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Simmakh is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Sumerian, from [[SIM.MAḪ]]. It is the name of the star d Psc (HIP 1645) in constellation [[Pisces]].
Simmakh is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Sumerian, from [[SIM.MAḪ]]. It is the name of the star d Psc (HIP 1645) in constellation [[Pisces]].




==Concordance, Etymology, History==
==Concordance, Etymology, History==
[[File:A_reflection_flight_of_barn_swallow.jpg|thumb|a reflection flight of barn swallow captured in bagmati river in kathmandy valley in nepal (CC BY SA Prasan Shrestha)]]
Babylonian constellation that has undergone massive transformations: the original Giant Swallow was turned into a Swallow-Fish and into two fish connected with a ribbon. It is located in the area of modern [[Pisces]]. Alternative Mesopotamian terms are <sup>mul</sup>ŠIM.MAḪ (𒀯𒋆𒈤) and <sup>(mul)</sup>''Šinūnūtu''.
The characteristic folked tail of a swallow actually matches the pattern of stars in the sky very well; so it is very likely the original image seen in the asterism that is now considered a V-shaped ribbon.
The transformation of the constellation of The Swallow (see [[SIM.MAḪ]]) in ancient Mesopotamia is characterised by the original image of a Giant Swallow which must be located in Cetus, as its tails are imagined in the ribbon of Pisces, to a later version of a much smaller bird (swallow) whose body is roughly in the southern fish-ellipse of Pisces. The second image is reconstructed from coordinates given in Late Babylonian texts, e.g. the normal star list in which reads "DUR sim.ma", "Swallow Ribbon" [Roughton-Steele-Walker 2004<ref name=":14">''Roughton N.A., Steele J.M., Walker C.B.F.'' A Late Babylonian Normal and ''Ziqpu'' Star Text // AHES 58 (2004)  537-572.</ref>, 551:21′, 553], suggesting a bird connected to a fish in the northern fish-ellipse. Such an image of a bird and a fish connected by a V-shaped ribbon is preserved on seals in Uruk.
Yet earlier texts like MUL.APIN only list a Swallow and no fish in this area. The stars of Anu (no. 2), MUL.APIN I i 41 = (Anu 2right)<ref>Hoffmann, S. M. and Krebernik, M. (2023). What do deities tell us about the celestial positioning system, in: R. Rollinger, I. Madreiter, M. Lang, C. Pappi (eds.). The Intellectual Heritage of the Ancient Near East, Papers held at the 64th Rencontre Assyriologique International and 12th Melammu Symposium July 16-20 2018, Innsbruck. Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, 539-579</ref>: <blockquote>
* MUL ''ša''<sub>2</sub> ''ina'' IGI-''it'' <sup>mul</sup>AŠ.IKU GUB-''zu'' <sup>mul</sup>''Ši-nu-nu-tu''<sub>4</sub>
* "The star that stands before the Field, the Swallow" </blockquote>


==Mythology==
==Mythology==


==IAU Working Group on Star Names==
==IAU Working Group on Star Names==
The name was discussed and adopted by the IAU WGSN in 202x. As this star is already named ..., the WGSN chose ... (not to apply/ to apply the name to a neighbouring star/ to ...) in the IAU-CSN.
The name was suggested to the IAU WGSN in 2023. It was adopted for a star south of the Pegasus square which matches both image reconstructions: the earlier large swallow (at the tip of its tail) and the late small swallow (in the body/head).  


The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN in 2026, as it has been in popular use among astrophysicists and listed in SIMBAD already.   
The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN in September 2026.   


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[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:Mesopotamian]][[Category:Sumerian]]
[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:Mesopotamian]][[Category:Sumerian]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]][[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:West Asian]] [[Category:Asian]][[Category:Modern]]
[[Category:Psc]]

Latest revision as of 12:22, 17 September 2026

Not to be confused with SIM.MAḪ.

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann

InfoCard1

Simmakh is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Sumerian, from SIM.MAḪ. It is the name of the star d Psc (HIP 1645) in constellation Pisces.


Concordance, Etymology, History

a reflection flight of barn swallow captured in bagmati river in kathmandy valley in nepal (CC BY SA Prasan Shrestha)

Babylonian constellation that has undergone massive transformations: the original Giant Swallow was turned into a Swallow-Fish and into two fish connected with a ribbon. It is located in the area of modern Pisces. Alternative Mesopotamian terms are mulŠIM.MAḪ (𒀯𒋆𒈤) and (mul)Šinūnūtu.

The characteristic folked tail of a swallow actually matches the pattern of stars in the sky very well; so it is very likely the original image seen in the asterism that is now considered a V-shaped ribbon.

The transformation of the constellation of The Swallow (see SIM.MAḪ) in ancient Mesopotamia is characterised by the original image of a Giant Swallow which must be located in Cetus, as its tails are imagined in the ribbon of Pisces, to a later version of a much smaller bird (swallow) whose body is roughly in the southern fish-ellipse of Pisces. The second image is reconstructed from coordinates given in Late Babylonian texts, e.g. the normal star list in which reads "DUR sim.ma", "Swallow Ribbon" [Roughton-Steele-Walker 2004[1], 551:21′, 553], suggesting a bird connected to a fish in the northern fish-ellipse. Such an image of a bird and a fish connected by a V-shaped ribbon is preserved on seals in Uruk.

Yet earlier texts like MUL.APIN only list a Swallow and no fish in this area. The stars of Anu (no. 2), MUL.APIN I i 41 = (Anu 2right)[2]:

  • MUL ša2 ina IGI-it mulAŠ.IKU GUB-zu mulŠi-nu-nu-tu4
  • "The star that stands before the Field, the Swallow"

Mythology

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was suggested to the IAU WGSN in 2023. It was adopted for a star south of the Pegasus square which matches both image reconstructions: the earlier large swallow (at the tip of its tail) and the late small swallow (in the body/head).

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN in September 2026.

  • InfoCard1
    InfoCard1
  • InfoCard2
    InfoCard2


Reference

  1. ↑ Roughton N.A., Steele J.M., Walker C.B.F. A Late Babylonian Normal and Ziqpu Star Text // AHES 58 (2004) 537-572.
  2. ↑ Hoffmann, S. M. and Krebernik, M. (2023). What do deities tell us about the celestial positioning system, in: R. Rollinger, I. Madreiter, M. Lang, C. Pappi (eds.). The Intellectual Heritage of the Ancient Near East, Papers held at the 64th Rencontre Assyriologique International and 12th Melammu Symposium July 16-20 2018, Innsbruck. Austrian Academy of Sciences Press, 539-579
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