Star Names
The Rear Footstool (al-kursi al-mu’akhar)
The Rear 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 Rear Footstool (al-kursi al-mu’akhar) as it appears in the west about 45 minutes before sunrise in early December. Sky simulations made with Stellarium.
Appearance
A trapezoid of bright stars that lies below the left Foot of Jawza’.
Modern Identification
α LEP (Arneb), white star, magnitude 2.6
β LEP (Nihal), white star, magnitude 2.8
γ LEP, white star, magnitude 3.6
δ LEP, white star, magnitude 3.8
Timing
The Rear Footstool takes a week to rise and set, rising shortly after the rising of the Neck Mark (al-han’a), and beginning its setting as Thuraya sets. Ibn Qutayba (d. 879 CE) reported that the Neck Mark was said to rise on the morning of June 23, and that Thuraya set on the morning of November 13. On account of the precession of the equinoxes, today we can expect to observe the Rear Footstool setting in early December and rising in late July, as seen from the latitude of Tucson. (See How to Observe on the About page for more on this topic.)
Rain Stars
The Rear Footstool of Jawza’ does not figure in the calendar of the rains stars.
Lunar Stations
The Rear Footstool of Jawza’ does not figure in the calendar of the lunar stations.
Related Stars and Celestial Complexes
The Rear 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.