Menkar is the proper name for the star α Ceti, in the constellation of Cetus. Menkar is an old and dying star, long past the hydrogen and perhaps even past the helium stage of its stellar evolution. Menkar is currently a red giant star but as it begins to burn its carbon core it will likely become highly unstable before finally shedding its outer layers and form a planetary nebula, leaving a relatively large white dwarf remnant. In astronomy, an epoch is a moment in time for which celestial coordinates or orbital elements are specified. ... A Julian epoch is an epoch that is based on Julian years of exactly 365. ... 2000 is a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Most stars are of nearly constant luminosity. ... In astronomy, stellar classification is a classification of stars based initially on photospheric temperature and its associated spectral characteristics, and subsequenly refined in terms of other characteristics. ... Right ascension (RA; symbol α: Greek letter alpha) is the astronomical term for one of the two coordinates of a point on the celestial sphere when using the equatorial coordinate system. ... In astronomy declination (dec) is one of the two coordinates of the equatorial coordinate system, the other being either right ascension or hour angle. ... A light year, abbreviated ly, is the distance light travels in one year: roughly 9. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... The apparent magnitude (m) of a star, planet or other heavenly body is a measure of its apparent brightness; that is, the amount of light received from the object. ... In astronomy, the solar mass is a unit of mass used to express the mass of stars and larger objects such as galaxies. ... In astronomy, the solar radius is a unit of length used to express the size of stars and larger objects such as galaxies. ... In astronomy, absolute magnitude is the apparent magnitude, m, an object would have if it were at a standardized distance away. ... In physics, luminosity is the density of luminous intensity in a given direction. ... The solar luminosity is a unit of luminosity (power emitted in the form of photons) conventionally used by astronomers to give the luminosities of stars. ... The historical temperature record shows the fluctuations of the temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans throughout history, and in particular since 1850. ... The kelvin (symbol: K) is the SI unit of temperature, and is one of the seven SI base units. ... The Pleiades star cluster A star is any massive gaseous body in outer space just like the Sun. ... Orion is a remarkable constellation, visible from most places on the globe (but not always the whole year long). ... Cetus (a name from Greek mythology, referring to a Whale or Sea Monster) is a constellation of the southern sky, in the region known as the Water, near other watery constellations like Aquarius, Pisces, and Eridanus. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1 (IA), 1 , s Density, Hardness 0. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Helium, He, 2 Atomic weight 4. ... In astronomy, stellar evolution is the sequence of changes that a star undergoes during its lifetime, the millions or billions of years during which it emits light and heat. ... According to the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, a red giant is a large non-main sequence star of stellar classification K or M; so-named because of the reddish appearance of the cooler giants. Examples include Aldebaran and Arcturus. ... General Name, Symbol, Number Carbon, C, 6 Chemical series Nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14 (IVA), 2, p Density, Hardness 2267 kg/m3 0. ... NGC 6543, the Cats Eye Nebula A planetary nebula is an astronomical object consisting of a glowing shell of gas formed by certain types of stars at the end of their lives. ... A white dwarf is an astronomical object which is produced when a low to medium mass star dies. ...

The name Menkar derives from the Arabic word منخر manxar "nostril" (of Cetus).