You’ve seen ‘em. Now you can name ‘em. To wit:
Many world cultures have their own names for thebrightest stars, and it is culturally and historically important to remember them. In the interest of clear global communication, however, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has begun to designate standardized star names. Featured above in true color are the 25 brightest stars in the night sky, currently as seen by humans, coupled with their IAU-recognized names. Some star names have interesting meanings, including Sirius (“the scorcher” in Latin), Vega (“falling” in Arabic), and Antares (“rival to Mars” in Greek). It’s also likely that other of these bright star names are not familiar to you, even though familiar Polaris is too dim to make this list.
(Image: Tragoolchitr Jittasaiyapan)
Sirius is also known as the Dogstar I believe. Rigel the hunter’s knee (Orion).
Vega is also known as Suzanne.
Pollux is Broadsheet’s moderated alternative to a man’s genitals
Canopus is a singular bite-sized snack served at cocktail parties
Mimosa = Millie’s morning tipple
:)
Betelgeuse: great talking clock to call when looking for petty vengence. Do not name 3 times.
*raises glass*
Here here!
“…I ofen looked up at the sky an’ assed meself the question – what is the moon, what is the stars?”
“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
Thanks for sharing this, Chompsky. Loving the astronomical posts!
It may take me a short while, but I need to place these into their constellations. If I recall correctly, not all can be seen from our lofty latitudes…
I set a course just east of Lyra
And northwest of Pegasus
Flew into the light of Deneb
Sailed across the Milky Way
I spy in the night sky, don’t I?
Phoebe Io Elara
Leda Callisto Sinope
Janus Dione Portia, so many moons
Quiet in the sky at night
Hot in the Milky Way
Outside in
Vega Capella, Hadar
Rigel Barnard’s Star
Antares, Aldebaran, Altair
Wolf 359 Betelgeuse
Sun, sun, sun, sun