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Named Stars Index - The Night Sky Atlas

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Star Names by James B. Kaler
SEDS - Common Names for Deep Sky Objects
SEDS - Naming Stars
STARS by Jim Kaler
IAU's Naming Astronomical Objects

Star Name Bayer designation Constellation Description
Acamar θ2 Theta 2 Eridanus ´end of the river´ (before Achernar was added)
Achernar α Alpha Eridanus ´end of the river´
Achird η Eta Cassiopeia ??
Acrux α2 Alpha 2 Crux ´alpha of Crux´
Acubens α Alpha Cancer ´claw´
Adhafera ζ Zeta Leo ´curl´ (of hair)
Adhara ε Epsilon Canis Major ´maidens´
Adhil ξ Xi Andromeda (train of a garment)
Ain ε Epsilon Taurus (second) ´eye of the bull´ (after Aldebaran)
Al Athfar μ Mu Lyra (with Eta:) ´talons´ (of the swooping eagle)
Al Bali ε Epsilon Aquarius ´the swallower´
Al Dhanab γ Gamma Grus ´tail´
Al Gieba γ2 Gamma 2 Leo ´forehead´
Al Giedi α2 Alpha 2 Capricornus ´goat´
Al Haud θ Theta Ursa Major ´the pond´
Al Na'ir α Alpha Grus ´the bright´
Al Niyat σ Sigma Scorpius ´the arteries´
Al Rescha or Rischa α Alpha Pisces ´rope´
Al Thalimain ι Iota Aquila ´the two ostriches´ (with Iota)
Al Thalimain λ Lambda Aquila ´the two ostriches´ (with Lambda)
Al nair α Alpha Indus ´bright´
Aladfar η Eta Lyra (with Mu:) ´talons´ (of the swooping eagle)
Albireo β2 Beta 2 Cygnus (from Ireus, a fragrant flower)
Alchibah α Alpha Corvus ´tent´
Alcyone η Eta Taurus ´queen who wards off evil [storms]´ (one of the Pleiades)
Aldebaran α Alpha Taurus ´follower´ (of the Pleiades)
Alderamin α Alpha Cepheus ´right forearm´
Alfirk β Beta Cepheus ´flock´
Algenib γ Gamma Pegasus ´flank´
Algol β Beta Perseus ´the ghoul´
Algorab δ Delta Corvus ´raven´
Alioth ε Epsilon Ursa Major ´black horse/bull´
Alkaid or Benetnasch η Eta Ursa Major ´the leader´ (of the mourning women?); ´daughters of the bier´
Alkalurops μ2 Mu 2 Bootes ´shepherd's crook´
Alkes α Alpha Crater ´cup´
Almach γ2 Gamma 2 Andromeda ´earthkid´ (Arabian weasel-like mammal)
Almeisan or Alhena γ Gamma Gemini ´shining´ or ´the mark´ (on the neck of a camel)
Alnilam ε Epsilon Orion ´arrangement´ (of pearls; middle of belt)
Alnitak ζ Zeta Orion ´belt´ (east end)
Alphard or Cor Hydrae α Alpha Hydra ´the solitary´ or ´heart of the hydra´
Alpheratz or Sirrah also delta Peg α Alpha Andromeda ´the horse´ or ´navel´
Alsafi σ Sigma Draco ´cooking tripod´
Alshain β Beta Aquila ´falcon´
Altair α Alpha Aquila ´flying one´
Alterf λ Lambda Leo ´glance´
Aludra η Eta Canis Major ´maidenhood´
Alula Australis ξ Xi Ursa Major ´first [leap of the gazelle], south´
Alula Borealis ν Nu Ursa Major ´first [leap of the gazelle], north´
Alya θ2 Theta 2 Serpens ´the fatty tail´ (of a breed of Oriental sheep)
Ancha θ Theta Aquarius ´hip-bone´
Ankaa α Alpha Phoenix (a fabulous bird in Arab myth)
Antares α Alpha Scorpius ´anti-Ares´, rival of Mars
Arcturus α Alpha Bootes ´bear-guard´
Arkab β2 Beta 2 Sagittarius ´hamstring´
Arneb α Alpha Lepus ´hare´
