Annotation recommended annotation visible only to you. In the third century bc eratosthenes compiled a handbook of astral mythology in which the constellations were associated with figures from legend, and myths were provided to explain how each person, creature, or object came to be placed in the sky. A lovely picture book illustrating the navajo version of the myth about the creation of the stars. The story of the stars, planets, and constellations and how. The constellations, as described in greek mythology, were mostly godfavoured heroes and beasts who received a place. It also contains the autumn equinox point, which lies close to the star beta virginis. The second is a 17thcentury ottoman turkish translation of the first part on the supraterrestrial creatures of kitab ajaib almakhluqat wagharaib almawjudat the wonders. Explains the myths and stories associated with the constellations. Next week i will cover a few more constellations and a few planets that are visible this time of year in the northern hemisphere. Walk through heavens guide stars and constellations and their. Ive been on the lookout for a book that catalogues the constellations a little more compehensively than just your average book of greek myths, and this volume fills that void admirably. The shapes you see all depend on your point of view. The greek word for constellations was katasterismoi. It is an exhaustive study of the mythology associated with the constellations seen from northern latitudes.
What is a good book on the myths and legends behind the. Bible, where it is referred to in the book of job, thus giving it the name jobs star. In ancient times, people thought that the sun, moon, and stars were gods. The constellations bordering serpens cauda are aquila, ophiuchus, sagittarius and scutum.
And why is the constellation of cassiopeia hanging upside. Of these, the twelve signs whose paths intersect with the dawn rising of the sun were known as zodiakos the zodiac or zodiakos kyrklos circle of small animals. Once upon a starry night the followup to zoo in the sky presents facts about stars, nebulas, galaxies, and constellations and recounts the greek myths that provide widelyknown names for ten constellations, from andromeda to pegasus. Some of these stories are classical myths which show how and why ancient cultures saw the constellations as related groups. The majority of these constellations are greek or roman in origin and often have one or more myths associated with them. In this way astronomers are better able to organize the heavens into some recognizable form, and make locating stars and other astronomical objects easier. All 88 officially recognized constellations are presented in natural groups which are. Carolines book was the stars, and when she turned her telescope on the sky, she met the image of woman in the stars named by men.
Guidebook to the constellations is intended for observers wanting to move beyond a casual glance at the heavens. But, how many know the legends behind the celestial objects that loom over head. The stars and constellations are among the few remaining objects that appear to us just as they appeared to our distant ancestors. This book scratched my itch to learn more about the stories behind the stars and constellations as we know them today. Dorcas s miller presents a brief introduction to star lore in native american beliefs and culture. They were regarded as semidivine spiritsliving, conscious entities which strode across the heavens. Mary beard no astronomy book can claim to be as beautiful as the night sky, but stories in the stars comes closest. This book teaches you the legends behind the myths.
In the past, constellations were usually depicted by artistic drawings based on allegorical figures, and different. I wish more was said about how to locate each constellation in the sky. Amazing book for beginners, contains basic information and of different kinds. Myths and legends of the night skies how did the great bear get its name.
Native american indian star legends from the myths of many. Yet there is no constellation of diana to be found. The constellations we recognize today were first mapped by the ancient greeks, who arranged the stars into patterns for that purpose. As i came to describe each constellation, i found myself wondering about its origin and the way in which ancient people had personified it in mythology. Yet civilizations throughout history have identified constellations, and even now we still call them by their old greek or roman names for a reason.
Tales of the night sky audio drama podcast about the. Because the stars put on different seasonal shows, another set charts the changes that take place in the heavens during the year. They recorded their movements and imagined that the stars made pictures in the sky. It is the 26th largest of the 88 constellations, with its celestial neighbors including such recognizable constellations as taurus, canis major, canis minor and gemini, as well as lepus. Generations of readers, stargazers, and fireside dreamers have delighted in this guide to the myths and legends surrounding the stars and constellations. The next time you gaze up at those glittery stars and galaxies on a clear night, let these stories carry. Many of them have remained unchanged since antiquity, while others have been added in the past century or so. The constellation of scorpius, the giant scorpion, is dominated by the red supergiant antares and hangs in the sky opposite orion. Alsufis book of the constellations of the fixed stars.
William tyler olcotts book was originally published in 1911. The book provides the visual depiction of each constellation in two different sketches, along with an image of the sky of the region. The first of the known viking age constellations is the great wagon or wain, the constellation better known today as the great bear or ursa majoris. Many societies saw patterns among the stars with gods and goddesses or stories from their culture. Allen this book has a great deal of information about the origins of the names of stars and constellations. It contains spica, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Originally published in 1911, william tyler olcotts beloved classic offers captivating retellings of ancient celestial lore from around the world. Greek mythology star myths constellations star myths. Myths of the stars large print by coder, errol jud isbn. The reader will learn the true stories of the stars. This beautifully illustrated book helps readers navigate their way around the night sky as they learn the significance of heavenly bodies names. Viking age star and constellation names viking answer lady. Myths about constellations windows to the universe. Charming childrens book by a pueblo author illustrating a traditional legend about the origin of the stars.
