Ancient eye test relied on two stars in Big Dipper
2 comments Print Me Email to FriendTonight is Friday, Mar 06 2009
Look back to this chart for more about how to recognize the Big and Little Dippers on these almost-spring evenings.
The ancient eye test for those wishing to join the Roman army was administered using stars in the handle of our modern-day Big Dipper. If you passed, you got a job as an archer. If you failed, you had to serve in another capacity … perhaps as a cook. It’s said that sultans of the past also tested their soldiers’ eyesight in this way.
You can take this ancient eye test, too. Go outside around 9 p.m. You should see the Big Dipper just off the northeast horizon. The middle star in the “tail” of the question mark, is Mizar. If you look for a couple seconds longer, you may see a little starry point right next to Mizar. This star is called Alcor. If you had lived in the time of the early Romans, and you had seen Alcor, you would have been eligible to be an archer in the Roman army. If not, you would have to have served as cook or in another capacity for the Caesar.
Mizar and Alcor are what is called a “visual double star. There are three light-year difference between Mizar (78 light years away) and Alcor (81 light years away). If correct, this three light-year difference makes it unlikely that Mizar and Alcor are gravitationally bound to each other.. However, Mizar is a true multiple star. It has several companion stars that are gravitationally bound to it and revolve around it.
Your site always has fascinating facts! Thank you for being there, you are my daily morning joy…
hey this site is so awesome do you think you could tell me how to look at tomorrow’s sky oh wait a minute this is a comment not a question rally never mind anyways this site is so cool oh well hey Teresa and another Teresa cool comments love,Peyton