Alniyat
The name
Alniyat is associated with two
stars in the
constellation of
Scorpius. These two stars have the Bayer designations σ and τ. They are perceived as a pair because they are fainter stars of roughly equal brightness flanking the bright star
Antares (an asterism similar to that formed by
Altair with its neighbours in the constellation of
Aquila). The use of a single proper name for two widely separated stars is potentially confusing. The bright star catalog shows a preference for applying this proper name to σ Sco rather than to τ Sco.