Ninnisig
Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann
Ninnisig is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Sumerian. It is the name of the star θ Lyr in constellation Lyra.
Concordance, Etymology, History
Nin-nisig (see Kurtik n40)[1] and Erragal are a couple of ancient Mesopotamian gods. Ninnisig is the butcher of Enlil’s palace Ekur, wife of Erragal. They are attested as two stars in MUL.APIN, the oldest astronomical known (dating between 1350 and 1150 BCE): MUL.APIN (I i 27)[2]
- DIŠ 2 MULmeš ša2 EGIR-šu2 GUBmeš-zu dNin-SAR u dEr3-ra-gal
- The two stars which stand behind it [the Goat]: Nin-nisig and Erragal.
These two stars are identified with η + θ Lyrae (e.g bei Weidner 1957-59[3]).
Mythology
IAU Working Group on Star Names
The name was discussed and adopted by the IAU WGSN in 2026 with a set of star names for Lyra.
Decision: On 18 June 2026, the IAU WGSN adopted the name Ninnisig for the star θ Lyrae.
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InfoCard1 -
InfoCard2
Weblinks
Reference
- ↑ Planetarium Babylonicum 2.0, All Skies Encyclopaedia.
- ↑ Hunger, H. and Steele, J. M. (2019). The Babylonian Astronomical Compendium MUL.APIN, Routledge, NY
- ↑ Weidner E. mul gir2.tab = zuqaqîpi // AfO. 1957-1958. Bd. 18. S. 393-394].
