Cygnus "The Swan" Constellation

Cygnus is a northern constellation lying on the plane of the Milky Way, deriving its name from the Latinized Greek word for swan. It features a prominent asterism known as the Northern Cross

In Greek Mythology, Cygnus involves two Gods who were racing chariots in space. The two friends were so intent and focused on the race that they were not paying attention to where they were going. Suddenly, they found themselves too close to the sun, and their chariots started to melt. The two friends fell toward the Earth. One fell through some trees, which broke his fall. The other landed in a river and was knocked unconscious. The first friend wanted to rescue the other from the river but did not know how to swim. He asked Zeus to turn him into a swan, so that he could dive to the bottom of the river and save his friend. 

Moved by the young man’s friendship, Zeus turned him into a swan. He dove to the bottom of the river and saved his friend’s life. Zeus was again moved by his bravery, so when the swan died, Zeus placed him in the sky to serve as a reminder of courage and friendship.

Centaurus Constellation

The Centaurus constellation has a large, four-sided shape representing the human head and torso, attached to two legs. Rigel Kentaurus, the triple star system that contains Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Sun.

Centaurus is one of two constellations said to represent the Centaurs, mythical creatures with a human head and torso on top of a horse's body. 

Centaurus was the name of the first Centaur. Centaurus is also associated with Chiron the Sagittarius. One legend says that Chiron was the first to identify the constellations and taught them to humans. As a demonstration, he placed an image of himself in the sky.

Scorpio Constellation

The constellation Scorpio represents a great scorpion who fought toe to toe with the great hunter Orion. Scorpio is one of the largest constellations in the night sky. The bright star Antares, is the scorpion's heart.

According to the Greek mythology, Orion was envied by his lover's brother Apollo for being the most handsome man alive. Apollo went to Mother Earth and asked her to create a giant scorpion, which then stung and killed Orion. 

Sagittarius "The Archer" Constellation

Sagittarius is usually depicted as a centaur holding a bow and arrow. It is one of the largest southern constellations. It is easy to find because it lies on the Milky Way and its brightest stars form an asterism known as the Teapot.

The constellation Sagittarius is primarily associated with Chiron, a wise, immortal being who was King of the Centaurs and was said to be skilled in the healing arts, and to be a scholar and a prophet. 

According to the Greek Mythology, Chiron was one of the many centaurs. However, he was different from all of the other centaurs for a number of reasons. One main reason was that Chiron was born half man and half horse, whereas the other centaurs were born of the sun and rain clouds. 

One day Chiron was accidentally shot with a poisoned arrow by Hercules. Even though he was a great physician, Chiron could not heal himself. And because he was immortal, Chiron also could not die but he was suffering from the agonizing pain caused by the poisoned arrow.

In order to die, Chiron offered to replace Prometheus who was punished by the Gods for giving fire to man. As Chiron gave up his immortality to release Prometheus from his chains, Zeus king of the gods saw the kindness of Chiron and immortalized him in the stars.

Black Eye Galaxy (Messier 64)

 

Gemini "The Twins" Constellation

 Date: May 14, 2021

Time: 07:00PM GMT+8

Location: 12.0719N 120.0602E

The constellation Gemini represents the twins Castor and Pollux in Greek mythology. The children of Leda and Argonauts both. Pollux was the son of Zeus, who seduced Leda, while Castor was the son of Tyndareus, king of Sparta and Leda's husband. When Castor died, because he was mortal, Pollux begged his father Zeus to give Castor immortality, and he did, by uniting them together in the heavens.

Big Dipper Constellation

Date: May 9, 2021

Time: 09:47PM GMT+8

Location: 12.0489N 120.1519E

In Roman mythology, the Big Dipper is associated with the beautiful nymph Callisto who gave birth to the son of Jupiter (Zeus in Greek mythology). Juno (Greek Hera), the wife of Jupiter, turned Callisto into a bear out of jealousy as to punish Callisto and take away her beauty.

Corvus Constellation

Date: May 9, 2021

Time: 09:47PM GMT+8

Location: 12.0489N 120.1519E

The constellation Corvus represents the raven (or crow), Apollo's sacred bird in Greek mythology. According to the myth, the raven originally had white feathers. Apollo told the bird to watch over Coronis the Lapith, one of his lovers, who was pregnant at the time. Coronis had been unfaithful to Apollo; when he learned this information from a pure white crow, he turned its feathers black in a fit of rage.

Virgo Constellation

Date: May 9, 2021 

Time: 9:47PM GMT+8

Location: 12.0489N 120.1519E

The constellation Virgo is usually depicted with angel-like wings holding an ear of wheat in her left hand, marked by the bright star Spica. It is often said to personify Persephone the Goddess of spring season, daughter of Demeter the Goddess of harvest. 

According to the Greek mythology, eternal spring once reigned upon the Earth until Persephone was abducted by the God of the underworld Hades. Her mother Demeter was so overcome with grief over the loss of her beloved daughter that she ruined the harvest in her despair. The Earth  would not bear fruit again until Demeter is reunited with her daughter Persephone. 

Humanity would have died altogether had Zeus not intervened. He insisted that the God of the underworld Hades return Persephone to her mother Demeter. Persephone was then given back to her mother, but she has to return to the underworld for four months in every year.

Debris of the crashing Chinese rocket (CZ-5B) as it burns through the Earth's atmosphere upon re-entry, as of 08:03PM GMT+8.

Location: Coron, Palawan, PH