Nunki
Also known as σ Sgr · HR 7121
Nunki is a double or multiple star in the constellation Sagittarius, about 230 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Double or multiple star (spectral type B2.5V) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Sagittarius |
| Position (J2000) | 18h 55m 15s, −26° 17′ |
| Distance | 230 light-years (its light set off about 230 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.07 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 285 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Nunki is highest in the sky at midnight in July. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 44° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 14°. 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 Sagittarius
- Lagoon Nebula (M8)
- M18 (NGC 6613)
- M21 (NGC 6531)
- M23 (NGC 6494)
- Omega Nebula (M17)
- Sagittarius A*
- Sagittarius Cluster (M22)
- Trifid Nebula (M20)
Everything in Sagittarius · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits