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Dictionary of Modern Star Names

Dictionary of Modern Star Names - Main image
$8.55 $12.95 In stock

Category: Books

Description

A Dictionary of Modern Star Names
By Paul Kunitzsch & Tim Smart

Format: Paperback

Sirius, Algol, Castor and Pollux, Mizar and Alcor: these names are well known to stargazers. But others — Rasalhague, Vindemiatrix, Zubenelgenubi — are obscure tongue twisters. Have you ever wondered where all these exotic-sounding star names came from? In this revised edition of the venerable Short Guide to Modern Star Names and their Derivations, Paul Kunitzsch and Tim Smart track down the origin and meaning of 254 star names. This fascinating work, long out of print, is considered to be the most authoritative English-language treatment of star names in use today.

Specifications

Size 6 x 9 inches
Array Paul Kunitzsch & Tim Smart
Format Paperback
ISBN 13 9781931559447
Number Of Pages 76
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Customer Reviews (4.8 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Olivia P. ★★★★★

I love how this book explains not just the names but the cultural stories behind them—it made my night sky walks so much richer. The paperback format is perfect for my stargazing backpack.

Julian ★★★★★

The etymologies are far deeper than I expected—each entry reads like a mini history lesson, not just a translation. I’ve already spent an hour flipping between Algol and Aldebaran and lost track of time. Perfect for anyone who wants more than a sky map.

Madison G. ★★★★★

I've been looking up star names while reading old astronomy books, and this dictionary finally gives me the background on names like Rasalhague and Zubenelgenubi that I could never find elsewhere. The entries are surprisingly detailed for a paperback reference, covering both Arabic and Greek origins