Merak

From All Skies Encyclopaedia

Merak is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Arabic. It is the name of HIP 53910 (β UMa, HR 4295) in constellation UMa.

Etymology and History

Applied in recent times from an abbreviation of its sci-A name maraqq al-dubb al-akbar, "the Flank (or Groin) of the Greater Bear".

Mythology

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/06/30.

Weblinks

Reference

  • References (general)
  • 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 Pub.