History and mythology Taurus (constellation)

1 history , mythology

1.1 astrology
1.2 space exploration
1.3 solar eclipse of may 29, 1919

history , mythology

the identification of constellation of taurus bull old, dating chalcolithic, , perhaps upper paleolithic. michael rappenglück of university of munich believes taurus represented in cave painting @ hall of bulls in caves @ lascaux (dated 15,000 bc), believes accompanied depiction of pleiades. name 7 sisters has been used pleiades in languages of many cultures, including indigenous groups of australia, north america , siberia. suggests name may have common ancient origin.

taurus marked point of vernal (spring) equinox in chalcolithic , bronze age, 4000 bc 1700 bc, after moved neighboring constellation aries. pleiades closest sun @ vernal equinox around 23rd century bc. in babylonian astronomy, constellation listed in mul.apin gu4.an.na, bull of heaven . constellation marked vernal equinox, first constellation in babylonian zodiac , described bull in front . akkadian name alu.

in old babylonian epic of gilgamesh, goddess ishtar sends taurus, bull of heaven, kill gilgamesh spurning advances. enkidu tears off bull s hind part , hurls quarters sky become stars know ursa major , ursa minor. locate gilgamesh neighboring constellation of orion, facing taurus if in combat, while others identify him sun rising on equinox vanquishes constellation. in mesopotamian art, bull of heaven closely associated inanna, sumerian goddess of sexual love, fertility, , warfare. 1 of oldest depictions shows bull standing before goddess standard; since has 3 stars depicted on (the cuneiform sign star-constellation ), there reason regard constellation later known taurus.

the same iconic representation of heavenly bull depicted in dendera zodiac, egyptian bas-relief carving in ceiling depicted celestial hemisphere using planisphere. in these ancient cultures, orientation of horns portrayed upward or backward. differed later greek depiction horns pointed forward. egyptians, constellation taurus sacred bull associated renewal of life in spring. when spring equinox entered taurus, constellation become covered sun in western sky spring began. sacrifice led renewal of land. hebrews, taurus first constellation in zodiac , consequently represented first letter in alphabet, aleph.

in greek mythology, taurus identified zeus, assumed form of magnificent white bull abduct europa, legendary phoenician princess. in illustrations of greek mythology, front portion of constellation depicted; explained taurus being partly submerged carried europa out sea. second greek myth portrays taurus io, mistress of zeus. hide lover wife hera, zeus changed io form of heifer. greek mythographer acusilaus marks bull taurus same formed myth of cretan bull, 1 of twelve labors of heracles.

taurus became important object of worship among druids. tauric religious festival held while sun passed through constellation. among arctic people known inuit, constellation called sakiattiat , hyades nanurjuk, latter representing spirit of polar bear. aldebaran represents bear, remainder of stars in hyades being dogs holding beast @ bay. in buddhism, legends hold gautama buddha born when full moon in vaisakha, or taurus. buddha s birthday celebrated wesak festival, or vesākha, occurs on first or second full moon when sun in taurus.

astrology

as of 2008, sun appears in constellation taurus may 13 june 21. in tropical astrology, sun considered in sign taurus april 20 may 20.

space exploration

the space probe pioneer 10 moving in direction of constellation, though not nearing of stars in constellation many thousands of years, time batteries long dead.

solar eclipse of may 29, 1919

several stars in hyades cluster include kappa tauri photographed during solar eclipse of may 29, 1919 expedition of arthur eddington in príncipe , others in sobral, brazil confirmed albert einstein s prediction of bending of light around sun general theory of relativity published in 1915.