Fomalhaut
Also known as α PsA · HR 8728
Fomalhaut is a high proper motion star in the constellation Piscis Austrinus, about 25.1 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | High proper motion star (spectral type A4V) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Piscis Austrinus |
| Position (J2000) | 22h 57m 39s, −29° 37′ |
| Distance | 25.1 light-years (its light set off about 25.1 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 1.16 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Size on the sky | 0.2′ (the full Moon is about 31′) |
| Studied in | 1,322 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Fomalhaut is highest in the sky at midnight in September. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 40° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 10°. 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 Piscis Austrinus
Everything in Piscis Austrinus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits