Deltoton: Difference between revisions
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Deltoton (Δελτωτόν)}} | {{DISPLAYTITLE:Deltoton (Δελτωτόν)}} | ||
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[[File:Tri Duerer.JPG|thumb|Triangulum in Dürer (1515) named "Deltoton".]] | [[File:Tri Duerer.JPG|thumb|Triangulum in Dürer (1515) named "Deltoton".]] | ||
[[File:Deltoton profile stickfigure.jpeg|thumb|WGSN star name "Deltoton", profile stickfigure, created by M. Sadegh Faghanpour (IAU WGSN).]] | [[File:Deltoton profile stickfigure.jpeg|thumb|WGSN star name "Deltoton", profile stickfigure, created by M. Sadegh Faghanpour (IAU WGSN).]] | ||
Deltoton (Δελτωτόν; the letter Delta: Δ) is a modern star name for δ Tri ( | Deltoton (Δελτωτόν; the letter Delta: Δ) is a modern star name for δ Tri (Delta Trianguli) based on an ancient Greek name variant for the constellation [[Triangulum]], probably the original one. | ||
==Etymology and History== | ==Etymology and History== | ||
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The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 2025. The brightest stars in the constellation Triangulum were already named with Arabic names. WGSN chose to name δ Tri with this name because of the obvious pun. | The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 2025. The brightest stars in the constellation Triangulum were already named with Arabic names. WGSN chose to name δ Tri with this name because of the obvious pun. | ||
δ Tri is a yellow dwarf star like our Sun but a bit smaller in mass and diameter. Only 35 light years away, it ranges among the nearest neighbours of the | δ Tri is a yellow dwarf star like our Sun but a bit smaller in mass and diameter. Only 35 light years away, it ranges among the nearest neighbours of the Solar System. Therefore, it is the only star in the sky where we can directly see the proper motion within the past 2,000 years or so: Ptolemy describes δ Tri as ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν (the middle one of the three at the base of the triangle), as it was really in the middle between β and γ Tri. Yet, as of 2025, we find δ Tri closer to γ Tri (which would even count as "double star" in Ptolemy's terminology). | ||
== Weblinks == | == Weblinks == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:34, 19 February 2026
Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann
Deltoton (Δελτωτόν; the letter Delta: Δ) is a modern star name for δ Tri (Delta Trianguli) based on an ancient Greek name variant for the constellation Triangulum, probably the original one.
Etymology and History
"Delta" is the first letter in the ancient Greek term for "dios", the highest god who possesses and rules the stars. In early uranographies, this triangle was considered a sign of the divinity of the starry sky. The letter Delta was considered a divine inscription "written in the stars".
Mythology
The ancient Greek author Aratus (4th century BCE) starts his didactic poem with a dedication to the mighty god (Dios). Yet, he mentions the constellation "Triangulum" in a later verse.
IAU Working Group on Star Names
The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 2025. The brightest stars in the constellation Triangulum were already named with Arabic names. WGSN chose to name δ Tri with this name because of the obvious pun.
δ Tri is a yellow dwarf star like our Sun but a bit smaller in mass and diameter. Only 35 light years away, it ranges among the nearest neighbours of the Solar System. Therefore, it is the only star in the sky where we can directly see the proper motion within the past 2,000 years or so: Ptolemy describes δ Tri as ὁ μέσος αὐτῶν (the middle one of the three at the base of the triangle), as it was really in the middle between β and γ Tri. Yet, as of 2025, we find δ Tri closer to γ Tri (which would even count as "double star" in Ptolemy's terminology).
