Achernar

American  

[ey-ker-nahr] / ˈeɪ kərˌnɑr /

noun

Astronomy.

1. a star of the first magnitude in the constellation Eridanus.

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Achernar British  

/ ˈeɪkəˌnɑː /

noun

1. the brightest star in the constellation Eridanus, visible only in the S hemisphere. Visual magnitude: 0.5; spectral type: B3V; distance: 144 light years

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Etymology

Origin of Achernar

From Arabic ākhir al-nahr “end of the river”

Example Sentences

Then, over the stern, gleamed the splendid lustre of Achernar, on the left the brilliant glow of α Robur and Canopus, and low down before us the bright light of Argo.

From A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder by De Mille, James

The change came just in time for me to secure a meridian altitude of Achernar, which, with a set of sights for time, completed the requisite observations.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 2 Discoveries in Australia; with an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in The Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners Of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits To the Islands in the Arafura Sea by Stokes, John Lort

Latitude by meridian altitude of Achernar 16 degrees 10 minutes.

From Journals of Australian Explorations by Gregory, Augustus Charles

Lower still, toward the south, Achernar seemed to reserve his gracious prestige, whilst, across the invisible Pole, the beneficent constellations of Crux and Centaurus exhibited the very paralysis of hopelessness.

From Such Is Life by Furphy, Joseph

From Alpherat, North and East, Andromeda shoots, Like a branch, with Mirach and Almach; while, far in the South, Achernar shines, a beacon-light, at the "End of the River."

From How Girls Can Help Their Country by Low, Juliette Gordon