| Fixed star: NODUS I Al Dhi’bah | |
| Constellation: Zeta (ζ) Draco | |
| Longitude 1900: 01LIB51 | Longitude 2000: 03LIB23 |
| Declination 1900: +65.50′ | Declination 2000: +65.43′ |
| Right ascension: 17h 08m | Latitude: +84.45′ |
| Spectral class: B5 | Magnitude: 3.2 |
The history of the star: Nodus 1
from p.210 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Zeta (ζ) Draco, Nodus 1, is a star in the body of the Dragon.
The Arabs called it Al Dhi’bah, that we have also seen for alpha (α Thuban).
The Chinese knew it as Shang Pih, the Higher Minister.
Half-way between it and delta (δ Nodus 11), within 7′ of the planetary nebula N.G.C. (New Galaxy Catalog) 6543, is the north pole of the ecliptic; the south pole being in the head of Dorado. Denning considers zeta (ζ this star Nodus 1) the radiant point of the meteor streams of the 19th of January and of the 28th of March.
This star zeta (ζ Nodus 1) along with eta (unnamed), together were Al Dhubain, the Duo Lupi of the Arabs, “the Two Hyaenas” or “Wolves”, lying in wait for the Camel’s Foal, the little star Al Ruba (?), protected by the Mother Camels, the larger stars in Draco‘s head.
In the Arabic theme for this constellation the stars beta (Alwaid), gamma (Etamin), nu (Kuma) and xi (Grumium) in the Head of the Dragon represent four mother camels protecting a baby camel from the attack of two hyenas (eta and this star zeta Draconis). The nomads camp located nearby (the three unnamed stars: upsilon, tau, and sigma).
They (zeta ζ and eta η) also were Al ‘Auhakan, “the Two Black Bulls”, or “Ravens”, the Arabic word signifying either of these creatures.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Draco
Legend: Draco represents the dragon that guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides. According to other accounts, however, it is either the dragon thrown by the giants at Minerva in their war with the Gods, or the serpent Python slain by Apollo after the deluge. [Robson, p.43.]
Influences: According to Ptolemy the bright stars are like Saturn and Mars. Draco gives an artistic and emotional but somber nature, a penetrating and analytical mind, much travel and many friends but danger of robbery and of accidental poisoning. It was said by the Ancients that when a comet was here poison was scattered over the world. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Mem and the 13th Tarot Trump “Death.” [Robson, p.43.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].