Alphard

Alphard (/ˈælfɑːrd/) is the brightest star in the constellation of Hydra. It has the Bayer designation Alpha Hydrae, which is that is Latinized from α Hydrae, and abbreviated Alpha Hya or α Hya. It is a giant star, cooler than the Sun but larger and more luminous. It is about 177 light-years away. α Hydrae (Latinised to Alpha Hydrae) is the star's Bayer designation. The traditional name Alphard is from the Arabic الفرد (al-fard), "the individual", there being no other bright stars near it. It was also known as the "backbone of the Serpent" to the Arabs. In the catalogue of stars in the Calendarium of Al Achsasi Al Mouakket, it was designated Soheil al Fard, which was translated into Latin as Soheil Solitarius, meaning the bright solitary one. In 2016, the International Astronomical Union organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN) to catalog and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN's first bulletin of July 2016 included a table of the first two batches of names approved by the WGSN; which included Alphard for this star. It is now so entered in the IAU Catalog of Star Names.