Arrakis μ Mu Draco ´dancer´
Ascella ζ Zeta Sagittarius ´armpit´
Asellus Australis δ Delta Cancer ´southern donkey´
Asellus Borealis γ Gamma Cancer ´northern donkey´
Asmidiske ξ Xi Puppis ´little shield´
Asterope Taurus ´lightning/twinkling/sun-face/stubborn-face´ (one of the Pleiades)
Atik ο Omicron Perseus ´shoulder´ (of the Pleiades)
Atlas Taurus ´he who dares/suffers´ (a Titan; father of the Pleiades)
Atria α Alpha Triangulum Australe ´alpha of triangulum australe´
Auva δ Delta Virgo ´the barker´
Avior ε Epsilon Carina ?? (modern)
Azha η Eta Eridanus ´hatching place´
Baham θ Theta Pegasus ´livestock´
Baten Kaitos ζ Zeta Cetus ´belly of Cetus´
Bellatrix γ Gamma Orion ´warrioress´ (west shoulder)
Betelgeuse α Alpha Orion ´hand of Al-Jazwa´
Botein δ Delta Aries ´little belly´
Canopus α Alpha Carina (Menelaus's helmsman; also Egyptian seaport)
Capella α Alpha Auriga ´she-goat´
Caph β Beta Cassiopeia ´palm´ (reaching from the Pleiades)
Castor α Alpha Gemini ´beaver´
Celaeno Taurus ´swarthy´ (one of the Pleiades)
Chara β Beta Canes Venatici ´joy´
Cheleb or Celbalrai β Beta Ophiucus ´dog of the shepherd´
Choo or Tchou α Alpha Ara ´staff/club´; ´pestle´ (Chinese)
Chow β Beta Serpens ´imperial dynasty´
Cor Caroli α2 Alpha 2 Canes Venatici ´heart of Charles´ (II of England)
Coxa or Chort or Chertan θ Theta Leo ´hip´ or ´small rib´ or ´two small ribs´
Cujam ω Omega Hercules ´club´
Cursa β Beta Eridanus ´chair/footstool of Orion´
Dabih β Beta Capricornus ´slaughterer´
Deneb α Alpha Cygnus ´tail of the hen´
Deneb Algiedi δ Delta Capricornus ´tail of the goat´
Deneb or Al Dhanab al Dulfim ε Epsilon Delphinus ´tail´ or ´tail of the dolphin´
Denebola β Beta Leo ´tail of the lion´
Diphda or Deneb Kaitos β Beta Cetus ´frog´ or ´tail of Cetus´
Dschubba δ Delta Scorpius ´forehead´
Dubhe, Dubh, Dubb, or Alruccabah α Alpha Ursa Major ´bear´
Dziban ψ2 Psi 2 Draco ´the two jackals´
Edasich ι Iota Draco ´hyena´
El Nasl γ2 Gamma 2 Sagittarius ´arrowhead´
El Nath β Beta Taurus ´the butting´ (horn)
Electra Taurus ´amber/shining/bright´ (one of the Pleiades)
Eltanin γ Gamma Draco ´snake´ (alternate word; Arabic name for Draco)
Enif ε Epsilon Pegasus ´nose´
Er Rai γ Gamma Cepheus ´shepherd´
Fomalhaut α Alpha Pisces Austrinus ´mouth of the fish´
Fum al Samakah β Beta Pisces ´the fish's mouth´
Furud ζ Zeta Canis Major ´solitary ones´
Gacrux γ Gamma Crux ´gamma of Crux´
Gemma or Alphecca α Alpha Corona Borealis ´gem´ or ´the broken´ (ring of stars)
Giauzar λ Lambda Draco ´dragon´ (mythical Persian name designating nodes of lunar orbit)
Gienah ε Epsilon Cygnus ´wing´
Gomeisa β Beta Canis Minor ´the bleary eyed´
Graffias or Acrab β2 Beta 2 Scorpius ´claws´ (Latin) or ´scorpion´ (Arabic)
Grumium ξ Xi Draco ´jaw´
Hadar or Agena β Beta Centaurus (no known translation) ; from A=alpha (wrong) and genu=´knee´
Hamal α Alpha Aries ´ram´
Heka or Meissa λ Lambda Orion ´white spot´ or ´shining´ (Orion's head)
Heze ζ Zeta Virgo ??
