List of proper names of stars - wikipedia List of proper names of stars This is a list of proper names of stars. These are the names of stars that have been in somewhat recent usage. See also the lists of stars by constellation, which give variant names, derivations, and magnitudes. Of the roughly 10,000 stars visible to the naked eye, only a few hundred have been given proper names in the history of astronomy. Traditional astronomy tends to group stars into asterisms, and give proper names to those, not to individual stars. Many star names are in origin descriptive of the part of the asterism they are found in ; thus Phecda, a corruption of the Arabic - فخذ الدب - fakhth al - dubb `` thigh of the bear ''. Only a handful of the brightest stars have individual proper names not depending on their asterism ; so Sirius `` the scorcher '', Antares and Canopus ( of unknown origin ), Alphard `` the solitary one '', Regulus `` kinglet '' ; and arguably Aldebaran `` the follower '' ( of the Pleiades ), Procyon `` preceding the dog ( Sirius ) ''. The same holds for Chinese astronomy, where most stars are enumerated within their constellation, with a handful of exceptions such as 織女 `` weaving girl '' ( Vega ). In addition to the limited number of traditional star names, there are some coined in modern times, e.g. `` Avior '' for Epsilon Carinae ( 1930 ), and a number of stars named after people ( mostly in the 20th century ). The IAU Working Group on Star Names since 2016 has been publishing a list of star names. As of September 2017, the list included a total of 310 proper names of stars. Contents 1 IAU Catalog 2 List 3 See also 4 References 4.1 General references 5 External links IAU Catalog Main article : IAU Working Group on Star Names In 2016, the International Astronomical Union ( IAU ) organized a Working Group on Star Names ( WGSN ) to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN 's first bulletin dated July 2016 included a table of the first two batches of names approved by the WGSN ( on 30 June and 20 July 2016 ) together with names of stars adopted by the IAU Executive Committee Working Group on Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites during the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign and recognized by the WGSN. There are 125 stars on the list. Further batches of names were approved on 21 August 2016, 12 September 2016, 5 October 2016 and 6 November 2016. These were listed in a table included in the WGSN 's second bulletin dated November 2016. There are 102 stars on this list. The next additions were done on 1 February 2017 with 13 new star names, on 30 June 2017 with 29 star names, and on 5 September 2017 with 41 star names. All are included in the current IAU Catalog of Star Names, last updated on 5 September 2017. List This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2011 ) In the table below, unless indicated by a ' † ', the ' Modern proper name ' is that approved by the WGSN and entered in the IAU Catalog of Star Names. Constellation Bayer designation Modern proper name Historical names / comments Eridanus θ1 Eridani Acamar Originally called آخر النهر ākhir an - nahr in Arabic, meaning `` End of River '', named because it was the brightest star in the constellation Eridanus ( the River ). ( Before the 16th century, this was the last star in the Eridanus constellation ; it was later extended to Achenar, below ). `` Acamar '' was first used in the Alphonsine tables ( circa 1252 ). Also called Al Thalim ( `` the Ostrich '' ) by fifteenth - century Timurid astronomer Ulugh Beg. Georgius Chrysococca ( 14th century ) called it Aulax in Greek, meaning `` the Furrow ''. Eridanus α Eridani A Achernar The name was originally Arabic آخر النهر ākhir an - nahr `` river 's end '' Cassiopeia η Cassiopeiae Achird Scorpius β Scorpii Aa Acrab The traditional names of the β Scorpii system included Akrab and Elakrab, derived ( like Acrab ) from the Arabic العقرب al - aqrab `` the scorpion '', and Graffias, which is the Italian for `` claws '' and which was also applied to Xi Scorpii. Crux α Crucis Aa Acrux ' Acrux ' is a modern contraction of the Bayer designation, coined in the 19th century, but entering common use only by the mid 20th century. Cancer α Cancri Acubens The name was originally Arabic الزوبنةal zubanāh, `` the claws ''. Leo ζ Leonis Adhafera also Aldhafera The name is originally from Arabic الضفيرة al - ðafīrah `` the braid / curl '' Canis Major ε Canis Majoris Adhara The name is originally from Arabic عذارى ' aðāra, `` virgins ''. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated أول ألعذاري awwil al - aðārii, translated into Latin as Prima Virginum `` first virgin ''. Andromeda ξ Andromedae Adhil Taurus ε Tauri Ain The name is originally from the Arabic عين for `` eye '' and was reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites. The star was given the name Oculus Boreus ( Latin for `` Northern eye '' ) by John Flamsteed. Sagittarius ν1 Sagittarii Ainalrami Lyra η Lyrae Aladfar The name is originally from Arabic الأظفر al - ' uz̧fur, `` the talons ( of the swooping eagle ) '', sharing with μ Lyrae ( Alathfar ). Andromeda γ Andromedae Alamak † The name is originally from Arabic العناق الأرض al - ' anāq al - ' arđ̧, `` the caracal '' ( desert lynx ). Another Arabic name is آلرجل المسلسلة al rijl al musalsalah `` the chained foot ''. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated جمس ألنعامة al ḣāmis al naʽāmāt, translated into Latin as Quinta Struthionum `` fifth ostrich ''. Lyra μ Lyrae Alathfar † The name is originally from Arabic الأظفر al - ' uz̧fur, `` the talons ( of the swooping eagle ) '', sharing with η Lyrae ( Aladfar ). Sagittarius π Sagittarii Albaldah The name is originally from Arabic بلدة bálda, `` town ''. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated نير بلدة nayyir al bálda, translated into Latin as Lucida Oppidi `` brightest of the town ''. Aquarius ε Aquarii Albali The name is originally from Arabic البالع albāli ', `` the swallower ''. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated نير سعد ألبلع nayyir sa 'd al bulaʽ, translated into Latin as Lucida Fortunæ Dissipantis `` the brightest of luck of the swallower ''. Cygnus β1 Cygni Albireo Actually, there 's no clear information of the name Albireo. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated منقار ألدجاجة minqār al - dajāja, translated into Latin as Rostrum Gallinǣ `` the hen 's beak ''. Corvus α Corvi Alchiba The name is originally from Arabic لخبا al - xibā, `` tent ''. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated ألمنخر ألغرب al - manxar al - ghurab, translated into Latin as Rostrum Corvi `` beak of the crow ''. Ursa Major 80 Ursae Majoris Alcor The name was originally Arabic سها suhā `` neglected one '' ; notable as a faintly perceptible companion of Mizar ( ζ UMa ). This star is known as Arundhati in traditional Indian astronomy. Taurus η Tauri Alcyone Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Alcyone was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Taurus α Tauri Aldebaran The name was originally Arabic لدبران al - dabarān `` the follower ( of the Pleiades ) ''. In Indian astronomy known as Rohini `` the red one ''. To Persian astrologers it was known as a Royal star, Tascheter, Watcher of the East. The Romans called this star with the name Palilicium. Cepheus α Cephei Alderamin The name was originally Arabic الذراع اليمين að - ðirā ' al - yamīn `` the right arm ''. Grus γ Gruis Aldhanab The name was originally Arabic الذنب al dhanab, `` the tail ( of the constellation of the Southern Fish ) '' ``. Draco ζ Draconis Aldhibain The name was originally Arabic الضبعين al ḍiba'in, `` the two hyenas '' ``, shares with η Draconis. The other name of this star is Nodus III ( Third Knot, the knot being a loop in the tail of Draco ). Delphinus ε Delphini Aldulfin Cepheus β Cephei Alfirk Capricornus α2 Capricorni Algedi Alternative traditional names of Al Giedi, Secunda Giedi and Algiedi Secunda Pegasus γ Pegasi Algenib Leo γ1 Leonis Algieba Perseus β Persei Algol The name was originally Arabic رأس الغول ra 's al - ghūl `` head of the ogre ''. In Egyptian Horus. Perseus π Persei -- 叠 尸 Dié Shī `` Piled up Corpses '' ; Allen ( 1899 ) associated the name with Algol, but it properly refers to π Persei, a star within the `` Mausoleum '' asterism. Corvus δ Corvi Algorab It bore the traditional name Algorab derived from Arabic الغراب al - ghuraab, meaning ' the crow ' ). The WGSN re-designated the star as Algorab in July 2016. Gemini γ Geminorum Alhena Derived from the Arabic الهنعة Al Han'ah, ' the brand ' ( on the neck of the camel ) Ursa Major ε Ursae Majoris Alioth Cygnus ε Cygni Aljanah Ursa Major η Ursae Majoris Alkaid Cepheus ρ Cephei Al Kalb al Rai † Boötes μ1 Boötis Alkalurops Ursa Major κ Ursae Majoris Alkaphrah Pegasus υ Pegasi Alkarab Crater α Crateris Alkes Columba θ Columbae Al Kurud † Auriga ε Aurigae Almaaz Traditionally, also named Haldus. Andromeda γ1 Andromedae Almach Leo κ Leonis Al Minliar al Asad † Grus α Gruis Alnair Sagittarius γ2 Sagittarii Alnasl Derived from the Arabic النصل al - naşl meaning `` arrowhead ''. Orion ε Orionis Alnilam Middle star in the belt of Orion. The traditional name Alnilam derives from the Arabic النيلم Al - nilam, related to the word ' nilam ' ' sapphire ' ; related spellings are Alnihan and Alnitam. Orion ζ Orionis Alnitak Traditional name, alternately spelled Al Nitak or Alnitah, derived from the Arabic النطاق an - niṭāq, `` the girdle ''. Scorpius σ Scorpii Aa1 Alniyat The star Tau Scorpii also bore Alniyat as its traditional name. Hydra α Hydrae Alphard Corona Borealis α Coronae Borealis Alphecca The name nayyir al - fakka نير الفكّة `` bright ( star ) of the broken ( ring of stars ) '' is found in the Al Achsasi al Mouakket catalogue ( c. 1650 ). Also known as Gemma, Gnosia ( Gnosia Stella Coronae ), and