Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/583

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The Minor Constellations
439

With the Romans and astronomers of the 17th century it was known as "Deltotum." It was also called "Delta," and associated with Egypt and the Nile, hence its title "the Home of the Nile."

The Triangle has been likened to the Trinity, and the Mitre of St. Peter.

The figure is noted as marking the location of the discovery of the minor planet Ceres by Piazzi, Jan. 1, 1800.

The 3.6 magnitude star Alpha Trianguli bears the title "Caput Trianguli." It culminates at 9 p.m., Dec. 6th.

α and β Trianguli were known as "the Scale Beam."

According to Argelander the group contains fifteen stars.


Vulpecula Cum Ansere
The Fox with the Goose

This is one of several constellations invented by Hevelius in 1690, and appearing for the first time in his star chart published in that year.

It is situated between the Arrow and the Swan, where the Milky Way divides into two branches.

Hevelius is said to have selected this figure because of its appropriateness to its position, as the fox was a cunning and voracious animal, and was placed near the Eagle and Vulture which are of the same rapacious and greedy nature.

The figure is now generally known as "Vulpecula," and contains a noteworthy object in the "Double-headed Shot" or "Dumb-Bell nebula." The group also marks the radiant point of the "Vulpeculids," a meteor shower appearing from June 13th to July 7th.

According to Argelander the asterism contains thirty-seven stars.