Tepiamenit
Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann
Tepiamenit, Predecessor of the Pole, is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is ancient Egyptian. It is the name of the star τ Boo (HIP 67275, HR 5185) in constellation Bootes.
Concordance, Etymology, History
Tepiamenit (spelled tpy` mnỉt6) as a term is mentioned in the Ramesside Star Clocks (RSC) that are found in tombs of some Ramses kings.
"Menit" is the Pole or Mooring post and refers to the Celestial and Ecliptic Poles. In depictions it is drawn as a triangular device held at its position by Reret, the Hippopotamus. Reret and Menit together form a super-constellation of high cultural importance in the ancient Egyptian sky.
As there has been no pole star in the 2nd millennium BCE, the "pole" was in a dark area and Belmonte (2003)[1] identifies its right ascension with Alkaid (η UMa) in Ursa Major.
Between Tepiamenit, Predecessor of the Pole, and the Pole itself, there is Muphrid (η Boo). In the epoch around 1250 BCE, Muphrid (11h 14m) and Alkaid (11h 18m) have almost the same right ascension. Therefore, it appears consequent to search Tepiamenit also at roughly the same right ascension and in the vicinity of Muphrid. Tepiamenit as a term is directly written in hieroglyphs in some RSCs, but without a number, close to the neighbouring right ascension (the one given for Muphrid). So, it has to be located in the area of Bootes (or Ursa Major).
Belmonte (2003) identifies τ Boo, which is separated from Muphrid by only 2°.
Mythology
IAU Working Group on Star Names
The name was discussed and adopted by the IAU WGSN in 2026. WGSN chose to represent Menit with Tepiamenit at τ Bootis in the IAU-CSN.
Weblinks
Reference
- References (general)
- References (early modern)
- Ian Ridpath's website (Star Tales )
- ↑ Belmonte, J. A., 2003. The Ramesside star clocks and the ancient Egyptian constellations. In M. Blomberg, P. E. Blomberg and G. Henriksson (Eds.), Calendars, Symbols, and Orientations: Legacies of Astronomy in Culture (pp. 57–65). Uppsala Astronomical Observatory report, 59. Uppsala Ocarina Books.