Asteroth ( or Ashtaroth ). As the brightest star in Corona Borealis, it lent its name to Alphekka Meridiana, the brightest in the constellation of Corona Australis. Andromeda α Andromedae Alpheratz Draco μ Draconis A Alrakis Derived from the Arabic الراقص al - rāqiṣ `` the dancer '', variously spelled Arrakis and Elrakis. Pisces α Piscium Alrescha Draco σ Draconis Alsafi Lynx 31 Lyncis Alsciaukat Vela δ Velorum Aa Alsephina Aquila β Aquilae Alshain Capricornus ν Capricorni Alshat Aquila α Aquilae Altair The name was originally Arabic النسر الطائر an - nasr aṭ - ṭā'ir `` the flying eagle ''. In Chinese, 牵 牛 星 ( Qiān Niú Xīng ) or 牛郎星 ( Niú Láng Xīng ), `` Cow Herder Star '' of the Qixi love story. One of the vertices of the Summer Triangle. Draco δ Draconis Altais also Aldib Cancer β Cancri Altarf † Leo λ Leonis Alterf Canis Major η Canis Majoris Aludra Ursa Major ξ Ursae Majoris Alula Australis Ursa Major ν Ursae Majoris Alula Borealis Serpens θ1 Serpentis Alya Gemini ξ Geminorum Alzirr alternately spelled Alzir Aquarius θ Aquarii Ancha Eridanus τ2 Eridani Angetenar The name is originally from Arabic عرجة النهر arjat an - nahr `` bend of the river '' Phoenix α Phoenicis Ankaa Vulpecula α Vulpeculae Anser Alternative traditional name is Lucida Anseris. Scorpius α Scorpii Antares Ancient Greek, Άντάρης, `` against Ares ( Mars ) ''. It was known to Persian astrologers as a Royal star : Satevis, Watcher of the West. Boötes α Boötis Arcturus Sagittarius β1 Sagittarii A Arkab Prior Sagittarius β2 Sagittarii Arkab Posterior Lepus α Leporis Arneb Traditional name Arneb derived from the Arabic أرنب ' arnab ' hare ' ( ' Lepus ' is Latin for hare ). Sagittarius ζ Sagittarii Ascella Cancer δ Cancri Asellus Australis Cancer γ Cancri Asellus Borealis Boötes θ Boötis Asellus Primus † Boötes ι Boötis Asellus Secundus † Boötes κ Boötis Asellus Thertius † Puppis ξ Puppis Asmidiske † Carina ι Carinae Aspidiske Taurus 21 Tauri Asterope Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Asterope was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Draco η Draconis Athebyne Perseus ο Persei Atik Taurus 27 Tauri Atlas Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Atlas was the Titan god of endurance and astronomy and the father of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Triangulum Australe α Trianguli Australis Atria Carina ε Carinae Avior Designated ' Avior ' by His Majesty 's Nautical Almanac Office for the Royal Air Force in the 1930s. Cygnus π1 Cygni Azelfafage Variously reported as from Arabic السلحفاة as - sulaḥfāh `` turtle '', ألطلف ألفرس al thīlf al faras `` horse track '', or ألعزل ألدجاجة al ʽazal al - dajājah `` tail of hen '' Eridanus η Eridani Azha The name is originally from Arabic اشيانة al - udhi `` the hatching - place '' Ophiuchus GJ 699 Barnard 's Star Named after the American astronomer EE Barnard, the first to measure its high proper motion. Cetus ζ Ceti Baten Kaitos Eridanus ο1 Eridani Beid The name is originally from Arabic بيض al - bayd `` the eggs ''. Orion γ Orionis Bellatrix Latin for `` female warrior '' ; applied to this star in the 15th century. Orion α Orionis Betelgeuse Derived from the Arabic إبط الجوزاء Ibt al - Jauzā ', meaning `` the axilla of Orion '', or يد الجوزاء Yad al - Jauzā ', meaning `` the hand of Orion ''. Aries 41 Arietis Bharani Pegasus θ Pegasi Biham Aries δ Arietis Botein Libra σ Librae Brachium Carina α Carinae Canopus Ptolemy 's Κάνωβος, after Canopus ( Kanopos, Kanobos ), a pilot from Greek mythology, whose name is itself of uncertain etymology. Auriga α Aurigae Capella The traditional name Capella ( English : small female goat ) is from Latin, and is a diminutive of the Latin Capra ( English : female goat ). Cassiopeia β Cassiopeiae Caph * The name is originally Arabic كف kaf `` palm '', a residue of an old name of Cassiopeia, al - kaff al - khadib `` the stained hand '' ; also known as al - sanam al - nakah `` the camel 's hump ''. Gemini α Geminorum Castor Cassiopeia υ2 Cassiopeiae Castula Ophiuchus β Ophiuchi Cebalrai Taurus 16 Tauri Celaeno Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Celaeno was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Ara μ Arae Cervantes Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the Spanish author of El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha. Ursa Major 47 Ursae Majoris Chalawan Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after a mythological crocodile king from a Thai folktale. Taurus θ2 Tauri Chamukuy Canes Venatici β Canum Venaticorum Chara Leo θ Leonis Chertan Alternative traditional name of Chort. Cancer 55 Cancri A Copernicus Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign in honor of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Canes Venatici α Canum Venaticorum Cor Caroli Named after Charles I of England by Sir Charles Scarborough Hercules ω Herculis Cujam Traditional name, variously spelled Kajam. Eridanus β Eridani Cursa The name