The spelling of the word "Alioth" can be confusing due to its unusual pronunciation. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈæljɒθ/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "A" is pronounced as "ah" and the "li" is pronounced as "lee." The "o" is pronounced as "aw" and the "th" is pronounced as "th" in "think." Alioth is actually the name of a star and is derived from Arabic. Despite its tricky spelling, Alioth is an important celestial object that can be seen in the constellation of Ursa Major.
Alioth is a proper noun that refers to a celestial object in the form of a star, specifically a blue-white main-sequence star located in the constellation Ursa Major. It is designated as the brightest star in the constellation and is the 31st brightest star visible to the naked eye in the night sky. Alioth is part of the famous asterism known as the Big Dipper or the Plough, which is composed of the seven dominant stars within the Ursa Major constellation. This star possesses a stellar magnitude of approximately 1.76, showcasing its luminosity and visibility.
With a distance of approximately 81 light-years from Earth, Alioth is considered relatively close in astronomical terms, making it easily observable from various locations on the planet. As a blue-white main-sequence star, its surface temperature is estimated to be around 18,000 Kelvin. Its size exceeds that of our Sun, characterized by a mass approximately three times greater and a radius approximately three times larger.
Alioth holds significance in both scientific and cultural contexts. Astronomers study this star in order to better understand stellar evolution and to gain insights into the properties of stars that belong to the main-sequence category. The prominence of Alioth in the Big Dipper constellation has led to its inclusion in various cultural representations, such as legends, myths, and astrological beliefs.
The word "Alioth" originated from Arabic, specifically from the term "Aliyyūt" (اليّوت). It is one of the names given to the brightest star in the constellation Ursa Major, commonly known as the Big Dipper or the Plough. In Arabic astronomy, star names often have historical, cultural, or descriptive origins, and "Aliyyūt" may have derived from "Al-Jadi", which means "the billy goat". Over time, the name transformed into "Alioth" as it entered various languages, including Latin, English, and others.