Alphard

/ˈælfɑrd/ noun

Definition

The brightest star in the constellation Hydra, a large orange giant star located about 175 light-years from Earth.

Etymology

From Arabic al-fard, meaning 'the solitary one' or 'the single one,' named because this star was historically the only bright star in the constellation Hydra. The prefix al- is the Arabic definite article 'the.'

Kelly Says

Alphard is called 'the solitary one' because from Earth it appears isolated in a relatively starless region of sky—but that's purely from our perspective; there are actually many stars near it that are just too faint for us to see without telescopes.

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