altair

Thân thiện

An astronomer points a telescope toward the bright star Altair in the night sky.

Definition

Proper noun 1. A specific star: Altair is the name of a specific star. It is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila (the Eagle). It is a double star system located approximately 15.7 light-years from Earth.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Altair is one of the three stars that form the Summer Triangle asterism.
  • In many cultures, Altair is associated with an eagle or a bird of prey.
  • The star Altair spins so rapidly it is noticeably flattened at its poles.

Advanced Usage

• In mythology and culture: Altair is often referenced in mythology, most famously in the East Asian folktale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, where it represents the cowherd.
• In astronomy: The term is used precisely to identify this specific celestial object in scientific contexts. For example: "The radial velocity of Altair was measured."

Variants and Related Words

• Alpha Aquilae: This is the star's Bayer designation, a formal astronomical name meaning "the brightest star in Aquila." It is synonymous with Altair.
• HD 187642: This is the star's designation in the Henry Draper Catalogue, another scientific identifier for Altair.

Synonyms

• Alpha Aquilae (scientific synonym)
• The brightest star in Aquila (descriptive synonym)

Related Phrases and Contexts

• "Altair and Vega": Often mentioned together as the two lover stars in the aforementioned myth, separated by the Milky Way.
• "The Altair system": Refers to the star and its confirmed or suspected companion stars.

Học thuật

Noun

1. double star 15.7 light years from Earth; the brightest star in the Aquila constellation

Từ đồng nghĩa

• altair