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

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, before the rise of Islam. However, many 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.[2]

A

Main group (quantity: single)						Group and Sub-divisions (quantity: plural)
Arab-Latinized star name	ِِArabic star name (vowelled)	Arabic star name	Arabic transliterated name [closest romanization]	Meaning		ِِArabic star group/ division name (vowelled)			ِِArabic star sub-division name (vowelled) [quantity: 2 and above]			Scientific star names
						Group/ Division Name	Transliterated Name [closest romanization]	Meaning	Sub-division Name(s)	Transliterated Name [closest romanization]	Meaning
Acamar	آخِرُ ٱلْنََهْر	آخر النهر	Ākhiru-n-Nahr	the River's or Stream's End/ Tail/ Edge/ Border								Theta Eridani
Achernar	آخِرُ ٱلْنََهْر	آخر النهر	Ākhiru-n-Nahr	the River's or Stream's End/ Tail/ Edge/ Border								Alpha Eridani
Acrab	عَقْرَب	عقرب	ʽAqrab	the Scorpion								Beta Scorpii
Açubens	الْزُّبَانَى	الزّبانى	ʼaz-Zubānā	the Claw/ Dart/ Sting								Alpha Cancri
Adhafera	الْضَّفِيرَة	الضفيرة	aḍ-Ḍafiyrah/	the Braid/ Curl/ Strand (of the lion's mane)								Zeta Leonis
Adhara	الْعَذَارَى	العذارى	al-ʽAdhārā	the Virgin/ Nymph		الْعَذَارِي	al-ʽAdhāriy	the Virgins/ Nymphs	أَوَّلُ ٱلْعَذَارِي	ʼAwwalu-l-ʽAdhāriy	First of the Virgins/ Nymphs	Epsilon Canis Majoris
									ثَانِيُ ٱلْعَذَارِي	Thāniyu-l-ʽAdhāriy	Second of the Virgins/ Nymphs	Omicron² Canis Majoris
Adhil	الْذَيْل	الذيل	adh-Dhayl	the Tail/ Annex								Xi Andromedae
Adib	الْذِّئْب	الذئب	adh-Dhiʼb	the Wolf								Alpha Draconis also known as Thuban
Ain	عَيْن	عين	ʽAyn	the Eye (of the bull)								Epsilon Tauri
Aladfar	أُظْفُور‎	الأظفر	al-ʼUẓfūr	the Talons (of the Swooping Eagle)								Eta Lyrae
Alawaid also nicknamed Alrubaʽ "the Four"	الْعَوَائِذ (الْرُّبَع)	العوائذ (الربع)	al-ʽAwāʼidh (ar-Rubaʽ)	the Protecting Mother Camels; the Old Camels; nicknamed "the Four"		الْعَوَائِذ	al-ʽAwāʼidh	the Protecting Mother Camels; the Old Camels; nicknamed "the Four"				Gamma Draconis, Xi Draconis, Nu Draconis, Beta Draconis [1st & main body of Draco* as observed in the past by the Arabs, also nicknamed الْرُّبَع ar-Rubaʽ] *Draco was divided to 3 parts
	الْعَوَّاد	العوّاد	al-ʽAwwād	the Lutanist/ Lute Player								Mu Draconis
Albali	البَالِع‎	البالع	al-Bāliʽ	the Swallower								Epsilon Aquarii
Alchibah	الخِبَاء‎	الخباء	al-Khibāʼ	the Tent								Alpha Corvi
Alcor	الخَوَّار	الخوار	al-Khawwār	the Faint One
Aldebaran	اَلدَّبَرَان‎	الدبران	ad-Dabarān	the Follower (of the Pleiades)								Alpha Tauri
fixed to here
Alderamin		الذراع اليمين	adh-Dhirāʽu l-Yamīn	the Right Arm (of Cepheus)								Alpha Cephei
Aldhibah	الْضِّبَاع	الضّباع	ʼaḍ-Ḍibaāʽ/ ʼaḍ-Ḍibāʽ [Adh-Dhibaaʽ/ Adh-Dhibaaʽe]	the Hyenas								Zeta Draconis
Aldhibain	الْذِّئْبَيْن	الذّئبين	ʼadh-Dhiʼbayn [Adzh-Dzhi'bayn/ Adzh-Dzhi'ebayn]	the Two Hyenas/ Wolves		الْذِّئْبَيْن	ʼadh-Dhiʼbayn [Adzh-Dzhi'bayn/ Adzh-Dzhi'ebayn]	the Two Hyenas/ Wolves				Zeta Draconis (Aldhibah), Eta Draconis [formed and combination of 2 stars]
Aldulfin			Al Dhanab al Dulfīm	the Dolphin's Tail								Epsilon Delphini
Alfirk		الفرقة	al-Firqah	the Flock of sheep								Beta Cephei
Algebar		رجل الجبار	(Rijl) ul-Jabbār	(Foot of) the Giant								Rigel or Beta Orionis
Algedi		الجدي	al-Jady	the Goat								Alpha^2 Capricorni
Algenib		الجنب	al-Janb	the Flank (of Pegasus)								Gamma Pegasi
Algieba		الجبهة	al-Jab'hah	the Forehead (of the Lion)								Gamma Leonis
Algol		رأس الغول	(Ra'as) al-Ghūl	(Head of) the Ghoul								Beta Persei also known as the Demon Star
Algorab		الغراب	al-Ghurāb	the Crow								Delta Corvi
Alhena		الهنعة	al-Hanʽah	the Brand (on the neck of the camel)								Gamma Geminorum
Alioth		الجون	Al-Jawn	The black horse "John"								Epsilon Ursae Majoris
Alkaid		القائد بنات نعش	al-Qā'id (banāt naʽash)	the Leader (of the mourning maidens)								Eta Ursae Majoris
Alkes		الكأس	al-Ka's	the Cup								Alpha Crateris
Almak/ Almach	عَنَاقِ ٱلْأَرْض	عناق الأرض	ʼal-ʽAnāqi ʼl-Arḍ [Al-ʽAnaaqi 'l-Ardh]	the Caracal/ Desert Lynx; other meaning: "She-kid/ She-Goat of the land"								Gamma Andromedae
Almeisan		الميسان	al-Maysān	the Shining one								Gamma Geminorum see also Alhena
Alnair		النّيّر	an-Nayyir	the Bright one								Alpha Gruis
Alnasl		النصل	an-Naşl	the Blade								Gamma² Sagittarii
Alnilam		النّظم	an-Niżm	the String of Pearls								Epsilon Orionis
Alnitak		النطاق	an-Niṭāq	the Girdle (Orion's Belt)								Zeta Orionis
Alphard		الفرد	al-Fard	the Solitary one								Alpha Hydrae
Alphecca		نير الفكّة	(Nayyir) al-Fakkah	(the Bright one of) the Broken (Ring)								Alpha Coronae Borealis
