Star Names
The Front Footstool (al-kursi al-muqadam)
The Front Footstool lies near the right Foot of the female figure of Jawza’. In the earliest times, the name “Jawza’ ” referred to only the three bright stars that are lined up in the middle of the figure.
The Front Footstool (al-kursi al-muqadam) as it appears in the west about 45 minutes before sunrise in early December. Sky simulations made with Stellarium.
Appearance
A trapezoid of faint stars that lies to the immediate right of the right Foot of Jawza’.
Modern Identification
τ ORI, blue-white star, magnitude 3.6
β ERI (Cursa), white star, magnitude 2.8
ψ ERI, blue-white star, magnitude 4.8
λ ERI, blue-white star, magnitude 4.3
Timing
The Front Footstool takes four days to rise and set, beginning with the rising of the Hair Whorl (al-haq’a), and beginning its setting as Thuraya sets. Ibn Qutayba (d. 879 CE) reported that the Hair Whorl was said to rise on the morning of June 10 and set on the morning of December 10. On account of the precession of the equinoxes, today we can expect to observe the Front Footstool setting in early December and rising in early July, as seen from the latitude of Tucson. (See How to Observe on the About page for more on this topic.)
Rain Stars
The Front Footstool of Jawza’ does not figure in the calendar of the rains stars.
Lunar Stations
The Front Footstool of Jawza’ does not figure in the calendar of the lunar stations.
Related Stars and Celestial Complexes
The Front Footstool of Jawza’ is part of the Jawza’ (al-jawza’, الجوزاء) folkloric celestial complex, which developed over time from the central stars that mark her Belt of Pearls.
Related Blog Posts
Jawza’, Snow Queen of the Arabs