Eridanus

noun

Erid·​a·​nus i-ˈri-də-nəs How to pronounce Eridanus (audio)
astronomy
: a southern constellation that is visible stretching between the constellations of Orion and Phoenix and that is represented by the figure of a river
How can you tell whether a galaxy is turned on or not? A team of astronomers set out to answer that question by making a series of detailed radio, infrared, optical, and spectroscopic observations of an unusual spiral galaxy in Eridanus.Astronomy, August 1990

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Eridanus was in 1599

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Cite this Entry

“Eridanus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Eridanus. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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