Which star is known as Mira?

Mira, also known as Omicron Ceti, is a well-known variable star located in the constellation Cetus. It is famous for its variability, having been one of the first stars recognized to change in brightness over time due to its pulsating nature. Mira is a red giant star, which means it has exhausted the hydrogen in its core and is now undergoing helium fusion, resulting in large fluctuations in its brightness as it expands and contracts.

The star's designation, Omicron Ceti, denotes that it is the 15th star in the constellation of Cetus, and it has been observed for centuries, with notable historical significance in astronomy. Its variability was first recorded by astronomers in the 17th century. Because of these reasons and its distinctive characteristics, Mira is an important object of study in understanding stellar evolution, particularly in the later stages of a star's life cycle.