List of Arabic star names
This is a list of Arabic star names. In Western astronomy, most of the accepted star names are Arabic, a few are Greek and some are of unknown origin. Typically only bright stars have names.[1]
History of Arabic star names
[edit]Very old star names originated among people who lived in the Arabian Peninsula more than a thousand years ago, after the rise of Islam.[2] However, some Arabic language star names sprang up later in history, as translations of ancient Greek language descriptions.
The astronomer Claudius Ptolemy in his Almagest (2nd century) tabulated the celestial position and brightness (visual magnitude) of 1,025 stars. Ptolemy's book was translated into Arabic in the 8th and 9th centuries and became famous in Europe as a 12th-century Latin translation. Many of the Arabic-language star descriptions in the Almagest came to be widely used as names for stars.
Ptolemy used a strategy of "figure reference" to identify stars according to their position within a familiar constellation or asterism (e.g., "in the right shoulder of The Hunter"). Muslim astronomers adopted some of these as proper names for stars, and added names from traditional Arabic star lore, which they recorded in various Zij treatises. The most notable of these is the Book of Fixed Stars written by the Muslim astronomer Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi (known as Azophi in the West), who thoroughly illustrated all the stars known to him along with their observations, descriptions, positions, magnitudes, brightness, and color.
In Europe, during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, many ancient star names were copied or translated incorrectly by various writers, some of whom did not know the Arabic language very well. As a result, the history of a star's name can be complicated.[3]
In 2016, the IAU designated official star names to resolve the difficulty of using different naming systems.[4] Many stars were given the commonly used Arabic name.
List
[edit]A
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Arabic name (vowels) | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Acamar | Ākhiru-n-Nahr | the River's or Stream's End / Tail / Edge / Border | آخر النهر | آخِرُ ٱلْنََهْر | Theta Eridani |
Achernar | Ākhiru-n-Nahr | the River's or Stream's End / Tail / Edge / Border | آخر النهر | آخِرُ ٱلْنََهْر | Alpha Eridani |
Acrab | ʽAqrab | the Scorpion | عقرب | عَقْرَب | Beta Scorpii |
Acubens | ʼaz-Zubānā | the Claw / Dart / Sting | الزبانى | الْزُّبَانَى | Alpha Cancri |
Adhafera | aḍ-Ḍafiyrah | the Braid / Curl / Strand (of the lion's mane) | الضفيرة | الْضَّفِيرَة | Zeta Leonis |
Adhara | al-ʽAdhārā | the Virgin / Nymph | العذارى | الْعَذَارَى | Epsilon Canis Majoris A |
Adhil | adh-Dhayl | the Tail / Annex | الذيل | الْذَيْل | Xi Andromedae |
Adib | adh-Dhiʼb | the Wolf | الذئب | الْذِّئْب | Alpha Draconis, "Thuban" |
Ain | ʽAyn | the Eye (of the bull) | عين | عَيْن | Epsilon Tauri |
Aladfar | al-ʼUẓfūr | the Talons (of the Swooping Eagle) | الأظفر | أُظْفُور | Eta Lyrae |
Alawaid | al-ʽAwāʼidh | the Protecting Mother Camels; the Old Camels; "the Four" | الربع, العوائذ | الْرُّبَع, الْعَوَائِذ | Gamma Draconis, Xi Draconis, Nu Draconis, Beta Draconis |
al-ʽAwwād | the Lutanist / Lute Player | العواد | الْعَوَّاد | ||
Albali | al-Bāliʽ | the Swallower | البالع | البَالِع | Epsilon Aquarii |
Alchibah | al-Khibāʼ | the Tent [failed verification] | الخباء | الخِبَاء | Alpha Corvi |
Alcor | al-khawār | the Faint One | الخوار | الخوار | 80 Ursae Majoris |
Aldebaran | ad-Dabarān | the Follower (of the Pleiades) | الدبران | اَلدَّبَرَان | Alpha Tauri |
Alderamin | adh-Dhirāʽu l-Yamīn | the Right Arm (of Cepheus) | الذراع اليمين | الذّراع اليَمِين | Alpha Cephei |
Aldhibah | ʼaḍ-Ḍibaāʽ [Adh-Dhibaaʽ], ʼaḍ-Ḍibāʽ [Adh-Dhibaaʽe] |
the Hyenas | الضباع | الْضِّبَاع | Zeta Draconis |
Aldhibain | ʼadh-Dhiʼbayn [Adzh-Dzhi'bayn / Adzh-Dzhi'ebayn] | the Two Hyenas / Wolves | الذئبين | الْذِّئْبَيْن | Zeta Draconis (Aldhibah), Eta Draconis |
Aldulfin | Al Dhanab al Dulfīm | the Dolphin's Tail | الذنب الدلفين | الذَّنَبُ الدُّلْفِين | Epsilon Delphini |
Alfirk | al-Firqah | the Flock of sheep | الفرقة | الفِرْقَة | Beta Cephei |
Algebar | (Rijl) ul-Jabbār | (Foot of) the Giant | رجل الجبار | رَجْلَ الجَبَّار | Beta Orionis, "Rigel" |
Algedi | al-Jady | the Goat | الجدي | الجَدْي | Alpha2 Capricorni |
Algenib | al-Janb | the Flank (of Pegasus) | الجنب | الجَنْب | Gamma Pegasi |
Algieba | al-Jab'hah | the Forehead (of the Lion) | الجبهة | الجَبْهَة | Gamma Leonis |
Algol | (Ra'as) al-Ghūl | (Head of) the Ghoul | رأس الغول | رَأسَ الغُول | Beta Persei, the "Demon Star" |
Algorab | al-Ghurāb | the Crow | الغراب | الغُرَاب | Delta Corvi |
Alhena | al-Hanʽah | the Brand (on the neck of the camel) | الهنعة | الهَنْعَة | Gamma Geminorum, "Almeisan" |
Alioth | Al-Jawn | The black horse "John" | الجون | الجَوْن | Epsilon Ursae Majoris |
Alkaid | al-Qā'id (banāt naʽash) | the Leader (of the mourning maidens) | القائد بنات نعش | القائِد بَنات نَعْش | Eta Ursae Majoris |
Alkes | al-Ka's | the Cup | الكأس | الکَأْس | Alpha Crateris |
Almak, Almach | ʼal-ʽAnāqi ʼl-Arḍ [Al-ʽAnaaqi 'l-Ardh] | the Caracal, Desert Lynx; "She-kid, She-Goat of the land" |
عناق الأرض | عَنَاقِ ٱلْأَرْض | Gamma Andromedae |
Almeisan | al-Maysān | the Shining one | الميسان | المَيْسَان | Gamma Geminorum, "Alhena" |
Alnair | an-Nayyir | the Bright one | النير | النّيّر | Alpha Gruis |
Alnasl | an-Naşl | the Blade | النصل | النَّصْل | Gamma² Sagittarii |
Alnilam | an-Niżm | the String of Pearls | النظم | النَّظْم | Epsilon Orionis |
Alnitak | an-Niṭāq | the Girdle (Orion's Belt) | النطاق | النِّطَاق | Zeta Orionis |
Alphard | al-Fard | the Solitary one | الفرد | الفَرْد | Alpha Hydrae |
