Star Names
The Ostriches (an-na’a’im)
The Ostriches are the primary elements of a celestial complex that also includes the Nest (al-udhi) of the ostriches and the Wasteland (al-balda). Unlike the Lion or the Scorpion, each star of the Ostriches represents an individual ostrich. The Ostriches are divided into two groups, four Drinking Ostriches (an-na’am al-warid) and four Returning Ostriches (an-na’am as-sadir). The 9th star lies above and between the two groups, connecting them without necessarily being an ostrich itself.
The Ostriches (an-na’a’im) as they appear setting in the west about 45 minutes before sunrise in late June. Sky simulations made with Stellarium.
Appearance
Two groups of four bright stars, each arranged as a quadrilateral, with a ninth star connecting the two groups.
Modern Identification
γ SGR (Al Nasl), yellow giant star, magnitude 3.0
η SGR, orange star, magnitude 3.1
ε SGR (Kaus Australis), blue-white star, magnitude 1.9
δ SGR (Kaus Meridionalis), orange giant star, magnitude 2.7
λ SGR (Kaus Borealis), orange giant star, magnitude 2.8
φ SGR, blue star, magnitude 3.2
ζ SGR (Ascella), blue-white star, magnitude 3.3
τ SGR, yellow star, magnitude 3.3
σ SGR (Nunki), blue-white star, magnitude 2.0
Timing
The 8 or 9 stars of the Ostriches take about 12 days to rise and 20 days to set. Ibn Qutayba (d. 879 CE) reported that the Ostriches were said to rise on the morning of December 23 and set on the morning of June 23. On account of the precession of the equinoxes, today we can expect to observe the Ostriches setting from late June into mid-July and rising in mid to late January, as seen from the latitude of Tucson. (See How to Observe on the About page for more on this topic.)
Rain Stars
The Ostriches do not figure in the calendar of the rains stars.
Lunar Stations
In early listings of the lunar stations, the Ostriches are the 22nd station of the year. This was later changed to the 20th lunar station after the stations were adjusted to begin with the vernal equinox. Two stars from each of the two groups of Ostriches match the Hindu nakshatras called Purva Ashadha and Uttara Ashadha.
Related Stars and Celestial Complexes
The Ostriches are the primary stars of the Ostriches (an-na’a’im, النعائم) folkloric celestial complex.
Related Blog Posts
Ostriches in the Sweltering Wasteland