Antares

Collected by Honor Maude from the people of Nauru. Antares (α-Scorpii) is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius. Because of its reddish color the ancient Greeks believed it represented the scorpion's heart.

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Step-by-Step Video Clips

Written Instructions

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Step 8 - Ellice Extension: 2, over (double) 1f, picks up (double) 1n; as 2 returns, press 1 against the side of 2; with the tips of 3, 4, and 5 press down 5f as palms turn partially away.

The winged, horizontally bisected double-walled diamond represents the star we call Antares (Nauruans call it Romwinimada). Throughout the Pacific it was an important calendar star. For example, in neighboring Kiribati the new year began when the Pleiades appeared on the eastern horizon shortly after sunset. When Antares rose at sunset everyone knew the year was half over.