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Proper NameSometimes listed as Samoht (see below)
Bayer DesignationAlpha Monocerotis
Flamsteed Number26 Monocerotis
HR (BSC)2970
HD61935
ConstellationMonoceros
Right Ascension7h 41m 15s
Declination-9° 33' 4"
Distance146 light years
45 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +3.94
Absolute: +0.69
Spectral ClassG9.5III-IIIbFe-0.5 yellow giant
Optimum VisibilityJanuary / February

A giant yellow star, and a source of unusually high levels of infrared radiation. Its constellation of Monoceros is not populated by significantly bright stars, and despite its 'alpha' designation this is a faint object (in fact marginally fainter than Beta Monocerotis) with a magnitude of just +3.94.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

A very few sources give the proper name Samoht for this star, but these references are so rare that is difficult to verify this as a traditional name for Alpha Monocerotis. It is immediately apparent that the name is a backward spelling of Thomas, which perhaps implies a similar origin to the names of the stars Sualocin and Rotanev in Delphinus. Those star-names originated from an inverted spelling of the personal name Nicolaus Venator, and perhaps some similar creative process lies behind Samoht.

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