An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The second brightest star in → Ursa Major and the end star in the handle of the → Big Dipper. Alkaid is a blue B3V main sequence star of apparent magnitude of 1.86 and lies at about 100 → light-years.

Etymology (EN): Alkaid “leader, chief,” from Al-Qa’id al-Banat an-Na’ash “the leader of the daughters of the bier,” from Banat “daughters”

• Na’ash “bier”. Banat an-Na’ash is the Ar. name of the constellation.

Etymology (PE): Qâed from Ar. Al-Qa’id.