Constellation Phoenix
Properties
Phoenix is an inconspicuous constellation near the southern end of Eridanus, between the bright star Achernar and the constellation Grus. The area of the constellation is 469 square degrees and the center culminates around midnight on October 5th. [9, 15]
| α Phe | Ankaa, Nair Al Zaurak, Cymbae, Lucida Cymbae, Head Of Phoenix |
Catalogues
Mythology and History
Phoenix is the Greek name for Benu, the sacred bird of the Egyptians. He was worshiped as the appearance of the sun god and is the symbol of eternal renewal and resurrection. He burns himself to rise newborn from the ashes.
Johann Bayer introduced this constellation in 1603 in an area known to the Arabs as the Boot, on the banks of the Eridanus had created. Later one saw an eagle or the legendary bird griffin here, so that in Bayer's time the reference to a bird was created. [6, 7]