The Mythology of the Night Sky
Greek, Roman, and Other Celestial Lore
Samenvatting
This book is for amateur astronomers who would like to know the mythology behind the names of astronomical objects in the night sky. It covers the lore and legend behind Ptolemy’s 48 constellations, along with significant asterisms, the planets and their moons, the brightest named asteroids and dwarf planets.
The revised second edition includes a host of new moons and dwarf planets discovered since 2011. In addition, it now features a new section on major asteroids and their associated myths. While still primarily focused on Greco-Roman mythology, the book now branches out to cover more recently named objects from other cultures, such as Hawaiian, Rapanui, Tongva and Inuit.
To assist practical observers, the book gives the location and description of each constellation, including named stars and deep-sky objects. A host of helpful astronomy tips and techniques, as well as a brief introduction to astrophotography, are included to encourage direct observation and imaging of these mythical objects in the night sky.
Specificaties
Inhoudsopgave
<p>1 An Introduction to Greco-Roman Mythology </p>
The Night Sky and Ancient Cultures <p></p>
Greek or Roman? <p></p>
<p>The Creation of the World </p>
Astronomical Family Trees <p></p>
<p>2 The Winter Constellations </p>
Orion – The Hunter <p></p>
<p>Canis Major – The Great Dog </p>
Canis Minor – The Little Dog <p></p>
Lepus – The Hare <p></p>
<p>Scorpius – The Scorpion </p>
Taurus – The Bull <p></p>
The Hyades – The Daughters of Atlas <p></p>
<p>The Pleiades (M45) – The Seven Sisters </p>
Auriga – The Charioteer <p></p>
Eridanus – The River <p></p>
Aries – The Ram <p></p>
<p>Gemini – The Twins </p>
<p>The Ship Argo </p>
Puppis – The Stern <p></p>
Pyxis – The Mariner’s Compass <p></p>
<p>Vela – The Sails </p>
Carina – The Keel <p></p>
<p>3 The Legend of Jason and the Argonauts </p>
<p>The Constellations </p>
The Legend <p></p>
<p>4 The Spring Constellations </p>
<p>Ursa Major and Ursa Minor – The Greater Bear and the Lesser Bear </p>
Ursa Major – The Great Bear and the Big Dipper <p></p>
Ursa Minor <p></p>
<p>Boötes – The Herdsman (or the Plowman) </p>
Virgo – The Virgin <p></p>
Corvus – The Crow <p></p>
<p>Crater – The Cup </p>
<p>Centaurus – The Centaur </p>
Lupus – The Wolf <p></p>
Leo – The Lion <p></p>
<p>Hydra – The Watersnake </p>
<p>Cancer – The Crab </p>
<p>5 The Summer Constellations </p>
Ophiuchus – The Serpent-Bearer <p></p>
<p>Serpens (Cauda and Caput) – The Serpents </p>
Corona Borealis – The Northern Crown <p></p>
<p>Corona Australis – The Southern Crown </p>
Draco – The Dragon <p></p>
Aquila – The Eagle <p></p>
Scorpius – The Scorpion <p></p>
<p>Libra – The Scales </p>
Sagittarius – The Archer <p></p>
Lyra – The Lyre <p></p>
Cygnus – The Swan <p></p>
<p>Ara – The Altar </p>
Hercules – The Hero <p></p>
Sagitta – The Arrow <p></p>
Equuleus – The Foal <p></p>
<p>6 The Legend of Hercules </p>
The Constellations <p></p>
The Legend <p></p>
<p>7 The Autumn Constellations </p>
<p>Delphinus – The Dolphin </p>
Aquarius – The Water-Bearer <p></p>
Capricornus – The Sea-Goat <p></p>
<p>Pisces – The Fishes </p>
Pisces Austrinus – The Southern Fish <p></p>
Pegasus – The Flying Horse <p></p>
<p>Andromeda – The Princess </p>
Cetus – The Sea-Monster (Whale) <p></p>
Cassiopeia – The Queen <p></p>
<p>Cepheus – The King </p>
Perseus – The Hero <p></p>
Triangulum – The Triangle <p></p>
<p>8 The Legend of Perseus </p>
<p>The Constellations </p>
The Legend <p></p>
<p>9 Introductions to Other Mythologies</p>
<p>Norse Mythology</p>
<p>Celtic Mythology</p>
<p>Inuit Mythology</p>
<p>Hawaiian Mythology</p>
<p>Rapa Nui Mythology</p>
<p>Tongva Mythology</p>
<p>10 Planets and Satellites </p>
<p>Mercury </p>
Venus <p></p>
Earth <p></p>
Earth’s Satellite – The Moon <p></p>
Mars <p></p>
<p>Mars’ Satellites </p>
Jupiter <p></p>
Jupiter’s Satellites <p></p>
<p>Saturn</p>
Saturn’s Satellites <p></p>
<p>Uranus</p>
Uranus’ Satellites <p></p>
<p>Neptune</p>
Neptune’s Satellites <p></p>
<p>11 Dwarf Planets and Asteroids</p>
<p>The Dwarf Planets</p>
<p>Ceres</p>
<p>Pluto</p>
<p>Eris</p>
<p>Haumea</p>
<p>Makemake</p>
<p>Sedna</p>
<p>Quaoar</p>
<p>Orcus</p>
<p>The Asteroids</p>
<p>Vesta (4 Vesta)</p>
<p>Pallas (2 Pallas)</p>
<p>Ceres (1 Ceres)</p>
<p>Iris (7 Iris)</p>
<p>Eros (433 Eros)</p>
<p>Hebe (6 Hebe)</p>
<p>Juno (3 Juno)</p>
<p>Melpomene (18 Melpomene)</p>
Eunomia (15 Eunomia)<p></p>
<p>Flora (8 Flora)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>12 Astrophotography Using a Compact Digital Camera or Smartphone Camera</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Introduction to Digital Cameras</p>
<p>Astrophotography Using a Compact Digital Camera</p>
<p>Astrophotography Using a Smartphone Camera</p>
<p>Author’s Final Word</p>
<p>Appendices </p>
Appendix A Names of the Greek and Roman Gods <p></p>
<p>Appendix B Ptolemy’s Constellations </p>
<p>Appendix C The Messier Objects </p>
Appendix D NGC/IC Objects by Constellation <p></p>
<p>Appendix E The Greek Alphabet</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Bibliography </p>
Index