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This name has been found in the catalogue of astrolabes translated from Persian. The names in these star lists of the dials have been coined based on their position. <ref>Sarma S R, 2023, A Descriptive Catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments, https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php </ref>
This name has been found in the catalogue of astrolabes translated from Persian. The names in these star lists of the dials have been coined based on their position. <ref>Sarma S R, 2023, A Descriptive Catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments, https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php </ref>


The astrolabes were introduced in to Indian astronomy by sea farers from the Middle East. In the first manual prepared by Mahendra Suri in the 14th century only 32 bright stars were listed. Subsequently other faint stars also were marked. Based on the original data, the stars names were literally translated in most of the cases.
The astrolabes were introduced in to Indian astronomy by sea farers from the Middle East. In the first manual prepared by Mahendra Suri in the 1370CE  only 32 bright stars were listed. Subsequently other faint stars also were marked. Based on the original data, the stars names were literally translated in most of the cases.  The name is listed in the earliest manual by Mahendra Suri  as the 26th star. It may be seen that there was no Persian name for this. Therefore, this must have been coined to suit the imaginary picture.


The name is listed in the earliest manual by Mahendra Suri s the 26th star.
[[File:Yantrarajaname.jpg|alt=Number 26 for this star and 27 for Vega|thumb|The list from Mahendra Suri (1370CE) assigns number 26 ]]




In the astrolabe C006 (1644CE) made by Maniarama from Gujarat, the stars are marked with  two letter abbreviations and the numeral corresponding to the list of Mahendra Suri. Dhanu 26 on the rete, therefore, will correspond to Dhanusaragra. The close up view here shows the pointer on the rete. Using Spica (S) and Altair (A) as references, we see that the pointer is for a star in Ophiucus.
   


In the astrolabe C006 (1644CE)  made by Maniarama from Gujarat, India, the stars are marked with  two letter abbreviations and the numeral corresponding to the list of Mahendra Suri. Dhanu 26 on the rete, therefore, will correspond to Dhanusaragra. The close up view here shows the pointer on the rete. Using Spica (S) and Altair (A) as references, we see that the pointer is for a star in Ophiucus.
[[File:Closeup view of the region showing number 26 and 27.jpg|alt=Number 26 and 27 are marked on the rete|thumb|Close up of the region showing numbers 26 Dhanu and 27 ]] 




C001 in the catalogue was prepared by Damodara of Ahmedabad in 1605. The engraving on the dial reads Dhanusira; however, the catalogue reports Dhaunusaragra as a correction. This is a curious case of mis-identification. The position on the rete matches with neither Dhanusira (mu Sgr) nor Dhanusaragra (g Shr). It actually corresponds to the position of the supernova of 1604. However, this brings out the information that these two star names were in use.


C001 in the catalogue was prepared by Damodara of Ahmedabad in 1605. The engraving on the dial reads Dhanusira; however, the catalogue reports Dhaunusaragra as a correction. This is a curious case of mis-identification. The position on the rete matches with neither Dhanusira (μ Sgr) nor Dhanusaragra (γ Sgr). It actually corresponds to the position of the supernova of 1604. However, this brings out the information that these two star names were in use.


The position marked on the star dial matches with γ Sagittarii. The accuracy of the star dials cannot distinguish between the two stars γ 1 and γ2.




The two astrolabes which have this name engraved are C 006 (undated) and C(001, dated 1604CE) and identified as  μ Sagittarii in the catalogue. In the latter, C001, the position actually corresponds to the supernova of 1604 CE. <ref>Shylaja B S, 2019, Records of Supernovae, Current Science, 116, 1430</ref> <ref>Shylaja B S, 2026, Astrolabes as records of previous eruptions of recurrent nova T CrB, 47, 39</ref><gallery>
The two astrolabes which have this name engraved are C 006 (undated) and C(001, dated 1604CE) and identified as  μ Sagittarii in the catalogue. In the latter, C001, the position actually corresponds to the supernova of 1604 CE. <ref>Shylaja B S, 2019, Records of Supernovae, Current Science, 116, 1430</ref> <ref>Shylaja B S, 2026, Astrolabes as records of previous eruptions of recurrent nova T CrB, 47, 39</ref>
[[File:It is the close up view of rete of C001 .jpg|alt=C001 with pointer for Dhanusharagra |thumb|The region of Dhanusharagra in C001 shows the pointer to the location of the SN1604]]
 
