The "shorthand" name in the Speech for the star α (alpha) Cancri, also known as Acubens.

α Can is approximatly 137 lightyears from Earth and is a double star with two type-A components. (SYWTBAW)

See also: Star names: Stellar wizardries.

α (alpha) Aquilae, the thirteenth-brightest star visible in Earth's sky, and the brightest star in the constellation Aquila the Eagle. Altair is a dwarf white star (not to be confused with a "white dwarf") of type A, about ten times brighter than Earth's Sun, and about 17 lightyears distant.

There is no canonical information on how many planets circle this star, but it has at least one where life has arisen and wizards are working. While out on her Ordeal and trying to find a way to deal with the Lone Power, Dairine comes across a case study telling how an Altairan wizard appeared to have solved one of its species' most terrible problems -- apparently something to do with the texture of the Altairans' fur -- simply by inviting someone it knew to be overshadowed by the Lone One to dinner. Dairine toys briefly with the idea of buying the Lone Power a hot dog, which seems on the surface to make as much sense as this solution: then, probably very wisely, puts the idea aside and goes back to working with Gigo. (HW)

(Also sometimes called "Gemma") The brightest star (as seen from Earth) in the constellation Corona Borealis: hence the astronomical designation α or alpha Coronae Borealis. Alphecca is a type A0 star about 70 times brighter than Earth's Sun.

Alphecca has at least six planets, as Nita and Dairine find Carl talking to a large, sluglike alien from Alphecca VI when they visit Tom Swale to tell him about their mother's sudden illness. (TWD)