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Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Boötes
Origin:
Boötes has been known as the herdsman or shepherd since the time of the
Sumerians. Boötes is also known as the Bear Watcher or Bear Driver
(Homer's Odyssey). The constellation name is at least 3000
years old but in ancient times the name may have referred to the bright
star Arcturus rather than to the entire constellation.
Information:
Boötes is located on a north-south line between Ursa Major and Virgo and bounded on the east by Corona Borealis and west by Canes Venatici. The constellation
boasts, among other interesting stars, the fourth brightest star in the
Earth's sky -- magnitude zero orange-yellow Arcturus. Arcturus
is easy to find by by extending the imaginary arc of the handle of the Big
Dipper of Ursa Major to the south. The first bright star encountered
along this arc is Arcturus. Boötes is nearly overhead in early in
July (northern latitudes) at 9 pm.
Mythology:
In one myth, Boötes, the Herdsman, is the celestial embodiment of Arcas,
son of Callisto. Because of the romantic tryst between Zeus and
Callisto that resulted in Arcas' birth, Hera (Zeus' wife) changed Arcas'
mother into the Great Bear (Ursa Major) but
left her with knowledge and feelings of her past. One day,
while roaming the forests, she happened upon her son Arcas and,
recognizing him, raised up to embrace him. Fearing for his life,
Arcas raised his spear and was set to kill her when Zeus, who happened to
be looking down from Mount Olympus upon the unfolding scene, grabbed them
both and placed them in the heavens. (Other versions of the myth
have Zeus changing Arcas into Ursa Minor).
In variations of the myth of Boötes, his hunting dogs (Canes Venatici) are held on-leash at his
side. Boötes is sometimes credited with inventing the plow.
The ancient Chinese regarded Arcturus as a
pearl-star of great worth. |
