Deltoton
Deltoton
Deltoton (Δελτωτόν; the letter Delta: Δ) is an ancient Greek name variant for the constellation triangulum, probably the original one.
Etymology and History
"Delta" is the first letter in the ancient Greek term for "dios", the highest god who possesses and rules the stars. In early uranographies, this triangle was considered a sign of the divinity of the starry sky, a divine inscription "written in the stars".
Mythology
The ancient Greek author Aratus (4th century BCE) starts his didactic poem with a dedication to the mighty god (Dios). Yet, he mentions the constellation "Triangulum" in a later verse.
IAU Working Group on Star Names
The name was discussed and approved by the IAU WGSN in 2025. The brightest stars in the constellation Triangulum were already named with Arabic names. WGSN chose to name δ Tri with this name because of the obvious pun.
