iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

🔵 Yunyu — γ Psc Yellow G-type giant in #Pisces, mag 3.70. 🌡️ 4,833 K | 1.20 M☉ | 130 ly “Yún Yǔ” (云雨) “Clouds and Rain,” an ancient Chinese asterism associated with thunder, rainfall, and agricultural prosperity. #Yunyu #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy #HistoricalAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

🔵 Fenmu — η Aqr Bluish B8/9 V-type star in #Aquarius, mag 4.03. 🌡️ 11,042 K | 2.96 M☉ | 183 ly “Fén Mù” (墳墓) “Tomb,” an ancient Chinese celestial asterism reflecting funerary traditions. #Fenmu #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy #HistoricalAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

🔵 Jordanus — 25 CVn White A-type binary in #CanesVenatici, mag 4.95. 🌡️ 7609 K | 2.95 M☉ | 191 ly “River Jordan” a historical constellation introduced by Petrus Plancius in 1612. #Jordanus #IAUStarNames #HistoricalAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

🟡 Jiu — ι Peg Yellow-white F-type star in #Pegasus, mag 3.77. 🌡️ 6580 K | 1.40 M☉ | 38 ly “Mortar”، Jiù, paired with Nèichǔ (Inner Pestle) in an ancient Chinese asterism. #Jiu #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

🔵 Tianyue — 4 Sgr Blue-white A0 star in #Sagittarius, mag 4.72. 🌡️ 9661 K | 3.30 M☉ | 436 ly “Celestial Keyhole” Tiān Yuè, a Chinese asterism governing opening and closing. #Tianyue #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

🟠 Alqiladah — ο Sgr Orange giant in #Sagittarius, mag 3.77. 🌡️ 4744 K | 1.10 M☉ | 138 ly “Necklace” al-Qilādah, an indigenous Arabian six-star asterism recorded by early astronomers. #Alqiladah #IAUStarNames #ArabicAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

🔵 Alwasl — HD 171034 Blue-white giant in #Sagittarius, mag 5.27. 🌡️ 18,800 K | 7.3 M☉ | ~1,199 ly “Connection” Al-Waṣl, (الوَصل) linking the Incoming and Outgoing Ostriches in Arabic astronomy. #Alwasl #IAUStarNames #ArabicAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

🟡 Neichu — π² Peg Yellow-white giant in #Pegasus, mag 4.3. 🌡️ 6300 K | 1.71 M☉ | 3.54 R☉ | 251 ly “Inner Pestle” Nèichǔ, paired with Jiù (Mortar) in an ancient Chinese asterism. #Neichu #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

🔴 Alqubba — β CrA Red giant in #CoronaAustralis, mag 4.1. 🌡️ 4575 K | 5.17 M☉ | 38 R☉ | 436 ly “Domed tent” Al-Qubba, an Arabic asterism of the Southern Crown. #Alqubba #IAUStarNames #ArabicAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

🔵 Leidian — ρ Peg Clear white A-type star in #Pegasus, mag 5.9. 🌡️ 9484 K | 2.5 M☉ | 2.25 R☉ | 282 ly “Thunder and Lightning” Léi Diàn (雷電), an ancient Chinese asterism that appears and vanishes almost instantly, with no direct connection to meteorology. #Leidian #RhoPegasi #IAUStarNames

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

🟠 Magur — HD 168592 Orange giant in #CoronaAustralis, mag 6.0. 🌡️ 4148 K | 1.18 M☉ | 43 R☉ | 490 ly “Boat/Ship” MA₂.GUR₈, an ancient Babylonian constellation south of Sagittarius. #Magur #IAUStarNames #BabylonianAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

🔴 Pabilsang — ν² Sgr Red giant in #Sagittarius, mag 4.3. 🌡️ 4244 K | 1.44 M☉ | 85 R☉ | 270 ly Pabilsāg, a Sumerian god of Larak, depicted as a winged centaur with a scorpion tail. #Pabilsang #IAUStarNames #SumerianAstronomy

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ContempraInn 🌹 @contemprainn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

The Temple of Khnum in Esna Egypt 🇪🇬 sits nine meters below modern street level and is celebrated for its breathtakingly preserved hypostyle hall, vibrant recent color restorations, and intimate, awe-inspiring atmosphere

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations, Dr. Jörg Matthias Determann, on your new book, Teaching Science Through Science Fiction! 📚🚀 Exploring how sci-fi can spark curiosity and inspire scientific thinking and innovation in education. 🌌✨ #WGSN #IAU

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

🔴 Qedty — δ CrA Red giant in #CoronaAustralis, mag 4.6. 🌡️ 4645 K | 1.5 M☉ | 11.25 R☉ | 185 ly “Two Nets” an ancient Egyptian constellation from decan star clocks, c. 2000 BCE, linked to the celestial Boat. #Qedty #IAUStarNames #EgyptianAstronomy

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IAU Office of Astronomy for Education @astro4edu.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Save the Date: The next AstroEdu Conference will be held 24-26th of August 2027 in Leuven, Belgium. All astronomy education researchers, practitioners, teachers and educators and their friends and colleagues are invited to participate! 🔭 #astroedu More information: indico.fys.kuleuven.be/event/189/

indico.fys.kuleuven.be

Astronomy Education Conference 2027

The Astronomy Education Conference is coming to Leuven, Belgium, in 2027! Continuing the conference series, we are bringing together the growing community of researchers and practitioners interested i...

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

🟡 Munìng — γ Ser Yellow-white star in #Serpens, mag 3.8. 🌡️ 6296 K | 1.21 M☉ | 1.46 R☉ | 36 ly “Small Rock Cod” a Wardaman name shared by γ & β Ser, preserving an Indigenous Australian fish tradition. #Munìng #IAUStarNames #WardamanAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

⚪ Kenemu — ρ¹ Sgr White variable subgiant in #Sagittarius, mag 3.9. 🌡️ 7469 K | 1.91 M☉ | 3.31 R☉ | 127 ly “Kenmu” the 17th Egyptian decan, associated with the divine crew of Wia, the Celestial Boat. #Kenemu #IAUStarNames #EgyptianAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

🔴 Heryibwia — η Sgr Red giant in #Sagittarius, mag 3.1. 🌡️ 3691 K | 2.2 M☉ | 130 R☉ | 700 ly “Middle of the Boat” an ancient Egyptian name from the Diagonal Star Clocks, c. 2300 BCE. #Heryibwia #IAUStarNames #EgyptianAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

🔵 Imai — δ Cru Blue-white subgiant in #Crux, mag 2.8. 🌡️ 20,400 K | 8.9 M☉ | 7.2 R☉ | 345 ly Mursi name for a riverbank grass and δ Cru, whose heliacal setting signals Omo flooding and cowpea planting. #Imai #IAUStarNames #MursiAstronomy

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ESO @eso.org · 24/08/2026

A bubbling Betelgeuse ⭐️ 🫧 This ALMA image is one of the most detailed views yet of the surface of the iconic star Betelgeuse. The surface is uneven & lumpy, with peaks and troughs originating from giant bubbles of hot gas rising from deep within the star to its surface. 🔭 🧪 1/2

A star’s almost circular shape in various shades of orange, centred against a black background. The edge of the shape has smoothed bumps and extensions, and is a darker orange compared to most of the shape’s interior which is orange to light orange.

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

🟠 Arin-majlep — ε Aql Orange giant in #Aquila, mag 4.0. 🌡️ 4760 K | 2.1 M☉ | 10.1 R☉ | 179 ly “Replica of the Big Eye” — a traditional Marshallese asterism of ε, ζ & ω Aql, with Altair as the “Big Eye.” #ArinMajlep #IAUStarNames

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

🔴 Niandao ,13 Lyr Red giant in #Lyra, mag 4.0. 🌡️ 3313 K | 1.2 M☉ | 115 R☉ | 349 ly “Imperial Passageway” an ancient Chinese asterism representing the emperor’s private celestial route. #Niandao #IAUStarNames

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

🟡 Tianjinnan — ζ Cyg Yellow giant in #Cygnus, mag 3.2. 🌡️ ~4,900 K | ~3 M☉ | ~25 R☉ | ~200 ly “Southern Star of the Celestial Ferry,” an ancient Chinese asterism spanning the Milky Way. #Tianjinnan #IAUStarNames

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

⚪ Pulcherrima — ε Boo White A-type star in #Boötes, mag 2.6. 🌡️ 9009 K | 2.2 M☉ | 2.74 R☉ | 236 ly “Most beautiful” named by Friedrich Struve for the striking white–orange contrast with Izar. #Pulcherrima #IAUStarNames #BinaryStar

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

🔴 Alrumh (الرُمح) — 34 Boo Red giant in #Boötes, mag 4.8. 🌡️ 3691 K | 2.2 M☉ | 130 R☉ | 700 ly “Lance” an ancient Arabic asterism forming the weapon of al-Simāk al-Rāmih (Arcturus). #Alrumh #IAUStarNames #ArabicAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

🌌 Qixi Festival — 七夕节 Aug 19 marks Qixi, the Chinese Festival of Love. Vega (Zhinü) and Altair (Niulang) reunite across the Milky Way on a bridge of magpies. 🐦✨ 🌉 Tianjin (天津), the “Celestial Ford,” lies in #Cygnus. #Qixi #IAU #Astronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

⚪ Pongaponga — ε¹ Lyr A White A-type star in #Lyra, mag ~4.7. “ Nostrils” a traditional Pukapuka name for the visual double ε¹/ε² Lyr. ε¹ Lyr A has a cooler F-type companion orbiting over 1,000 years. #Pongaponga #IAUStarNames #Pukapuka #Lyra

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Jörg Matthias Determann @determann.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

I am beyond fortunate to have @emadscifi.bsky.social. He was the first to request a copy of my new @springer.springernature.com, Teaching Science Through Science Fiction. Thanks to his editor at The Liberum, Arthur Blok, his review is also the first to be published. theliberum.com/exclusive-te...

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

🟠 Ninnisig — θ Lyr Orange variable giant in Lyra. Ninnisig was a Sumerian goddess and the “butcher of the highest temple,” paired with Erragal in ancient sky lore. 🌡️ 4,523 K | 4.7 M☉ | 85 R☉ | 768 ly 🔬 K-type giant. #Ninnisig #IAUStarNames #SumerianAstronomy 🌌✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

🟠 Jiantai — δ2 Lyr Red giant in Lyra. Jian Tai is a Chinese constellation that resembles astronomical timekeeping and musical pitch calibration. 🌡️ 3,394 K | 4.5 M☉ | 293 R☉ | 898 ly 🔬 M-type giant. #Jiantai #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

🌟 Honouring Prof. Clive Ruggles On 14 July 2026, Clive received an honorary D.Sc. from the University of Leicester for his pioneering work in cultural astronomy. His research on traditional star names worldwide continues to inform WGSN. Congratulations, Clive! 🎓✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

⚪ Uñallamacha — HD 155985 A blue supergiant in Scorpius, preserving the Inka Baby Llama from the dark skies of the Andes. WGSN selected this faint star to represent the celestial calf. 🌡️ 26,000 K | 25 M☉ | 35 R☉ | 4,727 ly 🔬 B0.5 Ia/b blue supergiant #Uñallamacha #IAUStarNames #InkaAstronomy 🦙✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

🟡 Urquchillay — ζ² Lyr Yellow-white star in Lyra. Urquchillay (“Llama of Many Colors”) was the Inka guardian of llamas and wild animals. WGSN placed the name on ζ² Lyrae, near the heart of the celestial llama. 🌡️ 7,257 K | 1.43 M☉ | 2.28 R☉ | 150 ly 🔬 Rapidly rotating F1 V star. #Urquchillay

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

🔵 Kautoki — ζ¹ Lyr Yellow-white binary in Lyra, preserving Kapingamarangi’s Polynesian sky tradition. 🧵 “Handle of the adze” (kau-toki), a celestial woodworking tool. 🌡️ 7,914 K | 2.36 M☉ | 153 ly 🔬 Chemically peculiar binary. #Kautoki #IAUStarNames 🌌

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

🔴 Ping — ε Lep Red giant in Lepus. Píng (屏, “Screen”) is an ancient Chinese asterism representing the privacy screen before a toilet both mapped in the sky. 🌡️ 4,131 K | 1.18 M☉ | 44 R☉ | 226 ly 🔬 K4 III giant with solar-like oscillations. #Ping #IAUStarNames #ChineseAstronomy ✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

🔵 Udang — θ Cap Blue-white binary in Capricornus. Udang (“The Shrimp”) comes from the 1,300-year-old Balinese Palelintangan sky tradition, where Capricornus forms a shrimp instead of a Goat-Fish. 🌡️ 10,221 K | 2.59 M☉ | 2.25 R☉ | 158 ly 🔬 A1 V binary. #Udang #IAUStarNames #BalineseAstronomy 🦐✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

🟡 Tepiamenit — τ Boo 🔵 Khepdenreret — ε Her Ancient Egyptian sky names reborn. Tepiamenit (“Predecessor of Menit”) and Khepdenreret (“Buttocks of Reret”) preserve the Hippopotamus Goddess Reret from the Ramesside Star Clocks (~1200 BCE), linking modern stars to Egypt’s celestial heritage. ✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

🟠 Tonglingxing — HIP 33694 Orange giant in Camelopardalis. Tóng Líng (桐陵, “Phoenix Tree Mound”) is a rare 2,000-year-old Chinese name from the Purple Forbidden Palace. WGSN adopted Tonglingxing to avoid confusion with asteroid Tongling. 🌡️ 4,160 K | 1.29 M☉ | 18.7 R☉ | 191 ly #Tonglingxing

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

🟡 Genghe — σ Boo Yellow-white F-type star in Boötes. Gěnghé (梗河) means “Celestial Lance,” an ancient Chinese asterism of three stars. 🌡️ 6,594 K | 3.84 M☉ | 1.47 R☉ | 50 ly 🔬 F4 V star with a strong magnetic field & X-ray emission. #Genghe #IAUStarNames #Bootes ✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

✨ Happy Tanabata! 🎋 Missed your chance to send wishes to the stars on July 7? This year, you'll have another opportunity on August 19 (the 7th day of the 7th lunar month). Look up at Vega & Altair, greet them, and perhaps make a wish they're always there. 🌌✨ #Tanabata #Astronomy

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

🟠 Kalasungsang — ρ Boo Orange giant in Boötes. The Balinese name Kalasungsang means “upside-down demon,” from kala (“time/death”), reminding us not to waste time. 🌡️ 4,285 K | 1.16 M☉ | 35 R☉ | 148 ly 🔬 K3 III giant. #Kalasungsang #IAUStarNames #Bootes ⏳✨

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Dwight Williams 🇨🇦 @dewline.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Okay, for the purposes of my #starmap projects, I've got this added in...

Screenshot of work in progress starmap, depicting the new name of Alpha Scuti, Tiān Biàn. Map designed by Dwight Williams. Screenshot recorded 5 July 2026.

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

🔴 Telum — γ Sge Red giant in Sagitta. Telum (“the Dart”) was the Latin name for the constellation in classic European atlases by Dürer, Bayer & Kepler. WGSN assigned it to γ Sge. 🌡️ 3,904 K | 1.2 M☉ | 52 R☉ | 273 ly #Telum #IAUStarNames #Sagitta

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

🟠 Tianbian — α Sct An orange giant in Scutum, preserving the ancient Chinese asterism Tiān Biàn (“Celestial Cap”), recorded since ~100 BCE as part of the Celestial Market. 🌡️ 4,315 K | 1.14 M☉ | 31 R☉ | 174 ly 🔬 K-type giant with slight brightness variations. #ChineseAstronomy #Scutum ✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

🟡 Shakh — β Sge A golden giant in Sagitta, preserving the ancient Sumerian constellation ŠAH (“The Pig”), recorded in MUL.APIN (c. 1350–1150 BCE). Together with α Sge, it marked the Pig’s snout. 🌡️ 4,990 K | 4.05 M☉ | 85 R☉ | 466 ly 🔬 G8 III giant. #Shakh #IAUStarNames #SumerianAstronomy #Sagitta 🐖✨

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

🌌 Yaqana & Uñallamacha | The Llama Constellations of the Inka Sky Not all constellations are made of stars. In Inka astronomy, Yaqana and her calf, Uñallamacha, emerge from the dark clouds of the Milky Way, reminding us that even darkness can tell a story. #IndigenousAstronomy #Inka #MilkyWay

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IAU Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) @iau-wgsn.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

⚪ Yaqana — ε Nor A blue-white triple star honoring the Inka Mother Llama, one of the Milky Way’s famous dark constellations. WGSN placed the name at the llama’s udder, symbolizing nourishment. 🌡️ 11,100 K | 6.5 M☉ | 4.4 R☉ | 399 ly 🔬 B2 V triple system. #Yaqana #IAUStarNames #InkaAstronomy 🌌🦙

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