Epsilon Aurigae
Also known as eps Aur
Epsilon Aurigae is a spectroscopic binary star in the constellation Auriga, about 3,300 light-years from Earth.
Eclipsing binary with a 27-year cycle
Facts
| Type | Spectroscopic binary star (spectral type A9Ia) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Auriga |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 01m 58s, +43° 49′ |
| Distance | 3,300 light-years (its light set off about 3,300 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.99 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 606 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Epsilon Aurigae is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 66° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 84°. 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
- Capella
- 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