NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
From: Frank Reed
Date: 2020 Dec 11, 18:52 -0800
While we're at it, look for the star Dabih or β (beta) Capricorni about six degrees above Jupiter and Saturn this week. It's only third magnitude, but easy to find right now, directly above Jupiter/Saturn within the range of a binocular field of view.
Few people have heard of Dabih today, but 250 years ago, this star was a big deal -- the tenth lunars star! In the images below we see it in the front row seats, hobnobbing with the first magnitude stars right between Antares and Altair. Alas fame is fleeting, and β Cap was tossed within five years. Now it's all but forgotten.
Here's a brief thread on Beta Cap - the Tenth Lunars Star from early 2004, just a few weeks after I joined this community.
Frank Reed
PS: I was reminded of Dabih today from a photo taken by Fred Espenak. For those of you on Facebook, send him a friend request. I think he accepts anyone. He posts many fine photos, and, of course, eclipse news.