Alphecca | (Nayyir) al-Fakkah | (the Bright one of) the Broken (Ring) | نير الفكة | نَيِّر الفَکَّة | Alpha Coronae Borealis |
Alpheratz | (Surrat) al-Faras | (Navel of) the Mare | سرة الفرس | سُرَّة الفَرَس | Alpha Andromedae |
Alruba' | al-Rubaʽ | "the foal" | الربع | الرُّبع | HD 161693, HR 6618 |
Alrescha | ar-Rishā' | the Well-Rope | الرشاء | الرِّشَاء | Alpha Piscium |
Alsafi | aṣ-Ṣaāfiyy [Asw-Swaafiyy], aṣ-Ṣāfiyy [As-Ssaafiyy] |
the Tripods | الصافيّ | الْصَّافِيّ | Sigma Draconis |
Alsuhail | Suhayl | Glorious | سهيل | سّهَيْل | any of: Canopus, Velorum, or Lambda Velorum |
Altair | (an-Nisr) uṭ-Ṭāʼir | the Flying (Eagle) | النسر الطائر | النَّسْر الطَّائِر | Alpha Aquilae |
Altais | at-Tays | the Goat | التيس | التَّيْس | Delta Draconis |
Alterf | aṭ-Ṭarf | the View (of the Lion) | الطرف | الطَّرْف | Lambda Leonis |
Aludra | al-ʽUdhrah | Virginity | العذرة | العُذْرَة | Eta Canis Majoris |
Alula Australis, Alula Borealis |
(al-Qafzat) ul-Ūla' | the First (Leap) | القفزة الأولى | Xi Ursae Majoris and Nu Ursae Majoris | |
Alya | al-Alyah | the fatty Tail of a sheep | الألية | Theta Serpentis | |
Alsephina | Al-Safinah | the ship | السفينة | Delta Velorum | |
Angetenar | ʽArjat un-Nahr | Curve of the River | عرجة النهر | Tau² Eridani | |
Ankaa | al-ʽAnqā' | Anqa, Phoenix | العنقاء | Alpha Phoenicis | |
Arkab | al-ʽArqūb | the Hamstring | العرقوب | Beta Sagittarii | |
Arneb | al-Arnab | the Hare | الأرنب | Alpha Leporis | |
Arrakis | ʼar-Rāqiṣ [Ar-Raaqis, Ar-Raaqiss] | the Dancer; Trotting Camel | الراقص | الْرَّاقِص | Arrakis |
Asuja (improperly spelt Asuia) | ʼash-Shujaāʽ [Ash-Shujaaʽ], ʼash-Shujāʽ [Ash-Shujaaʽe] |
the Hydra / Sea-Serpent | الشجاع | الْشُّجَاع | Beta Draconis |
Atik | al-ʽĀtiq ath-Thurayyā | the Shoulder (of Perseus) | عَاتِق الثّريّا | Omicron Persei | |
Auva | al-ʽAwwā' | the Barking (Dog) | العواء | الْعَوَّاء | Delta Virginis, "Minelauva" |
Azfar Adib | ʼAẓfaāru ʼdh-Dhiʼb [Azw·faru ʼdh-Dhiʼb], ʼAẓfaāru ʼdh-Dhiʼb [Azz·faru ʼdh-Dhiʼb] |
the Wolf's Nails / Fingerprints | أظفار الذئب | أَظْفَارُ ٱلْذِّئْب | Azfar Adib |
Azha | Āshiyānah (Persian: آشیانه Āshyāneh) | (Ostrich) Nest | اشیانه | أَشیانَة | Eta Eridani |
Star groups
[edit]Parent Group | Transliterated Group | Meaning | Group Name | Transliterated Subgroup | Meaning | Subgroup Name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adhara | al-ʽAdhāriy | the Virgins / Nymphs | الْعَذَارِي | ʼAwwalu-l-ʽAdhāriy | First of the Virgins / Nymphs | أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَذَارِي | Epsilon Canis Majoris |
Adhara | al-ʽAdhāriy | the Virgins / Nymphs | الْعَذَارِي | Thāniyu-l-ʽAdhāriy | Second of the Virgins / Nymphs | ثَانِيُ ٱلْعَذَارِي | Omicron² Canis Majoris |
In Arabic astronomy, Draco was divided into three parts:
- Alawaid, the first part and the main body of Draco, also called الْرُّبَع ar-Rubaʽ.
