Kapteyn's Star
Kapteyn's Star is a high proper motion star in the constellation Pictor, about 13 light-years from Earth.
Fast-moving nearby red dwarf
Facts
| Type | High proper motion star (spectral type M1VIp) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Pictor |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 11m 40s, −45° 01′ |
| Distance | 13 light-years (its light set off about 13 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 8.85 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 373 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Kapteyn's Star is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 25° above the horizon; from 50° N it never rises. To see it you need binoculars.
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 Pictor
Everything in Pictor · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits