Cygnus - Revision history

Sushoff at 12:08, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T12:08:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:08, 27 February 2026
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	=== Origin of Constellation ===		=== Origin of Constellation ===
	The Greek constellation was originally named "The Bird" (ornithos). In Babylonian uranography, there is a figure of a giant storm demon named U<sub>4</sub>.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A, literally meaning ‘the one with the open mouth’. It is not known exactly what this demon may have looked like, but there is an image on reliefs at a temple entrance in Nimrud that could fit: it is a panther-headed demon with wings and fearsome claws, standing between the weather god and the god of war, turning towards the weather god with its mouth wide open. This demon could be described as a panther griffin. This fits with the later Akkadian vocabulary for this constellation, as the Sumerian word U<sub>4</sub>.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A can also be written in Akkadian as ''nimru'' (panther).		<ref>Hoffmann, Susanne M. Wie der Löwe an den Himmel kam. Franckh Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2021</ref>The Greek constellation was originally named "The Bird" (ornithos). In Babylonian uranography, there is a figure of a giant storm demon named U<sub>4</sub>.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A, literally meaning ‘the one with the open mouth’. It is not known exactly what this demon may have looked like, but there is an image on reliefs at a temple entrance in Nimrud that could fit: it is a panther-headed demon with wings and fearsome claws, standing between the weather god and the god of war, turning towards the weather god with its mouth wide open. This demon could be described as a panther griffin. This fits with the later Akkadian vocabulary for this constellation, as the Sumerian word U<sub>4</sub>.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A can also be written in Akkadian as ''nimru'' (panther).

	Such a figure can also be seen very clearly in the stars of Cygnus and Cepheus. However, the Babylonian constellation covers a much larger area, i.e. approximately two Greek constellations. It extends to the star λ Andromedae as the foot of the demon and covers parts of Cepheus in addition to Cygnus. Therefore, it must have undergone numerous transformations to be considered one of the precursors. It cannot have been adopted directly from Babylonian into Greek.		Such a figure can also be seen very clearly in the stars of Cygnus and Cepheus. However, the Babylonian constellation covers a much larger area, i.e. approximately two Greek constellations. It extends to the star λ Andromedae as the foot of the demon and covers parts of Cepheus in addition to Cygnus. Therefore, it must have undergone numerous transformations to be considered one of the precursors. It cannot have been adopted directly from Babylonian into Greek.

Sushoff at 18:08, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T18:08:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:08, 26 February 2026
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	----		----
	[[File:Cygnus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Cyg star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]		[[File:Cygnus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Cyg star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
	~~One~~ of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]].		Cygnus, the Swan, one of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]]. In the original Greek, the constellation is called ‘bird’, and only the star legend tells us what kind of bird it is supposed to be. The figure is Greek.

			Today, we depict it as a swan, viewed from directly above, which is why it has the simplified shape of a cross: it is therefore also called the ‘Cross of the North’. In ancient times, however, the depiction was asymmetrical. One can see one of the bird's feet resting on the Arctic Circle. The neck is not perfectly straight, and while one wing is stretched out, the other appears to be folded, which is probably meant to be a perspective effect.

	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG\|thumb\|Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]		[[File:KugelGlobe Sge.JPG\|thumb\|Cyg, Lyr, Del, Aql and Sge on the Kugel Globe (1st century BCE), SMH 2024.]]
	~~The Greek constellation was originally named "The Bird" (ornithos).~~

			=== Origin of Constellation ===
			The Greek constellation was originally named "The Bird" (ornithos). In Babylonian uranography, there is a figure of a giant storm demon named U<sub>4</sub>.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A, literally meaning ‘the one with the open mouth’. It is not known exactly what this demon may have looked like, but there is an image on reliefs at a temple entrance in Nimrud that could fit: it is a panther-headed demon with wings and fearsome claws, standing between the weather god and the god of war, turning towards the weather god with its mouth wide open. This demon could be described as a panther griffin. This fits with the later Akkadian vocabulary for this constellation, as the Sumerian word U<sub>4</sub>.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A can also be written in Akkadian as ''nimru'' (panther).

	~~===Origin~~ of ~~Constellation===~~		Such a figure can also be seen very clearly in the stars of Cygnus and Cepheus. However, the Babylonian constellation covers a much larger area, i.e. approximately two Greek constellations. It extends to the star λ Andromedae as the foot of the demon and covers parts of Cepheus in addition to Cygnus. Therefore, it must have undergone numerous transformations to be considered one of the precursors. It cannot have been adopted directly from Babylonian into Greek.