- Arrakis
- Azfar Adib
B
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Baham | Sa'ad ul-Biham | Luck of the Young Beasts | سعد البهام | Theta Pegasi |
Baten Kaitos | Baṭni Qayṭus | Belly of Cetus | بطن قيطوس | Zeta Ceti |
Beid | Bayḍ | Eggs | بيض | Omicron¹ Eridani |
Benetnash | Banāt un-Naʿash | Daughters of the bier | بنات النعش | Eta Ursae Majoris
see also Alkaid |
Betelgeuse | yad ul-Jawzā' | hand of the Central One | يد الجوزاء | Alpha Orionis |
Botein | al-Buṭayn | the Belly (of the ram) | بطين | Delta Arietis |
C
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Caph | al-Kaff ul-Khaḍib | the Palm (reaching from the Pleiades) | الكـــف الخضيب | Beta Cassiopeiae |
Celbalrai | Kalb ur-Rāʿī | the Shepherd's Dog | كلب الراعي | Beta Ophiuchi |
Chort | al-Kharat | the Rib | الخرت | Theta Leonis |
Cursa | Kursiyy al-Jauzah | the Chair or Footstool (of Orion) | الكرسيّ | Beta Eridani |
D
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dabih | Saʿad udh-Dhābiḥ | the lucky star of the Slaughterer | سّعد الذّابح | Beta Capricorni |
Deneb | Dhanab ud-Dajājah | Tail of the hen | ذنب الدجاجة | alpha Cygni |
Deneb Algedi | Dhanab ul-Jady | Tail of the goat | ذنب الجدي | Delta Capricorni |
Deneb Dulfim | Dhanab ud-Dulfīn | Tail of the Dolphin | ذنب الدّلفين | Epsilon Delphini |
Deneb Kaitos | Dhanab ul-Qayṭus (ul-Janūbīyy) | (Southern) Tail of Cetus | ذنب قيطوس الجنوبي | Beta Ceti
see also Diphda |
Denebola | Dhanab ul-Asad | Tail of the lion | ذنب الاسد | Beta Leonis |
Diphda | aḍ-Ḍifdaʿ ath-Thānī | the (second) Frog | الضّفدع الثاني | Beta Ceti |
Dschubba | al-Jab'hah | the Forehead (of the scorpion) | الجبهة | Delta Scorpii |
Dubhe | Kāhil ud-Dubb | (the back of) the Bear | كاهل الدّب | Alpha Ursae Majoris |
Dziban | adh-Dhi'ban | the Two Wolves or Jackals | الذئبان | Psi Draconis |
E
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Edasich | adh-Dhikh | the Hyena | الذّيخ | Iota Draconis |
El Nath | an-Naṭḥ | the butting (of the bull's horns) | النطح | Beta Tauri |
Eltanin / Etamin / Etanin (properly: Raseltinnin) | at-Tinnin | the Great Serpent | التنين | Gamma Draconis |
Enif | al-Anf | the Nose (of Pegasus) | الأنف | Epsilon Pegasi |
Errai | ar-Rāʿī | the Shepherd | الراعي | Gamma Cephei |
F
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fomalhaut | Fum al-Ḥūt | Mouth of the Whale | فم الحوت | Alpha Piscis Austrini |
Furud | al-Furud | the bright Single ones (see Zeta Canis Majoris § Name) | الفرد | Zeta Canis Majoris |
G
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gienah | al-Janāḥ | the Wing | الجناح | refers to two stars:
|
Gomeisa | al-Ghumaişā' | the Bleary-eyed one | الغميصاء | Beta Canis Minoris |
H
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hadar | Ḥaḍār | Settlement | حضار | Beta Centauri |
Hamal | Rā's al-Ḥamal | (head of) the Ram | رأس الحمل | Alpha Arietis |
Heka | al-Haqʿah | the White Spot | الهقعة | Lambda Orionis
see also Meissa |
Homam | Saʿad al-Humām | the Lucky star of the High-minded | سعد الهمام | Zeta Pegasi |
I
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Iklil | Iklīl al Jabhah | The Crown of the Forehead | إكليل الجبهة | Rho Scorpii |
Izar | Al-Izar | The girdle, or, The loin-cloth | الإزار | Epsilon Boötis |
J
[edit]Common name | Arabic name | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jabbah | al-Jab'hah | the Forehead (of the scorpion) | الجبهة | Nu Scorpii |
K
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kalb | Kaʿab Dhiy l-ʿInān | the Shoulder of the Rein-holder | كعب ذي العنان | Iota Aurigae
also named Hassaleh |
Kaffaljidhma | al-Kaff al-Jadhmā' | the Cut-short Hand | الكف الجذماء | Gamma Ceti |
Kaus Australis, Kaus Media, Kaus Borealis |
al-Qaws | the Bow | القوس | Epsilon Sagittarii |
Keid | al-Qaiḍ | the (broken egg) Shells | القيض | Omicron² Eridani |
Kitalpha | Qiṭʿat al-Faras | Part of the Horse | قطعة الفرس | Alpha Equulei |
Kochab | al-Kawkab | the Star | كوكب | Beta Ursae Minoris |
Kurhah | al-Qurḥah | the Blaze on a horse's brow | القرحة | Xi Cephei |
L
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lesath | al-Lasʿah | The sting | اللسعة | Upsilon Scorpii |
Luh-Denebola / Denebola | Dhanab al-Asad/al-Layth | the lion's tail | ذنب الاسد/الليث | Beta Leonis |
M
[edit]Arab-Latinized star name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Arabic name
(vowels) |
Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maasym | al-Miʿasam uth-Thurayyā | the Wrist (of Hercules) | معصم الثّريّا | Lambda Herculis | |
Maaz | al-Māʿaz | the he-Goat | المعز | Epsilon Aurigae | |
Mankib | Mankib (ul-Faras) | the Shoulder (of the Horse) | منكب الفرس | Alpha Pegasi | |
Marfik | al-Mirfaq | the Elbow | المرفق | Lambda Ophiuchi | |
Markab | Markab (ul-Faras) | the Saddle (of the Horse) | مركب الفرس | Alpha Pegasi | |
Markeb | Markab | Something to Ride | مركب | Kappa Velorum | |
Matar | al-Saʿad ul-Maṭar | the lucky star of Rain | سعد مطر | Eta Pegasi | |
Mebsuta | adh-Dhirāʿu l-Mabsūṭah | the Outstretched (Paw) | الذّراع المبسوطه | Epsilon Geminorum | |
Megrez | al-Maghriz | the Base of the bear's tail | مغرز | Delta Ursae Majoris | |
Meissa | al-Maysān | the Shining one | الميسان | Lambda Orionis | |
Mekbuda | adh-Dhirāʿu l-Maqbūḍah | the Folded (Arm) | الذّراع المقبوضة | Zeta Geminorum | |
Meleph | Al Ma᾽laf | the Stall | Epsilon Cancri | ||
Menkalinan | Mankib Dhiyi l-ʿInān | Shoulder of the Rein-holder | منكب ذي العنان | Beta Aurigae | |
Menkar | al-Minkhar | the Nostril | المنخر | Alpha Ceti | |
Menkent | Mankib ul-Qanṭūris | the Shoulder of the Centaur | منكب قنطورس | Theta Centauri | |
Menkib | Al-Mankib uth-Thurayyā | the Shoulder (of the Pleiades) | منكب الثّريّا | ||
Merak | ʼal-Marāqq
[Al-Maraaqq] |
the Loins (of the bear) | المراقّ | الْمِرَاقّ | Beta Ursae Majoris |
Mintaka | al-Minṭaqah | the Belt (of Orion) | المنطقة | Delta Orionis | |
Mirach | ʼal-Marāqq | the Loins / Loinclotht | المراقّ | الْمِرَاقّ | Beta Andromedae |
Mirak | ʼal-Marāqq | the Loin-cloth | المراقّ | الْمِرَاقّ | Epsilon Boötis |
Mirfak | al-Mirfaq uth-Thurayyā | the Elbow | مرفق الثّريّا | Alpha Persei | |
Mizar | al-Mi'zar | the Apron | المئزر | Zeta Ursae Majoris | |
Mothallah | Ra'as ul-Muthallath | (Head of) the Triangle | الرعس المثلث | Alpha Trianguli | |
Muhlifain | ʼal-Muḥlifayn
[Al-MuḤlifayn] |
محلفين | مُحْلِفَيْن | Gamma Centauri | |
Muliphein | ʼal-Muḥlifayn
[Al-MuḤlifayn] |
محلفين | مُحْلِفَيْن | Gamma Canis Majoris | |
Muphrid | Mufrid ur-Rāmiḥ | the Solitary one of the Lancer | المفرد الرامح | Eta Boötis | |
Murzim / Mirzam | ʼal-Murzim / ʼal-Mirzam | the Herald | المرزم | الْمُرْزِم \الْمِرْزَم | Beta Canis Majoris |
N
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nashira | Saʿad Nāshirah | Lucky star of Nashirah | سعد ناشرة | Gamma Capricorni |
Nekkar | al-Baqqār | the Cattleman | البقار | Beta Boötis |
Nihal | an-Nihāl | (camels) Quenching their thirst | النهال | Beta Leporis |
Nusakan | an-Nasaqān | The two arrays | النسقان | Beta Coronae Borealis |
Nushaba / Alnasl | Zujji n-Nashshāba [Zujji n-Nashāba?] / an-Naşl | the Arrowhead | زُجِّ النشابة / النصل | Gamma Sagittarii |
O
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Okda | al-ʿUqdah | the Knot | العقدة | Alpha Piscium |
P
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Phact | (al-)Fākhitah | the Dove | فاخثة
|
Alpha Columbae |
Phad | (al-)Fakhidh | the Thigh | فخذ
|
Gamma Ursae Majoris |
Pherkad | (al-)Farqad | the Calf | فرقد
|
Gamma Ursae Minoris |
R
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rasalased | Ra'as ul-Assad | Head of the lion | رأس الأسد
|
Epsilon Leonis |
Rasalgethi | Ra'as ul-Jathī | Head of the Kneeler | رأس الجاثي
|
Alpha Herculis |
Rasalhague | Ra'as ul-Ḥawwā' | Head of the Snake-man | رأس الحوّاء
|
Alpha Ophiuchi |
Rastaban | Ra'as uth-Thuʿabān | Head of the Snake | رأس الثعبان
|
Beta Draconis |
Rigel | Rijl ul-Jabbār | Foot of the Giant | رجل الجبّار
|
Beta Orionis
see also Algebar |
Rigil Kentaurus | Rijl ul-Qanṭūris | Foot of the Centaur | رجل القنطورس
|
Alpha Centauri |
Risha | ar-Rishā' | the Well-Rope | الرشاء
|
Alpha Piscium |
Rukbah | ar-Rukbah | the Knee | الركبة
|
Delta Cassiopeiae |
Rukbat | Rukbat ur-Rāmī | Knee of the archer | ركبة الرامي
|
Alpha Sagittarii |
S
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sabik | as-Sābiq | the Preceding | السابق
|
Eta Ophiuchi |
Sadachbia | Saʿad ul-Akhbiyyah | Lucky star of the Tents | سعد الاخبية
|
Gamma Aquarii |
Sadalbari | Saʿad ul-Bāriʿ | Lucky star of the Splendid one | سعد البارع
|
Mu Pegasi |
Sadalmelik | Saʿad ul-Malik | Lucky star of the King | سعد الملك
|
Alpha Aquarii |
Sadalsuud | Saʿad us-Suʿūd | Luck of Lucks | سعد السعود
|
Beta Aquarii |
Sadr | aṣ-Ṣadr | the Breast (of the hen) | الصدر
|
Gamma Cygni |
Saiph | as-Sayf | the Sword (of Orion) | السيف
|
Kappa Orionis |
Scheat | as-Sāʿid | the Shoulder | الساعد
|
Beta Pegasi |
Shaula | ash-Shawlāh | the Raised (tail of the scorpion) | الشولة
|
Lambda Scorpii |
Shedir | aṣ-Ṣadr | the Breast | الصدر
|
Alpha Cassiopeiae |
Sheliak | ash-Shiliyāq | Lyra | الشلياق
|
Beta Lyrae |
Sheratan | ash-Sharaṭayn | the Two Signs | الشَّرَطَيْن
|
Beta Arietis |
Sirrah | Surratu l-Faras | Navel (of the Mare) | سُرَّة الفرس
|
Alpha Andromedae |
Skat | as-Sāq (or Shi'at) | the Leg (or the Wish) | الساق / شئت
|
Delta Aquarii |
Spica | as-Sunbulah | the Stem | السنبلة
|
Alpha Virginis |
Sulafat | as-Sulḥafāh | the Tortoise | السلحفاة
|
Gamma Lyrae |
T
[edit]Arab-Latinized name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Arabic name
(vowels) |
Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Talitha Australis, Talitha Borealis |
al-Qafzat uth-Thālathah | the Third Leap (of the ghazal) | القفزة الثّالثة
|
القفزة الثّالثة
|
Kappa Ursae Majoris |
Tania Australis, Tania Borealis |
al-Qafzat uth-Thāniyah | the Second Leap (of the gazelle) | القفزة الثّانية
|
القفزة الثّانية
|
Mu Ursae Majoris |
Tarf | aṭ-Ṭarf | "The glance" of the lion | الطرف
|
الطَّرَف
|
Beta Cancri |
Thuban | ath-Thuʽabān | the Snake | الثعبان
|
الْثُّعْبَان
|
Alpha Draconis |
U
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unukalhai | ʿUnuq ul-Ḥayyah | Neck of the Snake | عنق الحية
|
Alpha Serpentis |
V
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vega | an-Nisr ul-Wāqiʿ | the Falling Eagle | النسر الواقع
|
Alpha Lyrae |
W
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wasat | Wasṭ us-Samā' | "Middle" of the sky | وسط السماء
|
Delta Geminorum |
Wezen | al-Wazn | the Weight | الوزن
|
Delta Canis Majoris |
Wezn | al-Wazn | the Weight | الوزن
|
Beta Columbae |
Y
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Yed Posterior | Mu'akhkhir Yad ul-Ḥawwā' | (Back of the Snake Man's) Hand | مؤخّر يد الحوّاء
|
Epsilon Ophiuchi |
Yed Prior | Muqaddim Yad ul-Ḥawwā' | (Palm of the Snake Man's) Hand | مقدّم يد الحوّاء
|
Delta Ophiuchi |
Z
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name |
---|---|---|---|---|
Zaurac | az-Zawraq | the Boat | الزورق
|
Gamma Eridani |
Zavijava | Zāwiyat ul-ʽAwwāʼ | the Angle of the Barking Dog | زاوية العواء
|
Beta Virginis |
Zawiah
aka Zaniah |
az-Zāwiyah | The angle | الزاوية
|
Eta Virginis |
Zubenelgenubi | az-Zubān ul-Janūbiy | Southern Claw (of the scorpion) | الزبان الجنوبي
|
Alpha Librae |
Zubenelhakrabi | Zuban al-ʿAqrab | Claws (of the scorpion) | زبان العقرب
|
Gamma Librae |
Zubeneschamali | az-Zubān ush-Shamāliy | Northern Claw (of the scorpion) | الزبان الشمالي
|
Beta Librae |
Others
[edit]Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name |
---|---|---|---|
Milky Way | Darb ut-Tabānah | The Milky Road | درب التبانة
|
Andromeda Galaxy | as-Saḥābat uṣ-Ṣaghirah ("small cloud")[5][6] | "little cloud" was the Arabic name for the Andromeda Galaxy, which was first mentioned by Al-Sufi in his Book of Fixed Stars | السَحَابَة الصَغِيرَة
|
See also
[edit]- Islamic astronomy
- List of proper names of stars
- List of Chinese star names
- Lists of astronomical objects
References
[edit]- ^ "Stargazing Network". Stargazing.net. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
- ^ Morrison, Robert G. (2013). "Astronomy in Islam". Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. pp. 155–158. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_89. ISBN 978-1-4020-8264-1.
- ^ "Star Names: Where Do They Come From? And Can You Buy One?", RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium Information Bulletin #19 December 1996, (archived 2007)
- ^ "International Astronomical Union | IAU".
- ^ Henbest, N.; Couper, H. (1994). The guide to the galaxy. CUP Archive. p. 31. ISBN 0-521-45882-X.
- ^ Kepple, G. R.; Sanner, G. W. (1998). The Night Sky Observer's Guide. Vol. 1. Willmann-Bell. p. 18. ISBN 0-943396-58-1.
- Islamic Crescents' Observation Project (ICOP) website, which in turn cites:
- Paul Kunitzsch, Tim Smart, Short Guide to Modern Star Names and Their Derivations (1986)
- Guy Ottewell, The Astronomical Companion[year needed]
- Abdul-Rahim Bader, Rasd al-Sama' ("Observing the Sky")[year needed]
- Hamid Al-Naimy Elm al-Falak ("Astronomy")[year needed]
External links
[edit]- ICOP: Arabic Star Names
- Kaler, James, "Star Names: Proper Names", University of Illinois
- The Astronomy Corner: Reference – Star Names v1.1.2 (2006-05-28) from web.archive.org
- Lebling, Robert W., "Arabic in the Sky" Archived 2014-11-30 at the Wayback Machine, Saudi Aramco World magazine, September/October 2010, v.61, n.5