Fixed Star Name : NODUS I Al Dhi'bah

 

Location Name : zeta Draco
Apparent Magnitude : 3.2 Spectral Class : B5
Right Ascension : 17h 08m Latitude : +84.45'
Declination (1900) : +65.50' Declination (2000) : +65.43'
 
Longitudinal Position (in 1900) : 01 Libra 51
Longitudinal Position (in 2000) : 03 Libra 23
Its Planetary Nature : Saturn - Mars

About this star:

Nodus 1 is a star in the body of the Dragon, Draco.

Arabians called it Al Dhi'bah, which was also a name for alpha (Thuban).

This star zeta along with eta, together were Al Dhubain, the Duo Lupi of the Arabs, "the Two Hyaenas" or "Wolves", lying in wait for the Camel's Foal.

In the Arabic theme for this constellation the stars beta (Alwaid), gamma (Etamin), nu (Kuma) and xi (Grumium) in the Head of the Dragon represent four mother camels protecting a baby camel from the attack of two hyenas (eta and this star zeta Draconis). The nomads camp located nearby (the three unnamed stars: upsilon, tau, and sigma).

They (eta and zeta) also were Al 'Auhakan, "the Two Black Bulls", or "Ravens", the Arabic word signifying either of these creatures. (Allen).


Influence of the constellation:

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 accidental poisoning. It gives craft, ingenuity, and valor. The Ancients said that when a comet was here, poison was scattered over the world. By the Kabbalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Mem and the 13th Tarot Trump, "Death". (Robson).



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