Altair

Altair 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 97649 (α Aql, HR 7557) in constellation Aql.

Etymology and History

Applied with various spellings since medieval times, from an abbreviation of its Arabic name al-nars al-ta)ir, "the Flying Eagle (or Vulture)", alternatively used as an asterism name for α, β and γ Aql. The name has probable origins among the Babylonians and Sumerians, for whom α Aql was "the Eagle Star".

IAU Working Group on Star Names

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

Weblinks

• Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

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.