Alpha Delphini
Encyclopedia
Alpha Delphini is a multiple star
in the constellation
Delphinus
. It also has the name Sualocin, which was given to it as a practical joke by the astronomer
Niccolò Cacciatore
; the name is the Latinized version (Nicolaus) of his given name, spelled backwards.
In Chinese
, , meaning Good Gourd
, refers to an asterism consisting of α Delphini, γ2 Delphini, δ Delphini
, β Delphini
and ζ Delphini. Consequently, α Delphini itself is known as .
, and B, C, D, E, and F, which are optical binaries and have no physical association with A and G.
Multiple star
A multiple star consists of three or more stars which appear from the Earth to be close to one another in the sky. This may result from the stars being physically close and gravitationally bound to each other, in which case it is physical, or this closeness may be merely apparent, in which case...
in the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
Delphinus
Delphinus
Delphinus is a constellation in the northern sky, close to the celestial equator. Its name is Latin for dolphin. Delphinus was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and it remains among the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical...
. It also has the name Sualocin, which was given to it as a practical joke by the astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
Niccolò Cacciatore
Niccolò Cacciatore
Niccolò Cacciatore was an Italian astronomer.Cacciatore was born at Casteltermini, in Sicily. While studying mathematics and physics in Palermo, he became acquainted with Giuseppe Piazzi, head of the Palermo Astronomical Observatory, and became a graduate student assistant at the observatory in...
; the name is the Latinized version (Nicolaus) of his given name, spelled backwards.
In Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
, , meaning Good Gourd
Girl (Chinese constellation)
The Girl mansion is one of the Twenty-eight mansions of the Chinese constellations. It is one of the northern mansions of the Black Tortoise.- Asterisms :...
, refers to an asterism consisting of α Delphini, γ2 Delphini, δ Delphini
Delta Delphini
Delta Delphini is a giant star in the constellation Delphinus.-References:*...
, β Delphini
Beta Delphini
Beta Delphini is a binary star in the constellation of Delphinus. As a practical joke, the astronomer Niccolò Cacciatore gave it the name Rotanev, which is a reversal of his Latinized family name, Venator.In Chinese, , meaning Good Gourd, refers to an asterism consisting of β Delphini, α...
and ζ Delphini. Consequently, α Delphini itself is known as .
Properties
Alpha Delphini has seven components: A and G, a physical binaryBinary star
A binary star is a star system consisting of two stars orbiting around their common center of mass. The brighter star is called the primary and the other is its companion star, comes, or secondary...
, and B, C, D, E, and F, which are optical binaries and have no physical association with A and G.