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Rasalhague

Also known as α Oph · HR 6556

Rasalhague is a double or multiple star in the constellation Ophiuchus, about 48.6 light-years from Earth.

Rasalhague: a sky-survey photograph of its field
Sky survey view (DSS2 colour, or a backup survey)

Facts

TypeDouble or multiple star (spectral type A5IVnn)
ConstellationOphiuchus
Position (J2000)17h 34m 56s, +12° 33′
Distance48.6 light-years (its light set off about 48.6 years ago)
Brightnessmagnitude 2.07 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6)
Studied in500 scientific papers (SIMBAD)

When and how to see it

Rasalhague is highest in the sky at midnight in June. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 83° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 53°. 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 Ophiuchus

Everything in Ophiuchus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects

Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits