The Universe: Constellations & The 13th Zodiac Sign (S2, E10) | Full Episode | History

HISTORY・2 minutes read

The Great Pyramids of Giza align with the stars of Orion, while the forgotten 13th zodiac sign raises questions about its omission, showcasing the importance of celestial navigation and coordinates in aiding astronomers to understand the vast cosmos. Various constellations, including Cygnus and Ophiuchus, hold numerous visible stars and unique celestial objects, serving as calendars, maps, and guides for survival and astronomical discoveries in the ever-expanding universe.

Insights

  • The alignment between the Great Pyramids of Giza and Orion's stars has fascinated experts, highlighting the historical significance of celestial connections in ancient civilizations.
  • Understanding celestial coordinates, parallax measurements, and standard candles like Cepheid variables and supernovas are essential for astronomers to determine distances in the universe, aiding in unraveling the vast mysteries of the cosmos and expanding our knowledge of the celestial realm.

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Recent questions

  • What is the significance of the alignment between the Great Pyramids of Giza and the stars of Orion?

    The alignment between the Great Pyramids of Giza and the stars of Orion has captivated astronomers and astrologers due to its mysterious nature. This alignment suggests a possible connection between ancient civilizations and celestial bodies, sparking intrigue and speculation about the purpose behind this alignment.

  • How do constellations aid astronomers in unraveling celestial mysteries?

    Constellations, once used for navigation at sea, now play a crucial role in helping astronomers unravel celestial mysteries. By dividing the sky into territories and acting as maps, constellations assist astronomers in locating celestial objects and predicting important events like the sun's movements, moon phases, and seasonal changes.

  • What are celestial coordinates, and how are they used in astronomy?

    Celestial coordinates, known as declination and right ascension, are extensions of latitude and longitude projected into the sky. These coordinates are essential for astronomers in pinpointing the exact location of celestial objects in the sky, aiding in navigation and understanding the vast cosmos.

  • How do Cepheid variable stars contribute to measuring distances in the universe?

    Cepheid variable stars serve as guideposts for astronomers in measuring distances in the universe. By pulsating and exhibiting predictable patterns of brightness, these stars act as standard candles, helping astronomers determine the vast distances between celestial objects and aiding in understanding the scale of the cosmos.

  • What is the significance of the Cygnus constellation in astronomy?

    The Cygnus constellation, home to 79 visible stars including the massive white supergiant Deneb, holds great significance in astronomy. This constellation contains the Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant, and Cygnus X-1, an 8.7 solar mass black hole orbiting another star, providing valuable insights into the life cycles of stars and the formation of celestial objects.

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Summary

00:00

"Unraveling Celestial Mysteries: Stars, Navigation, and Distance"

  • The Great Pyramids of Giza and the stars of Orion show a mysterious alignment that captivates astronomers and astrologers.
  • There are actually 13 zodiac constellations, with a forgotten 13th sign, raising questions about why it was overlooked.
  • Constellations, once used for navigation at sea, now aid astronomers in unraveling celestial mysteries.
  • Before modern navigation tools, constellations served as guides for direction and distance.
  • Celestial coordinates, known as declination and right ascension, are extensions of latitude and longitude projected into the sky.
  • Ancient navigators used a sextant and guidestars like Polaris for celestial navigation.
  • GPS has replaced sextants for navigation, making celestial coordinates more crucial for astronomers than sailors.
  • The assumption that all stars are equidistant from Earth is incorrect, posing a challenge for astronomers.
  • Parallax, measuring the apparent shift of stars, helps determine their distance, with Cepheid variable stars serving as guideposts.
  • Cepheid variables and supernovas act as standard candles for measuring distances in the universe, aiding in understanding the vast cosmos.

15:32

"Pyramids, Stars, and Earth's Precession"

  • Egyptians emphasized north and south in pyramids
  • North shaft in pyramids points to Thuban, a star in Draco constellation
  • Thuban was replaced by Polaris as the North Star
  • Earth's wobbling due to precession caused by gravitational pulls
  • Earth's axis draws a circle in the sky over 26,000 years
  • Polaris will reclaim its title as North Star in 26,000 years
  • Circumpolar stars remain fixed in the sky, visible all year
  • Variable stars pulsate, brightening and dimming in patterns
  • T Tauri stars pulsate due to youth and instability
  • Ophiuchus, the forgotten zodiac sign, has 55 visible stars

30:42

"Stellar Constellations: Maps of the Sky"

  • Mizar, the second star in the Big Dipper's handle, actually consists of five blazing stars.
  • Cygnus, the Swan constellation, boasts 79 visible stars, with Deneb being a massive white supergiant forming the Swan's tail.
  • Deneb, 200 times the size of our sun and 250,000 times as bright, is a rare white supergiant star in a unique phase of evolution.
  • White supergiants transition from red to blue supergiants in a short period, less than 1% of their lifetime.
  • Cygnus is home to the Cygnus Loop, a supernova remnant, and Cygnus X-1, an 8.7 solar mass black hole orbiting another star.
  • Constellations serve as a calendar, predicting important events like the sun's movements, moon phases, and seasonal changes.
  • Constellations have been crucial for survival, guiding behaviors like planting and harvesting based on celestial events.
  • Constellations act as maps, dividing the sky into territories and helping astronomers locate celestial objects.
  • The night sky, though seemingly infinite, reveals only a fraction of stars due to dust and distance, with many stars existing in multiple star systems.
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