Ancient Astronomers Imagined the Constellations

By footloose | Apr 30, 2011 | 0 Comments | Rating: 1

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There are 88 constellations listed in the old science of astronomy. The ancient astronomers that named them were probably referring to them as symbolic instead of literal representations. It is difficult to look in the sky and actually see a true lion figure or a big bear (Ursa Major). Instead, the imaginations of those who named the constellations was at work, and it is to the delight of the watchers of the skies to enhance the imaginings to the watcher’s cultural world view.

The list of the constellations range from mythical creatures, furniture, a microscope, a human, and more. Here is the list of the constellation (Latin name) and the English name:

1. Andromeda - Andromeda
2. Antlia - Air Pump
3. Apus - Bird of Paradise
4. Aquarius - Water Carrier
5. Aquila - Eagle
6. Ara - Altar
7. Aries - Ram
8. Auriga - Charioteer
9. Bootes - Herdsman
10. Caelum - Chisel
11. Camelopardalis - Giraffe
12. Cancer - Crab
13. Canes Venatici - Hunting Dogs
14. Canis Major - Big Dog
15. Canis Minor - Little Dog
16. Capricornus - Goat
17. Carina - Keel
18. Cassiopeia - Cassiopeia
19. Centaurus - Centaur
20. Cepheus - Cepheus
21. Cetus - Whale
22. Chameleon - Chameleon
23. Circinus - Compasses
24. Columbia - Dove
25. Coma Berenices - Berenice’s Hair
26. Corona Australis - Southern Crown
27. Corona Borealis - Northern Crown
28. Corvus - Crow
29. Crater - Cup
30. Crux - Crucis
31. Cygnus - Swan
32. Delphinius - Dolphin
33. Dorado - Goldfish
34. Draco - Dragon
35. Equuleus - Little Horse
36. Eridanus - River
37. Fornax - Furnace
38. Gemini - Twins
39. Grus - Crane
40. Hercules - Hercules
41. Horologium - Clock
42. Hydra - Hydra (Sea Serpent)
43. Hydrus - Water Serpent (Male)
44. Indus - Indian
45. Lacerta - Lizard
46. Leo - Lion
47. Leo Minor - Smaller Lion
48. Lepus - Hare
49. Libra - Balance
50. Lupus - Wolf
51. Lynx - Lynx
52. Lyra - Lyre
53. Mensa - Table
54. Microscopium - Microscope
55. Monocerous - Unicorn
56. Musca - Fly
57. Norma - Square
58. Octans - Octant
59. Ophiucus - Serpent Holder
60. Orion - Orion
61. Pavo - Peacock
62. Pegasus - Winged Horse
63. Perseus - Perseus
64. Phoenix - Phoenix
65. Pictor - Easel
66. Pisces - Fishes
67. Pisces Austrinus - Southern Fish
68. Puppis - Stern
69. Pyxis - Compass
70. Reticulum - Reticle
71. Sagitta - Arrow
72. Sagittarius - Archer
73. Scorpius - Scorpion
74. Sculptor - Sculptor
75. Scutum - Shield
76. Serpens - Serpent
77. Sextans - Sextant
78. Taurus - Bull
79. Telescopium - Telescope
80. Triangulum - Triangle
81. Triangulum Australe - Southern Triangle
82. Tucana - Toucan
83. Ursa Major - Great Bear
84. Ursa Minor - Little Bear
85. Vela - Sails
86. Virgo - Virgin
87. Volans - Flying Fish
88. Vulpecula - Fox     (cosmobrain.com)

This alphabetical list may have some unfamiliar constellations. That has to do with whether you are in the Southern or Northern Hemisphere. Anyways, it is a good reminder of Latin, and etymology. I had to look up #70 - what is reticle? According to Merriam Webster’s Tenth edition Collegiate Dictionary, it means: “a scale on transparent material (as in an optical instrument) used esp. for measuring or aiming.” It’s also interesting that those ancient astronomers imagined serpents (#’s 42, 43, and 76) more than any other creature. Even a serpent holder (#59) is a constellation.

All the star stories in the constellations are imaginings, great tellings that we can’t prove as factual. They continue to fascinate and charm humans so much that new studies are being “born.” Why not finally connect the astronomy of the celestial objects with historical remains and current cultural beliefs?

Two studies: archaeoastronomy and ethnoastronomy look at the role of astronomy within cultures. Ethnoastronomy is the study of contemporary native astronomies. “The sky is the same. The constructions placed upon it vary by culture. Ethnoastronomy seeks to explore and understand these constructions and their places within the larger cultural milieu. It is basic research of the most important kind for it lays a foundation for theory construction. Perhaps it is research that archaeologists cannot understand, since they are limited to the detritus of the long-gone rather than being privy to the arcane of the still- here.” (Archaeoastronomy & Ethnoastronomy News)

Archaeoastronomy is more the anthropology of astronomy, the world views and role of astronomy and astronomers in their cultures. Think of Stonehenge for example. It is a historical site that is highly regarded as tying in with astronomy and it had to have some astronomers to build such configurations. Similar sites worldwide have led most to believe they are mysterious places on earth. Both the studies are realtively new and exciting interdisciplinary fields that include professional and non-professional people.

Humans continue to wonder. In the field of astronomy the wonder often turns to wander - visiting ancient observatories, flying to the moon, discovering a star (from actual wandering around the night sky with a telescope or some such instrument), and even traveling to a viewing site. There is a connected vibe from the stars to our human nature, and it is wonderful! Reach for the stars and see how much closer we really are, especially in our imaginings.

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