Arcturus, ahrk TUR uhs, also called Alpha Bootis, ranks as the fifth brightest star in the sky. As seen from Earth, only the sun and three other stars shine more brightly. Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Bootes (pronounced boh OH teez), the Herdsman. Because of the apparent motion of the stars, Arcturus seems to follow the constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear. The name Arcturus comes from Greek words meaning bear watcher. Arcturus appears in the northern sky (see Star).