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Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
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[[File:Pongaponga Beaglehole1938.png|thumb|Pearl Beaglehole & Ernest Beaglehole 1934-8. Pukapuka dictionary. [https://tapuaka.wgtn.ac.nz/nodes/view/6864 online] ]]
[[File:Pukapuka.png|thumb|location of the island]]
On the island of Pukapuka, one of the Northern Cook Islands in the South Pacific, the stars  ε1 (4) Lyr and ε2 (5) Lyr,  two faint stars that can just be separated with the naked eye in good conditions, were known as ''Na ponga-ponga-iyu-o-te-kiole'', “the nostrils of the rat”. The name '''Pongaponga''' (“nostrils”) is a suggested shortening of this.


On the island of Pukapuka, one of the Northern Cook Islands in the South Pacific, the stars  ε1 (4) Lyr and ε2 (5) Lyr,  two faint stars that can just be separated with the naked eye in good conditions, were known as ''Na ponga-ponga-iyu-o-te-kiole'', “the nostrils of the rat”. The name '''Ponga-Ponga''' (“nostrils”) is a suggested shortening of this.
Pongaponga is also a modern star name for ε1 Lyr A.


==Concordance, Etymology, History==
==Concordance, Etymology, History==
Information on star knowledge on Pukapuka was obtained by ethnographers Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole during 1934 and 1935  (Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938: 347–353) “from a number of informants” (ibid.: 348). Their report contains a star chart drawn by Robert Dean Frisbie, an American author who lived among the natives and “assisted in the identification of the star names” (ibid.: fig. 55, reproduced below).   
'''Variants''':
[[File:Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938, fig 55.jpg|thumb|589x589px]]
 
Asterism #26 in the chart is identified in the key as “Na Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole (4<sup>ε</sup> and 5 Lyrae)”, which accords with its position in relation to #29 (α , β , γ Aql, “Tolu”), #25 (Corona Borealis, “Te Wale-o-Awitu”) and the sharks of the Milky Way. It is also listed by Makemson (1941: 245 #489) as ''Nga Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole'' and by Johnson, Mahelona and Ruggles (2026: 321) as ''Na Ponga-ponga-iyu-o-te-kiole''.  
* Pongaponga
* Ponga-ponga
 
Information on star knowledge on Pukapuka was obtained by ethnographers Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole during 1934 and 1935  (Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938:<ref name=":0">Beaglehole, Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole (1938). ''Ethnology of Pukapuka''. Honolulu: Bernice P. Bishop Museum (Bulletin 150).</ref> 347–353) “from a number of informants” (ibid.: 348). Their report contains a star chart drawn by Robert Dean Frisbie, an American author who lived among the natives and “assisted in the identification of the star names” (ibid.: fig. 55, reproduced below).   
[[File:Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938, fig 55.jpg|thumb|589x589px|“Chart of the Pukapukan heavens” from Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938,<ref name=":0" /> fig 55.]]
=== Origin of Constellation ===
'''Asterism #26''' in the chart is identified in the key as “Na '''Pongaponga'''-iyu-o-te-kiole ('''4<sup>ε</sup> and 5 Lyrae''')”, which accords with its position in relation to #29 (α , β , γ Aql, “Tolu”), #25 (Corona Borealis, “Te Wale-o-Awitu”) and the sharks of the Milky Way. It is also listed by Makemson (1941:<ref>Makemson, Maud W. (1941). ''The Morning Star Rises: An Account of Polynesian Astronomy''. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.</ref> 245 #489) as ''Nga Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole'' and by Johnson, Mahelona and Ruggles (2026:<ref>Johnson, Rubellite K, John K. Mahelona and Clive Ruggles (2026). ''Nā Inoa Hōkū: Hawaiian and Pacific Star'' ''Name''s (3rd edition). Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.</ref> 321) as ''Na Ponga-ponga-iyu-o-te-kiole''.


The rat's tail, ''Te Yiku-o-te-kiole'', is identified as Coma Berenices (#16), suggesting that #25—Corona Borealis,—might be the rat’s body, but it is identified instead as ''Te Wale-o-Awitu'', “the house of Awitu”.  
The rat's tail, ''Te Yiku-o-te-kiole'', is identified as Coma Berenices (#16), suggesting that #25—Corona Borealis,—might be the rat’s body, but it is identified instead as ''Te Wale-o-Awitu'', “the house of Awitu”.  


