Lambda Leonis (λ Leonis, abbreviated Lam Leo, λ Leo), formally named Alterf/ælˈtərf/,[9][10] is a star in the constellation of Leo. The star is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye, having an apparent visual magnitude of 4.32[2] Based upon an annual parallax shift of 0.00991 arcseconds, it is located about 329 light-years from the Sun. At that distance, the visual magnitude of the star is reduced by an interstellar absorption factor of 0.06 because of extinction.[4]
It bore the traditional name Alterf, from the Arabic الطرف aṭ-ṭarf "the view (of the lion)".[citation needed] In 2016, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) organized a Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)[11] to catalogue and standardize proper names for stars. The WGSN approved the name Alterf for this star on February 1, 2017 and it is now so included in the List of IAU-approved Star Names.[10]
This star, along with Xi Cancri, were the Persian Nahn, "the Nose", and the Coptic Piautos, "the Eye", both lunar asterisms.[12]
^Bernacca, P. L.; Perinotto, M. (1970), "A catalogue of stellar rotational velocities", Contributi Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova in Asiago, 239 (1): 1, Bibcode:1970CoAsi.239....1B.
^Kunitzsch, Paul; Smart, Tim (2006). A Dictionary of Modern star Names: A Short Guide to 254 Star Names and Their Derivations (2nd rev. ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Sky Pub. ISBN978-1-931559-44-7.
^Kazarovets, E. V.; et al. (December 1998), "New Catalogue of Suspected Variable Stars. Supplement", Information Bulletin on Variable Stars, 1.0, 4655: 1, Bibcode:1998IBVS.4655....1K.