Vega

Authors: IAU-WGSN Etymology Group, Susanne M Hoffmann, IanRidpath

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Vega, sparkling in all colours: Vega is white by definition, the colours are caused by the Earth's atmosphere.

This is the name of the star α Lyrae in the constellation of Lyra. Kunitzsch and Smart (2006) note that it was applied in medieval times from an abbreviation of its original name alnasr al-waqi', "the Swooping Eagle (or Vulture)", alternatively used as an asterism name for α, ε, and ζ Lyr. Being used from the end of the 10th century CE, "Vega" is one of the oldest Arabic star names applied in Europe.

Etymology and History

Applied in medieval times from an abbreviation of its ind-A name alnasr al-waqi', "the Swooping Eagle (or Vulture)", alternatively used as an asterism name for α, ε, and ζ Lyr. Vega is one of the oldest Arabic star names applied in the West, from the end of the 10th century AD.

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was approved with this spelling by the IAU WGSN on 2016/06/30.

Weblinks

• Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

Reference

• References (general)
• References (early modern)
• Ian Ridpath Star Tales Lyra
• Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.