Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Draco

   The constellation Draco is translated into "The Dragon." Did you know as the year goes by, the constellation Draco appears to turn upside down? During winter evenings, it has appeared to be flipped upside down. This is because of our viewpoint here on Earth. Draco from our point of view rotates around the North Star. The named stars in this constellation are Thuban "snake," Rastaban "head of the snake," Etamin "sea monster," Nodus Secundus "second knot" or "he goat," Tyl, Aldhibah, Ed Asich "hyena," Gianfar "dragon," Arrakis "dancer," Kuma "at last," Grumium "jaw," Alsafi "cooking tripods," and Dsiban "the two jackals." 

    Interesting fact, the star Thuban in this constellation about 4,000 years ago was the North Star. Since then, the earth's precession of its axis has caused the star Polaris to be the North Star. In about 10,000 years or so, the North Star will be the star Vega. 






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