Alpheratz		سُرَّة الفرس	(Surrat) al-Faras	(Navel of) the Mare								Alpha Andromedae
Alruba'												HD 161693 also designated HR 6618
Alrescha		الرشاء	ar-Rishā'	the Well-Rope								Alpha Piscium
Alsafi	الْصَّافِيّ	الصافيّ	aṣ-Ṣaāfiyy/ aṣ-Ṣāfiyy [Asw-Swaafiyy/ As-Ssaafiyy]	the Tripods								Sigma Draconis
Alsuhail		سهيل	Suhayl	Glorious								can refer to different stars: Canopus Gamma Velorum Lambda Velorum
Altair		النّسر الطّائر	(an-Nisr) uṭ-Ṭāʼir	the Flying (Eagle)								Alpha Aquilae
Altais		التيس	at-Tays	the Goat								Delta Draconis
Alterf		الطرف	aṭ-Ṭarf	the View (of the Lion)								Lambda Leonis
Aludra		العذرة	al-ʽUdhrah	Virginity								Eta Canis Majoris
Alula Australis, Alula Borealis		القفزة الأولى	(al-Qafzat) ul-Ūla'	the First (Leap)								Xi Ursae Majoris and Nu Ursae Majoris
Alya		الألية	al-Alyah	the fatty Tail of a sheep								Theta Serpentis
Alsephina		السفينة	Al-Safinah	the ship								Delta Velorum
Angetenar		عرجة النهر	ʽArjat un-Nahr	Curve of the River								Tau² Eridani
Ankaa		العنقاء	al-ʽAnqā'	Anqa, Phoenix								Alpha Phoenicis
Arkab		العرقوب	al-ʽArqūb	the Hamstring								Beta Sagittarii
Arneb		الأرنب	al-Arnab	the Hare								Alpha Leporis
Arrakis	الْرَّاقِص	الراقص	ʼar-Rāqiṣ [Ar-Raaqis/ Ar-Raaqiss]	the Dancer; Trotting Camel		Arrakis	الْرَّاقِص	ʼar-Rāqiṣ [Ar-Raaqis/ Ar-Raaqiss]	the group Alwaid combined with the "Mother Dragon" - Mu Draconis becomes the group Arrakis			Mu Draconis [2nd sector of Draco* as observed in the past by the Arabs] *Draco was divided to 3 parts
Asuja (improperly spelt Asuia)	الْشُّجَاع	الشجاع	ʼash-Shujaāʽ/ ʼash-Shujāʽ [Ash-Shujaaʽ/ Ash-Shujaaʽe]	the Hydra/ Sea-Serpent								Beta Draconis
Atik		عاتق الثّريّا	al-ʽĀtiq ath-Thurayyā	the Shoulder (of Perseus)								Omicron Persei
Auva		العوّاء	al-ʽAwwā'	the Barking (Dog)								Delta Virginis also known as Minelauva
Azfar Adib	أَظْفَارُ ٱلْذِّئْب	أظفار الذئب	ʼAẓfaāru ʼdh-Dhiʼb/ ʼAẓfaāru ʼdh-Dhiʼb [Azw·faru ʼdh-Dhiʼb/ Azz·faru ʼdh-Dhiʼb]	the Wolf's Nails/ Fingerprints	Azfar Adib	أَظْفَارُ ٱلْذِّئْب	أظفار الذئب	ʼAẓfaāru ʼdh-Dhiʼb/ ʼAẓfaāru ʼdh-Dhiʼb [Azw·faru ʼdh-Dhiʼb/ Azz·faru ʼdh-Dhiʼb]	the Wolf's Nails/ Fingerprints		[3rd sector of Draco* as observed in the past by the Arabs] *Draco was divided to 3 parts
Azha		اشیانه	(Persian: Ôshyôneh) Āshiyānah	(Ostrich) Nest								Eta Eridani

