| Fixed star: ALKALUROPS | |
| Constellation: Mu (μ) Bootes | |
| Longitude 1900: 01SCO47 | Longitude 2000: 03SCO11 |
| Declination 1900: +37.44′ | Declination 2000: +37.23′ |
| Right ascension: 15h 24m | Latitude: +53.25′ |
| Spectral class: A7 | Magnitude: 4.5 |
The history of the star: Alkalurops
from p.105 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Mu (μ) Bootes, Alkalurops, is a ternary star, 4.2, 8, and 8.5, flushed white, the last two greenish white, the small companion mu being a close double, in the Herdsman’s staff or crook.
Alkalurops was the Arabian adaptation of Kalaurops, used by Hesychios (5th century. AD.) for the Herdsman’s Club, Crook, or Staff, analogous to the Ropalon of Hyginus and the Clava of the Latins.
Inkalunis appears in some of the Alfonsine Tables; Icalurus in those of 1521, and Incalurus in the 1515 Almagest, all long supposed to be bungled renderings of the second-century Greek astronomer Ptolemy’s Kollorobos, itself probably a word of his own coining to designate the position of the star in the club; the Italian astronomer Riccioli (1598–1671) writing it Colorrhobus. But Ideler, rejecting this, thought the 17th century German astronomer and ephemeris creator Schickard more correct in deriving these words from en kolouro, “in the colure,” a statement that was nearly right as to Arcturus 2000 years ago; the name since then having, in some way, been transferred to this star, as also to the constellation (Bootes). Some Latin writers have called this star Venabulum, a Hunting-spear.
This star, mu (μ Alkalurops), with beta (β Nekkar), with gamma (γ Seginus), delta (δ Princeps), constituted the trapezium Al Dhi’bah, the Female Wolves, or, perhaps, Hyaenas, an early asterism of the Arabs before they adopted the Greek constellation; these animals, with others similar shown by stars in Draco and near it, lying in wait for the occupants of the ancient Fold around the pole (Polaris)..
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Bootes
Legend: Bootes is identified with Icarius, who was killed by some shepherds he had made drunk with a flagon of wine given him by Bacchus/Dionysus. In consideration of the grief of his daughter Erigone and their hound Maera, Jupiter placed her father in heaven as Bootes, together with herself as Virgo and the hound became one of the Dogs; some say Canis Minor, others say Canis Major
According to Ptolemy the influence of the constellation is like that of Mercury and Saturn, though the star Arcturus is like Mars and Jupiter. It is said to give prosperity from work, strong desires, a tendency to excess, a fondness for rural pursuits, together with some liking for occultism. The Kabalists associate it with the Hebrew letter Teth and the 9th Tarot Trump, “The Hermit”. [Robson, p.32.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Bootes given by Manilius:
“True is the name men have given him (the Bearwarden), threatening-like he presses forward as one does over a team of bullocks. To those born under Arctophylax – Arcturus, fortune herself makes bold to entrust her treasures, so that the wealth of monarchs and temple finances will be in their keeping [translator’s note: custodianship is a suitable endowment for the Bearward]; they will be kings under kings and ministers of state [politicians], and be charged with the guardianship of the people or, as the stewards of grand houses, they will confine their business to the care of another’s home.” [Translator’s note: strictly speaking Arcturus is a star, but the name is used by ancient astrologers for the whole constellation of Bootes and for the star alone, it is often difficult to distinguish which of these the authors are referring to]. [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 5, p.329.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].