Cetus - Revision history

Sushoff: /* Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10) */

2026-02-27T13:56:40Z

Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10)

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:56, 27 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

	====== Rising (Lib II Cap ~~V §10~~) ======		====== Rising (Lib III Cap I §8) ======
	<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>		<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
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	\|}		\|}

	====== Setting (Lib II ~~Cap VI §10~~) ======		====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §8) ======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!
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	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|		\|Aqr 26 1/2
	\|		\|Ari 14
	\|		\|Tau 22
	\|		\|Cnc 14 1/2
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|-		\|-
	\|star		\|star
	\|		\|the southern one of those in the tail (bet)
	\|		\|the rear one of those in the northern curvature of the head
	\|		\|
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|duration		\|duration
	\| colspan="4" \|~~2 2~~/3 hours = ~~160~~ min = ~~40°~~		\| colspan="4" \|3 7/8 hours = 232 1/2 min = 58 1/8°
	\|}		\|}

Sushoff: /* Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) */

2026-02-27T13:31:21Z

Rising (Lib II Cap V §10)

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:31, 27 February 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|		\|Psc 20
	\|		\|Tau 7
	\|		\|Sgr 23 1/2
	\|		\|Cap 21 1/2
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|-		\|-
	\|star		\|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		\|duration
	\| colspan="4" \|2 ~~1/8~~ hours = ~~127.5~~ min = ~~31 7/8~~ degree		\| colspan="4" \|2 hours = 120 min = 30 degree
	\|}		\|}

Sushoff at 11:54, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T11:54:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:54, 27 February 2026
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	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" />		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 ===		=== Origin of Constellation ===
	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.		<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]].		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]].

Sushoff: /* Greek Mythology */

2026-02-26T19:35:56Z

Greek Mythology

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 26 February 2026
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	----		----
	[[File:Cetus IAU.svg\|thumb\|star chart of Cetus by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]		[[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>		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==		==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" />		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 ===		=== Origin of Constellation ===
	~~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~~.		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.

	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 ====		==== Babylonian ====
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	</gallery>		</gallery>

	== ~~Greek~~ Mythology ==		== 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 ==		== Weblinks ==
	* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cetus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.		* Ridpath, Ian, “[http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/cetus.html Star Tales: online edition]”.

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-22T17:38:09Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:38, 22 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

			====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §10) ======
			<blockquote>The Rising of ...</blockquote>
			{\| class="wikitable"
			\|+
			!
			! colspan="2" \|east
			! colspan="2" \|south
			\|-
			!
			!lam1
			!lam2
			!lam1
			!lam2
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|star
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|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
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|
			\|-
			\|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 =====		===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====

YoulaAzkarrula: /* Almagest Κῆτος */

2026-02-06T10:10:54Z

Almagest Κῆτος

Show changes

Sushoff at 13:15, 20 January 2026

2026-01-20T13:15:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:15, 20 January 2026
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			Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
			----
	[[File:Cetus IAU.svg\|thumb\|star chart of Cetus by IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]]		[[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>		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>

Dorvic at 03:59, 3 May 2025

2025-05-03T03:59:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 3 May 2025
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

			===== 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 =====		===== Geminos =====

Dorvic: /* Aratos */

2025-05-02T06:31:58Z

Aratos

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:31, 2 May 2025
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	==== Greco-Roman ====		==== Greco-Roman ====

	===== ~~Aratos~~ =====		===== Aratus =====
	~~[352] Andromeda, though~~ she ~~cowers a good way off~~, is ~~pressed~~ by the ~~rush of the mighty Monster~~ of the Sea [~~Cetus~~]. For her ~~path~~ lies ~~under~~ the blast of ~~Thracian Boreas~~, ~~but~~ the ~~South wind drives~~ against her, ~~beneath~~ the Ram and the ~~Pair of~~ Fishes, ~~the hateful Monster, Cetus, set as he is~~ a little above the ~~Starry~~ River.		<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>

