description Unukalhai Overview
Unukalhai, designated Alpha Serpentis, is an orange giant star located approximately 74 light-years from Earth in the constellation Serpens. It is the brightest star in Serpens, which is uniquely divided into two separate sections: Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda. The star itself has exhausted the hydrogen in its core and evolved off the main sequence, expanding to several times the Sun's radius. It marks the head of the serpent in classical celestial cartography.
help Unukalhai FAQ
What does the name Unukalhai mean?
Unukalhai comes from Arabic and is usually translated as 'the serpent's neck.' The name fits its position in the Serpens Caput section of the constellation.
Which constellation contains Unukalhai?
Unukalhai is Alpha Serpentis, the brightest star in Serpens. Serpens is unusual because it is divided into Serpens Caput, the head, and Serpens Cauda, the tail.
How far away is Unukalhai, and what kind of star is it?
Unukalhai is an orange giant roughly 74 light-years from Earth. Its designation Alpha Serpentis identifies it as the brightest star in Serpens.
Can Unukalhai be seen without a telescope?
Yes. As the brightest star in Serpens, Unukalhai can be seen with the naked eye under reasonably dark skies, especially in the Serpens Caput region.
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