Achernar

/ˈækərnɑːr/ noun

Definition

The brightest star in the constellation Eridanus, located in the southern sky and the ninth brightest star visible from Earth.

Etymology

From Arabic 'Ākhir al-Nahr' meaning 'the end of the river', referring to Eridanus which was imagined as a celestial river in classical astronomy.

Kelly Says

Achernar's name preserves ancient Arabic astronomy—the medieval Arab astronomers catalogued Southern Hemisphere stars that Greeks couldn't see, and we still use their poetic names today.

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