Eridanus, the River, winds from Cursa, just above Rigel in Orion at far left into a huge loop of stars
that takes the River to the top right center of the picture where we
find Azha, where the River turns to the south. The
star just above the center is Zaurak, and the
brighter star at lower right is Acamar (Theta Eridani), which used
to end the River. Beid and Keid are just up and to the
left of Zaurak (Beid on top). Rana (Delta) is the
second star up from Zaurak, with
planet holding Epsilon next.
Eridanus now flows off the picture into the deep
south, where southern Eridanus ends with
brilliant Achernar. The two parts of the constellation are linked
by s Eridani (HR 789, the star closest to the lowr right corner).
Omega Eri is just up and to the right of Cursa, while Mu and Nu climb
above Omega.
Cursa is also "Orion's Footstool," an expanded version of which
includes the box that seems to sit on top of Rigel.
Eridanus was featured on
Astronomy
Picture of the Day for August 7, 2000.
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