is originally from Arabic الكرسي al - kursi `` the chair, footstool '' Capricornus β1 Capricorni Dabih Fornax α Fornacis Dalim Cygnus α Cygni Deneb The name is originally from Arabic ذنب الدجاجة dhanab ad - Dajāja. In Chinese, Deneb is part of 鵲橋 `` Magpie bridge '' in the Qi Xi love story. Deneb is one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle. Capricornus δ Capricorni Aa Deneb Algedi Leo β Leonis Denebola Coma Berenices α Comae Berenices A Diadem Cetus β Ceti Diphda Alternatively Deneb Kaitos. Scorpius δ Scorpii Dschubba Ursa Major α Ursae Majoris Dubhe Draco ψ1 Draconis Dziban Draco ι Draconis Edasich Common name reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites. Taurus 17 Tauri Electra Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Electra was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Taurus β Tauri Elnath Variously El Nath or Alnath, from the Arabic word النطح an - naţħ, meaning `` the butting '' ( i.e. the bull 's horns ). Draco γ Draconis Eltanin Alternatively traditional name of Etamin ; both originally from the Arabic name of the constellation التنين At - Tinnin `` the great serpent ''. γ Dra was also one of the `` Five Camels '', Quinque Dromedarii, in Arabic Al ʽAwāïd. Pegasus ε Pegasi Enif Cepheus γ Cephei Errai Common name reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites. Draco 42 Draconis Fafnir Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after a Norse mythological dwarf who turned into a dragon. Scorpius π Scorpii Fang Pisces β Piscium Fum al Samakah † Piscis Austrinus α Piscis Austrini Fomalhaut The name is originally from Arabic فم الحوت fum al - ḥawt `` mouth of the fish ''. To Persian astrologers this was a Royal star : Haftorang, Watcher of the South. The name was reviewed and adopted by the IAU Executive Committee WG Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites. Cassiopeia ζ Cassiopeiae Fulu Canis Major ζ Canis Majoris Furud Scorpius G Scorpii Fuyue Crux γ Crucis Gacrux The name `` Gacrux '' is a contraction of the Bayer designation, coined by astronomer Elijah Hinsdale Burritt ( 1794 - 1838 ). Cepheus μ Cephei Garnet Star † Its colour was described as `` garnet '' by William Herschel. Following Herschel, it was called garnet sidus by Giuseppe Piazzi Draco λ Draconis Giausar Traditional name, variously spelled Gianfar. Corvus γ Corvi Gienah Also known as Gienah Gurab ; the star ε Cygni is also traditionally known as Gienah. Canis Minor β Canis Minoris Gomeisa Scorpius ξ Scorpii Graffias † The Italian for `` claws '' ; also once applied to β Scorpii. Draco ξ Draconis Grumium Auriga ζ Aurigae Haedus Auriga η Aurigae Haedus II Centaurus β Centauri Hadar Aries α Arietis Hamal Traditional name ( also written Hemal, Hamul, Ras Hammel ) deriving from the Arabic راس الحمل rās al - ħamal `` head of the ram '', in turn from the name for the constellation as a whole, Al Ħamal `` the ram ''. Auriga ι Aurigae Hassaleh Orion ι Orionis Hatysa Pegasus 51 Pegasi Helvetios Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for ' the Helvetian ' and refers to the Celtic tribe that lived in Switzerland during antiquity. Virgo ζ Virginis Heze Pegasus ζ Pegasi Homam Scorpius ρ Scorpii Iklil Ursa Major 41 Lyncis Intercrus Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Intercrus means `` between the legs '' in Latin style, referring to the star 's position in the constellation Ursa Major. Boötes ε Boötis Izar Originally from Arabic إزار izār `` veil ''. In the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket designated منتقة ألعوع minṭáqa al awwa, translated into Latin as Cingulum Latratoris `` belt of barker ''. Named Pulcherrima ( most beautiful ) by Otto Struve. Scorpius ν Scorpii Aa Jabbah Gemini ο Geminorum Jishui Cetus γ Ceti A Kaffaljidhma Virgo κ Virginis Kang Sagittarius ε Sagittarii Kaus Australis Sagittarius λ Sagittarii Kaus Borealis Sagittarius δ Sagittarii Kaus Media Eridanus 40 Eridani Keid The name is originally from Arabic القيض ' al - qaid `` the broken egg - shells '' Virgo λ Virginis Khambalia Equuleus α Equulei Kitalpha Ursa Minor β Ursae Minoris Kochab Hercules β Herculis Kornephoros Corvus β Corvi Kraz † Draco ν Draconis Kuma † Cepheus ξ Cephei Kurhah Canes Venatici υ Canum Venaticorum La Superba † A modern ( 19th century ) name, due to Angelo Secchi. Scorpius υ Scorpii Lesath Aquila ξ Aquilae Libertas Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for ' liberty ' ( ' Aquila ' is Latin for ' eagle ', a popular symbol of liberty ). Aries 39 Arietis Lilii Borea Hercules λ Herculis Maasym Auriga θ Aurigae Mahasim Taurus 20 Tauri Maia Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Maia was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Cassiopeia θ Cassiopeiae Marfark † The name is originally from Arabic المرفق al - mirfaq `` the elbow '' Ophiuchus λ Ophiuchi Marfik Pegasus α Pegasi Markab Vela κ Velorum Markeb Hercules κ Herculis A Marsic Pegasus η Pegasi Matar Gemini ε Geminorum Mebsuta Ursa Major δ Ursae Majoris Megrez Orion λ Orionis Meissa Traditional name deriving from the Arabic Al - Maisan ' The Shining One '. Gemini ζ Geminorum Mekbuda Cancer ε Cancri Meleph Auriga β Aurigae Menkalinan Cetus α Ceti Menkar Derived from the Arabic word منخر manħar `` nostril '' or Al Minhar `` nose '' ( of Cetus ). Centaurus θ Centauri Menkent Perseus ξ Persei Menkib Ursa Major β Ursae Majoris Merak Boötes 38 Boötis Merga Corona Australis α Coronae Australis Meridiana Taurus 23 Tauri Merope Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Merope was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Aries γ2 Arietis Mesarthim Carina β Carinae Miaplacidus Crux β Crucis Mimosa Also bore the alternative historical name Becrux, a modern contraction of the Bayer designation. Hydra σ Hydrae Minchir Virgo δ Virginis Minelauva alternately spelled Minelava Orion δ Orionis Mintaka Right-most star in the belt of Orion. The name Mintaka itself is derived from an Arabic term for ' belt ' : منطقة or manṭaqa. Cetus ο Ceti Mira Latin for ' wonderful ' or ' astonishing ' ; named by Johannes Hevelius in his Historiola Mirae Stellae ( 1662 ). Andromeda β Andromedae Mirach Perseus η Persei Miram Perseus α Persei Mirfak Canis Major β Canis Majoris Mirzam Perseus κ Persei Misam Ursa Major ζ Ursae Majoris Mizar The name is originally from Arabic المئزر al - miʾzar `` apron, waistband, girdle ''. 禄 Lù `` Status '', one of the `` Three Stars '' in Chinese mythology, the Lu star is believed to be Zhang Xian, who lived during the Later Shu dynasty. The word lu specifically refers to the salary of a government official. As such, the Lu star is the star of prosperity, rank, and influence. Triangulum α Trianguli Mothallah Canis Major γ Canis Majoris Muliphein Boötes η Boötis Muphrid Alternative traditional spelling of `` Mufrid ''. Ursa Major ο Ursae Majoris Muscida Delphinus 18 Delphini Musica Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for ' music ' ( the ancient Greek musician Arion 's life was saved at sea by dolphins ( Latin : ' delphinus ' ) after attracting their attention by playing his kithara. Puppis ζ Puppis Naos Capricornus γ Capricorni Nashira Cassiopeia γ Cassiopeia Navi † `` Navi '' is a modern name, due to Gus Grissom ( his middle name `` Ivan '' spelled backward ). In Chinese astronomy, it is known as 策 cè `` the whip ''. Boötes β Boötis Nekkar Andromeda 51 Andromedae Nembus Lepus β Leporis Nihal Sagittarius σ Sagittarii Nunki Corona Borealis β Coronae Borealis Nusakan Hercules HD 149026 Ogma Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after Ogma, a deity in Celtic mythology. Pavo α Pavonis Peacock Designated `` Peacock '' ( after the constellation ) by His Majesty 's Nautical Almanac Office for the Royal Air Force in the 1930s. Columba α Columbae Phact Ursa Major γ Ursae Majoris Phecda Alternative traditional names Phekda or Phad. Ursa Minor γ Ursae Minoris Pherkad Scorpius μ2 Scorpii Pipirima Taurus 28 Tauri Pleione Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Pleione was the mother of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Ursa Minor α Ursae Minoris Polaris Became known as stella polaris ( `` polar star '' ) during the Renaissance. see polar star for other names based on its position close to the celestial pole. Arabic القطب الشماليal - kutb al - shamaliyy `` the northern axle ''. Octans σ Octantis Polaris Australis see South Star Sagittarius μ Sagittarii Polis Gemini β Geminorum Pollux Virgo γ Virginis Porrima Leo Minor 46 Leonis Minoris Praecipua Taurus γ Tauri Prima Hyadum Canis Minor α Canis Minoris Procyon Greek προκύον `` preceding the Dog ( viz. Sirius ) '' ; in Latin rendered as Antecanis. Gemini η Geminorum Propus Centaurus α Centauri C Proxima Centauri Eridanus ε Eridani Ran Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after the Norse goddess of the sea. Eridanus δ Eridani Rana † Hercules α1 Herculis Rasalgethi also Ras Algethi. Ophiuchus α Ophiuchi Rasalhague also Ras Alhgue. Leo μ Leonis Rasalas Draco β Draconis Rastaban Vela γ Velorum Regor † Also known as Suhail and Suhail al Muhlif, which also apply to lambda Velorum Leo α Leonis Regulus Latin for ' prince ' or ' little king '. Regulus was known to Persian astrologers as the Royal star Venant, Watcher of the North. Pisces ζ Piscium Revati Orion β Orionis Rigel Traditional name first recorded in the Alfonsine Tables of 1252 and derived from the Arabic name Rijl Jauzah al Yusrā, `` the left leg ( foot ) of Jauzah '' ( i.e. rijl meaning `` leg, foot '' ). Centaurus α Centauri A Rigil Kentaurus The name is originally from Arabic رجل قنطورس rijl qantūris `` foot of the centaur ''. Delphinus β Delphini Rotanev Cassiopeia δ Cassiopeiae Ruchbah Derived from the Arabic word ركبة rukbah meaning `` knee ''. Alternative historical name Ksora appeared in a 1951 publication, Atlas Coeli ( Skalnate Pleso Atlas of the Heavens ) by Czech astronomer Antonín Bečvář ; Professor Paul Kunitzch has been unable to find any clues as to the origin of the name. Sagittarius α Sagittarii Rukbat Ophiuchus η Ophiuchi Sabik Aquarius γ Aquarii Sadachbia Pegasus μ Pegasi Sadalbari Aquarius α Aquarii Sadalmelik Aquarius β Aquarii Sadalsuud Cygnus γ Cygni Sadr Orion κ Orionis Saiph Traditional name from the Arabic saif al jabbar, ' سیف الجبّار ' literally sword of the giant. Pegasus τ Pegasi Salm Scorpius θ Scorpii Sargas Hercules δ Herculis Sarin Ursa Major θ Ursae Majoris Sarir † Eridanus 53 Eridani A Sceptrum Formerly `` p Sceptri '', in the constellation of Sceptrum Brandenburgicum Pegasus β Pegasi Scheat Cassiopeia α Cassiopeiae Schedar Also traditionally bore the name Schedir ; both originally from Arabic صدر şadr `` breast '' ; also ألضة ألكرسي al - dhāt al - kursiyy `` the lady in the chair ( Ulugh Beg ), whence Dath Elkarti ( Riccoli 1651 ). Taurus δ1 Tauri Secunda Hyadum Cassiopeia ε Cassiopeia Segin Probably originates from an erroneous transcription of Seginus, the traditional name for γ Boötis, which itself is of uncertain origin. Boötes γ Boötis Seginus Of uncertain origin. Sagitta α Sagittae Sham Scorpius λ Scorpii Shaula Lyra β Lyrae Sheliak Aries β Arietis Sheratan Canis Major α Canis Majoris Sirius Greek Σείριος `` the scorcher '' ; in Egyptian Sopdet, rendered in Greek as Σῶθις. As the brightest star in the sky, Sirius has proper names in numerous cultures, including Polynesian ( Maori Takurua ; Hawaiian Ka'ulua, `` Queen of Heaven '', among others ). Also known as the Dog Star. Aquarius κ Aquarii Situla Aquarius δ Aquarii Skat Virgo α Virginis Spica Another traditional names are Azimech, from Arabic السماك الأعزل al - simāk al - a'zal ' the Undefended ', and Alarph, Arabic for ' the Grape Gatherer ' ; in Indian astronomy known as Chitra `` the bright one ''. Delphinus α Delphini Sualocin Leo ο Leonis Subra Vela λ Velorum Suhail Traditionally, this name also applied to gamma Velorum, also known as Regor. Lyra γ Lyrae Sulafat Virgo ι Virginis Syrma Orion π3 Orionis Tabit Ursa Major χ Ursae Majoris Taiyangshou Draco 8 Draconis Taiyi Ursa Major ι Ursae Majoris Talitha or Talitha Borealis, as Talitha originally referred to κ UMa and ι UMa together Ursa Major μ Ursae Majoris Tania Australis Ursa Major λ Ursae Majoris Tania Borealis Aquila γ Aquilae Tarazed Alternative traditional spelling of Tarazet Taurus 19 Tauri Taygeta Member of the Pleiades open star cluster ( M45 ). Taygete was one of the Pleiades sisters in Greek mythology. Cancer ζ1 Cancri Tegmine Alternative traditional name of Tegmen. Sagittarius ω Sagittarii Terebellum From Ptolemy 's τετράπλευρον, a quadrangle of stars of which ω Sag is the brightest Gemini μ Geminorum Aa Tejat Traditional name, also called Tejat Posterior. Orion υ Orionis Thabit † Eridanus υ2 Eridani Theemin Also written as Theemim or Beemin. Draco α Draconis Thuban Grus β Gruis Tiaki Draco 7 Draconis Tianyi Taurus ζ Tauri -- In Chinese 天 關 ( Tiānguān, English : Celestial Gate ). Also reported as Shurnarkabti - sha - shūtū, from Babylonian as `` the Star in the Bull towards the South '' or `` the Southern Star towards the Chariot ''. Andromeda υ Andromedae A Titawin Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after the settlement in northern Morocco and UNESCO World Heritage Site now known as the medina ( old town ) of Tétouan. Camelopardalis HD 104985 Tonatiuh Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Named after the Aztec god of the Sun. Pisces ο Piscium Torcular Puppis ρ Puppis Tureis Serpens α Serpentis Unukalhai Arabic عنق الحيّة ' Unuq al - Ḥayyati `` the Serpent 's Neck '', in Latin Cor Serpentis `` Heart of the Serpent ''. Canis Major σ Canis Majoris Unurgunite Lyra α Lyrae Vega The name is originally from Arabic an - nasr al - wāqi ' `` the alighting vulture '', also translated as vulture cadens ( see also Aetos Dios, Stymphalian birds ). As the second brightest star in the northern sky, Vega has names in numerous cultures. In Chinese it is known as 織女 `` weaving girl '' from the Qi Xi love story. Vega is one of the vertices of the Summer Triangle. Andromeda 14 Andromedae Veritate Name adopted by the IAU following the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. Latin for ' where there is truth '. Virgo ε Virginis Vindemiatrix Vindemiatrix is the Latin for `` grape gatherer '' Gemini δ Geminorum Wasat Columba β Columbae Wazn Canis Major δ Canis Majoris Wezen Scorpius μ1 Scorpii Xamidimura Boötes λ Boötis Xuange Ophiuchus δ Ophiuchi Yed Prior Ophiuchus ε Ophiuchi Yed Posterior Ursa Minor δ Ursae Minoris Yildun Virgo η Virginis Zaniah Eridanus γ Eridani Zaurak Traditional name, alternatively spelled Zaurac ; originally from Arabic زورق zawraq `` boat ''. Virgo β Virginis Zavijava also known as Alaraph Hydra υ1 Hydrae Zhang Eridanus ζ Eridani Zibal Leo δ Leonis Zosma Libra α2 Librae Zubenelgenubi also Lanx Australis, Zubeneschamali Libra γ Librae Zubenelhakrabi Libra β Librae Zubeneschamali