Arcturus
Also known as α Boo · HR 5340
Arcturus is a red giant branch star in the constellation Boötes, about 36.7 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Red giant branch star (spectral type K1.5IIIFe-0.5) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Boötes |
| Position (J2000) | 14h 15m 39s, +19° 10′ |
| Distance | 36.7 light-years (its light set off about 36.7 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude -0.05 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 2,440 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Arcturus is highest in the sky at midnight in April. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 89° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 59°. 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 Boötes
Everything in Boötes · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits