- Phoenix (constellation)
Infobox Constellation
name = Phoenix
abbreviation = Phe
genitive = Phoenicis
symbology = the Phoenix
RA = 0
dec= −50
areatotal = 469
arearank = 37th
numbermainstars = 4
numberbfstars = 25
numberstarsplanets = 3
numberbrightstars = 1
numbernearbystars = 2
brighteststarname = α Phoenicis (Ankaa)
starmagnitude = 2.39
neareststarname = ν Phoenicis
stardistance = 49.1
numbermessierobjects = 0
meteorshowers =Phoenicids
bordering =Sculptor
Grus
TucanaHydrus (corner)
EridanusFornax
latmax = 32
latmin = 90
month = November
notes=Phoenix (pronEng|ˈfiːnɪks) is a minor southern
constellation , introduced by Dutch navigatorsPieter Dirkszoon Keyser andFrederick de Houtman , and popularized byJohann Bayer 's "Uranometria " in1603 .There are only two stars in the whole constellation which are brighter than magnitude 5.0.
The constellation stretches from roughly −39° to −57° declination, and from 23.5h to 2.5h of right ascension. This means it is generally invisible to anyone living north of the 40th parallel in the
Northern Hemisphere , and remains low in the sky for anyone living north of theequator . It is easily visible from locations such asAustralia andSouth Africa duringSouthern Hemisphere summer.Phoenix is associated with the minor
Phoenicids meteor shower of December 5th.History
The introduction of a Phoenix into modern
astronomy was, in a measure, by adoption rather than by invention. But, whether Bayer knew it or not, his title is an appropriate one, for with various early nations - at all events, inChina ,Egypt ,India , andPersia - this bird has been "an astronomical symbol of cyclic period" some versions of the well-known fable making its life coincident with theGreat Year of the ancients beginning at noon of the day when the sun entered among the stars of Aries; and, in Egypt, with the Sothic Period when the sun andSirius rose together on the 20th of July. Thompson further writes of this: "A new Phoenix-period is said to have commenced AD 139, in the reign ofAntoninus Pius ; and a of astronomical symbolism associated therewith is manifested on the coins of that Emperor". Coincidentally, Ptolemy adopted as the epoch of his catalogue the year AD 138, the first ofAntoninus . [SLM p.335] .With the Egyptians, who knew this bird as
Bennu and showed it on their coins, it was an emblem of immortality; indeed it generally has been such in pagan as well as in Christian times. In China the constellation wasHo Neaou , the firebird. [SLM p.335] .Alpha Phoenici has the name Ankaa from an
Arabic word meaning the boat.References
* Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion (2007). "Stars and Planets Guide", Collins, London. ISBN 978-0007251209. Princeton University Press, Princeton. ISBN 978-0691135564.
External links
* [http://www.allthesky.com/constellations/phoenix/constell.html The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Phoenix]
* [http://160.114.99.91/astrojan/phoenix.htm The clickable Phoenix]
* [http://www.starrynightphotos.com/constellations/phoenix.htm Starry Night Photography - Phoenix Constellation]
* [http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/phoenix.htm Star Tales – Phoenix]
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