An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A multiple star of magnitude V = 1.90 which is situated in the → Auriga constellation at 81 → light-years away. Other main designations: HR 2088 and HD 40183. Although the third brightest star of the constellation, it bears “Beta” designation. Menkalinan is composed of two main components, which make up a → spectroscopic binary. The combined apparent magnitude varies over a period of 3.96 days between +1.89 and +1.94, as every 47.5 hours one of the stars partially eclipses the other. Both
are metallic-lined → subgiant stars of spectral type
A2 IV. Each is about 48 times more luminous than the Sun and has roughly the same mass and radius (2.6 times that of the Sun). There is a third component of magnitude 14.1, which is separated from the main pair by 13’’, corresponding to a projected distance of 330 → astronomical units.

See also: From Ar. Al Mankib dhi’l ‘Inan (منکب ذی العنان) “the Shoulder of the One Who Holds the Reins,” which is the rendition of the Gk. mythology character Auriga (Charioteer).