Algol
From All Skies Encyclopaedia
Algol 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 HIP14576. (β Per, HR 936) in constellation Per.
Etymology and History
Applied in medieval times from an abbreviation of its sci-A name ras al-ghul "the Demon's Head" (for Ptolemy's Gorgon-head). "Algol" is one of the oldest Arabic star names applied in the West, from the end of the 10th century A.D.
Mythology
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.
