Arkab

/ˈɑːrkæb/ noun

Definition

A star designation in the constellation Sagittarius; often refers to Alpha Sagittarii.

Etymology

From Arabic arkah or arkāb, likely meaning 'the base' or referring to the hind legs (of the archer/centaur in Sagittarius). Arabic star names were preserved through medieval Islamic astronomy.

Kelly Says

Arkab is a beautiful example of how Islamic astronomers preserved and named stars—many star names we use today come from Arabic, showing that Western science built on Middle Eastern learning.

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