 
 
The accuracy of the star dials cannot distinguish between the two stars γ 1 and γ2.<gallery>
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 10:52, 28 July 2026

Authors: Shylaja, Susanne M Hoffmann, ASE Tech Team, IanRidpath

Dhanusharagra is in the red circle envelopes both the stars. Image from Sidney Hall Urania, wikicommons[1]

...

Etymology and History

Name Variants

  • Dhanuśarāgra (धनुशराग्र)
  • Dhanusharagra

Origin of Constellation

The term Dhanuśarāgra (धनुशराग्र) literally means tip of the arrow. Dhanu - bow, śara - arrow, agra - tip. It agrees with the position corresponding to the tip of the arrow. There are two stars γ1 and γ2, shown inside the red circle in the diagram. Although the original diagram responsible for the nomenclature is not traceable, the depiction here supports the etymology of the name .

This star name thus can be for γ1 Saggittarii.

Transfer and Transformation

This name has been found in the catalogue of astrolabes translated from Persian. The names in these star lists of the dials have been coined based on their position. [2]

The astrolabes were introduced in to Indian astronomy by sea farers from the Middle East. In the first manual prepared by Mahendra Suri in the 1370CE only 32 bright stars were listed. Subsequently other faint stars also were marked. Based on the original data, the stars names were literally translated in most of the cases. The name is listed in the earliest manual by Mahendra Suri as the 26th star. It may be seen that there was no Persian name for this. Therefore, this must have been coined to suit the imaginary picture.

Number 26 for this star and 27 for Vega
The list from Mahendra Suri (1370CE) assigns number 26



In the astrolabe C006 (1644CE) made by Maniarama from Gujarat, India, the stars are marked with two letter abbreviations and the numeral corresponding to the list of Mahendra Suri. Dhanu 26 on the rete, therefore, will correspond to Dhanusaragra. The close up view here shows the pointer on the rete. Using Spica (S) and Altair (A) as references, we see that the pointer is for a star in Ophiucus.

Number 26 and 27 are marked on the rete
Close up of the region showing numbers 26 Dhanu and 27



C001 in the catalogue was prepared by Damodara of Ahmedabad in 1605. The engraving on the dial reads Dhanusira; however, the catalogue reports Dhaunusaragra as a correction. This is a curious case of mis-identification. The position on the rete matches with neither Dhanusira (μ Sgr) nor Dhanusaragra (γ Sgr). It actually corresponds to the position of the supernova of 1604. However, this brings out the information that these two star names were in use.


The two astrolabes which have this name engraved are C 006 (undated) and C(001, dated 1604CE) and identified as μ Sagittarii in the catalogue. In the latter, C001, the position actually corresponds to the supernova of 1604 CE. [3] [4]

C001 with pointer for Dhanusharagra
The region of Dhanusharagra in C001 shows the pointer to the location of the SN1604


The accuracy of the star dials cannot distinguish between the two stars γ 1 and γ2.

Mythology

References

  1. ↑ https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Sidney_Hall_-_Urania%27s_Mirror_-_Sagittarius_and_Corona_Australis%2C_Microscopium%2C_and_Telescopium.png
  2. ↑ Sarma S R, 2023, A Descriptive Catalogue of Indian Astronomical Instruments, https://srsarma.in/catalogue.php
  3. ↑ Shylaja B S, 2019, Records of Supernovae, Current Science, 116, 1430
  4. ↑ Shylaja B S, 2026, Astrolabes as records of previous eruptions of recurrent nova T CrB, 47, 39
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