Home > Anishinaabek Constellation, Asterism, Constellations, Ephemeris Program, Mythology, Observing > Ephemeris: 08/02/2024 – The Northern Cross

Ephemeris: 08/02/2024 – The Northern Cross

August 2, 2024

This is Ephemeris for Friday, August 2nd. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 35 minutes, setting at 9:06, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:31. The Moon, 2 days before new, will rise at 5:12 tomorrow morning.

The star Deneb is high in the east-northeast. It is the dimmest of the three stars of the Summer Triangle. It is at the head of the Northern Cross, an informal constellation or asterism. The upright extends to the South. The crossbeam can be seen crossing the star just south of Deneb. There’s also a constellation there. It’s actually Cygnus the swan flying southward along the Milky Way with its neck outstretched. The Anishinaabe natives peoples of our area see Ajijaak the crane, also with a long neck flying north, but also long legs trailing to the south, its wings outstretched. In Greek mythology Cygnus was the guise of the god Zeus when he seduced Leda, whose offspring was Pollux, one of the Gemini twins.

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

The many guises of Cygnus the Swan
Looking within the area of the Summer Triangle we see Cygnus swan, first as the Northern Cross then as the lines of Cygnus the swan, then the figure of the swan that comes with Stellarium then finally my poor rendition of Ajijaak the crane. Click or tap on the image to enlarge it. Created using Stellarium and GIMP.
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