111-119

Articles

• Rousseau, A.
• Dimitrakoudis,, S.

We provide a fresh analysis of the constellations in Aratos' Phaenomena, by using the astronomicalprogram CyberSky (by Stephen Schimpf) to check each reference of constellations within the poemfor validity in 2800 BCE and 300 BCE (the latter accounting for the broader period of time coveringEudoxus ofCnidus and Aratus of Soli). In each case, the latitude of observation was chosen to be 36°North, in agreement with the area of the sky that is not covered in the descriptions of Aratus (and containsthe unseen constellations for a particular latitude). Each constellation was traced back to itsGreek mythological origin through the various writers of antiquity. Our results are collected in a tableof the constellations mentioned by Aratus in his epic poem, with respect to the ancient authors whohave mentioned each constellation, shaping its myth, the locations on the earth each constellation isassociated with and the most likely date of observation, according to Aratus' description, and takinginto account precession and the proper motion of stars.

• History and Archaeology

• Αρχαιολογία

Aratus, Constellations, Catasterism, Astronomy, Eratosthenes, Hyginus