Antares
Star in Scorpius · 553.7 light-years
🔭 Explore Antares in the 3D map →View Antares images →| Type | Star |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Scorpius |
| Right ascension | 16h 29m 24s |
| Declination | −26° 26′ |
| Object distance | 553.7 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | 1.06 |
| Also known as | Spectral type M1Ib + B2.5V |
A vast red supergiant whose name means “rival of Mars” for its ruddy colour. It marks the heart of the Scorpion.
Observing Antares
Antares lies in the constellation Scorpius and is best placed in the evening sky around May. Its maximum altitude above the horizon depends on your latitude. It is best placed for observers in the southern hemisphere, and sits low for those far north. At its brightness it can be found with the unaided eye under a dark sky and is easy in binoculars.
See Antares in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Antares 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