Grus (constellation)

Grus is a southern constellation. The constellation was one of twelve constellations created by Pieter Dirkszoon Keyser and Frederick de Houtman between 1595 and 1597, and it first appeared in Johann Bayer's Uranometria of 1603. The inspiration for this constellation was drawn from Ancient Egypt, where the crane symbolized a stargazer because of its high flight . An alternative name for this constellation, Phoenicopterus (Latin for flamingo), was used briefly in England during the 17th century.

Named Stars

• Bayer...Name........Origin.....Meaning
• α.......Al Na'ir....Arabic....the bright one
• β.......Al Phaulkah........Arabic...the grazing ones/the skimming ones
• γ.......Al Dhanab...Arabic....the tail

History and mythology

Until the 17th century, Grus was considered part of Piscis Austrinus. The Arabic names of many of its stars reflect this classification. Since it was created in the 17th century, there is no earlier mythology associated with it.

Citations

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

• The Deep Photographic Guide to the Constellations: Grus
• The clickable Grus
• Starry Night Photography - Grus Constellation
• Star Tales – Grus
• StellaNavigator: Grus Constellation
• October Constellations