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Note the distinctive shapes of Virgo (6), Scorpius (8), Capricornus (10) and Aquarius (11). The zodiac symbols have several astronomical interpretations. Depending on context, a zodiac symbol may denote either a constellation, or a point or interval on the ecliptic plane.
Detail of Bayer's chart for Orion showing the belt stars and Orion Nebula region, with both Greek and Latin letter labels visible. A Bayer designation is a stellar designation in which a specific star is identified by a Greek or Latin letter followed by the genitive form of its parent constellation's Latin name. The original list of Bayer ...
One symbol, ♇, is a monogram of the letters PL (which can be interpreted to stand for Pluto or for astronomer Percival Lowell), was announced with the name of the new planet by the discoverers on May 1, 1930. [19] Another symbol, which was popularized in Paul Clancy's astrological publications, is based on Pluto's bident: [citation needed].
The first modern schemes for designating stars systematically labelled them within their constellation. The Bayer designation is such a system, published by Johann Bayer in 1603. [13] It introduced a system of designating the brightest stars in each constellation by means of Greek (or less often Latin) letters, and is still widely used.
α - RA, right ascension, if the Greek letter does not appear, á letter will appear. δ - Dec, declination, if the Greek letter does not appear, ä letter will appear. P or P orb or T - orbital period; a - semi-major axis; b - semi-minor axis; q - periapsis, the minimum distance; Q - apoapsis, the maximum distance; e - eccentricity; i ...
The origins of the planetary symbols can be found in the attributes given to classical deities. The Roman planisphere of Bianchini (2nd century, currently in the Louvre, inv. Ma 540) [2] shows the seven planets represented by portraits of the seven corresponding gods, each a bust with a halo and an iconic object or dress, as follows: Mercury has a caduceus and a winged cap; Venus has a ...
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In this list, a star is identified by a lower-case letter of the Greek alphabet, followed by the Latin name of its parent constellation. The Bayer designation uses the possessive form of a constellation's name, which in almost every case ends in is, i or ae; um if the constellation's name is plural (see genitive case for constellations). In ...