Stellar glyph of Capella

Star in Auriga

Capella

α Aur HR 1708 HIP 24608 magnitude 0.08

Its ancient Roman name meaning "the She-goat" (but more commonly given, in antiquity, as Capra), after the star's Greek name αίξ, "the Goat". Reapplied in recent times. The Roman names Capella, Aselli (for γ/ δ Cnc), an…

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Astronomy

Official IAU information

Designation

HR 1708

HIP

24608

Bayer ID

α Aur

Visual magnitude

0.08

Right ascension (J2000)

79.1723°

Declination (J2000)

45.998°

IAU adoption

2016/06/30

Name origin

Its ancient Roman name meaning "the She-goat" (but more commonly given, in antiquity, as Capra), after the star's Greek name αίξ, "the Goat". Reapplied in recent times. The Roman names Capella, Aselli (for γ/ δ Cnc), and others in the diminutive form (also in Greek), are likely meant to indicate an atypical use of words, as an animal's name given to a star instead of to the animal (rather than meaning "small" animals or personages).

Other stars in Auriga