Astronomy in a nutshell : $b The chief facts and principles explained in popular language for the general reader and for schoolsServiss, Garrett Putman
Science
Astronomy in a nutshell : $b The chief facts and principles explained in popular language for the general reader and for schools
Serviss, Garrett Putman
Astronomy -- Juvenile literature
On the key to the chart the Greek-letter names of the principal stars
have been attached, but some of them have other names which are more
picturesque. These are as follows: In Ursa Major (the Great Bear, which
includes the Great Dipper), α is called Dubhe, β Merak, γ Phaed, δ
Megrez, ε Alioth, ζ Mizar, and η Benetnash. The little star close by
Mizar is Alcor. In Cassiopeia, α is called Schedar, β Caph, and δ
Ruchbar. In Ursa Minor, the Little Bear, α is called Polaris, or the
North Star, and β Kochab. In Draco, α is called Thuban, and γ Eltanin.
In Cepheus, α is called Alderamin, and β Alfirk. These names are nearly
all of Arabic origin. It will be observed that Merak and Dubhe are the
famous “Pointers,” which serve to indicate the position of the North
Star, while Thuban is the “star of the pyramid,” before mentioned. The
north celestial pole is situated almost exactly on a straight line drawn
from Mizar through the North Star to Ruchbar, and a little more than a
degree from the North Star in the direction of Ruchbar. This furnishes a
ready means for ascertaining the position of the meridian. For instance,
about the middle of October, Mizar is very close to the meridian below
the pole, and Ruchbar equally close to it above the pole, and then,
since the North Star is in line with these two, it also must be
practically on the meridian, and its direction indicates very nearly
true north. The same method is applicable whenever, at any other time of
the year or of the night, Mizar and Ruchbar are observed to lie upon a
vertical line, no matter which is above and which below. It is also
possible to make a very good guess at the time of night by knowing the
varying position of the line joining these stars.
The star Caph is an important landmark because it lies almost on the
great circle of the equinoctial colure, which passes through the vernal
and autumnal equinoxes.
On the key, the location of the North Pole of the Ecliptic is shown, and
the greater part of the circle described by the north celestial pole in
the period of 25,800 years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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