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Ephemeris: 09/12/2023 – Two small but distinctive constellations by the Summer Triangle

September 12, 2023 Comments off

this is Ephemeris for Tuesday, September 12th. Today the Sun will be up for 12 hours and 41 minutes, setting at 7:59, and it will rise tomorrow at 7:19. The Moon, 2 days before new, will rise at 5:37 tomorrow morning.

There are two small constellations in and near the Summer Triangle of bright stars. Both are near Altair the bottom star of the triangle in the southeast. The first is Delphinus the dolphin to the left of Altair. Delphinus is made-up of a small squished box of stars with another star below. It does look a dolphin leaping out of the water. The legendary Greek poet Arion, according to myth, was rescued by a dolphin. Also the little squished box is an asterism called Job’s Coffin, though no one knows the origin of that name. The second constellation is above Altair, and within the Summer Triangle. It is called Sagitta the arrow. The stars do line up to look like a short arrow. It’s supposed to represent Cupid’s dart.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT –4 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Delphinus and Sagitta finder animation
Delphinus and Sagitta finder animation. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
The poet Arion riding a dolphin by Newell Convers Wyeth (1882-1945).
Painting circa 1938.
Comet West at 6 am, March 8, 1976
Comet West, C/1975 V1, as photographed by me at about 6 am, March 8, 1976. The wide, curved dust tail is most prominent with the narrow blue ion tail flowing more directly away from the rising Sun. The small summer constellation of Delphinus the dolphin is to the upper right. The diamond shape of stars at the front of the dolphin’s body is an asterism called Job’s Coffin.
Categories: Constellations, Ephemeris Program, Mythology, Observing Tags: , , , ,