An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
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A fourth magnitude star (V = 3.65), called also α Draconis, in the constellation → Draco. Despite its designation as Alpha (α), it is the seventh brightest star of the constellation. Thuban is a → giant star of → spectral type A0 III lying 310 → light-years away. It has an faint → companion in an orbit with a 51 day period. Thuban was the → pole star at about 2700 BC. Other designations: HR 5291, HD 123299, and SAO 16273.

Thuban, from Ar. Ath-thu'bân (الثعبان) "a large male snake; basilisk."