υ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 48319
|Constellation lines
|3.81
|-
|18
|26 UMa
|HIP 47006
|Inside the hull
|4.463
|-
|19
|15 UMa
|HIP 44901
|Inside the hull
|4.48
|-
|20
|ϕ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 48402
|Constellation lines
|4.557
|-
|21
|24 UMa
|HIP 46977
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.57
|-
|22
|τ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 45075
|Constellation lines
|4.64
|-
|23
|ω Ursae Majoris
|HIP 53295
|Inside the hull
|4.664
|-
|24
|24 CVn
|HIP 66234
|Inside the hull
|4.7
|-
|25
|ρ Ursae Majoris
|HIP 44390
|Constellation lines (Vertex)
|4.76
|-
|26
|5 CVn
|HIP 60485
|Inside the hull
|4.761
|-
|27
| -
|HIP 51459
|Inside the hull
|4.79
|-
|28
|σ 2 Ursae Majoris
|HIP 45038
|Constellation lines
|4.8
|-
|29
|18 UMa
|HIP 45493
|Inside the hull
|4.805
|-
|30
|ET UMa
|HIP 50933
|Inside the hull
|4.93
|-
|31
|15 LMi
|HIP 48113
|Inside the hull
|5.1
|-
|32
|44 UMa
|HIP 53261
|Inside the hull
|5.111
|-
|33
|σ 1 Ursae Majoris
|HIP 44857
|Inside the hull
|5.136
|-
|34
|37 UMa
|HIP 51814
|Inside the hull
|5.148
|-
|35
|21 CVn
|HIP 64906
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|36
| -
|HIP 52469
|Inside the hull
|5.15
|-
|37
|16 UMa
|HIP 45333
|Inside the hull
|5.18
|-
|38
|44 Lyn
|HIP 47965
|Inside the hull
|5.2
|-
|39
| -
|HIP 57477
|Inside the hull
|5.254
|-
|40
|17 UMa
|HIP 45455
|Inside the hull
|5.266
|-
|41
|31 UMa
|HIP 48682
|Inside the hull
|5.269
|-
|42
|3 CVn
|HIP 60122
|Inside the hull
|5.29
|-
|43
|Intercrus
|HIP 46471
|Inside the hull
|5.393
|-
|44
| -
|HIP 53781
|Inside the hull
|5.448
|-
|45
|CG UMa
|HIP 45915
|Inside the hull
|5.47
|-
|46
| -
|HIP 49005
|Inside the hull
|5.485
|-
|47
|70 UMa
|HIP 60212
|Inside the hull
|5.524
|-
|48
| -
|HIP 52136
|Inside the hull
|5.537
|-
|49
|6 UMa
|HIP 43903
|Inside the hull
|5.56
|-
|50
|42 UMa
|HIP 53064
|Inside the hull
|5.562
|-
|51
| -
|HIP 56510
|Inside the hull
|5.628
|-
|52
| -
|HR 4439
|Inside the hull
|5.64
|-
|53
|43 UMa
|HIP 53043
|Inside the hull
|5.661
|-
|54
| -
|HIP 56290
|Inside the hull
|5.68
|-
|55
| -
|HIP 55797
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|56
|73 UMa
|HIP 60795
|Inside the hull
|5.7
|-
|57
| -
|HIP 49363
|Inside the hull
|5.708
|-
|58
| -
|HIP 47594
|Inside the hull
|5.717
|-
|59
|5 UMa
|HIP 43644
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|60
| -
|HIP 44504
|Inside the hull
|5.74
|-
|61
|32 UMa
|HIP 50448
|Inside the hull
|5.76
|-
|62
|39 UMa
|HIP 52478
|Inside the hull
|5.782
|-
|63
| -
|HIP 59920
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|64
|71 UMa
|HIP 60584
|Inside the hull
|5.81
|-
|65
|66 UMa
|HIP 58181
|Inside the hull
|5.824
|-
|66
| -
|HIP 55086
|Inside the hull
|5.873
|-
|67
| -
|HIP 45590
|Inside the hull
|5.938
|-
|68
| -
|HIP 47401
|Inside the hull
|5.947
|-
|69
| -
|HIP 44613
|Inside the hull
|5.95
|-
|70
| -
|HIP 48802
|Inside the hull
|5.959
|-
|71
| -
|HIP 50546
|Inside the hull
|6.01
|-
|72
| -
|HIP 50635
|Inside the hull
|6.012
|-
|73
| -
|HR 4917
|Inside the hull
|6.02
|-
|74
|60 UMa
|HIP 56789
|Inside the hull
|6.076
|-
|75
| -
|HIP 51448
|Inside the hull
|6.09
|-
|76
|37 Lyn
|HIP 45836
|Inside the hull
|6.11
|-
|77
| -
|HIP 56731
|Inside the hull
|6.113
|-
|78
|1 CVn
|HIP 59708
|Inside the hull
|6.171
|-
|79
| -
|HIP 53706
|Inside the hull
|6.197
|-
|80
| -
|HIP 58225
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|81
| -
|HIP 60988
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|82
| -
|HIP 61053
|Inside the hull
|6.2
|-
|83
| -
|HIP 47791
|Inside the hull
|6.21
|-
|84
|EZ UMa
|HIP 46247
|Inside the hull
|6.227
|-
|85
|11 CVn
|HIP 62516
|Inside the hull
|6.245
|-
|86
|U UMa
|HIP 50222
|Inside the hull
|6.25
|-
|87
| -
|HIP 48266
|Inside the hull
|6.262
|-
|88
| -
|HIP 57045
|Inside the hull
|6.266
|-
|89
| -
|HIP 56083
|Inside the hull
|6.278
|-
|90
| -
|HIP 55936
|Inside the hull
|6.28
|-
|91
| -
|HIP 48638
|Inside the hull
|6.286
|-
|92
|EE UMa
|HIP 56135
|Inside the hull
|6.302
|-
|93
|35 UMa
|HIP 51401
|Inside the hull
|6.309
|-
|94
|68 UMa
|HIP 59458
|Inside the hull
|6.31
|-
|95
| -
|HIP 48861
|Inside the hull
|6.324
|-
|96
| -
|HIP 60305
|Inside the hull
|6.325
|-
|97
| -
|HIP 56944
|Inside the hull
|6.335
|-
|98
|41 UMa
|HIP 52685
|Inside the hull
|6.34
|-
|99
| -
|HIP 43624
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|100
| -
|HIP 49408
|Inside the hull
|6.35
|-
|101
| -
|HIP 51290
|Inside the hull
|6.357
|-
|102
| -
|HIP 53860
|Inside the hull
|6.358
|-
|103
| -
|HIP 46168
|Inside the hull
|6.368
|-
|104
| -
|HIP 47633
|Inside the hull
|6.37
|-
|105
| -
|HIP 53798
|Inside the hull
|6.39
|-
|106
| -
|HIP 50509
|Inside the hull
|6.4
|-
|107
| -
|HIP 47231
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|108
| -
|HIP 56170
|Inside the hull
|6.41
|-
|109
| -
|HIP 65754
|Inside the hull
|6.417
|-
|110
| -
|HIP 52929
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|111
| -
|HIP 53157
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|112
| -
|HIP 65698
|Inside the hull
|6.43
|-
|113
| -
|HIP 44717
|Inside the hull
|6.435
|-
|114
| -
|HR 3725
|Inside the hull
|6.435
|-
|115
| -
|HIP 55485
|Inside the hull
|6.44
|-
|116
| -
|HIP 50606
|Inside the hull
|6.453
|-
|117
| -
|HIP 66385
|Inside the hull
|6.46
|-
|118
| -
|HIP 42434
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|119
| -
|HIP 46879
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|120
| -
|HIP 56809A
|Inside the hull
|6.47
|-
|121
| -
|HIP 47664
|Inside the hull
|6.477
|-
|122
| -
|HIP 47521
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|123
| -
|HIP 56120
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|124
| -
|HIP 55044
|Inside the hull
|6.49
|-
|125
| -
|HIP 62600
|Inside the hull
|6.495
|-
|126
| -
|HR 4098
|Inside the hull
|6.5
|-
|127
| -
|HIP 50505
|Inside the hull
|6.65
|}