	[~~359~~] ~~For alone are those poor remains~~ of Eridanus, ~~River~~ of ~~many tears, also borne beneath~~ the ~~feet~~ of ~~the Gods~~. ~~He winds beneath Orion’s left foot~~, ~~but~~ the ~~Shackles, wherewith~~ the ~~Fishes’ tails~~ are held, ~~reach form their tails and join~~ together, and behind the ~~neck of Cetus they mingle their path and fare together. They end in a single star of Cetus, set where meet his spine and head.~~

	[~~367~~] ~~Other stars, mean in size and feeble in splendour, wheel between the Rudder of Argo and Cetus, and beneath the grey Hare’s sides~~ they ~~are set without a name.~~

	~~[385] Below Aegoceros before the blasts of the South Wind swims a Fish~~, ~~facing Cetus, alone~~ and ~~part from the former Fishes; and him men call the Southern Fish [Piscis Australis].~~

	~~[389] Other stars, sparsely set beneath Hydrochoüs [Aquarius], hang on high between Cetus~~ in the heavens and the Fish, dim and nameless, and near them on the right hand of bright Hydrochoüs, like some sprinked drops of water lightly shed on this side and on that, other stars wheel bright-eyed though weak. But among them are borne two of more lustrous form, not far apart and yet not near: one beneath both feet of Hydrochoüs, a ~~goodly~~ star ~~and bright, the other beneath~~ the ~~tail~~ of ~~dark-blue Cetus. This cluster as a whole men call The Water.~~

	~~[630?] The head of Andromeda is setting and against her is brought by~~ the misty South the mighty terror, Cetus, but over against him in the North Cepheus with mighty hand upraised warns him back. Cetus, neck downward, sets to his neck, and Cepheus with head and hand and shoulder.

	(Kidd 1997)

	===== Eratosthenes =====		===== Eratosthenes =====

Dorvic: /* Aratos */

2025-05-02T05:26:26Z

Aratos

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:26, 2 May 2025
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	===== Aratos =====		===== Aratos =====
			[352] Andromeda, though she cowers a good way off, is pressed by the rush of the mighty Monster of the Sea [Cetus]. For her path lies under the blast of Thracian Boreas, but the South wind drives against her, beneath the Ram and the Pair of Fishes, the hateful Monster, Cetus, set as he is a little above the Starry River.

			[359] For alone are those poor remains of Eridanus, River of many tears, also borne beneath the feet of the Gods. He winds beneath Orion’s left foot, but the Shackles, wherewith the Fishes’ tails are held, reach form their tails and join together, and behind the neck of Cetus they mingle their path and fare together. They end in a single star of Cetus, set where meet his spine and head.

			[367] Other stars, mean in size and feeble in splendour, wheel between the Rudder of Argo and Cetus, and beneath the grey Hare’s sides they are set without a name.

			[385] Below Aegoceros before the blasts of the South Wind swims a Fish, facing Cetus, alone and part from the former Fishes; and him men call the Southern Fish [Piscis Australis].

			[389] Other stars, sparsely set beneath Hydrochoüs [Aquarius], hang on high between Cetus in the heavens and the Fish, dim and nameless, and near them on the right hand of bright Hydrochoüs, like some sprinked drops of water lightly shed on this side and on that, other stars wheel bright-eyed though weak. But among them are borne two of more lustrous form, not far apart and yet not near: one beneath both feet of Hydrochoüs, a goodly star and bright, the other beneath the tail of dark-blue Cetus. This cluster as a whole men call The Water.

			[630?] The head of Andromeda is setting and against her is brought by the misty South the mighty terror, Cetus, but over against him in the North Cepheus with mighty hand upraised warns him back. Cetus, neck downward, sets to his neck, and Cepheus with head and hand and shoulder.

			(Kidd 1997)

	===== Eratosthenes =====		===== Eratosthenes =====