Harpa
Authors: Susanne M Hoffmann
Harpa is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Latin, based on a name variant of the obsolete constellation Psalterium Georgianum. It is the name of the star 10 Tau in constellation Taurus.
Concordance, Etymology, History
The name variant "Harpa" for the constellation Psalterium Georgianum occured only in Bode (1801).
However, this variant is shorter and easier to pronounce than the others which is the reason why it was chosen for the modern star name.
Mythology
no mythology
IAU Working Group on Star Names
The name was proposed to the IAU WGSN in 2023 for 10 Tauri. This is a very nearby F dwarf star (d=13.9pc, Vmag=4.30): SIMBAD. Given the brightness and proximity of 10 Tau, it is a very good target for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory for trying to image Earth-like exoplanets. It is a F9IV-V standard star on of the stars that Keenan adopts to end of the F spectral class, and the nearest "bright" star (V<5) in Taurus that is unnamed.
In 2026, the WGSN chose ... (not to apply/ to apply the name to a neighbouring star/ to ...) in the IAU-CSN.
Weblinks
Reference
- References (general)
- References (early modern)
- Ian Ridpath's website (Star Tales )
