Acamar
is the seventh star listed in the Nautical Almanac. Otherwise known as
Theta Eridani, in ancient times Acamar, not Achernar, was the terminal
star of the constellation Eridanus The River. Precession has caused
Achernar to rise above the northern horizon. Both stars' names mean "The
End of The River".
Acamar is a binary star system as can be seen through any moderately powerful telescope. Observed perturbations indicate it may be a multiple star system. In antiquity Acamar was described as a first magnitude star; today it is a third magnitude star. The primary is a giant blue star about 160 light years from Earth. Its dimming over time has been found to be due to its continuing evolution into a red star, meaning it is reaching the end of its stellar life.
Acamar is a binary star system as can be seen through any moderately powerful telescope. Observed perturbations indicate it may be a multiple star system. In antiquity Acamar was described as a first magnitude star; today it is a third magnitude star. The primary is a giant blue star about 160 light years from Earth. Its dimming over time has been found to be due to its continuing evolution into a red star, meaning it is reaching the end of its stellar life.
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