Altair

Aquila · α Aql · HR 7557

HIP97649
Visual magnitude0.76
Right ascension (J2000)297.696°
Declination (J2000)8.86832°
WDS J19508+0852
IAU adoption2016/06/30

Name origin

Applied with various spellings since medieval times, from an abbreviation of its Arabic name al-nars al-ta)ir, "the Flying Eagle (or Vulture)", alternatively used as an asterism name for α, β and γ Aql. The name has probable origins among the Babylonians and Sumerians, for whom α Aql was "the Eagle Star".

Alternative names

  • No alternative names yet.