Tau Ceti
Also known as tau Cet
Tau Ceti is a high proper motion star in the constellation Cetus, about 12 light-years from Earth.
Nearby Sun-like star with planets
Facts
| Type | High proper motion star (spectral type G8V) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Cetus |
| Position (J2000) | 1h 44m 04s, −15° 56′ |
| Distance | 12 light-years (its light set off about 12 years ago) |
| Brightness | magnitude 3.5 (smaller is brighter; the faintest stars the eye sees are about 6) |
| Studied in | 1,376 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Tau Ceti is highest in the sky at midnight in October. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 54° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 24°. 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 Cetus
Everything in Cetus · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits