Menkar

Menkar is a star in the constellation Cetus. Its proper name, Menkar, is derived from the Arabic term "al-mankhir," meaning "the nostril." It is a red giant star, significantly larger and cooler than our Sun, and is located approximately 250 light-years away from Earth. Menkar is a variable star, exhibiting changes in brightness over time, though these variations are relatively small. Historically, Menkar has been an important navigational star for mariners due to its prominence in the night sky. It is cataloged as Alpha Ceti, though it is not the brightest star in the constellation; that distinction belongs to Mira. The star system is known to possess at least one exoplanet, though details about this planet are still being studied. Menkar's spectral type is M1.5III, indicating its classification as a red giant. The star is a notable object for amateur astronomers due to its visibility and association with the well-known constellation Cetus.