A different informant identified the rat as Ursa Major, α, β, γ, and δ UMa being its body and ε, ζ, and η UMa its tail, as drawn in the figure (#17). Beaglehole and Beaglehole (ibid.: 351) conclude that there is “some confusion” with the name ''Na Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole'' and suggest that it could be applied to “almost any visible binary”.  
A different informant identified the rat as Ursa Major, α, β, γ, and δ UMa being its body and ε, ζ, and η UMa its tail, as drawn in the figure (#17). Beaglehole and Beaglehole (ibid.: 351) conclude that there is “some confusion” with the name ''Na Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole'' and suggest that it could be applied to “almost any visible binary”.  
==== Pukapuka Map ====


# Na Taki-tu-tolu-a-Mataliki α, β, γ Cassiopeiae);
# Te Wale-o-Tutakaiolo (α, β, θ, ι, Aurigae, β Tauri);
# Mataliki (the Pleiades);
# Takupu-tea (Venus);
# Tulalupe (Jupiter);
# Mata-kula (Aldebaran );
# Mata-kula (Mars);
# Te Tolunga-Maui (ξ, ε, δ Orionis);
# Mata-lele (shooting star) ;
# Mau-tokelau (Lesser Magellanic Cloud, position approximate) ;
# Mautonga (Greater Magellanic Cloud, position approximate);
# Tapao (Sirius);
# Pangolengole-a-Kiliwelo (Praesepe cluster);
# Mata-tea (Saturn);
# Tokiva (Jupiter);
# Te Yiku-o-te-kiole ( Coma Berenices) ;
# Te Yiku-o-te-kiole (Ursa Major, second identification) ;
# Te Manu ( Corvus) ; 
# Na Mata-o-te-paniwi ( Crux) ;
# Te Paniwi-o-Taewa ("The Coal Sack");
# Na Mata-o-te-tokalua, Wua-ma-Velo (α and β Centauri, includes also other stars of same declination) ;
# Te Mango ( the Milky Way);
# Te Maina (the Moon);
# Te Mata-yoa-ki-te-maina (companion star to the moon) ;
# Te Wale-o-Awitu ( Corona Borealis) ;
# Na '''Pongaponga'''-iyu-o-te-kiole (4ε and 5 Lyrae);
# Mata-wai-kave (comet);
# Te Toloa (Delphinu ) ;
# Tolu (α, β, γ Aquilae) ;
# Te Mango ( the Milky Way) ;
# Te Tao-a-Maui (black nebula near Scorpius) ;
# Melemele ( Antares) ;
# Lua-tama-lelei (λ, υ Scorpii) ;
# Te Kau-o-Maui (star cluster in Sagittarius);
# Te Wao-a- aui (θ, η, ξ, ε, δ Ophiuchi and α Serpentis);
# Takupu-tea (Venus);
# Tapao (Jupiter);
# Te Mata-yoa-ki-te-la (Mercury);
# La (Sun);
# Taki-piki-toIu (Piscis Australis).


Dotted Iine represents sun's ecliptic.


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


=== Origin of Constellation ===
== Mythology ==
Beaglehole and Beaglehole (1938:<ref name=":0" /> 347) note that by the time of their visit the underlying mythology had been essentially lost. “Pukapukan study of the heavens seems to have been governed by the use of the stars and planets as guides for seasonal and fishing changes and the use of the stars as guides for long sea voyages. With the decadence of sea voyaging, much of the old-time lore fell into disuse and was lost. Puyaka, the great expert in star lore at the time of Tuiva committed suicide and took with him to his grave much esoteric star lore. Informants were sure that Pukapukan knowledge of the stars is today but a remnant of former knowledge. The younger men now know only a few star names, some of which they can not even identify.”


=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
== IAU Working Group on Star Names ==
The name was suggested to the IAU WGSN in 2026. Spelling variants were discussed: ''Ponga-ponga'': Both the Beagleholes and Makemson spell it ''Pongaponga'' (no hyphen; no second capital) so we should probably use that. In ''Nā Inoa Hōkū'' we follow Pukui and Elbert's convention, as in their widely used Hawaiian dictionary, whereby "hyphens are used to divide longer star names into meaningful components. They are not part of the accepted spelling system" (NIH3 p. 184). In the wider star catalogues "Hyphens in Indigenous star names, which divide them into meaningful components, are indicative rather than definitive" (ibid: 271). So either ''Pongaponga'' or ''Ponga-ponga''; definitely no second capital.


