Epsilon Ursae Majoris - Name and Etymology

Name and Etymology

  • The traditional name Alioth comes from the Arabic alyat (fat tail of a sheep).
  • This star as Añgiras, one of the Seven Rishis.
  • In Chinese, 北斗 (Běi Dǒu), meaning Northern Dipper, refers to an asterism consisting of ε Ursae Majoris, α Ursae Majoris, β Ursae Majoris, γ Ursae Majoris, δ Ursae Majoris, ζ Ursae Majoris and η Ursae Majoris. Consequently, ε Ursae Majoris itself is known as 北斗五 (Běi Dǒu wu, English: the Fifth Star of Northern Dipper) and 玉衡 (Yù Héng, English: Star of Jade Sighting-Tube).

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