#delphinus

[snototter]

A large pod of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) breaching in Baja, Mexico

by Tim Melling

[quiltofstars]

The constellation of Delphinus, the Dolphin // E. Slawik/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/M. Zamani

Click below to read more about my favorite constellation as well as an annotated image!

Delphinus, which is Latin for "dolphin," is the first of the constellations in the "Heavenly Waters" family. This is an area of sky between Sagittarius and Orion filled with dim constellations all associated with water thanks to the Mesopotamians.

Delphinus is one of the smaller constellations, but it is one of the original 48 constellations written about by Greek astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century. According to Greek mythology, this dolphin was sent out by Poseidon to find the nereid Amphitrite whom Poseidon wanted to marry. Delphinus did find Amphitrite and convinced her to accept Poseidon's hand in marriage.

There are several named stars here. In order of brightness:

Rotanev (β Delphini) is a binary star system consisting of two equally-bright yellow-white giant stars. The system lies about 101 light years away. Its name has an origin in a practical joke! The Italian astronomer Niccolò Cacciatore worked at and eventually led the Palermo Observatory. His boss, Giuseppe Piazzi published a star atlas, and attached to this star was the obscure name "Rotanev." Niccolò had added this name in honor of himself! His name in English was Nicholas Hunter, which is Latinized to Nicolaus Venator. "Venator" backwards is "Rotanev"!

Sualocin (α Delphini) is an octuple star system with a central triple system consisting of at least one blue-white giant. The entire system lies about 254 light years away. Its name shares its origin with Rotanev: "Sualocin" is "Nicolaus" backwards!

Aldulfin (ε Delphini) is a solitary blue giant star about 330 light years away. Its name comes from the Arabic phrase ðanab ad-dulfīn meaning "the dolphin's tail."

Musica (18 Delphini) is a binary star system consisting of a yellow giant and a red dwarf. The system lies about 245 light years away. It has one confirmed exoplanet orbiting it, about 9 times the mass of Jupiter, named Arion. Both names were given by the people of Japan: Musica is Latin for "music," while Arion is a Greek poet and musician who was supposedly saved at sea by dolphins.

Moriah (HAT-P-23) is a solitary Sun-like star about 1,192 light years away. It has one confirmed exoplanet orbiting it, about twice the mass of Jupiter, named Jebus. Both names were given by the people of Palestine: Moriah is an ancient name for the mountain inside the Old City of Jerusalem, while Jebus is the ancient name for Jerusalem.

[kdpartworks]

Day #24 - Album cover: Dolphin band

Sorry not sorry for the lazy background, i can just say that my original idea was a Kiss like album cover, but ad the end I avoided it because of the recent loss of Ace. Didn't mean to be desrespectful. I decided to keep the font style, tho. I hope it's okay. The blue ringed octopus was asked by my child, my child plays drums

the list! 7 days more!!

[alycaonpictus]

Daily whale doodle (Day 30): Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) Not only am I finally done w/ beaked whales, but now I've drawn 30 cetaceans! 🥳 💙/🔁 are welcomed & appreciated!

[cuties-in-codices]

constellations: pegasus, delphinus, cetus, gallina, draco

in an astronomical-astrological miscellany, worms, c. 1426

source: Vatican, Bibl. Apostolica Vaticana, Pal. lat. 1368, fol. 51r-55r

[namu-the-orca]

Here's another one for SECAC; an adult male Short-beaked common dolphin. The female below is an older illustration (though I changed her slightly to match better) but I though it'd be fun to post them together to show the differences.

Although subtle, this species does display sexual dimorphism. Males tend to have bolder markings, especially around the face (the pectoral fin-to-chin stripe in females is often thinner and/or yellow instead of black) and the anal area. Most reliable for sexing though is the post-anal hump, the "bump" between the belly and flukes, which readily identifies all adult males.

Common dolphins are something of a comfort subject to me, I love drawing them and they always turn out so pretty (this is to say more about their natural beauty than my drawing prowess). This guy was a delight to draw and I'm very happy with the result.

[wild-e-eep]

A detatchment of common dolphins coming to check on the Tarbert - Portavadie ferry. (It was ok, but needs a bigger bow wave.)

[maayannarsen-ebook]

stay away from danger