Arabic for "Follower" because it rises after the Pleiades. The Pleiades is a group of 6 stars traveling together through space. The eye of the constellation Taurus, the bull.
Claim to Fame:
Brightest star in the constellation of Taurus, the Bull. 13th brightest star in the night sky (apparent visual magnitude = 0.9)
Type of Star:
Orange Giant (K5 III Spectral Class). Fusing He to C/O in its core.
How Far Away:
72 light years
How Big:
50 times the size of the sun. Would almost fill out to the orbit of Mercury.
How Bright:
360 times the sun's luminosity (Mv=-0.49)
Where to View:
In the constellation of Taurus, the Bull (Star Map).
When to View:
October through March from the Northern middle lattiudes
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