An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Archer. A large constellation belonging to the → Zodiac, situated between → Scorpius and → Capricorn. It is located in the southern hemisphere at approximately 19h right ascension, 25° south declination. The constellation, part of which lies in the → Milky Way, contains the → Trifid Nebula, → Lagoon nebula, star clusters, and globular clusters. The center of the Galaxy lies in the direction of Sagittarius. Abbreviation: Sgr; Genitive: Sagittarii.

Etymology (EN): From L. sagittarius “archer,” literally “pertaining to arrows,” from → sagitta “arrow” + -arius “-ary.” In Gk. mythology, Sagittarius is identified as a centaur, half human, half horse.

In some legends, the Centaur Chiron was the son of Philyra and Saturn, who was said to have changed himself into a horse to escape his jealous wife, Rhea. Chiron was eventually immortalized in the constellation of → Centaurus, or in some version, Sagittarius.

Etymology (PE): Nimasb, from Mid.Pers. nêmasp “centaur, Sagittarius,” from nêm, nêmag “mid-, half” (Mod.Pers. nim); Av. naēma- “half;” cf. Skt. néma- “half” + asp “horse” (Mod.Pers. asb);
O.Pers. asa- “horse;” Av. aspa- “horse,” aspā- “mare,” aspaiia- “pertaining to the horse;” cf. Skt. áśva- “horse, steed;” Gk. hippos;
L. equus; O.Ir. ech; Goth. aihwa-; O.E. eoh “horse;” PIE base *ekwo- “horse.”