Zuogeng (左更)

Not to be confused with Zuogeng (左更) and Yougeng (右更).

Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann

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Zuogeng is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Chinese. It is the name of the star η Ari in constellation Aries.

Concordance, Etymology, History

Zuǒ Gēng (左更, Official in Charge of the Forest) forms a super-constellation with Yòu Gēng (右更, Official in Charge of Pasturing) in the Chinese sky of the Gan School (甘氏) in Han Dynasty. Each of the two asterisms consists of five stars.

For more details like the etymology, history and transformation over time, please see the asterism's page:

• Zuogeng (左更) and Yougeng (右更).

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was proposed to the IAU WGSN in 2023-6. In October 2026, the WGSN adopted the name Zuogeng for the representative star η Ari that is not the determinative but a rather bright one in this group. The star name is meant to honour the professions of foresters and others who care for forests and pastures.

The star η Ari is ... a quite ordinary solitary yellow-white-hued (F-type) main-sequence star, whose light left the surface a century ago.

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Reference

• References (general)
• References (early modern)
• Ian Ridpath's website (Star Tales )