Menkar
Also known as α Cet · HR 911
Menkar is a long-period variable candidate in the constellation Cetus, about 250 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Long-period variable candidate (spectral type M1.5IIIa) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cetus |
| Position (J2000) | 3h 02m 16s, +4° 05′ |
| Distance | 250 light-years (its light set off about 250 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.53 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 484 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Menkar is highest in the sky at midnight in November. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 74° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 44°. 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 Cetus
Everything in Cetus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits