An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The brightest star in the constellation → Taurus (visual magnitude about 0.9), Aldebaran is an orange K-type giant that lies 60 → light-years away. It has a faint M2 V companion. It is slowly and irregularly variable.

Etymology (EN): Ar. Aldebaran “the follower” (of the Pleiades, which rise shortly before it does), from al “the” + dabaran “follower,” from dobur “to follow”. Gâvcašm “the bull’s eye,” from Mod.Pers. Gâv “bull, cow” + cašm “eye,” corresponding to the alternative Ar. name of the star Ayno ’s Sowr.