Achernar
Also known as α Eri · HR 472
Achernar is a be star in the constellation Eridanus, about 140 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Be star (spectral type B6Vpe) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Eridanus |
| Position (J2000) | 1h 37m 42s, −57° 14′ |
| Distance | 140 light-years (its light set off about 140 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 0.46 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 499 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Achernar is highest in the sky at midnight in October. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 13° above the horizon; from 50° N it never rises. To see it you need the naked eye, even from a town.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Eridanus
Everything in Eridanus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits