The Cygnus constellationwhose name is derived from the Latin word for swan, which it resemblesis at the center of a 340-year-old astronomy mystery.
One of the oldest recognized constellations, in 1670 Johannes Hevelius recorded a new star just below the birds beak, and published the illustration in the journal (which is still around today).
The star was visible to the naked eye for two years, and then mysteriously disappearedonly to fade in and out a few more times before vanishing for good. In recent decades, it was thought to be a novaan exploding star. But now that the mysterious speck wasnt a star or a nova at all. Rather, , the scientists determined after studying the molecular profile left behind.
Hevelius observations of starsand his artful depictions of their place in the skywas instrumental in advancing science. At a time when heliocentrismthe knowledge that the earth revolves around the sun, rather than vice-versa as the church claimedwas still a novel and controversial concept, proving that the universe was a dynamic ecosystem of bodies would be a major feat for science, science journalist last year.
There are about the cosmic swan. One ancient Greek story suggests that it is Zeus, disguised as a swan to seduce a woman named Leda. Successful in wooing her, they became the parents of Helen of Troy. In another version, Zeus seduces swan-cult goddess, Nemesis, who lays an egg containing Helen; then Zeus puts a swan in the sky to celebrate his success.
Even if you can no longer spot the star in question, you can still find the night-sky bird .
