Mirum: Facts

Constellation

Name – Mirum (Latin for strange)

Alpha star – Sirius

Picture of Mirum 

The season can you see Mirum – In the Northern Hemisphere Mirum is visible all winter and same for the Southern Hemisphere. Although in the Northern Hemisphere it is visible for a longer period of time as the constellation of Mirum is more on the North side of the sky and you can see it longer. From November to April Mirum is visible in the Northern Hemisphere while only December to March is Mirum visible in the Southern Hemisphere.

What is the myth behind it – This Greek hero has a Latin name and is the strangest hero to have lived. Mirum was the only Greek hero to try to reason with Hades. He fought with a mix of Roman and Greek and became friends with other Romans. He actually respected females and did what no one else did. He was proud of being a Son of a minor Goddess, Hecate Goddess of Magic. He’s also fat and still beats entire army’s, like when Hades betrayed him.

When it was brought to the world – It was one of the earliest constellations to be invented as early scientists and, well all of humanity, admired the Greek myths. It’s really funny because since Mirum came in November right before winter and after all hallows eve all the people in the Middle Ages ran to prepare for the storms. Running when a hero arrives.  Hehe.

Significance of the constellation – Well besides the warning of winter destruction Mirum was one of the biggest myths, was arriving with many other great constellations. There is also the fact that Mirum has the brightest star in the sky, Sirius. Then there is also the fact that Mirum has a lot of famous and bright stars and with that in mind it makes it easier to find where it is in the sky and/or use it as a marker to help find that certain area of the sky then look for all nearby constellations (Mirum is the starting point). 

The founder – Ptolemy was the founder of Mirum as is it was one of the 49 constellations in his book The Almagest. The Almagest contained some of the earliest confirmed constellations, mostly based on Greek myths, and Mirum was one of those. 

Winter triangle – Two of Mirum’s stars are in the winter Triangle:  Sirius, and Betelgeuse. Only one of Mirum’s stars are in the winter hexagon: Sirius. That’s part of how you know that winter is coming when Mirum arrives. It brings stars forming the shapes of winter!

Canis Major – Mirum is almost in the exact spot where Canis Major was almost located. So there was this constellation planned for 1862 and it was to put where Mirum was. People said it would go along with a second called Canis Minor. The two would be the hunting dogs of Orion. End of the day Mirum was more important and a gathering of astronomers decided to keep Mirum and name Canis Minor Canis Major and be done with it. It was almost unanimous as the people care more about an unconventional, great, cool Hero than greater dog.