Aldebaran
Also known as α Tau · HR 1457
Aldebaran is a long-period variable candidate in the constellation Taurus, about 66.6 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Long-period variable candidate (spectral type K5+III) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Taurus |
| Position (J2000) | 4h 35m 55s, +16° 30′ |
| Distance | 66.6 light-years (its light set off about 66.6 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 0.86 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 1,307 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Aldebaran is highest in the sky at midnight in November. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 87° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 57°. 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 Taurus
- Barnard's Merope Nebula (IC 349)
- Crab Nebula (M1)
- Crab Pulsar (PSR B0531+21)
- Hyades
- Maia Nebula (NGC 1432)
- Pleiades (M45)
- Simeis 147
- Spaghetti Nebula
Everything in Taurus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits