A Dictionary of Modern Star Names

A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations

Sirius, Algol, Castor and Pollux, Mizar and Alcor: these names are well known to stargazers. But others — Rasalhague, Vindemiatrix, Zubenelgenubi — are obscure tongue twisters. Have you ever wondered where all these exotic-sounding star names came from?

In this revised edition of the venerable Short Guide to Modern Star Names and their Derivations, Paul Kunitzsch and Tim Smart track down the origin and meaning of 254 star names. This fascinating work, long out of print, is considered to be the most authoritative English-language treatment of star names in use today.