== Mythology ==
DECISION: The IAU adopted the name Pongaponga for ε1 Lyr A on 18 June 2026.
Beaglehole and Beaglehole (1938: 347) note that by the time of their visit the underlying mythology had been essentially lost. “Pukapukan study of the heavens seems to have been governed by the use of the stars and planets as guides for seasonal and fishing changes and the use of the stars as guides for long sea voyages. With the decadence of sea voyaging, much of the old-time lore fell into disuse and was lost. Puyaka, the great expert in star lore at the time of Tuiva committed suicide and took with him to his grave much esoteric star lore. Informants were sure that Pukapukan knowledge of the stars is today but a remnant of former knowledge. The younger men now know only a few star names, some of which they can not even identify.”


== Weblinks ==
== Weblinks ==
Line 30: Line 83:
== References ==
== References ==


* Beaglehole, Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole (1938). ''Ethnology of Pukapuka''. Honolulu: Bernice P. Bishop Museum (Bulletin 150).
*
* Makemson, Maud W. (1941). ''The Morning Star Rises: An Account of Polynesian Astronomy''. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
*
* Johnson, Rubellite K, John K. Mahelona and Clive Ruggles (2026). ''Nā Inoa Hōkū: Hawaiian and Pacific Star'' ''Name''s (3rd edition). Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.
*




[[Category:Oceania]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:4work]]
[[Category:Oceania]] [[Category:Polynesian]] [[Category:Cook Islands]] [[Category:Pukapuka]]
[[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:Lyr]]
[[Category:IAU-Star Name]] [[Category:Star Name]]

Latest revision as of 05:39, 20 June 2026

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann, Clive Ruggles, Youla Azkarrula

Pearl Beaglehole & Ernest Beaglehole 1934-8. Pukapuka dictionary. online
location of the island

On the island of Pukapuka, one of the Northern Cook Islands in the South Pacific, the stars  ε1 (4) Lyr and ε2 (5) Lyr,  two faint stars that can just be separated with the naked eye in good conditions, were known as Na ponga-ponga-iyu-o-te-kiole, “the nostrils of the rat”. The name Pongaponga (“nostrils”) is a suggested shortening of this.

Pongaponga is also a modern star name for ε1 Lyr A.

Concordance, Etymology, History

Variants:

  • Pongaponga
  • Ponga-ponga

Information on star knowledge on Pukapuka was obtained by ethnographers Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole during 1934 and 1935 (Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938:[1] 347–353) “from a number of informants” (ibid.: 348). Their report contains a star chart drawn by Robert Dean Frisbie, an American author who lived among the natives and “assisted in the identification of the star names” (ibid.: fig. 55, reproduced below).

“Chart of the Pukapukan heavens” from Beaglehole and Beaglehole 1938,[1] fig 55.

Origin of Constellation

Asterism #26 in the chart is identified in the key as “Na Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole (4ε and 5 Lyrae)”, which accords with its position in relation to #29 (α , β , γ Aql, “Tolu”), #25 (Corona Borealis, “Te Wale-o-Awitu”) and the sharks of the Milky Way. It is also listed by Makemson (1941:[2] 245 #489) as Nga Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole and by Johnson, Mahelona and Ruggles (2026:[3] 321) as Na Ponga-ponga-iyu-o-te-kiole.

The rat's tail, Te Yiku-o-te-kiole, is identified as Coma Berenices (#16), suggesting that #25—Corona Borealis,—might be the rat’s body, but it is identified instead as Te Wale-o-Awitu, “the house of Awitu”.

A different informant identified the rat as Ursa Major, α, β, γ, and δ UMa being its body and ε, ζ, and η UMa its tail, as drawn in the figure (#17). Beaglehole and Beaglehole (ibid.: 351) conclude that there is “some confusion” with the name Na Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole and suggest that it could be applied to “almost any visible binary”.

