Grumium (grö´-mi-um), ξ Draconis, "the dragon's under jaw."
A yellow star.
Ham´-al or (ha-mäl´), α Arietis, "the head of the sheep."
Situated in the forehead of the Ram. It is yellow in color, and is approaching the earth at the rate of nine miles per second. It culminates Dec. 11th.
Homam (ho-mam´), ζ Pegasi, "the lucky star of the hero, or the whisperer."
Situated in the neck of Pegasus. Light yellow in color. It culminates Oct. 22d. The Century Dictionary gives this star name to η Pegasi.
Hyadum I, γ Tauri.
Situated in the Hyades, the nose of the Bull. A yellow star.
Izar (ē-zär), Mirach, or Mizar, ε Boötis, "the girdle."
Pale orange in color. It is approaching the earth at the rate of ten miles per second, and culminates June 16th. A beautiful colored double star.
Jabbah (Jab´-bä), ν Scorpii, "crown of the forehead."
A triple star.
Kaus (kâs), Australis, ε Sagittarii, "the southern part of the bow."
An orange-colored star. It culminates Aug. 8th.
Kaus (kâs), Borealis, λ Sagittarii, "the northern part of the bow."
Kitalpha, α Equulei, the Arab name for the asterism. In the head of the Little Horse. It culminates Sept. 24th.
Ko´-chab (kō-käb´), β Ursæ Minoris, "the star of the North."
Situated in the right shoulder of the Little Bear. One of the two Guardians of the Pole. It is reddish in color, and is receding from the earth at the rate of eight miles per second. It culminates June 19th.
Kornephoros, β Herculis, the Arab name for the constellation.
Situated in the right arm-pit of Hercules. Pale yellow in color. It is approaching the earth at the rate of twenty-two miles per second. It culminates July 12th.
Lesuth, ν Scorpii, "the sting."
Situated in the tip of the Scorpion's tail. It culminates July 27th.
Marfak (mär´fak), θ Cassiopeiæ, "the elbow."
Situated in the left elbow of Cassiopeia. This star name is also given to μ Cassiopeiæ.
Marfic (mär´-fik), λ Ophiuchi, "the elbow."
Situated in the left elbow of the Serpent Bearer. Yellowish white in color.
Marfik (mär´ fik), or Marsic, κ Herculis, "the elbow."
Situated in the right elbow of Hercules. Light yellow in color.
Mar´-kab (mär´kab), α Pegasi, Arab word for "saddle". Century Dictionary gives "a wagon" or "chariot."
Markeb, κ Argus.
Situated in the stern of the Ship. It culminates Mar. 25th.
Marsym, λ Herculis, "the wrist."
Situated in the left wrist of Hercules. Deep yellow in color.
Matar or Sad (Säd), "a lucky star," or more fully, Sad-Mator, η Pegasi, "the fortunate rain."
Situated in the left fore leg of Pegasus.
Mebusta, Mebsuta (Meb-sö´-ta), or Meboula, ε Geminorum, "the outstretched."
A brilliant white star situated in the right knee of Castor.
Media, or Kaus Media, δ Sagittarii, "middle (of the) bow."
Orange yellow in color. It culminates Aug. 8th.
Mē-gres, or (Mē´-grez), δ Ursæ Majoris, "the root of the bear's tail."
It is a pale yellow star, and culminates May 10th. This star is the faintest of the seven which form the Dipper.
Meissa, λ Orionis.
Situated in the face of the Giant Hunter. Pale white in color.
Mekbuda (mek-bū´-dā), ζ Geminorum, "the contracted (arm)."
Situated in the left knee of Pollux. Pale topaz in color.
Menkalinan (men-ka-lē-nan´ or Men-kal´-i-nan), β Aurigæ, "the shoulder of the rein-holder or driver."
Menkar (men´kär), α Oeti, "the nose, or snout."
Situated in the nose of Cetus. Bright orange in color. It culminates Dec. 21st. Sometimes written Menkab.
Menkib, ξ Persei, "the shoulder."
Situated in the calf of the right leg of Perseus.
Merak (mē´rak), β Ursæ Majoris, "the loin of the bear."
A greenish white star which is approaching the earth at the rate of eighteen miles per second. It culminates Apr. 20th. The southern of the two "pointers."
Mesartim (mē-sär´tim), γ Arietis, the Hebrew word for "minister."
Situated in the Ram's left horn. Bright white in color.
Mintaka (min´ta-kä), δ Orionis, "the belt (of the giant)."
One of the three stars in Orion's belt. A brilliant white star with very little motion. It culminates Jan. 24th.
Mī´-ra (mī´ra or mē´ra), ο Ceti.
Situated in the neck of Cetus. A famous variable, flushed yellow in color. It culminates Dec. 15th.
Mī´rach, or Mirak (mī´rak or mē´rak), β Andromedæ, "the girdle," or "the loins."
A yellow star culminating Nov. 28th.
Mīzar (mīzär or mē´zär), ζ Ursæ Majoris, "a girdle or apron."
Muliphen, γ Canis Majoris.
Situated in the neck of the Greater Dog. It culminates Feb. 26th.
Muphrid (mū´-frid), η Boötis, "the solitary star of the lancer."
Situated in the calf of the left leg of the Herdsman. Pale yellow in color. It culminates June 4th.
Murzim or Mirzam (mer-zäm´), β Canis Majoris, "the announcer" or "the roarer."
Situated in the Greater Dog's left fore paw. A white star culminating Feb. 5th.
Muscida, ο Ursæ Majoris, "the muzzle."
Situated in the nose of the Great Bear.
Nekkar, or Nakkar (nak´-kär), β Boötis, "the herdsman," the Arab name for the whole constellation.
Situated in the head of Boötes. A golden yellow star which culminates June 20th.
Naos (nā´-os), ζ Argus, "the ship."
Situated in the stern of the Ship. It culminates Mar. 3d.
Nashira, γ Capricorni, "the fortunate one, or the bringer of good tidings."
Situated in the tail of the Sea-Goat. It culminates Oct. 3d.
Nihal, β Leporis.
Situated in the right foot of the Hare. Deep yellow in color. It culminates Jan. 23d.
Nodus Secundus, δ Draconis, "the second of the four knots or convolutions."
Nunki, σ Sagittarii, "the star of the proclamation of the sea," or Sadira (sad´-ē-ra), "the ostrich returning from the water."
Situated in the upper part of the Archer's left arm. It culminates Aug. 17th.
Phad, Phec´-da, or Phaed (fā´-ed), γ Ursæ Majoris, "the thigh" (of the bear).
Topaz yellow in color. It is approaching the earth at the rate of sixteen miles per second. It culminates May 4th.
Phaet or Phact, α Columbæ.
Situated in the heart of the Dove. It culminates Jan. 26th.
Pherkad (fer´-kad), γ Ursæ Minoris, "the calf."
Situated in the right fore leg of the Little Bear.
Po-lá-ris, α Ursæ Minoris, "the pole star."
Situated in the tip of the Little Bear's tail. Topaz yellow in color. It is receding from the earth at the rate of sixteen miles per second.
Pol´-lux, β Geminorum, Ovid's "Pugil," the pugilist of the two brothers.
Situated in the head of Pollux. An orange-colored star which is receding from the earth at the rate of one mile per second. It culminates Feb. 26th. The Century Dictionary gives the color of Pollux as very yellow.
Porrima (por´-i-mä), γ Virginis, Latin name for "a goddess of prophecy."
Situated in the Virgin's left arm. It culminates May 17th.
Pro´-cy-on, α Canis Minoris, "the foremost dog."
A yellowish-white star. It is approaching the earth at the rate of six miles per second. It culminates Feb. 24th. It is situated in the right side of the Lesser Dog. Dr. Elkin gives its distance as 12.3 light years, and its proper motion as 13.9 miles per second.
Propus (prō´-pus), η Geminorum, "the forward foot."
Situated in the northern foot of Castor.
Rasalas (ras´-a-las), μ Leonis, "the lion's head toward the south."
Situated in the Sickle, close to the Lion's right eye. An orange-colored star. It culminates Apr. 1st. Alshemali and Borealis are other names for this star.
Ras Algethi (räs-al-ge´-thi), α Herculis, "the kneeler's head."
Orange red in color. It culminates July 23d.
Ras´-al-hāg´-ue, α Ophiuchi, "the head of the serpent charmer."
A sapphire-hued star. It is receding from the earth at the rate of twelve miles per second. It culminates July 28th.
Rastaban (räs-ta-bän´), β or γ Draconis "the dragon's head," or "the head of the basilisk."
A yellow star culminating Aug. 3d. This star also called Alwaid (al-wīd´) "the sucking camel-colts." The three stars near it are included in this appellation.
Reg´-u-lus, α Leonis, diminutive of the earlier Rex.
Rigel (ri´-jel), β Orionis, "the [left] leg of the Jabbah, or giant."
A bluish-white star, which is receding from the earth at the rate of ten miles per second. It culminates Jan. 20th. This star is sometimes called Algebar (al´-je-bär).
Rotanev (rot´-a-nev), β Delphini, from Venator, assistant to Piazzi, his name reversed.
It culminates Sept. 15th.
Ruchba, ω Cygni, "the hen's knee."
A pale red star.
Ruchbah, or Rucbah, δ Cassiopeiæ, "the knee."
Situated in the left knee of Cassiopeia. It culminates Dec. 2d.
Rukbat, α Sagittarii, "the archer's knee."
Situated in the left fore foot of the Archer. It culminates Aug. 24th.
Sabik, η Ophiuchi.
A pale yellow star in the left leg of the Serpent Bearer. It culminates Aug. 21st.
Sadachbia (sād-ak-bē´-yä), γ Aquarii, "the luck star of hidden things."
Greenish in color and situated in the water jar of Aquarius. It culminates Oct. 16th.
Sad al Bari, λ and μ Pegasi, "the good luck of the excelling one."
Situated close to the fore legs of Pegasus.
Sadal Melik (säd-al-mel´-ik), or Rucbah, α Aquarii, "the lucky star of the king."
A red star situated in the right shoulder of Aquarius. It culminates Oct. 9th.
Sadalsund, or Sadalsuud (säd-al-sö-öd), β Aquarii, "the luckiest of the lucky."
Pale yellow in color. Situated in the left shoulder of Aquarius. It culminates Sept. 29th.
Sadatoni (sad-a-tō´-ni), ζ Aurigæ.
One of the three stars known as "the kids." Orange color.
Sadr (sadr), or Sadir (sā´-dēr), γ Cygni, "the hen's breast."
This star is approaching the earth at the rate of four miles per second. It culminates Sept. 11th.
Saiph (sā-if´), κ Orionis, "the sword of the giant."
Situated in Orion's right knee. It culminates Jan. 27th.
Sargas, θ Scorpii.
A red star situated in the tail of the Scorpion. It culminates July 27th.
Scheat (she´-at), or Menkib, β Pegasi, "the upper part of the arm."
Situated in the left fore-leg of Pegasus. It is deep yellow in color, and is receding from the earth at the rate of four miles per second. It culminates Oct. 25th.
Schemali, see Deneb al schemali, ι Ceti.
Seginus (se-jī´nus), γ Boötis, from Ceginus of the constellation, possibly.
Situated in the left shoulder of Boötes. It culminates June 13th.
Shaula (shâ´-lä), λ Scorpii, "the sting."
Shedar, Schedir, or Shedir, α Cassiopeiæ, "the breast," or from El Seder, "the sedar tree," a name given to this constellation by Ulugh Beigh.
Pale rose in color. It culminates Nov. 18th.
Sheliak, or Shelyak (shel´-yak), "a tortoise," β Lyræ, Arabian name for the constellation.
A very white star culminating Aug. 17th.
Sheratan (sher-a-tan´), β Arietis, "a sign," or "the two signs."
Situated in the Ram's horn. A pearly white star culminating Dec. 7th.
Sir´-i-us, α Canis Majoris, "the sparkling star or scorcher."
Situated in the mouth of the Great Dog. Brilliant white in color. The brightest of the fixed stars. It culminates Feb. 11th.
Situla (sit´-ū-lā), κ Aquarii, "the water jar or bucket."
Situated in the rim of the Water Jar.
Skat, or Scheat, δ Aquarii, "a wish," or possibly it means a "shin bone."
Situated in the right leg of Aquarius.
Spï´ca, α Virginis, "the ear of wheat or corn" (held in the Virgin's left hand).
A brilliant flushed white star, which is approaching the earth at the rate of nine miles a second. It culminates May 28th.
Sualocin, or Svalocin (sval´-ō-sin), Nicolaus reversed, α Delphini.
A pale yellow star culminating Sept. 15th.
Sulafat, or Sulaphat (sö´-lä-fät), "the tortoise," γ Lyræ.
Arabian title for the whole constellation. It is bright yellow in color, and culminates Aug. 19th.
Syrma, ι Virginis; this name used by Ptolemy to designate this star in the train of the Virgin's robe.
Talita (tä´-lē-tä), κ or ι Ursæ Majoris, "the third vertebra."
Situated in the right fore paw of the Great Bear. Topaz yellow in color.
Tania Borealis, λ Ursæ Majoris.
Tania Australis, μ Ursæ Majoris, a red star.
These stars are situated in the right hind foot of the Great Bear. The former star culminates Apr. 8th.
Tarazed (tar´-a-zed), γ Aquilæ, "the soaring falcon," part of the Persian title for the constellation.
Situated in the body of the Eagle. A pale orange star, culminating Aug. 31st.
Tegmeni, ζ Cancri, "in the covering."
A yellow-colored star.
Te´-jat, μ Geminorum.
Thu´-ban or (thō-ban´), α Draconis, "the dragon," the Arab title for the constellation.
