| Fixed star: GIANSAR Gianfer, Gianfar | |
| Constellation: lambda (λ) Draco | |
| Longitude 1900: 08LEO55 | Longitude 2000: 10LEO20 |
| Declination 1900: +69.53' | Declination 2000: +69.20' |
| Right ascension: 11h 31m | Latitude: +57.14' |
| Spectral class: M0 | Magnitude: 4.1 |
from p.210 of
Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can
be viewed on this
webpage]
Lambda (λ) Draco, Giansar, is a small orange star in the Dragon's tail.
Giansar and Giauzar are variously derived:
either from Al Jauza', the Twins,— a little star is in close proximity,—
or from Al Jauzah, the Central One [the Arabs usually knew the
constellation Orion as
Al Jauzah, the Central One], as it is nearly midway between the Pointers (of
Ursa Major; beta
Merak and alpha Dubhe) and
Polaris; or, and still better, from the Persian Ghauzar,—
the Persian astronomer Al Biruni 's (973-1048 A.D.) Jauzahar of Sasanian origin,—
the Poison Place, referring to the notion that the nodes, or points where the moon
crosses the ecliptic, were poisonous because they "happened to be called the Head
and Tail of the Dragon." [the north node
is the head, and the south node
is
the tail, i.e. the moon's nodes]. This singular idea descended into comparatively
modern times, and, although these points are far {p.211} removed from
Draco, still obtains in
the name for lambda (λ this star Giansar). Juza is another popular
title.
It also has been known as Nodus secundus, the Second Knot, possibly because thus located on some drawings; yet it is far removed from delta (δ Nodus 11), which usually bears that name.
In China it was Shang Poo, or Shaou Poo.
Although the last lettered star in the figure of the constellation Draco, it lies at a considerable distance from the end, as figured on the atlases of Heis and Argelander.
[Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
"Hebrew name Giansar, 'the punished enemy'". (Bullinger The Witness of the Stars ).
Draco represents the dragon that guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides. According to other accounts, however, it is either the dragon thrown by the giants at Minerva in their war with the Gods, or the serpent Python slain by Apollo after the deluge. [Robson*, p.43.]
According to Ptolemy the bright stars are like Saturn and Mars. Draco gives an artistic and emotional but somber nature, a penetrating and analytical mind, much travel and many friends but danger of robbery and of accidental poisoning. It was said by the Ancients that when a comet was here poison was scattered over the world. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Mem and the 13th Tarot Trump "Death." [Robson*, p.43.]
References:
*[Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].