Glossary entry (derived from question below)
German term or phrase:
die beiden Esel
English translation:
the two 'Pointers'
Added to glossary by
Rachel Ward
May 9, 2006 11:41
18 yrs ago
German term
United Kingdom
For the Love of Language
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, French to English
Esel
German to English
Science
Astronomy & Space
This is an academic text about navigation in the Arab/Islamic world, which I am proofreading. I'm sorry I don't know how to reproduce some of the symbols properly below.
Does "the 2 Donkeys, alpha and beta Centauri" mean anything to astronomers, as it sounds very odd to me!
"Das 2. Beispiel bezieht sich auf das Arabische Meer. Es lautet: "Es ligen 2 Kurse [der einen] zwischen Aden und Anf al-Hinzira mit 4 isba [=10 o 18'] beim Aufgang des Suhail [Canopus, alpha Argus] und [der andere] zwischen Aden und al-Maskan, gleichfalls mit 4 isba beim untergang der Himaran (**der beiden Esel**, alpha and beta Centauri)..."
Thank you!
Does "the 2 Donkeys, alpha and beta Centauri" mean anything to astronomers, as it sounds very odd to me!
"Das 2. Beispiel bezieht sich auf das Arabische Meer. Es lautet: "Es ligen 2 Kurse [der einen] zwischen Aden und Anf al-Hinzira mit 4 isba [=10 o 18'] beim Aufgang des Suhail [Canopus, alpha Argus] und [der andere] zwischen Aden und al-Maskan, gleichfalls mit 4 isba beim untergang der Himaran (**der beiden Esel**, alpha and beta Centauri)..."
Thank you!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +3 | the two 'Pointers' |
Lancashireman
|
Proposed translations
+3
12 mins
German term (edited):
die beiden Esel
Selected
the two 'Pointers'
Facing South, two very bright stars in the Milky Way will be seen quite near the horizon, one roughly above the other. These are - from above down - beta Centauri (Hadar) and alpha Centauri (Rigil Kentauri). These bright stars are typically called "The Pointers" as they point toward the Southern Cross. Drawing a line from alpha through beta, continue up a very short distance and you will encounter the Cross lying on its left side:
Once identified, the Southern Cross can be used to locate the pivot point around which all stars orbit in the Southern Hemisphere, the South Pole.
http://www.dibonsmith.com/downunder.htm
Not visible from Europe, unfortunately...
Once identified, the Southern Cross can be used to locate the pivot point around which all stars orbit in the Southern Hemisphere, the South Pole.
http://www.dibonsmith.com/downunder.htm
Not visible from Europe, unfortunately...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, Andrew - that makes loads more sense!"
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