The Fixed Stars

Alpheratz

Alpha Andromedae, Delta Pegasi, Sirrah, Al Surrat al-Faras

From the Arabic surrat al-faras, the navel of the horse. It stands at about 14° Aries (tropical).

The horse's navel, a shared star now given to Andromeda but long counted with Pegasus.

Alpheratz marks the northeastern corner of the Great Square and takes its name from the Arabic surrat al-faras, the navel of the horse. For centuries it was reckoned a shared star, counted both as Delta Pegasi and as Alpha Andromedae, the point where the maiden's head joins the horse's body; modern convention now assigns it wholly to Andromeda, though its history belongs as much to Pegasus and the square it helps to close. Robson gives it the nature of Jupiter and Venus, a fortunate star bringing honor, riches, and a keen and independent mind. It is a named star of the first rank but is not among the Behenian stars.

Now catalogued as Alpha Andromedae; historically Delta Pegasi and still a corner of the Great Square. Not a Behenian star.