Today we’re at the letter I, and there is only one
constellation associated with this letter: Indus. Unlike the other constellations mentioned so
far, I’ve not been able to make this one out.
It’s found deep in the southern sky and contains no outstanding
stars. With the exception of Sagittarius
(which is seen low on the Southern horizon from my latitude, I don’t know the
other constellations that surround Indus.
Of course, with Sagittarius being low in the horizon and Indus further
south, it is unlike that I have had much time to see it except for the few
times I’ve been near the equator. This constellation
doesn’t have any great stars. There are
no great mythological stories associated by it.
It’s also a relatively young constellation, being named by Petrus
Plancius, a Dutch astronomer is the 17
th Century. I suppose at the time, the Dutch were sailing
ships off to the East Indies and had plenty of time at night to add a few
constellations in the southern sky.
Indus is an Indian, and is depicted as a naked man holding arrows. It could be Indians from either Asia or from
South America.
 |
| Preparing to leave Raccoon Key |
In other news, after not having a day off in a couple of
weeks, I took the afternoon off and paddled over to Raccoon Key, where I
pitched a hammock and took a nap, delighting in the sound of wind blowing
through palm fronds. The pictures below
are from my mini-expedition.
 |
| Where I took a nap and did some reading |
Did you see a raccoon from your hammock?
ReplyDeleteNo, but on the sand I did see tracks heading out toward the mudflats where I am sure the night before they enjoyed an oyster dinner!
DeleteYour hammock looks relaxing. I wish I was there right now. It’s too cold here for hammocks.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I had never heard of the constellation, Indus. I am sure there are a lot I have never heard of.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great time relaxing in your hammock. That sounds really nice!
Kayak? Hammock? Nap? Sounds heavenly. With the warmer weather here, I'm tempted to get my kayak out, but I know the water is still too cold. Maybe next month.
ReplyDeleteI is for Illuminati
Kayak? Hammock? Nap? Sounds heavenly. With the warmer weather here, I'm tempted to get my kayak out, but I know the water is still too cold. Maybe next month.
ReplyDeleteI is for Illuminati
look relaxing and beauty pictures!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely outing! I'd never heard of Indus, but I think, having read your post, now I know why. It also just kinda looks like some super random stars thrown together. I get the Dippers, or Orion's belt, but this one...
ReplyDeleteA to Z Challenge: The Name is Ida. Aunty Ida
Isa-Lee Wolf
A Bit 2 Read
@IsaLeeWolf
Looks like a fantastic spot for a snooze.
ReplyDeleteI haven't even heard if this constellation let alone seen it! Or maybe I have seen it, I wouldn't know would I lol
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Man, would love to have a nap there.
ReplyDeleteNice info, but I have to admit I was eager to read about your afternoon paddle, and of course another adventure of yours! Great photos of it too!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great place for a nap.
ReplyDeleteI have a wonderful app on my phone called GoSkyWatch that I highly recommend. It can help you find everything in the sky, plus it has lots of great info on it.
ReplyDeleteI love your hammock scene - it looks so inviting. We just got 3.7" of rain in the past 15 hours, so a bit wet here.
Paddling then napping sounds like an excellent way to spend a day off. Interesting that Indus is a fairly recent constellation, which I suppose explains why there's no story attached to it. It should be a rule that if you're going to "discover" a constellation, then you need to come up with a story for why it's there. ;)
ReplyDeleteA to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs
Never heard of Indus - got reading!
ReplyDeleteOh - that nap sounds lovely.
A nap in a hammock while listening to the wind blow through palm fronds sounds so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteYou live a great life, Sage! And I'm enjoying this A-Z series!
ReplyDelete