Mu Draconis
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000 |
|
|---|---|
| Constellation | Draco |
| Right ascension | 17h 05m 19.7s |
| Declination | +54° 28′ 13″ |
| Apparent magnitude (V) | 5.8 / 5.61 |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | F7V |
| U−B color index | 0.05 |
| B−V color index | 0.48 |
| Variable type | - |
| Astrometry | |
| Radial velocity (Rv) | −4.5 km/s |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: −68.4 mas/yr Dec.: 88.7 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 37.08 ± 0.89 mas |
| Distance | 88 ± 2 ly (27 ± 0.6 pc) |
| Absolute magnitude (MV) | ? |
| Orbit | |
| Companion | HIP 83608 |
| Period (P) | ? yr |
| Semimajor axis (a) | ?" |
| Eccentricity (e) | ? |
| Inclination (i) | ?° |
| Longitude of the node (Ω) | ?° |
| Periastron epoch (T) | ? |
| Other designations | |
Mu Draconis (μ Draconis, μ Dra) is a binary star with a combined magnitude of 4.92m located approximately 85 light years from the Solar System, near the head of the constellation Draco. The component stars are nearly identical yellow-white stars in a tight orbit. Each is of the spectral class F7V and has a visual magnitude of 5.8m.
Mu Draconis is also known by its older name Alrakis,[1] [2] which is derived from name given to it in Arabic by Arabian stargazers, al-Rāqiṣ, "the Trotting Camel"[1][3] or "the Dancer."[2][3] This name is also sometimes spelled in the English as "Arrakis" or "Errakis."[3]
This star, along with β Dra (Rastaban), γ Dra (Eltanin), ν Dra (Kuma) and ξ Dra (Grumium) were Al ʽAwāïd, "the Mother Camels", which was later known as the Quinque Dromedarii.[4].
Science fiction writer Frank Herbert chose Arrakis as the name of the primary planet in his famous Dune series of novels, aware that the word "Arrakis" is the transliteration into English of the Arabic words for "the dancer" (al-Raqis).[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Kunitzsch, P., & Smart, T., (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, MA: Sky Pub. p. 35. ISBN 9781931559447.
- ^ a b Davis, Jr., G. A., (1971). Pronunciations, Derivations, and Meanings of a Selected List of Star Names (rep. ed.). Cambridge, MA: Sky Pub. Corp. p. 13.
- ^ a b c Allen, R. H., (1963). Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (rep. ed.). New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc.. p. 211. ISBN 0486210790.
- ^ Allen, R. H. (1963). Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning (Reprint ed.). New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc. p. 207. ISBN 0486210790. http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Topics/astronomy/_Texts/secondary/ALLSTA/Draco*.html. Retrieved 2010-12-12.
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