Orion's Sword

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The Orion's Sword is an astronomical asterism in the constellation Orion. It formed three stars (c, Theta, and Iota Orionis) under the prominent asterism, Orion's Belt. M42, the Orion Nebula is located center of this asterism and Iota Orionis is bright one of this asterism. It points approximately in the direction of south.

Cicero[1] and Germanicus[2], the translators of Aratus's Phaenomena, expressed it as ensis, Latin for "sword". Also, Arabic astronomer called it as Saif al Jabbār, the Sword of the Giant. In China, It was called 伐, Punishment, and subordinated to Sieu of Shen （參）. In Japan, It is called Ko-mitsu-boshi （小三星）, Litlle Three Stars, and so on.


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Allen, R. H. (1899) Star-Names and Their Meanings, G. E. Stechert, New York, p.316.
  2. ^ Grotius, H. (1600) Syntagma Arateorum, Leyden.
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