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]
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.
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 | 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 |
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:
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sa'ad ul-Biham | Luck of the Young Beasts | سعد البهام | Theta Pegasi | ||
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 Majorissee 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 |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
al-Kaff ul-Khaḍib | the Palm (reaching from the Pleiades) | الكـــف الخضيب | Beta Cassiopeiae | ||
Kalb ur-Rāʿī | the Shepherd's Dog | كلب الراعي | Beta Ophiuchi | ||
al-Kharat | the Rib | الخرت | Theta Leonis | ||
Kursiyy al-Jauzah | the Chair or Footstool (of Orion) | الكرسيّ | Beta Eridani |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saʿad udh-Dhābiḥ | the lucky star of the Slaughterer | سّعد الذّابح | Beta Capricorni | ||
Dhanab ud-Dajājah | ذنب الدجاجة | alpha Cygni | |||
Dhanab ul-Jady | ذنب الجدي | Delta Capricorni | |||
Dhanab ud-Dulfīn | Tail of the Dolphin | ذنب الدّلفين | Epsilon Delphini | ||
Dhanab ul-Qayṭus (ul-Janūbīyy) | (Southern) Tail of Cetus | ذنب قيطوس الجنوبي | Beta Cetisee also Diphda | ||
Dhanab ul-Asad | ذنب الاسد | Beta Leonis | |||
aḍ-Ḍifdaʿ ath-Thānī | the (second) Frog | الضّفدع الثاني | Beta Ceti | ||
al-Jab'hah | the Forehead (of the scorpion) | الجبهة | Delta Scorpii | ||
Kāhil ud-Dubb | (the back of) the Bear | كاهل الدّب | Alpha Ursae Majoris | ||
adh-Dhi'ban | the Two Wolves or Jackals | الذئبان | Psi Draconis |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
adh-Dhikh | the Hyena | الذّيخ | Iota Draconis | ||
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 | |
al-Anf | the Nose (of Pegasus) | الأنف | Epsilon Pegasi | ||
ar-Rāʿī | the Shepherd | الراعي | Gamma Cephei |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fum al-Ḥūt | Mouth of the Whale | فم الحوت | Alpha Piscis Austrini | ||
al-Furud | the bright Single ones (see) | الفرد | Zeta Canis Majoris |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
al-Janāḥ | the Wing | الجناح | refers to two stars:
| ||
al-Ghumaişā' | the Bleary-eyed one | الغميصاء | Beta Canis Minoris |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ḥaḍār | Settlement | حضار | Beta Centauri | ||
Rā's al-Ḥamal | (head of) the Ram | رأس الحمل | Alpha Arietis | ||
al-Haqʿah | the White Spot | الهقعة | Lambda Orionissee also Meissa | ||
Saʿad al-Humām | the Lucky star of the High-minded | سعد الهمام | Zeta Pegasi |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iklīl al Jabhah | The Crown of the Forehead | إكليل الجبهة | Rho Scorpii | ||
Al-Izar | The girdle, or, The loin-cloth | الإزار | Epsilon Boötis |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kaʿab Dhiy l-ʿInān | the Shoulder of the Rein-holder | كعب ذي العنان | Iota Aurigaealso named Hassaleh | ||
al-Kaff al-Jadhmā' | the Cut-short Hand | الكف الجذماء | Gamma Ceti | ||
al-Qaws | the Bow | القوس | Epsilon SagittariiDelta Sagittarii | ||
al-Qaiḍ | the (broken egg) Shells | القيض | Omicron² Eridani | ||
Qiṭʿat al-Faras | Part of the Horse | قطعة الفرس | Alpha Equulei | ||
al-Kawkab | the Star | كوكب | Beta Ursae Minoris | ||
al-Qurḥah | the Blaze on a horse's brow | القرحة | Xi Cephei |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
al-Lasʿah | The sting | اللسعة | Upsilon Scorpii | ||
Dhanab al-Asad/al-Layth | the lion's tail | ذنب الاسد/الليث | Beta Leonis |
Arab-Latinized star name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Arabic name (vowels) | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
al-Miʿasam uth-Thurayyā | the Wrist (of Hercules) | معصم الثّريّا | Lambda Herculis | |||
al-Māʿaz | the he-Goat | المعز | Epsilon Aurigae | |||
Mankib (ul-Faras) | the Shoulder (of the Horse) | منكب الفرس | Alpha Pegasi | |||
al-Mirfaq | the Elbow | المرفق | Lambda Ophiuchi | |||
Markab (ul-Faras) | the Saddle (of the Horse) | مركب الفرس | Alpha Pegasi | |||
Markab | Something to Ride | مركب | Kappa Velorum | |||
al-Saʿad ul-Maṭar | the lucky star of Rain | سعد مطر | Eta Pegasi | |||
adh-Dhirāʿu l-Mabsūṭah | the Outstretched (Paw) | الذّراع المبسوطه | Epsilon Geminorum | |||
al-Maghriz | the Base of the bear's tail | مغرز | Delta Ursae Majoris | |||
al-Maysān | the Shining one | الميسان | Lambda Orionis | |||
adh-Dhirāʿu l-Maqbūḍah | the Folded (Arm) | الذّراع المقبوضة | Zeta Geminorum | |||
Al Ma᾽laf | the Stall | Epsilon Cancri | ||||
Mankib Dhiyi l-ʿInān | Shoulder of the Rein-holder | منكب ذي العنان | Beta Aurigae | |||
al-Minkhar | the Nostril | المنخر | Alpha Ceti | |||
Mankib ul-Qanṭūris | the Shoulder of the Centaur | منكب قنطورس | Theta Centauri | |||
Al-Mankib uth-Thurayyā | the Shoulder (of the Pleiades) | منكب الثّريّا | ||||
ʼal-Marāqq[Al-Maraaqq] | the Loins (of the bear) | المراقّ | الْمِرَاقّ | Beta Ursae Majoris | ||
al-Minṭaqah | المنطقة | Delta Orionis | ||||
Mirach | ʼal-Marāqq | the Loins / Loinclotht | المراقّ | الْمِرَاقّ | Beta Andromedae | |
ʼal-Marāqq | the Loin-cloth | المراقّ | الْمِرَاقّ | Epsilon Boötis | ||
al-Mirfaq uth-Thurayyā | the Elbow | مرفق الثّريّا | Alpha Persei | |||
al-Mi'zar | the Apron | المئزر | Zeta Ursae Majoris | |||
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 | ||
Mufrid ur-Rāmiḥ | the Solitary one of the Lancer | المفرد الرامح | Eta Boötis | |||
ʼal-Murzim / ʼal-Mirzam | the Herald | المرزم | الْمُرْزِم \الْمِرْزَم | Beta Canis Majoris |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saʿad Nāshirah | Lucky star of Nashirah | سعد ناشرة | Gamma Capricorni | ||
al-Baqqār | the Cattleman | البقار | Beta Boötis | ||
an-Nihāl | (camels) Quenching their thirst | النهال | Beta Leporis | ||
an-Nasaqān | The two arrays | النسقان | Beta Coronae Borealis | ||
Zujji n-Nashshāba [Zujji n-Nashāba?] / an-Naşl | the Arrowhead | زُجِّ النشابة / النصل | Gamma Sagittarii |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Columbae | |||||
the Thigh | Gamma Ursae Majoris | ||||
the Calf | Gamma Ursae Minoris |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head of the lion | Epsilon Leonis | ||||
Head of the Kneeler | Alpha Herculis | ||||
Head of the Snake-man | Alpha Ophiuchi | ||||
Head of the Snake | Beta Draconis | ||||
Foot of the Giant | Beta Orionissee also Algebar | ||||
Rigil Kentaurus | Foot of the Centaur | Alpha Centauri | |||
the Well-Rope | Alpha Piscium | ||||
the Knee | Delta Cassiopeiae | ||||
Knee of the archer | Alpha Sagittarii |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
the Preceding | Eta Ophiuchi | ||||
Lucky star of the Tents | Gamma Aquarii | ||||
Lucky star of the Splendid one | Mu Pegasi | ||||
Lucky star of the King | Alpha Aquarii | ||||
Luck of Lucks | Beta Aquarii | ||||
the Breast (of the hen) | Gamma Cygni | ||||
the Sword (of Orion) | Kappa Orionis | ||||
the Shoulder | Beta Pegasi | ||||
the Raised (tail of the scorpion) | Lambda Scorpii | ||||
the Breast | Alpha Cassiopeiae | ||||
Beta Lyrae | |||||
the Two Signs | Beta Arietis | ||||
Navel (of the Mare) | Alpha Andromedae | ||||
(or) | the Leg (or the Wish) | Delta Aquarii | |||
the Stem | Alpha Virginis | ||||
the Tortoise | Gamma Lyrae |
Arab-Latinized name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Arabic name(vowels) | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
the Third Leap (of the ghazal) | Kappa Ursae Majoris | |||||
the Second Leap (of the gazelle) | Mu Ursae Majoris | |||||
"The glance" of the lion | Beta Cancri | |||||
the Snake | Alpha Draconis |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
"Middle" of the sky | Delta Geminorum | ||||
the Weight | Delta Canis Majoris | ||||
the Weight | Beta Columbae |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(Back of the Snake Man's) Hand | Epsilon Ophiuchi | ||||
(Palm of the Snake Man's) Hand | Delta Ophiuchi |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | Scientific star name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
the Boat | Gamma Eridani | ||||
the Angle of the Barking Dog | Beta Virginis | ||||
Zawiahaka Zaniah | The angle | Eta Virginis | |||
Southern Claw (of the scorpion) | Alpha Librae | ||||
Claws (of the scorpion) | Gamma Librae | ||||
Northern Claw (of the scorpion) | Beta Librae |
Common name | Arabic name (transliteration) | Meaning | Arabic name | |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Milky Road | ||||
("small cloud")[5] [6] |