Eridanus is a southern constellation; most of its stars are not visible to those who live in the northern hemisphere. But it does not stop us marvelling Eridanus, the celestial river whose origin is mired in mythology and whose down stream winding journey is full of cosmics significance. Let me give you a broad brush stroke of legend, astronomy and cosmics standing by the river of Eridanus.
Legend
1. Eridanus is an ancient constellation, one of the 48 constellations Ptolemy penned in his Almagest. The word Eridanus is from Greek “Eridanos” meaning a river. Greek legend has two versions for its origin:
Version one relates to the legend of Phaethon son of Helios prevailing on his father Sun god to let him handle the reign of chariot Helios rides. On concession by the Sun God, Phaethon, inexperience as he is, loses control of the seven immortal steeds and causes the chariot to veer off, setting the earth on fire. Zeus was smitten with this indiscretion and strikes Phaethon by a thunderbolt and hurls his flaming body into the river Padus, which is thereafter christened as Eridanus the celestial river
Version two relates to the legend where, Heliades kid sister of Phaethon, mourning the death of her brother weeps and tears falling from her eyes gather stream and transformed into Eridanus the celestial river
2. The Arabs called Eridanus, “An-Nahr” meaning a river; again there are two versions as to which river they are referring to:
Version one refers to the river Nile; even in Greek the word Nilus is mentioned referring to river Nile which is noted for meandering over a long distance
Version two refers to Euphrates River which fits the topology of Eridanus constellation. The Euphrates River has two branches of stream bringing alluvial soil to the heart of Mesopotamia. Eridanus constellation has two branches called northern and southern streams in the sky.
Astronomy
Eridanus is the by far the longest constellation in the sky. Beginning at south 5 degrees it finishes at about south 57 degree almost a 52 degree span in length. In terms of breath it ranges from 1 hour 38 minutes at star Achernar to 5 hour 4 minutes at star Cursa. It is also the sixth largest constellation in the known sky and occupies about 1,138 square degrees in space. The constellation is visible between latitudes north 30 degree to south 90 degree
Let me take you on the down stream journey of Eridanus constellation. For your easy convenience I am giving you the contours of the Eridanus constellation in the picture below:
Eridanus Constellation
Courtesy: http://www.astrofilitrentini.it/mat/costell/eri_e.html
The river begins its northern stream with the star Cursa (Beta) located at South 5 degree (Declination) and travels westward horizontally till it reaches star Omega then rises to north-west and braces star Mu the northern most star in the constellation. From here till star Nu the journey is flat. Nu star marks the first plunge southwards of mild depth, passing star Xi and come to star Beid (Omicron 1). This location marks the second plunge southwards a fairly deep one. As the river meets star Zaurak (Gamma) the plunge is arrested and Eridanus moves upward in two steps passing Pi star and then star Rana (Delta). Rana begins the horizontal flow of the stream to the west wherein Eridanus flows quietly passing star Epsilon and knocks on star Zibal (Zeta). Eridanus moves on effortlessly bypassing the famous Ostrich’s Nest that is built by a combination of star Zibal, three stars system of Rho (P) signified as P1 P2 and P3 and star Azha (Eta).At this point the northern stream comes to an end.
Azha star begins the southern stream and marks the steepest and deepest fall to south for the river Eridanus until the stream banks on Tau 1 star. A normal plunge is seen now but towards the south-east for the first time. This stream gushes on from Tau 1 thru Tau 3. At the median point of this fall lies Angetenar (Tau 2). After reaching Tau 3 the river meanders till about Tau 9 the entire stretch is being the fertile valley of Eridanus.
Tau 9 marks at yet another plunge towards south-east till the river Eridanus reaches the shore at Upsilon 1. At this pint the river has reached south 30 degree. After this the river takes a U turn at Upsilon 2 and plunges mildly to Upsilon 3 and thence to Upsilon 4. From this point Eridanus makes a medium steep plunge towards south-west and then climbs to north-west. In this journey Eridanus goes through Seven Upsilon stars which are collectively known as “Theemim” and signify the seven steeds of the chariot Helios rides. Thereafter Eridanus labours towards the dam of star Acamar (Theta).
Flowing straight westward, from Acamar, Eridanus passes star Iota. From Iota star, river Eridanus begins a deep descend bathing Kappa star and falling towards Phi star. A quick turn to the west and at Chi star is followed by one shot descend bringing the river to star Achernar (Alpha) located south 57 degree, whereat the longest and winding journey of the mythical river comes to a happy close.
Cosmics
1. Eridanus constellation is known for three significant groups of stars: Ostrich’s Nest, Valley of Eridanus and Seven Steeds of Helios; all of these have great cosmic significance in chiselling your lifestyle
2. In addition there are important junction stars such as Cursa, Beid, Zaurak, Rana, Acamar and Achernar playing a great deal of importance in shaping and improving your life
3. Most stars in the Eridanus constellation starting from Tau 1 downwards do not figure as birth stars, sighted by the Moon or lucky stars sighted by other six planets because these are located 20 degree south of the Ecliptic, which is the path of the Sun. Hence, these stars figure as rising stars or culminating stars only. Rising star is defined as the star rising in the eastern horizon at the time of your birth; whereas Culminating star is defined as the star that was just overhead at the time of your birth
4. The Eridanus stars portend great knowledge in science and technology; facilitate travel above the water; grant position of authority; to many these signify becalming family compared to fairly stormy business life.
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