Arcturus the star

Arcturus' name comes from the Greek words for "bear guard" - because it's almost in a direct line with the tail of Ursa Major, the Great Bear.

The name Arcturus is Latinised from the ancient Greek ἀρκτοῦρος (arktouros) and means "Guardian of the Bear".

This is a compound word formed from ἄρκτος (arktos), "bear" and οὖρος (ouros), "watcher, guardian".

Some facts about Arcturus:

• The fourth brightest star in the night sky

• 36.7 light-years from Earth

• Located in the constellation Boötes, downwards from the handle of the Plough constellation

• Among the few stars mentioned in the Bible - “Which maketh Arcturus, Orion and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south” – Job 9:9, KJV.