A fixed star, also known as Epsilon Canis Majoris, located in the constellation Canis Major.
From Arabic al-nu'ān or similar, with precise etymology uncertain but consistent with Arabic stellar nomenclature patterns. Like other star names, it was transmitted to English through medieval astronomy texts.
Even moderately bright stars got names from Arab astronomers, showing they cataloged not just the brightest dozen constellations but hundreds of individual stars across the entire sky—a monumental scientific achievement.
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