See also Star portal List of Arabic star names List of nearest bright stars Biblical names of stars Stars named after people Table of stars with Bayer designations Traditional Chinese star names References Jump up ^ The NASA in 1971 compiled a `` technical memorandum '' collecting a total of 537 named stars. ^ Jump up to : `` IAU Catalog of Star Names ''. Retrieved 5 September 2017. Jump up ^ `` IAU Working Group on Star Names ( WGSN ) ''. Retrieved 22 May 2016. Jump up ^ `` Bulletin of the IAU Working Group on Star Names, No. 1 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved 28 July 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Final Results of NameExoWorlds Public Vote Released '' ( Press release ). IAU.org. 15 December 2015. Jump up ^ `` Bulletin of the IAU Working Group on Star Names, No. 2 '' ( PDF ). Retrieved 13 November 2016. ^ Jump up to : Allen, Richard Hinckley ( 1963 ) ( 1899 ). Star Names : Their Lore and Meaning ( Reprint ed. ). New York, NY : Dover Publications Inc. ISBN 0 - 486 - 21079 - 0. Jump up ^ `` Eta Cassiopeia ( Achird ) 2 ''. SolStation.com. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 03. Jump up ^ Kaler, Jim. `` Achird ''. Department of Astronomy, University of Illinois. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 03. ^ Jump up to : R.G. Aitken Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Vol. 36, No. 211 ( June, 1924 ), pp. 124 - 130 JSTOR 40692425 Jump up ^ Memoirs of the Rev. Walter M. Lowrie : missionary to China ( 1849 ), p. 93. Described as an `` Americanism '' in The Geographical Journal, vol. 92, Royal Geographical Society, 1938. Jump up ^ Flamsteed, John ( 1725 ). Historia Coelestis Britannica. H. Meere. p. 47. Jump up ^ Hinckley 1899 sees the name as originating from a typing error ; Allen, Richard Hinckley ( 1899 ). Star - names and their meanings. https://ia801402.us.archive.org/14/items/starnamesandthe00allegoog/starnamesandthe00allegoog.pdf : G.E. Stechert New York, Leipzig, London, Paris. p. 196. Jump up ^ Falkner, David E. ( 2011 ). `` The Winter Constellations ''. The Mythology of the Night Sky. Patrick Moore 's Practical Astronomy Series. p. 19. doi : 10.1007 / 978 - 1 - 4614 - 0137 - 7_3. ISBN 978 - 1 - 4614 - 0136 - 0. Jump up ^ Jetsu, L. ; Porceddu, S. ( 2015 ). `` Shifting Milestones of Natural Sciences : The Ancient Egyptian Discovery of Algol 's Period Confirmed ''. PLOS ONE. 10 ( 12 ) : e. 0144140 ( 23pp ). arXiv : 1601.06990. Bibcode : 2015PLoSO... 1044140J. doi : 10.1371 / journal. pone. 0144140. Jump up ^ Ian Ridpath 's Star Tales -- Perseus Jump up ^ `` International Astronomical Union IAU ''. www.iau.org. Retrieved 2017 - 03 - 20. Jump up ^ Ridpath, Ian ( 1989 ), Star tales, James Clarke & Co., p. 113, ISBN 0 - 7188 - 2695 - 7 Jump up ^ Knobel, E.B. ( June 1895 ). `` Al Achsasi Al Mouakket, on a catalogue of stars in the Calendarium of Mohammad Al Achsasi Al Mouakket ''. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 55 ( 8 ) : 429. Bibcode : 1895MNRAS... 55... 429K. doi : 10.1093 / mnras / 55.8. 429. Jump up ^ Stenner, Paul ( auth. ) ; Martin, Jack. Slaney, Kathleen L. Sugarman, Jeff. ( edit. ) The Wiley Handbook of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology : Methods, Approaches, and New Directions for Social Sciences. John Wiley & Sons, 2015 ; pg. 311. ^ Jump up to : Sadler, Donald H. ( 2008 ). `` A Personal History of H.M. Nautical Almanac Office '' ( PDF ). United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. p. 48. Retrieved 2016 - 08 - 02. Jump up ^ Kunitzsch, Paul ( 1986 ). `` The Star Catalogue Commonly Appended to the Alfonsine Tables ''. Journal for the History of Astronomy. 17 ( 49 ) : 89 -- 98. Bibcode : 1986JHA... 17... 89K. ^ Jump up to : NameExoWorlds The Approved Names Jump up ^ Robert Burnham, Jr. Burnham 's Celestial Handbook, Volume 1, p. 359. Jump up ^ Ian Ridpath : `` Star Tales '', Canes Venatici. See also Deborah J. Warner, The Sky Explored : Celestial Cartography 1500 - 1800. Jump up ^ `` Gacrux / Gamma Crucis 2 ? ''. SolStation.com. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 03. Jump up ^ Lesikar, Arnold V. `` Gacrux ''. Dome Of The Sky. Retrieved 2011 - 11 - 03. Jump up ^ Norton 's Star Atlas, publ. Gall & Inglis, Edinburgh, 2nd Ed., 1959 Jump up ^ Kaler, James B., `` MENKAR ( Alpha Ceti ) '', Stars, University of Illinois, retrieved 2011 - 12 - 24 Jump up ^ Hoffleit, Dorrit ; Jaschek, Carlos ( 1991 ). The Bright star catalogue. New Haven. Bibcode : 1991bsc... book... H. Jump up ^ Kunitzsch, Paul ; Smart, Tim ( 2006 ). A Dictionary of Modern star Names : A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations ( 2nd rev. ed. ). Cambridge, Massachusetts : Sky Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 978 - 1 - 931559 - 44 - 7. Jump up ^ Bakich, Michael E. ( 1995 ), The Cambridge guide to the constellations, Cambridge University Press, p. 170, ISBN 0 - 521 - 44921 - 9 Jump up ^ Kunitzch, Paul ; Smart, Tim ( 2006 ) ( 1986 ). A Dictionary of Modern Star Names : A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations. Cambridge, Massachusetts : Sky Publishing Corporation. p. 62. ISBN 978 - 1 - 931559 - 44 - 7. Jump up ^ Kaler, James B., `` SAIPH ( Kappa Orionis ) '', Stars, University of Illinois, retrieved 2012 - 01 - 27 ^ Jump up to : Simpson, Phil ( 2012 ). `` 3 ''. Guidebook to the constellations. New York : Springer. ISBN 9781441969408. General references Kunitzsch, Paul and Smart, Tim, A Dictionary of Modern Star Names ( 2006 ) Rhoads, J.W. Technical Memorandum 33 - 507 - A Reduced Star Catalog Containing 537 Named Stars, NASA - CR - 124573, ( 1971 ) External links SIMBAD online Coleman, L.S., `` Star Names '' @ Frosty Drew Observatory. Dolan, C., `` List of Named Stars in Alphabetical Order '' : Chris Dolan 's Home Page @ UW - Madison Astronomy Department. Kaler, J.B. `` Jim '', `` Star Names - Proper Names '' @ University of Illinois. Gibson, S.J., `` Star Names '' : Gibson 's website @ Arecibo Observatory. Harper, D., Stockman, L M., `` ( Un ) Common Star Names '' : SkyEye. Krochmal, M.S. `` Mike '', `` Proper names - stars and other objects '' @ Autoscan Systems Pty. Ltd. Ridpath, I., Star Names, `` Popular names of stars '' : Ian Ridpath 's Home page. Smith, W.B., ( 1996 ) `` FK5 - SAO - HD - Common Name Cross Index '' : ( VizieR archive @ CDS ). Star Formation Accretion Molecular cloud Bok globule Young stellar object Protostar Pre-main - sequence star Herbig Ae / Be Orion T Tauri FU Orionis Herbig -- Haro object Hayashi track Henyey track Evolution Main sequence Red giant branch Horizontal branch Red clump Asymptotic giant branch Protoplanetary nebula Planetary nebula PG1159 star Dredge - up Instability strip Luminous blue variable Blue straggler Stellar population Supernova Supernova impostor Hypernova Hertzsprung -- Russell diagram Color -- color diagram Luminosity class Subdwarf Dwarf Blue Red White Yellow Brown Subgiant Giant Blue Red Bright giant Supergiant Blue Red Yellow Hypergiant Yellow Spectral classification WR Be OB Subdwarf O Subdwarf B Late - type Chemically peculiar Am Ap / Bp Barium Carbon CH CN Extreme helium Lambda Boötis Lead HgMn Technetium Shell Remnants White dwarf Helium planet Neutron star Radio - quiet Pulsar Binary X-ray Magnetar Stellar black hole X-ray binary Burster Theoretical stars Black dwarf Exotic Quark Strange Preon Planck Electroweak star Dark - matter star Dark - energy star Black star Gravastar Frozen star Q star Quasi-star Thorne -- Żytkow object Iron star Blitzar Nucleosynthesis Deuterium burning Lithium burning Proton -- proton chain CNO cycle Helium flash Triple - alpha process Alpha process Carbon burning Neon burning Oxygen burning Silicon burning S - process R - process Fusor Nova Symbiotic Remnant Luminous red nova Structure Core Convection zone Microturbulence Oscillations Radiation zone Atmosphere Photosphere Starspot Chromosphere Corona Stellar wind Bubble Bipolar outflow Accretion disk Asteroseismology Helioseismology Eddington luminosity Kelvin -- Helmholtz mechanism Properties Designation Dynamics Effective temperature Kinematics Magnetic field Absolute magnitude Mass Metallicity Rotation UBV color Variable star Mira variable Star systems Binary Contact Common envelope Eclipsing Multiple Star cluster Open cluster Globular cluster Super star cluster Planetary system Earth 's Solar System Earth - centric observation of Pole star Circumpolar star Constellation Asterism Magnitude Apparent Extinction Photographic Radial velocity Proper motion Parallax Photometric - standard star Lists Star names Arabic Chinese Extremes Most massive Highest temperature Largest volume Smallest volume Brightest Historical Most luminous Nearest Nearest bright Stars with exoplanets Brown dwarfs White dwarfs Milky Way novae Notable supernovae Supernova candidates Supernova remnants Planetary nebulae Timeline of stellar astronomy Related articles Substellar object Brown dwarf Sub-brown dwarf Planet Galactic year Galaxy Supercluster Guest star Gravity Intergalactic star Infrared dark cloud Starfield Category : Stars Star portal Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_proper_names_of_stars&oldid=811780580 '' Categories : Stars with proper names Lists of stars Lists of names Hidden categories : Articles needing additional references from October 2011 All articles needing additional references Articles containing Arabic - language text Articles containing Ancient Greek - language text Articles containing Chinese - language text All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017 Articles containing Pinyin - language text Talk Contents About Wikipedia Afrikaans Čeština Deutsch فارسی Français 日本 語 Português Русский Simple English Slovenčina Türkçe Edit links This page was last edited on 23 November 2017, at 22 : 37. 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Question: a planet or star that begins with l
Answer: Leo