=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===

== Greek Mythology<ref>Hoffmann, S.M. (2021). Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam, Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart</ref> ==
According to Hesiod, the Great Bear was the daughter of Lycaon of Arcadia and went hunting with the goddess Artemis. After being seduced and impregnated by Zeus, she managed to hide this for a long time. It was only when she took a bath shortly before or during the birth that the goddess saw her and, in her anger, transformed her into a bear. She gave birth to a son who was named Arkas. The name can be linked, in folk etymology, to both the Greek word for bear, ‘arktos,’ and Arcadia, so that Arkas can be stylised as the progenitor of the Arcadians. Hesiod's story vividly describes a female initiation rite of undressing (for bathing). If the undressed woman is already pregnant, the initiation is superfluous.

Eratosthenes then describes another event: the bear and her cub were hunted on the mountain by goat herders and finally handed over to King Lycaon. When the animal entered the cella of the temple of Zeus, it (unintentionally) broke a law and was sentenced to death along with its offspring. Zeus, however, abducted them and placed them among the stars.

Aratos presents an alternative story: the bear is Kynosura, one of Zeus's nurses. Zeus was raised in a cave in Crete because his mother hid him from his father. Bees fed him honey, a goat fed him milk, and several other animals and mountains defended him and offered him protection. They were all personified as nymphs, and the bear-like nymph Kynosura was placed in the sky out of gratitude.

== Star Names ==
[[File:RolandLafitte ArabicMap Gazelles.jpg|alt=star chart|thumb|''al-Ẓibā’'', «°les Gazelles°» (CC BY Roland Laffitte 2024)]][[File:RolandLafitte modernMap.jpg|alt=star chart|thumb|''al-Ẓibā’'', « les Gazelles » (CC BY Roland Laffitte 2024)]]
==='''''al-Ẓibā’''''' in Roland Laffitte, ''Le ciel des Arabes'', p. 112-113.===
{| class="wikitable"
| colspan="5" |''ο2ρπ2σ2d'' ''UMa +αβ CVn + α/''31 ''Lyn''
|-
|
|'''Arabic'''
|'''French'''
|'''English'''
|'''Author'''
|-
|
|''al-Ẓibā’''
|les Gazelles
|the Gazelles
|Qutayba
|-
|''Lyn''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Ḍibā’'' [p/ ''al-Ẓibā’'']
|l’Australe des Gazelles
|the southern one of the Gazelles
|Miṣrī
|-
|''31 Lyn''
|''Mutaq. al-Ḍibā’'' [p/ ''al-Ẓibā’'']
|l’Antérieure des Gazelles
|the front one of the Gazelles
|Miṣrī
|-
|''38 Lyn''
|''Šamālī ’l-Ḍibā’''
'' '' [en fait : ''al-Ẓibā’'']
|la Boréale des Hyènes
[en fait : les Gazelles]
|the northern one of of the Hyena
|Miṣrī
|-
| colspan="5" |46, 21+''β LMi''
|-
|
|''Awlād'' ''al-Ẓibā’''
|les Petits des Gazelles
|the small one of the Gazelles
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''Awlād'' ''al-Ġizlān''
|''idem''
|
|Ṣūfī
|-
| colspan="5" |''τhυφθef UMa''
|-
|
|''al-Ḥawḍ''
|l’Abreuvoir
|the Water Trough
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''al-ᶜUnq''
|l’Assemblée
|the Meeting
|Qutayba
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| colspan="5" |''ικλμνξ UMa''
|-
|
|''Qafazāt al-Ẓibā’''
|les Sauts
|the Jumps
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''al-Qafazāt''
|les Sauts [des Gazelles]
|the Jumps (of the Gazelles)
|Qutayba
|-
|
|''Qafazāt al-Ġizlān''
|les Sauts des Gazelles
|The Jumps of the Gazelles
|Ṣūfī
|-
|
|''al-Qawāfiz''
|les Bondissantes
|the Bouncings
|Marzūqī
|-
|
|''Baqarāt al-Ẓibā’''
|les Gazelles femelles
|the female Gazelles
|Fāris
|-
|''νξ UMa''
|''al-Qafazat al-Ūlā''
|le 1er Saut
|First Jump
|Ṣūfī
|-
|''λμ UMa''
|''al-Qafazat al-Ṯāniyya''
|le 2nd Saut
|Second Jump
|Ṣūfī
|-
|''ικ UMa''
|''al-Qafazat al-Ṯāliṯa''
|le 3ème Saut
|Third Jump
|Ṣūfī
|-
|''ι UMa''
|''Šamālī ’l-Qafazat al-Ūlā''
[en fait : ''al-Ṯāliṯa'']
|la Boréale du 1er Saut
[en fait : le 3ème]
|the northern one of the first jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''κ UMa''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Qafazat al-Ūlā''
[en fait : ''al-Ṯāliṯa'']
|l’Australe du Premier Saut
[en fait : le 3ème]
|the southern one of the first jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''λ UMa''
|[''Šamālī''] ''’l-Q. al-Ṯāniyya''
|[la Boréale] du 2nd Saut
|(the northern one) of the second jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''μ UMa''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Q al-Ṯāniyya''
|l’Australe du 2nd Saut
|the southern one of the second jump
|Miṣrī
|-
|''ξ UMa''
|''Ğanūbī ’l-Q. al-Ṯāliṯa''
[en fait : ''al- Ūlā'']
|l’Australe du 3ème Saut
[en fait le 1er]
|the southern one of the third jump
|Miṣrī
|}

== Weblinks ==
* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/ursamajor.html Star Tales: online edition]”.
* [https://iconographic.warburg.sas.ac.uk/category/vpc-taxonomy-017038 Warburg Institute Iconographic Database – Ursa Major]

== References ==

* [[References]] (general)
* [[References (Babylonian)]]
* [[References (Greco-Roman)|References (ancient Greco-Roman)]]
* [[References (Medieval and Early Modern)|References (medieval)]]

[[Category:Eurasia]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Almagest]] [[Category:Mesopotamian]] [[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:88 IAU-Constellations]]