Arcturus

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Arcturus

Arcturus , brightest star in the constellation Boötes and 4th-brightest star in the entire sky; Bayer designation Alpha Boötis; 1992 position R.A. 14 ^h 15.3 ^m , 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

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | Â© A Dictionary of Astronomy 1997, originally published by Oxford University Press 1997. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Arcturus The star Alpha Boötis, magnitude -0.05, the brightest star north of the celestial equator and the fourth-brightest star of all. It is a K1.5 giant, 37 l.y. away.

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Charles's Wain

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Â© The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 2006, originally published by Oxford University Press 2006. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Charles's Wain the Plough in Ursa Major. It is called in Old English Carles wægn ‘the wain of Carl (Charlemagne)’, perhaps because the star Arcturus was associated with King Arthur, with whom Charlemagne was connected in legend.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Charles's Wain." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Charles's Wain." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (November 27, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-CharlessWain.html

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