Written in the Stars Page 3
AURIGA
FAMILY PERSEUS
LOCATION First quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN February
NAME MEANING The Charioteer
STARS Capella (Alpha Aurigae), Menkalinan (Beta Aurigae), Mahasim (Theta Aurigae)
Named after the pentagonal shape of the stars that form the pointed peak of a charioteer’s helmet, Auriga is linked to Erichthonius, a Greek hero who became king of Athens. He was the product of a mysterious encounter between Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and fire (known by the Romans as Vulcan), and the goddess Athena, who raised him as her son. Possibly the original horse whisperer, Erichthonius was famed for his herd of 3,000 horses and for his ability to tame and harness the wild steeds. The creator of the four-horse chariot, his impressive talents won the respect of Zeus, who later placed him in the sky, a shining constellation for all to admire. He is often depicted holding reins in one hand and carrying a goat and two kids in the other. The bright star Capella, known as the she-goat, sits in this constellation, and possibly represents the goat Amalthea. She nursed Zeus as a baby, along with her two kids who are identified with the stars Eta and Zeta Aurigae.
LACERTA
FAMILY PERSEUS
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN October
NAME MEANING The Lizard
STARS Alpha Lacertae, 1 Lacertae, 5 Lacertae
A delicate constellation forming the shape of a tiny W, similar in form to the constellation of Cassiopeia, Lacerta’s nickname is Little Cassiopeia. It was named by the astronomer Johannes Hevelius in 1687, and originally called Stellio after the starred agama, a type of lizard with rows of fine spines that run along its body, tail and neck. Over the years the name morphed into the much simpler Lacerta or Lizard. Interestingly, the Chumash people of California, who were keen astronomers, also referred to this area of the heavens as the Lizard.
TRIANGULUM
FAMILY PERSEUS
LOCATION First quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN December
NAME MEANING The Triangle
STARS Beta Trianguli, Mothallah (Alpha Trianguli), Gamma Trianguli, HD 13189
This diminutive constellation takes the shape of a triangle, hence its name. The ancient Greeks knew it as Deltoton, as its form was likened to the Greek capital letter delta (∆). The Romans called it Sicilia after the island of Sicily, which is roughly triangular in shape. Ceres, the nurturing mother goddess of Roman mythology, who is associated with the land and agriculture, is also linked to this island and was Sicily’s patron goddess. It’s thought she implored Jupiter, the Roman king of the gods and god of the sky, to cast its form into the firmament, where it would twinkle forever.
HERCULES
The ancients knew how to celebrate their heroes. Whatever shape or form they took, they were revered and often cast into the stars to be immortalised and worshipped forever. Mighty Hercules was one such hero, appearing in both Greek and Roman myth. Many of his trials and tribulations are charted in the heavens with tales of dragons, fearsome eagles and multi-headed water serpents, all nestled beneath his powerful shoulders. In his family you’ll find tales of wit and wonder, of great love and friendship too: stories that are meant to inspire and ignite the heart. Just as these constellations illuminate the sky, they can also shed light on our world today.
1. Hercules 2. Sagitta 3. Aquila 4. Lyra 5. Cygnus 6. Vulpecula 7. Hydra 8. Sextans 9. Crater 10. Corvus 11. Ophiuchus 12. Serpens 13. Scutum 14. Centaurus 15. Lupus 16. Corona Australis 17. Ara 18. Triangulum Australe 19. Crux
HERCULES
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Third quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN July
NAME MEANING Third quadrant of the northern hemisphere
STARS Kornephoros (Beta Herculis), Zeta Herculis, Sarin (Delta Herculis)
These stars outline the shape of a man kneeling over the body of a slain dragon. One thing is clear – he is a hero. This constellation charts the mighty Hercules of Greek myth in his moment of triumph over the dragon Ladon, one of the twelve labours set by King Eurystheus. A tragic tale lies behind this legend. Although Hercules was a son of Zeus and the mortal Alcmene, renowned as the strongman of the ancient world, his life was cursed by Zeus’s wife, Hera, who, unable to punish her husband, vowed to make Hercules’ life a misery instead. On one occasion she drove Hercules in a moment of madness to kill his wife and children. Horrified by this terrible deed, Hercules sought to atone for his actions and was told by the Oracle of Delphi to serve King Eurystheus. Although a famous Greek myth, it has its roots in Sumerian folklore, and Hercules is often compared to the Sumerian hero Gilgamesh.
SAGITTA
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN September
NAME MEANING The Arrow
STARS Gamma Sagittae, Delta Sagittae, Sham (Alpha Sagittae)
This constellation may be tiny, the third smallest in the sky, but its namesake, the Arrow, achieved mighty deeds. According to the ancient Greeks, this sharp and feisty weapon belonged to the hero Hercules, who used it to kill the eagle that daily gnawed on the liver of the great Titan Prometheus. Each night his liver re-grew, only to be pecked on again the next day, dooming Prometheus to perpetual torment. This cruel fate was arranged by Zeus to punish him for giving mankind the gift of fire. Other stories assert that the arrow belonged to Eros, the god of love, and was used many times to set hearts fluttering. It’s also thought it was the same arrow that Apollo, the sun god, deftly used to kill the Cyclopes for their involvement in the death of his son Asclepius. Either way, the arrow, though small, plays an important role in folklore, just as this constellation has earned its place in the sky.
AQUILA
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN September
NAME MEANING Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
STARS Altair (Alpha Aquilae), Tarazed (Gamma Aquilae), Deneb el Okab Australis (Zeta Aquilae)
According to Greek myth, at the start of the war between the giant race of Titans and the Olympian gods, Zeus saw an eagle fly overhead and read this as a good omen. He made the eagle the king of all birds, and honoured the raptor with guarding his great sceptre. This winged king of the heavens was also entrusted with carrying thunderbolts for Zeus. Other myths suggest he’s the eagle that carried the beautiful youth Ganymede to Mount Olympus, the home of the gods, to be their cupbearer. While there are many stories attached to this constellation, it’s evident the eagle was a symbol of power and that Aquila was an important part of the celestial vista. Both the Babylonians and the Sumerians noted the way its brightest star, Altair, commanded the heavens, calling it the eagle star.
LYRA
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
WHEN TO SEE IT August
NAME MEANING The Lyre
STARS Vega (Alpha Lyrae), Sulafat (Gamma Lyrae), Sheliak (Beta Lyrae)
Named after the golden lyre presented to the musician Orpheus by Apollo, Lyra is a small constellation. The lyre of Greek myth produced beautiful music, so captivating it could charm the birds from the trees and the stones on the ground. Famously, Orpheus accompanied Jason and the Argonauts and used his lyre to drown out the calls of the Sirens, who lured sailors onto perilous rocks, ensuring the Argonauts’ safe passage. When his beloved wife, Eurydice, died, Orpheus used his lyre to charm his way into the Underworld to ask Hades, the god of the dead, to release her. He agreed, but only if Orpheus promised not to gaze on her until safely home. Unfortunately anxious Orpheus couldn’t resist a look, and in a trice Eurydice returned to Hades. When Orpheus eventually met his demise, his lyre was cast into a river. Zeus sent an eagle to reclaim it, then placed both the eagle and the lyre in the stars.
CYGNUS
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
WHEN TO SEE IT September
NAME MEANING The Swan
STARS Deneb (Alpha Cygni), Sadr (Gamma Cygni), Aljanah (Epsilon Cygni), Albireo (Beta Cygni)
The most poignant tale associated with this constellation is that of the mortal Phaethon, son to the charioteer of the sun, and his friend Cycnus. Foolish Phaethon took the sun chariot for a spin but couldn’t control it, so Zeus sent a thunderbolt that plunged the youth to his death in the River Eridanus. Cycnus, unable to free his friend’s body from its underwater grave, implored Zeus to transform him into a swan. In return he would only have the lifespan of the bird. The pact was made and Cycnus (now Cygnus), reclaimed his friend’s body and gave him a proper burial. Touched by this show of unconditional love, Zeus placed his image in the sky. In Chinese mythology, Cygnus is known as the Magpie Bridge. Two lovers, one mortal and one a fairy girl, are separated by the sky river, the Milky Way. They reunite once a year with the help of magpies, who cluster together to form a celestial walkway.
VULPECULA
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN September
NAME MEANING The Fox
STARS Anser (Alpha Vulpeculae), 23 Vulpeculae, 13 Vulpeculae, 31 Vulpeculae
This little fox may not at first glance light up the sky with its antics, but while there are no myths to speak of, this pale constellation does include the vibrant red star Anser. This star was once known as the goose (anser is the Latin for ‘goose’), the catch of this wily fox. The two creatures were originally noted together by the 17th-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius, who called the constellation Little Fox with the Goose
. He claimed the goose was a special delivery for Cerberus, the fearsome multi-headed dog who guarded the entrance to Hades, the Greek underworld. Cerberus once had a constellation of his own, but he was later absorbed into the constellation Hercules. The fox and the goose were eventually split into separate constellations, but more recently re-formed under the title Vulpecula.
HYDRA
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Second quadrant of the southern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN April
NAME MEANING The Female Water Snake
STARS Alphard (Alpha Hydrae), Gamma Hydrae, Hydrobius (Zeta Hydrae), Beta Hydrae, HD 122430
The largest of all the constellations, tenacious Hydra is the giant female water serpent that the Greek hero Hercules killed as part of his twelve labours for King Eurytheus. According to the myth, Hydra had been running amok in the countryside, killing livestock and terrorising the people. Reputedly, the monster had nine heads (although accounts differ), only one of which was immortal. This is the head portrayed in the stars, which Hercules removed and buried beneath a boulder after a long and arduous battle with the serpent. In another myth, Hydra is unfairly blamed for delaying the crow belonging to Apollo on his quest to fetch the sun god a cup of water. Apollo quickly worked out that the crow was lying and, displeased with his cupbearer, the god cast the crow (Corvus), the cup (Crater) and Hydra high into the sky forever.
SEXTANS
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Second quadrant of the southern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN April
NAME MEANING The Sextant
STARS Alpha Sextantis, Beta Sextantis, Gamma Sextantis
Although it may be dim against the inky backdrop of the southern sky, Sextans represents what was for early astronomers a vital piece of equipment for measuring and mapping the night skies. It was originally named Sextans Uraniae, after the instrument used by 17th-century astronomer Johannes Hevelius, a large non-telescopic sextant 2m (6ft) tall with open sights that required naked-eye observations of the stars. First noted in 1687, this distant constellation reminds us of Hevelius’s work and his preference for charting stars without the aid of a telescope. He must have had remarkable eyesight, as even his contemporary, the great English astronomer Edmond Halley (famed for his observations of Halley’s comet), who had been sent by the Royal Society to persuade Hevelius to move with the times, was forced to admit that his bare-eye measurements were accurate, despite not using a telescope.
CRATER
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Second quadrant of the southern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN April
NAME MEANING The Cup
STARS Labrum (Delta Crateris), Alkes (Alpha Crateris), Gamma Crateris
This two-handed chalice belonged to Apollo. According to Greek legend, he sent his sacred bird, the crow Corvus, to collect some water in the cup for a magical ritual, but the crow was distracted from his errand by a tree of nearly ripe figs. Reluctant to miss such a great treat, Corvus decided to hang around for a few days until they were sweet enough to eat and he could gorge himself. When his belly was full, the cunning crow then filled the cup with water and returned, also carrying a water snake, with the excuse that the snake had blocked the stream’s flow and delayed him. Wise Apollo saw through his lies and in a fit of pique cast the Crow (Corvus), the Cup and the Snake (Hydra) into the heavens. He cursed the crow for its deceit, scorching its feathers as black as coal and making it forever thirsty: hence the distinctive rasping caw it makes to this day.
CORVUS
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Third quadrant of the southern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN May
NAME MEANING The Crow
STARS Gienah (Gamma Corvi), Kraz (Beta Corvi), Algorab (Delta Corvi), Minkar (Epsilon Corvi)
The glossy black feathers of the crow weren’t always so. His plumage was as white as snow, but various myths from around the world suggest they were tarnished, whether by stealing fire, flying too close to the sun, or angering the gods. The crow in this constellation is often associated with Apollo as his sacred bird. In one story he was given the task of guarding Apollo’s lover Coronis. Though pregnant by the deity, her ardour had faded and she fell in love with a mortal man. On reporting her infidelity, the poor crow was blamed and its feathers scorched by Apollo, turning the bird pitch-black. The Babylonians identified Corvus with Adad, the god of rain and stormy weather. They noted that the constellation would appear just ahead of the rainy season: to them, a mystical and heavenly omen.
OPHIUCHUS
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Third quadrant of the southern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN July
NAME MEANING The Serpent Bearer
STARS Rasalhague (Alpha Ophiuchi), Sabik (Eta Ophiuchi), Zeta Ophiuchi
A man stands holding a giant serpent. He is Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, commonly known as Asclepius, son of Apollo and the god of medicine. Asclepius was raised by the great teacher and healer, the centaur Chiron, and grew up to be gifted and wise in the healing arts. Legend has it that he took inspiration from the natural world, and that he once observed a snake bring a fellow serpent back to life by placing a certain herb on its head. Asclepius used the same herb to bring Glaucus, a prince of Crete, back from the dead, thus gaining the reputation that he had miraculous powers. Sometimes referred to as the thirteenth sign of the Zodiac, the constellation Ophiuchus sits on the imaginary circle, the celestial equator, that forms the sun’s path through the sky in a dazzling array of bright stars.
SERPENS
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Third quadrant of the northern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN July
NAME MEANING The Serpent
STARS Unukalhai (Alpha Serpentis), Eta Serpentis, Mu Serpentis, Xi Serpentis, Gliese 710, Tau Serpentis (a star group consisting of eight stars)
Enigmatic yet deadly, Serpens twines itself between the legs of Ophiuchus, who valiantly keeps the head of the serpent at bay with his left hand, while his right hand fends off the tail. Unusually, the constellation is made up of two separate star groups, consisting of the serpent’s head, Serpens Caput, and the reptile’s tail, Serpens Cauda. Unukalhai, the brightest star in the constellation, forms the neck of this magnificent creature while the tip of its tail reveals the star Alya. Serpens also has a more benign identity as the snake most commonly associated with the healer Asclepius, whose famous healing staff consisted of a rod entwined by a serpent. The snake, because it periodically sheds the outer layer of its skin to reveal fresh skin below, may have been seen as a symbol of rejuvenation by the ancient Greeks. The staff of Asclepius is still used as a symbol for many medical associations around the world today.
SCUTUM
FAMILY HERCULES
LOCATION Fourth quadrant of the southern hemisphere
BEST SEEN IN August
NAME MEANING The Shield
STARS Ionnina (Alpha Scuti), Beta Scuti, R Scuti
A tiny constellation, the fifth smallest in the night sky, Scutum was once known as Scutum Sobiescianum, meaning the ‘Shield of Sobieski’. Named by the astronomer Johannes Hevelius in 1684, the constellation was a nod to King John III Sobieski of Poland, and an honour to mark his victorious Battle of Vienna. An ally of Leopold I of the Austrian Habsburg lands, King John came to Leopald’s aid when the Ottoman Turks stormed the city of Vienna in 1683, successfully driving back the invading forces. Over time Sobiescianum was dropped, and this diminutive pattern of stars was simply Scutum. While it may be small, it contains one vibrant orange star named Ionnina (or Ioannina), which is about 21 times larger than the sun.