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'... Alkaid is also called Benetnasch; both names come from the Arabic Ka'id
Banat al Na'ash, which means "the Governor of the Daughters of the Bier"...'
www.britannica.com/ebi/article?tocId=9309771

'The second brightest star in Ursa Major and the end star in the handle of
the Big Dipper. Its name (alternatively given as "Benetnasch") is a
contraction of the phrase Ka'id Banat al Na'ash meaning "chief mourner of
the daughters of Al Na'ash" (the latter represented by stars in the Dipper's
handle) that stand by a funeral bier made of the Dipper's bowl. Alkaid is
just below the temperature limit at which stars generate strong X-rays
because of shock waves in their winds.'
www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/A/Alkaid.html

'Ursa Major
... Finally we have eta Ursae Majoris, called either Benetnasch or Alkaid,
both of which mean "chief of the mourners". This is a blue-white star, ...'
www.dibonsmith.com/uma_con.htm

' ... Benetnasch (S) - Eta Ursae Majoris, also Alkaid Arabic - Ka'id Banat
al Na'ash : "principal mourner" of the children of Al Na'ash...'
www.autoscan.com.au/starname.html

These are just some results from a random Google, entering both names.
There's lot more...




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Navigation Mailing List [mailto:NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM]
> On Behalf Of Zvi Doron
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 March 2005 3:44 PM
> To: NAVIGATION-L@LISTSERV.WEBKAHUNA.COM
> Subject: Star name change
>
> WWII texts refer to the trailing star of the big dipper as Benetnasch,
> whilst present day texts call it Alkaid. As star names have been around
> for many hundreds of years, I wondered who changed the name of this star,
>when and why?

   

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