Nekhet

From All Skies Encyclopaedia

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann, Juan Antonio Belmonte Avilés


Nekhet, nḫt, The Giant, is an Egyptian constellation, preserved in the 2nd millennium BCE. Based on Ramesside Star Clocks, it is known that it covers 5 RA-hours.

Concordance, Etymology, History

Variants

  • nḫt
  • Nekhet
  • Nekht

Sources

Ramesside Star Clocks

Identification(s)

  • "From Aquila to the Pegasus Square. Including his Feathers, Mace (or Crown) and Pedestal" (Belmonte 2003)
  • "From Aquila to the Square of Pegasus" (Belmonte & Lull 2023)
  • Petrie's drawing also extends across this area
  • The circular zodiac in Dendera the image is drawn above the "Duck" in Aquila. An accurate identification is not possible but it matches the suggestions above.

Mythology

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was discussed and approved 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.


Reference