Situated in one of the Dragon's coils. It is pale yellow in color, and culminates June 7th.
Unuk al Hay or Unukalhai (ū´-nuk-al-hä´-i), α Serpentis, "the neck of the snake."
Vë´ga, or Wega, α Lyræ, "falling," i.e., the falling bird, "the harp star."
A beautiful pale star sapphire in color. It is approaching the earth at the rate of nine miles a second. It culminates Aug. 12th.
Vindemiatrix, ε Virginis, "the vintager or grape gatherer."
Situated in the Virgin's right arm. A bright yellow star culminating May 22d.
Wasat (wä´-sat), δ Geminorum, "the middle."
Situated in the body of Pollux. Pale white in color. It culminates Feb. 19th.
Wesen, δ Canis Majoris, "the weight."
A light yellow star in the right side of the Great Dog. It culminates Feb. 17th.
Yed Prior (yed), δ Ophiuchi, "the hand," "the star behind or following."
Deep yellow in color. It culminates July 7th. It is in the left hand of the Serpent Bearer.
Yed Posterior, ε Ophiuchi, "the hand."
A red star culminating July 8th.
Yildum, δ Ursæ Minoris.
Situated in the tail of the Little Bear. A greenish-hued star culminating Aug. 12th.
Zaniah, η Virginis.
Situated in the Virgin's left shoulder.
Zaurak (zâ´-rak), γ Eridani, "the bright star of the boat."
Zavijava (zav-ija´-va), β Virginis, "angle or corner," "the retreat or kennel of the barking dog."
Situated on the Virgin's left wing. A pale yellow star culminating May 3d.
Zosma (zōs´-ma), δ Leonis, "a girdle."
Situated at the root of the Lion's tail. A pale yellow star which is approaching the earth at the rate of nine miles a second. It culminates Apr. 24th. This star is also called Duhr, and sometimes Zubra.
Zubenakravi (zöben-ak´-ra-vi or -bi), γ Scorpii, "the claw of the Scorpion." A red star.
Zuben Elgenubi (zö-ben-el-jen-ū´-bi), α Libræ, "the southern claw" (of the Scorpion).
A pale yellow star culminating June 17th. This star is also called Kiffa Australis.
Zuben Eschamali (zö-ben-es-she-ma´-li), β Libræ, "the northern claw."
A pale emerald color, a very unusual color for a star. It is approaching the earth at the rate of six miles a second and culminates June 23d. This star is also known as "Kiffa Borealis."
In the compilation of the foregoing list, the author has been greatly assisted by Allen's "Star Names and their Meanings."
[1] It will be noted that the date of culmination is given in almost every case. By culmination is meant the highest point reached by a heavenly body in its path, at which point it is said to be on the meridian. In this hemisphere this is in each case the highest point north.
For example:—the culmination of the sun occurs at noon.
The time when the stars here mentioned culminate on the dates specified is in each case nine o'clock p.m.
| DATE | NAME OF STAR | CONSTELLATION |
| January 1 | Regulus, 1st. | Leo. |
| January 8 | Alphard, 2d. | Hydra. |
| January 11 | Cor Caroli. | Canes Venatici. |
| February 20 | Arcturus, 1st. | Boötes. |
| March 1 | Spica, 1st. | Virgo. |
| March 5 | Gemma, 2d. | Corona Borealis. |
| April 1 | Vega, 1st. | Lyra. |
| April 20 | Ras Alhague, 2d. | Ophiuchus. |
| April 22 | Deneb, 2d. | Cygnus. |
| May 9 | Antares, 1st. | Scorpius. |
| May 26 | Altair, 1st. | Aquila. |
| June 5 | Delphinus. | |
| July 17 | Algenib, 2d. | Perseus. |
| August 6 | Algol. | Perseus. |
| August 21 | Capella, 1st. | Auriga. |
| August 21 | Hamal, 2d. | Aries. |
| August 27 | Fomalhaut, 1st. | Piscis Australis. |
| September 13 | The Pleiades in Taurus. | |
| October 2 | Aldebaran, 1st. | Taurus. |
| October 26 | Bellatrix, 2d. | Orion. |
| October 30 | Castor, 2d. | Gemini. |
| October 30 | Betelgeuze, 1st. | Orion. |
| November 4 | Pollux, 1st. | Gemini. |
| November 4 | Rigel, 1st. | Orion. |
| November 27 | Procyon, 1st. | Canis Minor. |
| December 4 | Sirius, 1st. | Canis Major. |
| December 8 | Phaet, 2d. | Columba. |
| December 14 | The Bee Hive in Cancer. | |
| December 16 | The head of Hydra. |