RS Ophiuchi
Also known as RS Oph
RS Ophiuchi is a symbiotic star in the constellation Ophiuchus, about 8,740 light-years from Earth.
Recurrent nova
Facts
| Type | Symbiotic star (spectral type K5.5/M0IIIe) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Ophiuchus |
| Position (J2000) | 17h 50m 13s, −6° 42′ |
| Distance | 8,740 light-years (its light set off about 8,740 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 10.78 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 1,186 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
RS Ophiuchi is highest in the sky at midnight in June. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 63° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 33°. To see it you need a small telescope.
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
- Kepler's Supernova
- M9 (NGC 6333)
- M10 (NGC 6254)
- M12 (NGC 6218)
- M14 (NGC 6402)
- M19 (NGC 6273)
- M62 (NGC 6266)
- M107 (NGC 6171)
Everything in Ophiuchus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits