Astronomical Curiosities: Facts and FallaciesGore, J. Ellard (John Ellard)
Science
Astronomical Curiosities: Facts and Fallacies
Gore, J. Ellard (John Ellard)
Astronomy -- Miscellanea; Solar system -- Miscellanea
Next to Scorpio comes Sagittarius, the Archer. It is said to have been
placed in the sky as a symbol of Hercules, a hero who was held in the
greatest veneration by the ancient Egyptians. The horse, usually
associated with this constellation, was a symbol of war. It was also
called by the ancients Chiron, Arcitenens, Minotaurus, Croton, etc. The
Greek name was παυνι, or παωνι. Chiron was supposed to be the son of
Saturn and Phillyra, and first taught men to ride on horses. The name is
derived from the Greek χειρ, a hand. Some writers, however, think that
Chiron is represented by the constellation of the Centaur, and others say
that Sagittarius represents the Minotaur loved by Persephone. According to
Dupuis, Sagittarius represents the 5th "labour of Hercules," which
consisted in hunting the birds of the lake Stymphalus, which ravaged the
neighbouring countries. These birds are perhaps represented by Cygnus,
Altair, and the Vulture (Lyra). The Lyre probably represents the musical
instrument which Hercules used to frighten the birds.[421]
According to Al-Sufi, the Arabians called the stars γ, δ, ε, and η
Sagittarii which form a quadrilateral figure, "the Ostrich which goes to
the watering place," because they compared the Milky Way to a river. They
compared the stars σ, φ, τ, and ζ Sagittarii, which form another
quadrilateral, to an ostrich which has drunk and returns from the
"watering place." He says that the star λ Sagittarii forms with these two
"ostriches" a tent, and certainly the figure formed by λ, φ, ζ, ε, and δ
is not unlike a tent. Al-Sufi says more about these "ostriches"; but the
ideas of the old Arabians about the stars seem very fanciful.
A "temporary star" is recorded in the Chinese Annals of Ma-touan-lin as
having appeared in May, B.C. 48, about 4° distant from μ Sagittarii.
Another in the year 1011 A.D. appeared near the quadrilateral figure
formed by the stars σ, τ, ζ, and φ Sagittarii. This may perhaps be
identified with the object referred to by Hepidannus in the year 1012,
which was of extraordinary brilliancy, and remained visible "in the
southern part of the heavens during three months." Another is mentioned
near the same place in A.D. 386 (April to July).[422] The number of
"temporary stars" recorded in this part of the heavens is very remarkable.
According to Brown, Sagittarius is depicted on a stone, cir. B.C. 1100,
found at Bâbilu, and now in the British Museum.[423]
* * * * *
The next of the "signs of the Zodiac" is Capricornus, the Goat. In the
Arabo-Latin edition of Ptolemy's _Almagest_ it is called Alcaucurus. It is
supposed to represent Amalthea, the goat which nursed Jupiter. According
to Dupuis it represented the 6th "labour of Hercules," which was the
cleaning out of the Augean stables.[424]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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