Alpha Ceti
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[2479] alpha Ceti is also known as Menkar ("nostril"). It is an old, dying star, currently in its red giant phase. It will soon become unstable, shed its outer layers and form a planetary nebula, leaving a white dwarf remnant.
MENKAR (Alpha Ceti). Cetus, the Sea Monster (or Whale), appears to move backwards across the sky, his tail (illuminated by Deneb Kaitos) rising first, Menkar, at the leading (eastern) edge of his head, rising last.
Alpha Ceti is called Menkar from the Arabic meaning ‘nostrils', a misnomer since this star lies on the beast's jaw.
The 94 Ceti system is located about 73 light-years from Sol, in the northeastern corner (3:12:46.4-1:11:46.0, ICRS 2000.0) of Constellation Cetus, the Whale or Sea Monster -- southeast of Menkar (Alpha Ceti) and north of Zeta Eridani.
Ceti Alpha (possibly aka Alpha Ceti or Menkar)
Deneb Algenubi (Eta Ceti; possibly aka Deneb)
Deneb Kaitos Shemali (Iota Ceti; possibly AKA Deneb)
Mira (Omicron Ceti)
Tau Ceti
Taurus Ceti (there is no "Taurus" star in this modern constellation) ...
Although it has the Bayer designation "alpha", it is actually dimmer than Alpha Ceti. The 4th closest star to 0 degrees declination (the other 3 are the Orion belt stars). It is the brightest star in the tail of the whale.
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Zozma or Zosma ...
 See also: Constellation, Star, Menkar, Dwarf, Cetus
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