The night sky is filled with more stories than one episode can hold.

In this special bonus episode of Cosmic Tales, we return to some of the most recognizable constellations from our journey through the winter sky—not to revisit the main stories, but to uncover the myths and legends that didn’t make it into the original episodes.

These are the extra tales hidden behind the stars.

We begin with Orion, the legendary hunter, and explore stories beyond the famous Greek myth—including traditions that connected this brilliant constellation with powerful figures from other cultures and eras.

Then we follow the eternal rivalry between Orion and Scorpius, discovering why these two constellations appear forever separated across the sky and how their myth became one of the most memorable stories of the zodiac.

Next, we return to Canis Major and Canis Minor, the celestial dogs of the heavens, to explore additional legends surrounding faithful companions, legendary hunters, and the brightest star in the night sky: Sirius.

Finally, we revisit Lepus, the Hare, to uncover more stories connected with this small constellation hiding beneath Orion’s feet, including traditions and interpretations beyond the main episode.

Along the way, we explore:
✨ Additional myths and cultural traditions connected with these constellations
✨ Forgotten stories that were too fascinating to leave behind
✨ How different civilizations looked at the same stars and created different legends

The constellations have always held more than one story.

Join Cosmic Tales for these extra journeys through mythology, history, and the science written among the stars.

Music: Ethereal Galaxy by Konstantin Pazuzu Studio

Sound Engineer: Ian Evans

A small hare hides beneath the feet of one of the most famous hunters in the night sky. But the story of Lepus, the Hare constellation, is not just one tale—it is a reminder that the same stars can inspire completely different legends across cultures.

In this episode of Cosmic Tales, we begin with the Greek mythology surrounding Lepus, the celestial hare forever placed among the stars near Orion the Hunter. Discover the legends connected to this elusive creature and why ancient skywatchers imagined a rabbit racing across the heavens.

Then we travel to Japan, where the stars of Lepus connect with the tradition of Sakka, the celestial rabbit. Explore how the image of a rabbit in the sky became linked with stories of the Moon, devotion, and transformation in Japanese folklore.

Finally, we uncover the astronomy behind the constellation Lepus:
- Arneb, a massive aging star shining from the feet of Orion
- The red giant stars that reveal the life cycles of stars
- Messier 79, an ancient globular cluster containing some of the oldest stars in the Milky Way
- How astronomers study these distant treasures hidden in the night sky

One constellation. Two hares. Countless stories.

Join Cosmic Tales as we explore the mythology, history, and science written among the stars.

Sources:

https://www.brelief.org/jataka/sasa/sasa.html

https://rebelstargazer.substack.com/p/lepus-the-hare

https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/lepus-constellation/

Music: Distant Galaxy by SP Music

Sound Engineer: Ian Evans

Cosmic Tales: Canis Major and Canis Minor vs. The Celestial Wolf

Two dogs. A celestial wolf. One of the brightest stars in the night sky.

In this episode of Cosmic Tales, we explore the stories hidden in the constellations Canis Major and Canis Minor, the two faithful companions that have followed humanity's gaze across the stars for thousands of years.

We begin with the Greek myths behind these canine constellations, including the legendary hunting dog Laelaps, a creature destined to never miss its prey, and the faithful hounds associated with the hunter Orion. Discover how these dogs earned their place among the stars and why Canis Major, home to the brilliant star Sirius, became one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky.

Then we travel east to ancient China, where the stars of this region were connected not with a hunting dog, but with Tianlang—the Celestial Wolf. Explore how Chinese astronomy divided the night sky into different celestial regions and how this powerful wolf represented protection, military strength, and the guardianship of the empire.

Finally, we uncover the astronomy behind these famous constellations:
- Sirius, the brightest star visible from Earth
- The science behind binary stars and stellar companions
- Procyon, the “Little Dog Star” of Canis Minor
- Star clusters and deep-sky objects hidden within Canis Major

The same stars can tell very different stories depending on who is looking up. Join Cosmic Tales as we explore the mythology, history, and science written across the night sky.

As always, please excuse any bad pronunciations.

Sources:

https://www.theoi.com/Ther/KuonLailaps.html

https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Laelaps/laelaps.html

https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Figures/Maera/maera.html

https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Teumessian_fox/teumessian_fox.html

http://www.ianridpath.com/startales/canismajor.html

https://www.atnf.csiro.au/research/colearnia/public/co-learnium_20210520.pdf

https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/canis-major-constellation/

https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellation-list/canis-minor-constellation/

Music: "Distant Galaxy" by SP Music

Sound Engineer: Ian Evans