List of Arabic star names

The Book of Fixed Stars, a 10th-century synthesis of the comprehensive star catalogue in Ptolemy’s Almagest with local Arabic astronomical traditions on the constellations (notably the constellation system of the Anwā’). This page shows Orion (al-jabbar, "the giant"). The star Rigel in his foot derives its name from the Arabic rijl, "foot."

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

Further information: History of the constellations, Medieval Islamic astronomy, and Book of Fixed Stars

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

A

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 : آشیانهĀshyāneh)	(Ostrich) Nest	اشیانه	أَشیانَة	Eta Eridani

Star groups

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

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

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

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

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

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

Common name	Arabic name (transliteration)	Meaning	Arabic name	Scientific star name
Gienah	al-Janāḥ	the Wing	الجناح	refers to two stars: Gamma Corvi aka Gienah Corvi, in Corvus Epsilon Cygni aka Gienah Cygni, in Cygnus
Gomeisa	al-Ghumaişā'	the Bleary-eyed one	الغميصاء	Beta Canis Minoris

H

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

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

Common name	Arabic name	Meaning	Arabic name	Scientific star name
Jabbah	al-Jab'hah	the Forehead (of the scorpion)	الجبهة	Nu Scorpii

K

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

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

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

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

Common name	Arabic name (transliteration)	Meaning	Arabic name	Scientific star name
Okda	al-ʿUqdah	the Knot	العقدة	Alpha Piscium

P

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

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

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

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

Common name	Arabic name (transliteration)	Meaning	Arabic name	Scientific star name
Unukalhai	ʿUnuq ul-Ḥayyah	Neck of the Snake	عنق الحية	Alpha Serpentis

V

Common name	Arabic name (transliteration)	Meaning	Arabic name	Scientific star name
Vega	an-Nisr ul-Wāqiʿ	the Falling Eagle	النسر الواقع	Alpha Lyrae

W

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

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

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

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

• Islamic astronomy
• List of proper names of stars
• List of Chinese star names
• Lists of astronomical objects

References

1. "Stargazing Network". Stargazing.net. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
2. 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.
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

• 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