Phact
Also known as α Col · HR 1956
Phact is a be star in the constellation Columba, about 290 light-years from Earth.
Facts
| Type | Be star (spectral type B9Ve) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Columba |
| Position (J2000) | 5h 39m 38s, −34° 04′ |
| Distance | 290 light-years (its light set off about 290 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 2.65 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 252 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Phact is highest in the sky at midnight in December. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 36° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 6°. 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 Columba
Everything in Columba · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits