Esel

English translation: the two 'Pointers'

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:die beiden Esel
English translation:the two 'Pointers'
Entered by: Rachel Ward

11:41 May 9, 2006
German to English translations [PRO]
Science - Astronomy & Space
German term or phrase: Esel
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!
Rachel Ward
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:48
the two 'Pointers'
Explanation:
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...

Selected response from:

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:48
Grading comment
Thanks, Andrew - that makes loads more sense!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3the two 'Pointers'
Lancashireman


  

Answers


12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
die beiden Esel
the two 'Pointers'


Explanation:
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...



Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:48
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks, Andrew - that makes loads more sense!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Ingeborg Gowans (X): wow!
18 mins

agree  Rebecca Garber: cool!
1 hr

agree  Wenjer Leuschel (X): Nice to learn from you.
2 hrs
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