	==== Babylonian ====		==== Babylonian ====
			see

			* [[UD.KA.DU8.A\|UD.KA.DU<sub>8</sub>.A]]

	==== Greco-Roman ====		==== Greco-Roman ====
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	==Mythology==		==Mythology==
			'''Greek'''

			Eratosthenes reports that Zeus fell in love with Nemesis, the goddess of retributive justice or righteous anger. She wanted to remain a virgin and therefore fled from him. She once transformed herself into a swan, whereupon Zeus also transformed himself into a swan and thus succeeded in seducing her. He then flew energetically skyward, leaving behind the image of the magnificent animal form among the stars. The imprint in the star pattern depicts the bird flying, with its wings spread wide.

			In the constellation Aquila, we present another version of the story, told by Hyginus in Roman times, according to which Zeus, in the form of a swan, allowed himself to be pursued by his eagle in order to find refuge in the bosom of Nemesis. However, the eagle in the sky does not pursue the swan, but they fly across the sky at the same time.

			In any case, the result of this union is that Nemesis lays an egg. The egg later hatches into the beautiful Helen, who was the cause of the Trojan War. Helen is considered to be the daughter of Leda because the egg was given to Leda and Leda raised the girl.

	==Weblinks==		==Weblinks==

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

2026-02-24T07:18:12Z

Setting (Lib II Cap VI §10)

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:18, 24 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

	====== Rising (Lib II Cap V ~~§10~~) ======		====== Rising (Lib II Cap V §7) ======
	<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 II Cap VI §7) ======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!
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	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|		\|Aqr 4 1/2
	\|		\|Psc 14
	\|		\|Ari 23 1/2
	\|		\|Gem 12
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|-		\|-
	\|star		\|star
	\|		\|the one at the beak
	\|		\|the northern one of those at the end of the right wing
	\|		\|
	\|		\|
	\|-		\|-
	\|duration		\|duration
	\| colspan="4" \|~~2 2~~/3 hours = ~~160~~ min = ~~40°~~		\| colspan="4" \|3 1/6 hours = 190 min = 47 1/2°
	\|}		\|}

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-23T15:03:11Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:03, 23 February 2026
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	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
	\|		\| align="center" \|Lib 26.5
	\|		\| align="center" \|Srg 22
	\|		\| align="center" \|Leo 1.0
	\|		\| align="center" \|Lib 9.5
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|
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	\|-		\|-
	\|duration		\|duration
	\| colspan="4" \|2 1/8 hours = ~~127.5~~ min = ~~31 7/8~~ degree		\| colspan="4" \|4 2/5 hours = 264 min = 66 degree
	\|}		\|}

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-22T17:40:06Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 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 Ὅρνες (Bird). */

2026-02-06T10:50:56Z

Almagest Ὅρνες (Bird).

Show changes

Sushoff at 13:19, 20 January 2026

2026-01-20T13:19:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 20 January 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
			Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
			----
	[[File:Cygnus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Cyg star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]		[[File:Cygnus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Cyg star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]
	One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]].		One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations\|88 IAU constellations]].

Dorvic at 15:10, 2 May 2025

2025-05-02T15:10:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:10, 2 May 2025
Line 19:		Line 19:

	===== Hipparchus =====		===== Hipparchus =====

			===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====
			<blockquote>The sign the Greeks call the Swan, but others, out of ignorance of the story, have called it ornis, the general term for bird. This reason for the name has been handed down: When Jupiter, moved by desire, had begun to love Nemesis, and couldn't persuade her to lie with him, he relieved his passion by the following plan. He bade Venus, in the form of an eagle, pursue him; he, changed to a swan, as if in flight from the eagle, took refuge with Nemesis and lighted in her lap. Nemesis did not thrust him away, but holding him in her arms, fell into a deep sleep. While she slept, Jupiter embraced her, and then flew away. Because he was seen by men flying high in the sky, they said he was put in the stars. To make this really true, Jupiter put the swan flying and the eagle pursuing in the sky.

			But Nemesis, as if wedded to the tribe of birds, when her months were ended, bore an egg. Mercury took it away and carried it to Sparta and threw it in Leda's lap. From it sprang Helen, who excelled all other girls in beauty. Leda called her her own daughter. Others say that Jove, in the form of a swan, lay with Leda. We shall leave the matter undecided. (Mary Ward 1960)</blockquote>

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

Dorvic: /* Aratos */

2025-05-02T06:21:43Z

Aratos

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:21, 2 May 2025
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	==== Greco-Roman ====		==== Greco-Roman ====

	===== ~~Aratos~~ =====		===== Aratus =====
			<blockquote>[275] Yes, there is even a dappled Bird accompanying Zeus, hazy in some parts, while other parts on it bristle with stars, not very bright, though still not dim. Just like a bird in fair-weather flight, it glides on the breeze towards the horizon, stretching its right wing-tip in the direction of Cepheus’ right hand, [281] while close to its left wing lies the prancing Horse. (Kidd 1997)</blockquote>

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

Sushoff: /* Almagest Ὅρνες. */

2025-04-26T17:54:53Z

Almagest Ὅρνες.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:54, 26 April 2025
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	===== Geminos =====		===== Geminos =====

	==== Almagest Ὅρνες. ====		==== Almagest Ὅρνες (Bird). ====
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!id		!id
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	\|del Cyg		\|del Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|7
	\|τῶν ἐκ τῷ δεξιῷ ταρσῷ ἡ’ ὁ νότιος		\|τῶν ἐκ τῷ δεξιῷ ταρσῷ ἡ’ ὁ νότιος
	\|The southernmost of the 3 in the right wing-feathers		\|The southernmost of the 3 in the right wing-feathers
	\|tet Cyg		\|tet Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|8
	\|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν		\|ὁ μέσος τῶν τριῶν
	\|The middle one of the three		\|The middle one of the three
	\|iot Cyg		\|iot Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|9
	\|ὁ βόρειος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ταρσοῦ		\|ὁ βόρειος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπ’ ἄκρου τοῦ ταρσοῦ
	\|The northernmost of them, on the tip of the wing-feathers		\|The northernmost of them, on the tip of the wing-feathers
	\|kap Cyg		\|kap Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|10
	\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀγκῶνος τῆς ἀριστερᾶς πτέρυγος		\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀγκῶνος τῆς ἀριστερᾶς πτέρυγος
	\|The star on the bend of the left wing		\|The star on the bend of the left wing
	\|eps Cyg		\|eps Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|11
	\|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν μέσῃ τῇ αὐτῇ πτέρυγι		\|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν μέσῃ τῇ αὐτῇ πτέρυγι
	\|The star north of this, in the middle of the same wing		\|The star north of this, in the middle of the same wing
	\|lam Cyg		\|lam Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|12
	\|ὁ ἐν ἄκρῳ τῷ ταρσῷ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς πτέρυγος		\|ὁ ἐν ἄκρῳ τῷ ταρσῷ τῆς ἀριστερᾶς πτέρυγος
	\|The star in the tip of the feathers of the left wing		\|The star in the tip of the feathers of the left wing
	\|zet Cyg		\|zet Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|13
	\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ποδός		\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ ποδός
	\|The star on the left leg		\|The star on the left leg
	\|nu Cyg		\|nu Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|14
	\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόρατος.		\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ ἀριστεροῦ γόρατος.
	\|The star on the left knee		\|The star on the left knee
	\|xi Cyg		\|xi Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|15
	\|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ποῦὶ β ὁ προηγούμευος		\|τῶν ἐν τῷ δεξιῷ ποῦὶ β ὁ προηγούμευος
	\|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the right leg		\|The more advanced of the 2 stars in the right leg
	\|omi1 Cyg		\|omi1 Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|16
	\|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν		\|ὁ ἐπόμενος αὐτῶν
	\|The one to the rear		\|The one to the rear
	\|omi2 Cyg		\|omi2 Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|17
	\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος νεφελοειδής.		\|ὁ ἐπὶ τοῦ δεξιοῦ γόνατος νεφελοειδής.
	\|The nebulous star on the right knee		\|The nebulous star on the right knee
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	!		!
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|18
	\|τῶν ὑπὸ τὴν ἀριστερὰν πτέρυγα ᾑ ὁ νοτιώτερος.		\|τῶν ὑπὸ τὴν ἀριστερὰν πτέρυγα ᾑ ὁ νοτιώτερος.
	\|The southernmost of the 2 stars under the left wing		\|The southernmost of the 2 stars under the left wing
	\|tau Cyg		\|tau Cyg
	\|-		\|-
	\|		\|19
	\|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν		\|ὁ βορειότερος αὐτῶν
	\|The northernmost of them		\|The northernmost of them