Archive

Archive for January 8, 2024

Ephemeris: 01/08/2024 – Orion vs Taurus: conflict for the ages

January 8, 2024 Comments off

This is Ephemeris for Monday, January 8th. Today the Sun will be up for 9 hours even, setting at 5:19, and it will rise tomorrow at 8:19. The Moon, 3 days before new, will rise at 6:58 tomorrow morning.

There are several instances in the Greek heavens where constellations appear to interact with one another. This is true with Orion the hunter and Taurus the bull. Taurus, whose face is the letter V of stars with orangish Aldebaran as his angry bloodshot eye is charging down on Orion, who has raised a lion skin shield on one arm and an upraised club in the other, ready to strike. They have been frozen in this pose for millennia. Stars below and right of the letter V of the Bull’s face suggest the front part of his body and his front legs charging at Orion. Orion also has two hunting dogs, Canis Major and Canis Minor. Canis Major with its dazzling star Sirius will rise around 7:30 on a line extended down from Orion’s belt.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EST, UT –5 hours). They may be different for your location.

Addendum

Orion-Taurus Tableau
Taurus the bull charging toward Orion, who raises a lion skin shield and an upraised club to defend himself, while his two hunting dogs look on. The position of these constellations is at approximately 8 pm. Created using Stellarium.
Categories: Constellations, Ephemeris Program, Mythology, Observing, Uncategorized Tags: , , , ,