Mirzam is a modern star name adopted by the International Astronomical Union in the IAU-Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN). Its origin is Arabic. It is the name of HIP30324 (β Cma, HR 2294) in constellation CMa.

Etymology and History

Applied in recent times from its Arabic name al-mirzam, of unknown meaning. The Arabs also gave the name to β CMi, and sometimes to γ Ori. Each al-mirzam star preceded the rising of a brighter star (our Sirius, Procyon, and Betelgeuse, respectively), which probably connects to the unknown meaning.

Mythology

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN on 2016/07/20.

Weblinks

• Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/

Reference

• References (general)
• Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub.