Mirfak

Mirfak, also known as Alpha Persei (α Per), is the brightest star in the northern constellation Perseus and the principal star of the open cluster Melotte 20, commonly referred to as the Alpha Persei Cluster. The name Mirfak comes from traditional Arabic star names associated with the region of Perseus.

Mirfak is an evolved F-type yellow‑white supergiant (spectral type around F5 Ib-II). It lies at an approximate distance of about 180 parsecs (roughly 600 light-years) from Earth. Its apparent magnitude is around 1.8, making it one of the brighter stars in the night sky. The star’s surface temperature is about 6,000–6,400 K, with a radius on the order of tens of solar radii and a luminosity several thousand times that of the Sun.

As a member of the Alpha Persei Cluster, Mirfak helps anchor distance and age estimates for the group. The cluster is a relatively young open cluster in Perseus, with an estimated age of about 50–70 million years. The association provides a nearby laboratory for studying stellar evolution in massive stars and cluster dynamics.

In observing terms, Mirfak is the dominant star in binoculars when viewing Melotte 20 and is often used as a reference point for locating the cluster in the northern sky. The star is most easily seen from northern latitudes during autumn evenings, though it remains visible at different times depending on the observer’s latitude and season.