Eridanus - Revision history

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-27T13:57:30Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:57, 27 February 2026
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	\| colspan="4" \|3 3/5 hours = 216 min = 54 degree		\| colspan="4" \|3 3/5 hours = 216 min = 54 degree
	\|}		\|}
	Setting (Lib III Cap II §10)
			====== Setting (Lib III Cap II §10) ======
	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	!		!

Sushoff at 12:21, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T12:21:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:21, 27 February 2026
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	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	[[File:Eridanus - Mercator.jpeg\|thumb\|Eri (Mercator 1551)]]		[[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.		<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.

Sushoff at 12:20, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T12:20:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:20, 27 February 2026
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	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
			[[File:Eridanus - Mercator.jpeg\|thumb\|Eri (Mercator 1551)]]
	<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.		<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.

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	File:Eridanus Hevelius.jpg\|Eri (Hevel)		File:Eridanus Hevelius.jpg\|Eri (Hevel)
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	~~[[File:Eridanus - Mercator.jpeg\|thumb\|Eri (Mercator 1551)]]~~

	==Mythology==		==Mythology==

Sushoff: /* Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation */

2026-02-27T12:18:00Z

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:18, 27 February 2026
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	===Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation===		===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)
			File:Eridanus Hevelius.jpg\|Eri (Hevel)
			</gallery>
			[[File:Eridanus - Mercator.jpeg\|thumb\|Eri (Mercator 1551)]]

	==Mythology==		==Mythology==

Sushoff: /* Mythology */

2026-02-26T20:37:56Z

Mythology

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 26 February 2026
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	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	<ref>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.		<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.		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.
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	==Mythology==		==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.		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.

Sushoff at 20:37, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T20:37:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 26 February 2026
Line 6:		Line 6:

	==Etymology and History==		==Etymology and History==
	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.		<ref>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.		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.

Sushoff: /* Hipparchus */

2026-02-22T15:49:05Z

Hipparchus

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:49, 22 February 2026
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	===== Hipparchus =====		===== 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 =====		===== Hyginus, Astronomica =====

Sushoff: /* Mythology */

2026-02-17T11:42:11Z

Mythology

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 17 February 2026
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	==Mythology==		==Mythology==
			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==		==Weblinks==

Sushoff at 11:40, 17 February 2026

2026-02-17T11:40:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 17 February 2026
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	----		----
	[[File:Eridanus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Eri star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]		[[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".		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".

Sushoff at 11:38, 17 February 2026

2026-02-17T11:38:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:38, 17 February 2026
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	----		----
	[[File:Eridanus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Eri star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg).]]		[[File:Eridanus IAU.svg\|alt=star chart\|thumb\|Eri 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]]. 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==		==Etymology and History==
	~~The~~ Greek constellation ...		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===		===Origin of Constellation===