Uncover the patterns in the stars through the richly illustrated pages of this charming book as each entry brings each constellation to life in the magical artwork of. Guidebook to the constellations telescopic sights, tales, and myths. Stars, planets and the night sky start with a book. If you know little about stars its a good book to get familiar with night sky in more. Male astronomers have a very different experience than women when they read the skies. There are 88 constellations in all, and they all have myths or stories as to where they came from and why they are in the sky. Stars, planets and the night sky do you know any kids who are fascinated by the constellations, the phases of the moon, or what its like to be an astronaut. Weve gathered up a great collection of books, activities, apps, and websites for learning all about stars, constellations, planets, and the night sky. The 88 constellations of the night sky go astronomy. Many constellations are derived from old traditional asterisms, which are star patterns within a constellation. Constellations is a book series devoted to exploring the classics of science fiction cinema. Stories of the constellations collects 44 classic constellations from greek mythology. Using the pointer stars in the big dipper to locate the north star polaris and other major stars in other constellations. The first, relating to a charioteer, is that of auriga, the crippled son of vulcan and minerva, who invented a four horse chariot in order to get himself around.
Im learning something new every day and having a lot of fun in the process. Myths of the stars paperback march 12, 2012 by errol jud coder author 4. The constellations, as described in greek mythology, were mostly godfavoured heroes and beasts who received a place amongst the stars as a memorial of their deeds. The author recounts the legends connected with many constellations, including aquarius, aries, cancer, orion, and others. Star tales grew out of my skywatching guides for amateur astronomers. Beyond the myths, the book contains a lot of info about the historical references we have, as well the differences between the various versions of each myth they tell. This page is currently inactive and is retained for historical reference. The new patterns in the sky myths and legends of the stars by julius d. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. This beautifully packaged book covers the night skys most brilliant features such as the constellations, the moon, the bright stars, and the visible planets as well as less familiar celestial phenomena like the outer planets, nebulae, and deep space. In this way astronomers are better able to organize the heavens into some recognizable form, and make locating stars and. However i wanted to point out nowadays there is actually a group in astrology that works. Written in the stars will lead you through the heavens above as you discover the scientific facts, legends, and myths that surround the 88 constellations of. The constellation is represented by the symbol virgo is one of the 12 zodiac constellations, first catalogued by the greek astronomer ptolemy in the 2nd century.
The constellation auriga is mentioned in two ancient stories. This constellation was viewed as a skypicture, with the seven stars thought of as a fourwheeled wagon, its pole being formed by the three stars that hang downwards grimm, teutonic mythology ch. Its not always easy to find the 88 constellations, but this illustrated guidebook will lead you through the stars and make gazing at them a more meaningful experience. A bright star in the constellation ursa minor little. Organized by seasons, this book describes ptolemys 48 constellations with location and description in detail, while also telling the mythological tales in full.
Constellations are groups of stars that form a pattern in the sky. Written for complete beginners, this book introduces the reader to the patterns of the northern. This became such an important invention that zeus placed the first chariot into the skies with the other constellations. Star constellations and myths a constellation is simply a collection of stars, imaginatively linked together to represent a person, animal or object in the night sky. Tristan gooley, the natural navigator writer and astronomy lover hislop explores all 88 constellations and artfully tells their. The mythology of the night sky strikes a balance between backyard astronomy and ancient mythology. Some knowledge of the ancient world may be mandatory. This book is all right, though i cant say i will remember any of the myths in it except for the wellknown ones. Book overview for anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and longed to know more about the constellations that inhabit it then this is the perfect guide to discovering the stars. Two larger maps portray the entire northern and southern sky, and all the constellations in it. Constellations are formed of bright stars which appear close to each other on the sky, but are really far apart in space. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Either the page is no longer relevant or consensus on its purpose has become unclear. Its easy to follow and recognizes some important thinkers arabic astrologers for example.
Olcott stresses the origin and history of these constellations. Stars and constellations 1 childrens books fiction a big mooncake for little star by grace lin ages 47 blackout by john rocco ages 69 bright sky, starry city by uma krishnaswami ages 69 coyote places the stars by harriet pecktaylor ages 48 her seven brothers by paul goble ages 69 how the stars fell into the sky by jerrie oughton 69. Many people have read and learned a great deal about the constellations, and a few have an idea of what each of the 88 groups of stars represent. Constellations can be represented by stick figures, some of which are traditional, and others which are created by the illustrator of one book or another. Guidebook to the constellations telescopic sights, tales. Rediscover the stars and constellations of the night sky through these dramatic myths, brought to life by bibi jacobs vivid storytelling. Most of the constellations with which we are familiar come from ancient. This fascinating narrative recounts the history of astronomy and, with more than 100 fullcolor illustrations, it shows readers how to find the planets and constellations in the night sky.