Pukapuka Map

  1. Na Taki-tu-tolu-a-Mataliki α, β, γ Cassiopeiae);
  2. Te Wale-o-Tutakaiolo (α, β, θ, ι, Aurigae, β Tauri);
  3. Mataliki (the Pleiades);
  4. Takupu-tea (Venus);
  5. Tulalupe (Jupiter);
  6. Mata-kula (Aldebaran );
  7. Mata-kula (Mars);
  8. Te Tolunga-Maui (ξ, ε, δ Orionis);
  9. Mata-lele (shooting star) ;
  10. Mau-tokelau (Lesser Magellanic Cloud, position approximate) ;
  11. Mautonga (Greater Magellanic Cloud, position approximate);
  12. Tapao (Sirius);
  13. Pangolengole-a-Kiliwelo (Praesepe cluster);
  14. Mata-tea (Saturn);
  15. Tokiva (Jupiter);
  16. Te Yiku-o-te-kiole ( Coma Berenices) ;
  17. Te Yiku-o-te-kiole (Ursa Major, second identification) ;
  18. Te Manu ( Corvus) ;
  19. Na Mata-o-te-paniwi ( Crux) ;
  20. Te Paniwi-o-Taewa ("The Coal Sack");
  21. Na Mata-o-te-tokalua, Wua-ma-Velo (α and β Centauri, includes also other stars of same declination) ;
  22. Te Mango ( the Milky Way);
  23. Te Maina (the Moon);
  24. Te Mata-yoa-ki-te-maina (companion star to the moon) ;
  25. Te Wale-o-Awitu ( Corona Borealis) ;
  26. Na Pongaponga-iyu-o-te-kiole (4ε and 5 Lyrae);
  27. Mata-wai-kave (comet);
  28. Te Toloa (Delphinu ) ;
  29. Tolu (α, β, γ Aquilae) ;
  30. Te Mango ( the Milky Way) ;
  31. Te Tao-a-Maui (black nebula near Scorpius) ;
  32. Melemele ( Antares) ;
  33. Lua-tama-lelei (λ, υ Scorpii) ;
  34. Te Kau-o-Maui (star cluster in Sagittarius);
  35. Te Wao-a- aui (θ, η, ξ, ε, δ Ophiuchi and α Serpentis);
  36. Takupu-tea (Venus);
  37. Tapao (Jupiter);
  38. Te Mata-yoa-ki-te-la (Mercury);
  39. La (Sun);
  40. Taki-piki-toIu (Piscis Australis).

Dotted Iine represents sun's ecliptic.

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

Mythology

Beaglehole and Beaglehole (1938:[1] 347) note that by the time of their visit the underlying mythology had been essentially lost. “Pukapukan study of the heavens seems to have been governed by the use of the stars and planets as guides for seasonal and fishing changes and the use of the stars as guides for long sea voyages. With the decadence of sea voyaging, much of the old-time lore fell into disuse and was lost. Puyaka, the great expert in star lore at the time of Tuiva committed suicide and took with him to his grave much esoteric star lore. Informants were sure that Pukapukan knowledge of the stars is today but a remnant of former knowledge. The younger men now know only a few star names, some of which they can not even identify.”

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was suggested to the IAU WGSN in 2026. Spelling variants were discussed: Ponga-ponga: Both the Beagleholes and Makemson spell it Pongaponga (no hyphen; no second capital) so we should probably use that. In Nā Inoa Hōkū we follow Pukui and Elbert's convention, as in their widely used Hawaiian dictionary, whereby "hyphens are used to divide longer star names into meaningful components. They are not part of the accepted spelling system" (NIH3 p. 184). In the wider star catalogues "Hyphens in Indigenous star names, which divide them into meaningful components, are indicative rather than definitive" (ibid: 271). So either Pongaponga or Ponga-ponga; definitely no second capital.

DECISION: The IAU adopted the name Pongaponga for ε1 Lyr A on 18 June 2026.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Beaglehole, Ernest and Pearl Beaglehole (1938). Ethnology of Pukapuka. Honolulu: Bernice P. Bishop Museum (Bulletin 150).
  2. ↑ Makemson, Maud W. (1941). The Morning Star Rises: An Account of Polynesian Astronomy. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Rubellite K, John K. Mahelona and Clive Ruggles (2026). Nā Inoa Hōkū: Hawaiian and Pacific Star Names (3rd edition). Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press.
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