Morning constellations

[alt_sinistra]

I've been thinking a great deal the past few weeks about the parts of the sky I rarely see: the constellations that come up not long before dawn.

There's Venus, of course, the morning and evening star, but she is very obscure this month in the mornings, as she's currently near where the sun rises. But the past few days, I've been contemplating Ophiuchus, long a family favorite. (If you've forgotten why, the star Nu Ophiuchi is often seen as having the name Sinistra, for the left hand of the figure.)

There have been some who've argued it should be considered a sign of the Zodiac, and others who argue it should not be - a fascinating look at where we draw lines about what does and doesn't belong, that's gone one for millennia. (This particular argument dates back to Ptolemy's Almagest and quite possibly before.)

Comments

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_antonin]

You are quite welcome, dear heart. And you are correct: it will be a neat distraction for you. (As well as a source of pleasure for me: whilst there are several places I might go for a conversation in Russian, there are fewer speakers of Arabic with whom I might converse.)

Do send me your exercises as you complete them -- there are several errors that are very tempting for beginners, and once they've set into one's memory it is a bear to dislodge them. I also believe I've found you a tempting primer for once you've mastered the basics, but I shall continue to be mysterious there.

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

It's doing nicely so far. I admit, I am feeling a little over my head, but in a somewhat useful way. And I think I'm finally beginning to sort out letters.

I should have some of the exercises done - well, maybe tomorrow. We'll see how tonight goes.

I am shocked, utterly shocked, that you are being mysterious.