What does Polaris mean? Find translations of the names of many of the major stars.
Some of the more established star names are listed here with their origins and meanings. The meanings behind some stars' names are open to debate because of mistranslations over time, while some stars' name origins have been lost.
The Origins and Meanings of Star Names
- Achernar - Also known as Alpha Eridani, a star in Eridanus the River, Achernar is Arabic for "end of the river".
- Albireo - Beta Cygni in Cygnus the Swan is the best known double star, however its name origins remain obscure.
- Aldebaran - The brightest star in Taurus, Alpha Tauri, is Arabic for "follower" because it trails behind the Pleiades in the sky.
- Algol - Also known as Beta Persei in Perseus, Algol is Arabic for "The Ghoul" because it is a mysterious star that changes its brightness.
- Altair - One of the Summer Triangle stars, Alpha Aquilae in Aquila the Eagle, is Arabic for "the flying one".
- Antares - This reddish star was considered a rival of Mars, which is how it got its name from the Greek "anti-Ares". Antares is the Alpha star in Scorpius.
- Arcturus - Greek for "Bear Guard", Arcturus is the Alpha star in Bootes the Herdsman. Similar to how Aldebaran got its name, Arcturus follows the constellation of Ursa Major (the Great Bear) across the sky.
- Betelgeuse - Alpha Orionis, or Betelgeuse, has a name slightly disputed, but most consider Betelgeuse to be Arabic for "armpit of Orion".
- Canopus - This star shares its name with a port in Egypt and a Greek helmsman of Menelaus's. It is the Alpha star in Carina.
- Capella - Latin for "she-goat", Capella is the Alpha star in Auriga. Dimmer stars nearby were referred to as Capella's kids.
- Castor - The dimmer of the two main stars in Gemini, Castor is Greek for "beaver". Castor is also Alpha Geminorum.
- Deneb - Deneb, of Alpha Cygni, one of the stars of the Summer Triangle, is Arabic for "the tail of the hen". Cygnus is the constellation of the Swan.
- Fomalhaut - Arabic for "mouth of the fish", Fomalhaut is the Alpha star in Pisces Austrinus, the Southern Fish.
- Mira - The Omicron star in Cetus the whale changes its brightness and gets its name from the Latin word for "wonderful".
- Mizar - The Zeta star in Ursa Major, Mizar is Arabic for "the wrapping".
- Polaris - The Pole Star gets its name from the Latin "Stella Polaris". It is also Alpha Ursa Minoris.
Twins Castor and Pollux Have Unusual Names
- Pollux - The brighter of the two main stars in Gemini, Pollux is Latin from the Greek Polydeuces, which means "much wine". Pollux is also known as Beta Geminorum.
- Procyon - Greek for "Before the Dog", Procyon is also Alpha Canis Minoris and rises in the sky before Sirius the Dog Star.
- Proxima - This star is Latin for "nearest" because it is in the Alpha Centauri binary system that is closest to Earth.
- Regulus - The Alpha star in Leo the Lion is Latin for "prince".
- Rigel - The star Beta Orionis, or Rigel, is at the bottom of Orion the Hunter and means "the foot" in Arabic.
- Sirius - Greek for "scorching", Sirius is the brightest star in the sky. Also known as Alpha Canis Majoris.
- Spica - Latin for "ear of wheat", Spica, or Alpha Virginis, is in the location on Virgo where the maiden is said to be holding wheat.
- Thuban - Arabic for "the snake", Thuban, or Alpha Draconis, is part of the long and winding constellation of the dragon.
- Vega - Arabic for "the swooping" eagle, Vega is part of the Summer Triangle and the brightest star in the constellation Lyra. The constellation of Aquila the Eagle is nearby.
Sources: The Astronomical Companion and Jim Kaler's Stars.
The copyright of the article Star Names and Their Meanings in Astronomy History is owned by Kelly Whitt. Permission to republish Star Names and Their Meanings in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
 |
