Star Lore Of All Ages/The Minor Constellations/Triangulum

by William Tyler Olcott

Triangulum

Triangulum
The Triangle

Beneath Andromeda. Three lines compose
The Triangle. On two sides measured equal,
The third side less. It is not difficult
To be discerned. More luminous than many.
Frothingham's Aratos. 

The Triangle is an asterism of considerable antiquity, and was evidently more noticed by the ancients than by us.

It is situated between Andromeda and Aries, and in the following allusion to it by the poet Manilius there is a reference to its early Greek title, Δελτωτόν, from the likeness the figure bears to the Greek letter Delta (Δ):

Five splendid stars in its unequal frame
Deltoton bears, and from the shape a name.

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.