Tabby's Star
Also known as KIC 8462852
Tabby's Star is a star in the constellation Cygnus, about 1,470 light-years from Earth.
Star with mysterious dips in brightness
Facts
| Type | Star (spectral type F3V) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cygnus |
| Position (J2000) | 20h 06m 15s, +44° 27′ |
| Distance | 1,470 light-years (its light set off about 1,470 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 12.01 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 161 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Tabby's Star is highest in the sky at midnight in July. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 66° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 84°. To see it you need a large telescope or long-exposure photos.
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 Cygnus
- Cooling Tower Cluster (M29)
- Cygnus A
- Cygnus X-1
- Fireworks Galaxy
- M39 (NGC 7092)
- North America Nebula
- Pelican Nebula
- Veil Nebula
Everything in Cygnus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits