![]() ![]() Many myths surround the character particularly involving his death. In Greek mythology, Orion was a handsome strong hunter, born to Euryale the daughter of King Minos of Crete and Poseidon, the god of the sea. The earliest linking is an ivory carving found in a cave in the Ach valley in Germany, which is estimated to be at least 32,000 years old. The distinctive pattern of Orion has been used historically and in the modern World extensively. Its most famous inhabitant, the Orion Nebula, is one of the most spectacular deep sky objects in the sky. Named after a great hunter in Greek mythology, it contains two first magnitude stars, many other bright stars, a famous belt, spectacular nebulae, some impressive multiple stars and fine open clusters. Straddling the celestial equator it can be seen from all locations on Earth. Orion is a prominent constellation that's one of the brightest and most familiar sights in the night sky. When Castor died, Pollux begged Zeus to give Castor immortality, which he did, thereby reuniting the twins together in the heavens forever. The twins were the patron saints of mariners, appearing in ships rigging as the St Elmo's fire phenomena. However, in most versions of the myth only Pollux was Zeus's child. Together the twins were known as the Dioscuri, which means the sons of Zeus. In Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were twin brothers whose mother was Queen Leda although Castor was the mortal son of King Tyndareus and Pollux the divine son of Zeus. The likelihood is that Bayer simply made a mistake and didn't carefully distinguish which was the brighter star. Some astronomers have suggested that maybe Pollux has since brightened or Castor faded, but both possibilities seem extremely improbable. Surprisingly, Pollux was assigned beta Geminorum by Johann Bayer - the German astronomer who labelled the stars with Greek letters in 1603 - even though it easily outshines Castor. +1.16, Pollux is the brighter while multiple system Castor shines at mag. This bright grouping contains two-standout stars, Castor (α Gem) and Pollux (β Gem). Its name is Latin for the twins and it's one of the few constellations in the sky that actually looks like what it suppose to represent. Gemini is a northern zodiac constellation and one of the 48 constellations described by second century astronomer Ptolemy. Ursa Minor Star Chart - pdf format (credit:- freestarcharts) For those living south of 25S, it always remains below the horizon and can never be seen. Ursa Minor also contains some variable stars and a few double stars of interest.įrom locations north of latitude 25N, the constellation is circumpolar and therefore never sets. It's devoid of bright deep sky objects but contains a few interesting galaxies within amateur range, including the Ursa Minor Dwarf galaxy, a satellite of the Milky Way. In terms of size, Ursa Minor covers 256 square degrees and is the 56th largest constellation in the sky. On good nights all seven stars can be seen with the naked eye. The remaining members of the group are fainter, down to fifth magnitude, but do provide a useful sky darkness check scale. ![]() The bowl contains second magnitude Kochab (β UMi) and third magnitude Pherkad (γ UMi), which are collectively known as the guardians of the pole. Like Ursa Major, the main seven stars of Ursa Minor form the handle of a ladle. ![]() Polaris is slowly edging nearer and on Mait will be less than half a degree removed. +1.97) is only three quarters of a degree from the NCP, thereby providing a convenient marker. Currently, the constellation's brightest star Polaris (mag. Ursa Minor has been important for navigation since it contains the North Celestial Pole (NCP). Over the years it has been visualised as many things, including a dog's tail revolving its tip and a bunch of jewels. Greek astronomer Thales first mentioned the constellation, around 600 BC, after realising it could be used as a better guide to finding true north than Ursa Major. Also known as the Little Bear, its main group of stars resemble a smaller version of the Great Bear of Ursa Major. Ursa Minor is a medium size constellation located in the far northern reaches of the sky. ![]()
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