Elnath
Product information
Description
Elnath shines with a crisp blue-white glow at the tip of Taurus’s northern horn. It’s easily spotted in the winter sky, helping to define the shape of the bull and serving as a celestial landmark for stargazers and navigators alike.
Additional Information
- Constellation
- Taurus
- Spectral Type
- B7III
- Apparent Magnitude
- 1.65
- Distance (Light Years)
- 134
- Right Ascension
- 05h 26m 17.5s
- Declination
- +28° 36′ 27″
- Solar Masses
- 5
- Radius (Solar)
- 4.2
- Temperature (Kelvin)
- 13100
- Age (Million Years)
- 100
Discovery
- Ancient Civilizations
- Babylonians, Greeks, Arabs
- Historical Significance
- Elnath has been known since antiquity and served as a celestial marker in many cultures. Its prominent placement at the tip of Taurus’s northern horn made it an important star in early star charts and mythology.
Cultural Significance
- Mythology
- In Greek mythology, Elnath is part of the Taurus constellation, representing the horn of the celestial bull. In Arabic tradition, the name 'Elnath' derives from 'An-Nath', meaning 'the butting', further linking it to the bull's horn.
- Navigation
- Elnath's brightness and position in the winter sky made it a useful reference point for ancient mariners navigating by the stars.
- Modern Reference
- Elnath is commonly mentioned in astronomy guides as a major star in Taurus and occasionally associated with the nearby constellation Auriga, due to its location near the border between them.
Notable Features
- Stellar Motion
- Elnath exhibits typical stellar motion and lies relatively isolated, with few nearby bright stars in its vicinity.
- Additional Fact
- Elnath was historically listed as part of both Taurus and Auriga constellations but is now officially assigned to Taurus. It marks the northern horn of the bull.
User Dedications
- Dedications
- This star has not been claimed yet. Be the first to dedicate it to someone special!