Epsilon Ophiuchi

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Epsilon Ophiuchi (ε Oph / ε Ophiuchi) is a star in the constellation Ophiuchus. It also has the traditional name Yed Posterior (and the star Delta Ophiuchi, with which it forms a naked eye optical double, is Yed Prior).

The traditional name Yed is derived from Arabic meaning "the hand", and the two stars are the left hand of Ophiuchus (the Serpent Bearer) that holds the head of the serpent Serpens Caput.

Epsilon Ophiuchi is 108 light years from Earth (while Delta is 170, hence they are a mere optical double). It is a class G giant, which, unusually for such stars, is cyanogen-deficient and carbon-deficient.

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