Rasalhague

Rasalhague is the brightest star in the constellation Serpens. Its name is derived from the Arabic phrase ra's al-'agrab, meaning "the head of the serpent." This star is a white subgiant, approximately 59 light-years away from Earth. It is also known by its Bayer designation, Alpha Serpentis.

The star is notable for its relatively high proper motion, meaning it is moving across the sky at a noticeable rate compared to other stars. Rasalhague is also a variable star, though its variations in brightness are quite small and generally not visible to the naked eye. Astronomers have detected a significant amount of dust orbiting Rasalhague, suggesting the potential presence of exoplanets.

In mythology, Serpens is often depicted as a serpent or snake, sometimes entwined with the staff of Aesculapius, the Greek god of healing. Rasalhague, as the brightest star in this constellation, holds a prominent position within these celestial narratives. Its astronomical characteristics, such as its luminosity and spectral type, place it within a specific category of stars that are of interest to stellar evolution studies. The presence of a circumstellar dust disk further fuels research into star and planet formation processes.