Capella
Also known as α Aur · HR 1708
Capella is a spectroscopic binary star in the constellation Auriga, about 42 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Spectroscopic binary star (spectral type G3III:) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Auriga |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 16m 41s, +45° 59′ |
| Distance | 42 light-years (its light set off about 42 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 0.08 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 1,214 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Capella is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 64° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 86°. 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 Auriga
- Epsilon Aurigae
- Flaming Star Nebula (IC 405)
- FRB 121102
- M37 (NGC 2099)
- Pinwheel Cluster (M36)
- Starfish Cluster (M38)
- Tadpoles Nebula
- Westbrook Nebula
Everything in Auriga · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits