Musca: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "One of the 88 IAU constellations. The constellation was invented by Dutch sailors in the 1590s, perhaps a navigation aid. ==Etymology and History== The Greek constellation ... === Origin of Constellation === === Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation === == Mythology == == Weblinks == * == References == * References (general) * References (ancient Greco-Roman) * References (Me...") Tag: Disambiguation links |
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[[File:Musca IAU.svg|alt=star chart|thumb|Musca star chart (IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine, Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg)]] |
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One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The constellation was invented by Dutch sailors in the 1590s, perhaps a navigation aid. |
One of the [[:Category:88_IAU-Constellations|88 IAU constellations]]. The constellation was invented by Dutch sailors in the 1590s, perhaps a navigation aid. |
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==Etymology and History== |
==Etymology and History== |
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[[File:DeHoutman Vlieghe.JPG|alt=screenshot(s) of text|thumb|de Houtman (1603) "de Vlieghe", the Fly (Musca). screenshot of star catalogue.]] |
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The Greek constellation ... |
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=== Origin of Constellation === |
=== Origin of Constellation === |
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The Southern Cross, today's constellation Crux, had been used for almost a century by the time of the invention of Musca. A kite-like pattern of stars, however, is not unique in the sky, and sailors had occasionally misnavigated with the asterism of the False Cross (a pattern of stars in Vela). It is somehow striking that the same Dutch sailors who enlarged the body of The Ship, Argo, so that it contains the False Cross, also created this extra constellation next to the real cross (Crux). They do not give any explanation for their inventions but the practical purpose seem obvious as their Hydrus also curled towards the south pole. |
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=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation === |
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation === |
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Revision as of 16:42, 25 January 2025
One of the 88 IAU constellations. The constellation was invented by Dutch sailors in the 1590s, perhaps a navigation aid.
Etymology and History
Origin of Constellation
The Southern Cross, today's constellation Crux, had been used for almost a century by the time of the invention of Musca. A kite-like pattern of stars, however, is not unique in the sky, and sailors had occasionally misnavigated with the asterism of the False Cross (a pattern of stars in Vela). It is somehow striking that the same Dutch sailors who enlarged the body of The Ship, Argo, so that it contains the False Cross, also created this extra constellation next to the real cross (Crux). They do not give any explanation for their inventions but the practical purpose seem obvious as their Hydrus also curled towards the south pole.
