Bellatrix
- HIP
- 25336
- Designation
- 24 Gam Ori
- Bayer designation
- γ Ori
- Visual magnitude
- 1.64
- Constellation
- Orion
- Name approved by the IAU
- 2016-06-30
The IAU catalogue's account
A Latin name meaning "the Female Warrior", given to α Aur in a medieval astrological text (the reason behind this initial application is not fully understood and awaits further findings in corresponding Arabic texts). In late medieval times, bellatrix was transferred to γ Ori, perhaps by association with the name Bellator, "the Male Warrior", which was used for Orion in other astrological texts.
- Source language
- Latin
- Reference
- 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.
Source: IAU Catalog of Star Names (IAU-CSN), Working Group on Star Names. The account is the IAU's own text and is quoted in full: it is published under CC BY.
From Kunitzsch & Smart
- Layer of tradition
- Scientific Arabic
- Ancient-layer signal
- no simple cue found
- Pronounced
- bel la' triks
- Literal meanings
- the Female Warrior; the Male Warrior
- Periods of use
- Medieval
- Transmission notes
- transferred, translation
Source: Kunitzsch & Smart, A Dictionary of Modern Star Names, 2nd ed. 2006, p. 46
Layer of tradition and ancient-layer signal are not the dictionary authors' judgement but a keyword reading of the entry's wording. “No simple cue found” means exactly that — the parser found none — not that the name is late.
The fields on this card were read off an OCR layer and are not checked against the printed page. The page number is given so the claim can be verified in your own copy.
This star is not part of any chain in the strict sub-corpus.
Other named stars of this constellation: