Fomal

Fomal, also known as **Fomalhaut** (from the Arabic *Fum al-Hūt*, meaning "mouth of the whale"), is a bright star located in the southern constellation of Piscis Austrinus. It is one of the most easily identifiable stars in the night sky due to its high luminosity and proximity to Earth. Fomalhaut is approximately 25 light-years away from the Sun and is the 18th brightest star visible from Earth.

Fomalhaut is classified as an A-type main-sequence star (A3V), meaning it is a relatively young star, estimated to be around 440 million years old. It is significantly more massive and luminous than the Sun, with about 1.9 times the Sun's mass and roughly 16 times its intrinsic brightness. The star exhibits rapid rotation, completing a full spin every 2.7 hours, which causes it to bulge slightly at its equator.

One of the most notable features of the Fomalhaut system is its extensive debris disk, which extends far beyond the region where planets typically form. This disk, discovered in the 1980s, is composed of dust and ice particles, likely the remnants of planetary formation. In 2008, astronomers announced the detection of a planet, provisionally designated **Fomalhaut b**, within this disk. However, subsequent observations have cast doubt on its existence, suggesting it may be an artifact of the imaging process.

Fomalhaut is also notable for its association with ancient mythology. In various cultures, it has been linked to legends involving whales, fish, or celestial guardians. Its prominence in the night sky has made it a recurring figure in folklore and early astronomical records.

The star’s proximity and brightness make it a subject of ongoing astronomical study, particularly in the search for exoplanets and the understanding of stellar evolution. Observations of Fomalhaut continue to provide insights into the dynamics of debris disks and the potential for habitable worlds in its system.