List of Arabic star names

Summary

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
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-Khawwār the Faint One الخوار الخَوَّار
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:

  1. Alawaid, the first part and the main body of Draco, also called الْرُّبَع ar-Rubaʽ.
  2. Arrakis
  3. 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

Delta Sagittarii

Lambda 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

Rigilkent 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 as-Ṣadr the Breast الصدر Alpha Cassiopeiae
Sheliak ash-Shiliyāq Lyra الشلياق Beta Lyrae
Sheratan ash-Sharāṭān the Two Signs الشرطان 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 aț-Țarf "The glance" of the lion الطرف الطَّرَف Beta Cancri
Thuban ath-Thuʽabān

[Ath-ThuʽAbaan]

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-ʿAwwā' 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) زبانى 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 uş-Şaghirah ("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

References edit

  1. ^ "Stargazing Network". Stargazing.net. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
  2. ^ [1], Morrison, R.G. (2013). Astronomy in Islam. In: Runehov, A.L.C., Oviedo, L. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Springer, Dordrecht
  3. ^ "Star Names: Where Do They Come From? And Can You Buy One?", RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium Information Bulletin #19 December 1996, (archived 2007)
  4. ^ "International Astronomical Union | IAU".
  5. ^ Henbest, N.; Couper, H. (1994). The guide to the galaxy. CUP Archive. p. 31. ISBN 0-521-45882-X.
  6. ^ 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", Saudi Aramco World magazine, September/October 2010, v.61, n.5