Gamma Eridani

Gamma Eridani (γ Eri, γ Eridani) is a star in the constellation Eridanus. It has the traditional name Zaurak, which means "the boat."[1]

In Chinese, 天苑 (Tiān Yuàn), meaning Celestial Meadows, refers to an asterism consisting of γ Eridani, δ Eridani, π Eridani, ε Eridani, ζ Eridani , η Eridani, π Ceti, τ1 Eridani, τ2 Eridani, τ3 Eridani, τ4 Eridani, τ5 Eridani, τ6 Eridani, τ7 Eridani, τ8 Eridani and τ9 Eridani.[2] Consequently, γ Eridani itself is known as 天苑一 (Tiān Yuàn yī, English: the First Star of Celestial Meadows.)[3]

Structure

Zaurak has an apparent magnitude of +2.95 and is of spectral type M0.5IIICa-ICr -. It is 150 light years from Earth.

Namesakes

USS Zaurak (AK-117) was a United States Navy Crater class cargo ship named after the star.

References

  1. ^ Star Name - R.H. Allen p. 218
  2. ^ (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
  3. ^ (Chinese) 香港太空館 - 研究資源 - 亮星中英對照表, Hong Kong Space Museum. Accessed on line November 23, 2010.
Stars of Eridanus
Bayer
Flamsteed
Nearby