Arcturus
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Arcturus
Arcturus (ärkto͝orˈəs), brightest star in the constellation Boötes and 4th-brightest star in the entire sky; Bayer designation Alpha Boötis; 1992 position R.A. 14h15.3m, Dec. +19°13′. An orange giant of spectral class K2 III, it has an apparent magnitude of −0.06; its diameter is about 10 times that of the sun and its luminosity about 100 times that of the sun. Arcturus is one of the nearest giant stars, at a distance of about 36 light-years, and has one of the largest proper motions (annual angular shift in position) of the bright stars. Its name is from the Greek meaning “guardian of the bear,” and it can be found by following the extension of the curve of the handle of the Big Dipper (Large Bear).
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Arcturus
(ark-toor -ŭs, =tyoor -) (α Boo) A conspicuous red giant that is the brightest star in the constellation Boötes and the second-brightest star in the northern sky (after the Sun). The three stars Alioth, Mizar, and Alcaid in the handle of the Big Dipper point in its direction. Arcturus is a high-velocity star and shows spectral peculiarities. mv : –0.04; Mv : –0.2; spectral type: K2 IIIp; radius (by interferometer): 28 times solar radius; distance: 10 pc.Collins Dictionary of Astronomy © Market House Books Ltd, 2006
Arcturus
[‚ärk′tu̇r·əs] (astronomy)
A star that is 36 light-years from the sun; spectral classification K2IIIp. Also known as α Boötes.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.