This year, for the A-Z challenge, we’re looking at heavenly
bodies. There are two things in the sky
that begin with the letter “B”, the constellation “Bootes” and the brilliant
star Betelgeuse, which is found in the constellation Orion.
First, let’s look at Bootes.
It is best scene in the spring sky and has the appearance of a diamond-shaped
kite, with the bright star Arcturus (the fifth brightest in the sky) forming
the bottom of the diamond. The name
comes from the Greek word, “Ox Driver,” and he stands tall in the sky. The best way to find it is to follow the
handle of the URSA Major (also known as the Big Dipper and the Great
Bear). In some legends, he’s driving the
great ox (bear) around the pole. In
other stories, he’s depicted as a hunter, with a club and two dogs. There’s even a third story in which he’s
Icarius, a grape grower. In Brazil, where the constellation is toward the
north horizon in the Spring, the kite-shape stars are seen as the shape of
piranha (fish).
Betelgeuse, like Arcturus is a bright reddish colored star. It’s the 12th brightest star in
the sky. The star is huge (but far away)
and as stars go, relatively cool. It’s
diameter and magnitude varies. Because
of its location in Orion (in the constellation’s right armpit). The star supposedly inspired the 90s movie, “Beatlejuice.”
The first time I really heard of the stars having good names was when watching Ben Hur when the Arab called the four white Arabians into his tent Altair, Antares, Aldebaran and Rigel. That and Orion whom I'd read as O'Ryan.
ReplyDeleteO'Ryan, that's very Irish of you! :)
DeleteCeltic !. But yeah, we'd been told in school that Newgrange could be a great observatory and my 7 year old mind made a connection. :-)
DeleteI can usually find the Big Dipper, but I've never been very good at locating other constellations. I should learn a lot here this month. :)
ReplyDeleteI lived in Malaysia for a year and remember being surprised at how different the star formations were. Which of course made sense but I had never thought about it till then.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this lesson in Astronomy. I tend to get my constellations mixed up.
ReplyDeleteI can never see those shapes when I stare up at the night sky. It's only when I see images like these that the names make sense to me. Onward to C!
ReplyDeleteLove astronomy!! love this!
ReplyDeleteOrion is one of the few I can always locate. I'll have to check out his armpit next time I see it. I'm thinking it's more of a winter constellation, so maybe I'd better hurry and look.
ReplyDeleteBetter catch Orion soon, as he's dropping fast toward the Western horizon!
DeleteKnow not much about stars, friend Sage, but know the big dipper, orion and the southern cross ... depending where I roam ... nevertheless and whatever ... right now its the aurora borealis that's on my mind and in my sight. Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteAnd you even worked in a third b with "Beetlejuice." Brilliant, Sage!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know how to pronounce Betelgeuse if it wasn't for the movie :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a character named after Arcturus -- he's a Cistercian monk. Aww, now I miss writing about him...
I don't know very much about stars, glad you are including the diagrams too.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I guessed that your A would be Andromeda and your B, Betelgeuse. Am also thinking C must be Cassiopeia, but I'll check that out tomorrow. and maybe Draco for D, but I won't peak because I like surprises! I've spotted the kite in the sky, but didn't know it was Bootes. Love this A to Z. If I were still teaching, I'd work your series into my curriculum one way or another ~ I was very good at that!
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