Alpha (α) in Astronomy

In astronomy, Alpha (α) typically refers to the first letter of the Greek alphabet and is often used to denote the brightest star in a constellation. For example, Alpha Centauri is the brightest star in the Centaurus constellation. This naming convention helps astronomers categorize and identify stars based on their brightness relative to others in the same constellation. Alpha can also refer to alpha particles in astrophysics, which are a type of atomic particle emitted by certain radioactive materials, but in general star naming, it signifies prominence within a specific group.