Altair
Star in Aquila · 16.7 light-years
🔭 Explore Altair in the 3D map →View Altair images →| Type | Star |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Aquila |
| Right ascension | 19h 50m 47s |
| Declination | +8° 52′ |
| Object distance | 16.7 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 0.76 |
| Also known as | Spectral type A7IV-V |
A fast-spinning nearby star, flattened at its poles by rotating once every few hours. Forms the Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb.
Observing Altair
Altair lies in the constellation Aquila and is best placed in the evening sky around July. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. Lying near the celestial equator, it can be seen from both hemispheres. At its brightness it can be found with the unaided eye under a dark sky and is easy in binoculars.
See Altair in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Altair and see it in context among the real stars around it. Launch the 3D view →
Sources
- Position and distance from the HYG stellar database (Hipparcos · Yale Bright Star · Gliese).
- Object identity cross-referenced with SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg).
- Image credits and the original observation source are linked with each photograph.
Related objects
- The Sun — star
- Proxima Centauri — star
- Barnard's Star — star
- TRAPPIST-1 — star
- Sirius — star