Theta Capricorni

θ Capricorni

Observation data Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation	Capricornus
Right ascension	21^h05^m56.8^s
Declination	−17°13′58″
Apparent magnitude (V)	+4.08
Distance	158 ± 7 ly (49 ± 2 pc)
Spectral type	A1V
Other designations
23 Capricorni, HR 8075, HD 200761, BD−17°6174, FK5 1552, HIP 104139, SAO 164132, GC 29460

Theta Capricorni (θ Cap, θ Capricorni) is a star in the constellation Capricornus. θ Capricorni is a white A-type main sequence dwarf with an apparent magnitude of +4.08. It is approximately 158 light years from Earth.

Sometimes, this star is called by the name Dorsum,^[1] meaning the back (of the goat) in Latin.

Chinese Name

In Chinese, 十二國 (Shíer Guó), meaning Twelve States, refers to an asterism which is represent twelve ancient states in the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period, consisting of θ Capricorni, φ Capricorni, ι Capricorni, 38 Capricorni, 35 Capricorni, 36 Capricorni, χ Capricorni, 30 Capricorni, 33 Capricorni, ζ Capricorni, 19 Capricorni, 26 Capricorni, 27 Capricorni, 20 Capricorni, η Capricorni and 21 Capricorni,.^[2] Consequently, θ Capricorni itself is known as 秦一 (Qin yī, English: the First Star of Qin), meaning that this star (together with 30 Capricorni and δ Serpentis in Right Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure (asterism)^[3]) represent the state Qin (秦) (or Tsin)^[4]

References

1. "Dorsum".
2. (Chinese) 中國星座神話, written by 陳久金. Published by 台灣書房出版有限公司, 2005, ISBN 978-986-7332-25-7.
3. "LacusCurtius • Allen's Star Names — Serpens".
4. "Deneb Algedi".