Bajwa

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	Ibṭ ul-Jawzā'	Armpit of the Central One	إبط 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 (but see that article)	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
Kabdhilinan	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 star name (vowelled)	Arabic star name	Arabic name (transliteration)	Meaning	Scientific star name
Maasym		معصم الثّريّا	al-Miʿasam uth-Thurayyā	the Wrist (of Hercules)	Lambda Herculis
Maaz		المعز	al-Māʿaz	the he-Goat	Epsilon Aurigae
Mankib		منكب الفرس	Mankib (ul-Faras)	the Shoulder (of the Horse)	Alpha Pegasi
Marfik		المرفق	al-Mirfaq	the Elbow	Lambda Ophiuchi
Markab		مركب الفرس	Markab (ul-Faras)	the Saddle (of the Horse)	Alpha Pegasi
Markeb		مركب	Markab	Something to Ride	Kappa Velorum
Matar		سعد مطر	al-Saʿad ul-Maṭar	the lucky star of Rain	Eta Pegasi
Mebsuta		الذّراع المبسوطه	adh-Dhirāʿu l-Mabsūṭah	the Outstretched (Paw)	Epsilon Geminorum
Megrez		مغرز	al-Maghriz	the Base of the bear's tail	Delta Ursae Majoris
Meissa		الميسان	al-Maysān	the Shining one	Lambda Orionis
Mekbuda		الذّراع المقبوضة	adh-Dhirāʿu l-Maqbūḍah	the Folded (Arm)	Zeta Geminorum
Meleph			Al Ma᾽laf	the Stall	Epsilon Cancri
Menkalinan		منكب ذي العنان	Mankib Dhiyi l-ʿInān	Shoulder of the Rein-holder	Beta Aurigae
Menkar		المنخر	al-Minkhar	the Nostril	Alpha Ceti
Menkent		منكب قنطورس	Mankib ul-Qanṭūris	the Shoulder of the Centaur	Theta Centauri
Menkib		منكب الثّريّا	Al-Mankib uth-Thurayyā	"The shoulder" of the Pleiades
Merak	الْمِرَاقّ	المراقّ	ʼal-Marāqq [Al-Maraaqq]	the Loins (of the bear)	Beta Ursae Majoris
Mintaka		المنطقة	al-Minṭaqah	the Belt (of Orion)	Delta Orionis
Mirach	الْمِرَاقّ	المراقّ	ʼal-Marāqq	the Loins/ Loinclotht	Beta Andromedae
Mirak	الْمِرَاقّ	المراقّ	ʼal-Marāqq	the Loin-cloth	Epsilon Boötis
Mirfak		مرفق الثّريّا	al-Mirfaq uth-Thurayyā	the Elbow	Alpha Persei
Mizar		المئزر	al-Mi'zar	the Apron	Zeta Ursae Majoris
Mothallah		الرعس المثلث	Ra'as ul-Muthallath	(Head of) the Triangle	Alpha Trianguli
Muhlifain	مُحْلِفَيْن	محلفين	ʼal-Muḥlifayn [Al-MuḤlifayn]		Gamma Centauri
Muliphein	مُحْلِفَيْن	محلفين	ʼal-Muḥlifayn [Al-MuḤlifayn]		Gamma Canis Majoris
Muphrid		المفرد الرامح	Mufrid ur-Rāmiḥ	the Solitary one of the Lancer	Eta Boötis
Murzim/ Mirzam	الْمُرْزِم \الْمِرْزَم	المرزم	ʼal-Murzim/ ʼal-Mirzam	the Herald	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
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

Common namesaba	! 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

Arab-Latinized name	Arabic star name (vowelled)	Arabic star name	Arabic name (transliteration)	Meaning	Scientific star name
Talitha Australis, Talitha Borealis	القفزة الثّالثة	القفزة الثّالثة	al-Qafzat uth-Thālathah	the Third Leap (of the ghazal)	Kappa Ursae Majoris
Tania Australis, Tania Borealis	القفزة الثّانية	القفزة الثّانية	al-Qafzat uth-Thāniyah	the Second Leap (of the gazelle)	Mu Ursae Majoris
Tarf	الطَّرَف	الطرف	aț-Țarf	"The glance" of the lion	Beta Cancri
Thuban	الْثُّعْبَان	الثعبان	ath-Thuʽabān [Ath-ThuʽAbaan]	the Snake	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-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
Zubeneshamali	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 uş-Şaghirah ("small cloud")[3][4]	"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

References

1. "Stargazing Network". Stargazing.net. Retrieved 2011-10-05.
2. "Star Names: Where Do They Come From? And Can You Buy One?", RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium Information Bulletin #19 December 1996, (archived 2007)
3. Henbest, N.; Couper, H. (1994). The guide to the galaxy. CUP Archive. p. 31. ISBN 0-521-45882-X.
4. 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;
  • Abdul-Rahim Bader, Rasd al-Sama' ("Observing the Sky");
  • Hamid Al-Naimy Elm al-Falak ("Astronomy").

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", Saudi Aramco World magazine, September/October 2010, v.61, n.5