Homam ζ Zeta Pegasus ´the high-minded man´
Jabbah ν Nu Scorpius ´forehead´
Jabhat al Akrab ω2 Omega 2 Scorpius ´scorpion's forehead´
Kabdhilinan ι Iota Auriga ´anklebone of the rein-holder´
Kaffaljidhmah γ Gamma Cetus ´cut-short hand´ (reaching from the Pleiades)
Kaou Pih ζ Zeta Draco ??
Kaus Australis ε Epsilon Sagittarius ´bow´ (southern)
Kaus Borealis λ Lambda Sagittarius ´bow´ (northern)
Kaus Media δ Delta Sagittarius ´bow´ (middle)
Ke Kwan κ Kappa Centaurus (cavalry officer)
Kitalpha α Alpha Equuleus ´part of the horse´
Kochab or Kokab β Beta Ursa Minor ´star´
Kornephoros β Beta Hercules ´club-bearer´
Kraz; also Tso Hea β Beta Corvus ?? ; ´left-handed lynch-pin´ (from Chinese carriage constellation)
Kuma ν2 Nu 2 Draco ´as last´
Kurhah ξ Xi Cepheus ´blaze´ (horse's brow)
Lesath or Lesuth υ Upsilon Scorpius ´sting´ or ´bite´ (of a poisonous animal)
Maasim κ Kappa Hercules ´wrist´
Maaz ε Epsilon Auriga ´he-goat´
Maia Taurus ´grandmother/mother´, ´nurse´, ´great one´ (one of the Pleiades)
Marfik ξ Xi Hercules ´elbow´
Markab κ Kappa Vela ´ship´
Markab or Marchab α Alpha Pegasus ´shoulder´ (from Mankib)
Matar η Eta Pegasus ´rain´
Mebsuta ε Epsilon Gemini ´outstretched´ (paw)
Megrez δ Delta Ursa Major ´insertion-point´ (of the bear's tail)
Mekbuda ζ Zeta Gemini ´pulled in´ (paw)
Men α Alpha Lupus ??
Menkalinan β Beta Auriga ´shoulder of him of the reins´ (Charioteer)
Menkar or Menkab α Alpha Cetus ´nostril´
Menkent θ Theta Centaurus ´shoulder of the centaur´
Menkib ξ Xi Perseus ´shoulder´
Merak or Mirak β Beta Ursa Major ´loins´
Merope Taurus ´eloquent´, ´bee-eater´, ´mortal´ (one of the Pleiades)
Mesarthim γ2 Gamma 2 Aries ´servants´
Miaplacidus β Beta Carina ´placid waters´
Mimosa β Beta Crux ´mime´? or ´mimosas´? (plant)
Minhar al Shuja σ Sigma Hydra ´the snake's nose´
Minkar ε Epsilon Corvus ´beak´
Mintaka δ Delta Orion ´belt´ (west end)
Mira ο Omicron Cetus ´wonderful´
Mirach β Beta Andromeda ´the loins´
Mirak, Izar, or Pulcherrima ε Epsilon Bootes ´loins´ or ´loincloth´
Mirfak or Marfak α Alpha Perseus ´elbow´
Mirzam β Beta Canis Major ?? (no known translation)
Mizar ζ Zeta Ursa Major (from a corrupt reading of ´loins´; see Beta UMa)
Mothallah or Caput Trianguli α Alpha Triangulum ´triangle´, ´head of the triangle´
Muhlifain γ Gamma Centaurus (similar to Gamma CMa)
Muliphein γ Gamma Canis Major ´the two causing dispute and the swearing of an oath´
Mulu-lizi δ Delta Libra ´man of fire´
Muphrid η Eta Bootes ´isolated, single one (of the lance-bearer)´
Muscida ο Omicron Ursa Major ´muzzle´
Na'ir al Saif ι Iota Orion ´bright one of the sword´ (tip)
Naos ζ Zeta Puppis ´ship´
Nashira γ Gamma Capricornus ´she who brings good news´
Nekkar or Nakkar β Beta Bootes ´cattleman´
Nihal β Beta Lepus ´camels quenching their thirst´
Nodus Secundus or Altais δ Delta Draco ´second knot´ or ?? (misreading of same word as in Gamma Dra)
Nunki σ Sigma Sagittarius ´of Enki´ (Sumerian god of waters & of most ancient city of Eridu)
Nusakan β Beta Corona Borealis ´the two series´
Phact of Phaet α Alpha Columba ´dove´
Phad or Phecda γ Gamma Ursa Major ´thigh´
Pherkab γ Gamma Ursa Minor ´calf´
Pleione Taurus ´sailing queen´ (an Oceanid; mother of the Pleiades)
Polaris α Alpha Ursa Minor ´pole star´
Pollux β Beta Gemini ´much wine´
Porrima γ Gamma Virgo (Roman goddess of childbirth)
Prijipati δ Delta Auriga ´Lord of Creation´ (Sanskrit/Pali)
Primus Hyadum γ Gamma Taurus ´first Hyad´
Procyon α Alpha Canis Minor ´before the dog´
Propus Tejat prior η Eta Gemini ´forward foot´
Rana δ Delta Eridanus ´frog´
Ras Algethi α2 Alpha 2 Hercules ´head of the kneeling one´
Ras Alhague α Alpha Ophiucus ´head of the snake´
Ras Elased ε Epsilon Leo ´head of the lion´
Rasalas μ Mu Leo ´head of the lion´
Rastaban β Beta Draco ´head of the snake´
Regulus, Cor Leonis or Kalb α Alpha Leo ´prince´, ´heart of the lion´
Rigel β Beta Orion ´foot´ (west)
Rigel Kentaurus or Rigilkent α2 Alpha 2 Centaurus ´foot of the centaur´
Rotanev β Beta Delphinus ´Venator´ backwards
Ruchba ω2 Omega 2 Cygnus ´hen's knee´
Ruchbah or Rukbah δ Delta Cassiopeia ´knee´
Rukbat α Alpha Sagittarius ´knee´
Sabik η Eta Ophiucus ´the preceding´
Sadachbia γ Gamma Aquarius ´lucky star of the tents´
Sadal Melik α Alpha Aquarius ´lucky star of the king´
Sadal Suud β Beta Aquarius ´luck of lucks´
Sadalbari μ Mu Pegasus ´lucky star of the excellent one´
Sadatoni ζ Zeta Auriga ´two young goats (kids)´
Sadr γ Gamma Cygnus ´breast´
Saiph κ Kappa Orion ´sword´ (hilt)
Sargas θ Theta Scorpius ´seizer/smiter´ (Babylonian title; name of a weapon of the God of War)
Sarin δ Delta Hercules ??
Scheat β Beta Pegasus ´leg´
Schedar or Shedir α Alpha Cassiopeia ´breast´
Schemali ι Iota Cetus ´northern´ (branch of the tail)
Scutulum or Aspidiske ι Iota Carina ´little shield´
Segin or Navi ε Epsilon Cassiopeia ?? ; ´Ivan´ backwards [Gus Grissom, Apollo 1]
Seginus γ Gamma Bootes from Theguius; medieval Latin translit. of Arabic tlt. of Greek ´Bootes´
Shaula λ Lambda Scorpius ´raised tail´
Sheliak or Shelyak β Beta Lyra ´harp´ (from Greek Sambyke, a kind of harp)
Sheratan β Beta Aries ´the two signs´ (Pisces & Aries)
Sirius α Alpha Canis Major ´scorching´
Situla χ Chi Aquarius ´water jar´
Skat or Scheat or Seat δ Delta Aquarius ´shin´ (lower leg)
Spica or Azimech α Alpha Virgo ´ear of wheat´ (held by Virgo), ??
Sualocin α Alpha Delphinus ´Nicolaus´ backwards
Suhail λ Lambda Vela ?? (no translation)
Suhail or Regor γ2 Gamma 2 Vela ?? (no translation); ´Roger´ backwards [Roger Chaffee, Apollo 1]
Sulafat γ Gamma Lyra ´tortoise´
Syrma ι Iota Virgo ´train´ (of a garment)
Talitha Australis κ Kappa Ursa Major ´third [leap of the gazelle], south´
Talitha Borealis or Dnoces ι Iota Ursa Major ´third [leap of the gazelle], north´; ´Second´ backwards [Ed White II, Apollo 1]
Tania Australis μ Mu Ursa Major ´second [leap of the gazelle], south´
Tania Borealis λ Lambda Ursa Major ´second [leap of the gazelle], north´
Tarazed γ Gamma Aquila ´plundering falcon´
Tarf β Beta Cancer ´glance´ or ´eye´
Taygeta Taurus ?? (maybe) ´long-necked´ (one of the Pleiades)
Tegmine ζ2 Zeta 2 Cancer ´cover´
Tejat Tejat posterior μ Mu Gemini ?? (no translation)
Thabit υ Upsilon Orion ´fixed star´ (sometimes given to Pi3 Ori or Tau Ori)
The Garnet Star μ Mu Cepheus ´The Garnet Star´
The peacock star α Alpha Pavo ´The peacock star´
Thuban α Alpha Draco ´snake´
Tseen Ke φ Phi Vela ´heaven's record´
Tsih or Cih γ Gamma Cassiopeia ´whip´? (Chinese)
Tsze λ Lambda Columba ´son´
Tsze Tseang ι Iota Leo ´second general´
Tyl; also Kin Yu ε Epsilon Draco ?? ; ´goldfish´
Ukdah τ2 Tau 2 Hydra ´the knot´
Unuk Al Hay or Unukalhai α Alpha Serpens ´neck of the snake´
Vega α Alpha Lyra ´the swooping´ (eagle)
Vindemiatrix ε Epsilon Virgo ´vine-harvestress´
Wasat δ Delta Gemini ´middle of the sky´
Wezen δ Delta Canis Major ´weight´
Wezn or Wazn β Beta Columba ´weight´
Yed Posterior ε Epsilon Ophiucus ´hand´ (after; eastern)
Yed Prior δ Delta Ophiucus ´hand´ (before; western)
Yildun δ Delta Ursa Minor ´star´
Zaniah η Eta Virgo ´corner´
Zaurak γ Gamma Eridanus ´boat´
Zavijava or Alaraph β Beta Virgo ´corner of the barker´; ´grape gatherer´
Zozma δ Delta Leo ´enzonement´ or ´loincloth´
Zuben El Genubi α2 Alpha 2 Libra ´southern claw´ (of the scorpion)
Zuben Eschamali β Beta Libra ´northern claw´ (of the scorpion)
Zubenhakrabi or Zubanalakrab η Eta Libra ´scorpion's claw´

The night sky atlas creates images of the entire night sky independent of location and time on earth. Detailed chart images include all stars visible to the naked eye, the constellations, Messier objects, and names of the brightest stars. Data sources: Bright Star Catalog from the Astronomical Data Center, Messier Objects from the Digitized Sky Survey Messier Objects Data, Star names list from Steven Gibson. The data used in this product, in whole or in part, is used with permission of The NGC/IC Project LLC. Many thanks go to those who maintain and make available their astronomy datasets without which this sky atlas would not have been possible. Permission for any use of these chart images is granted, provided that the original website address remains visible on all images. Enjoy!

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