Arcturus
Star in Boötes · 36.7 light-years
🔭 Explore Arcturus in the 3D map →View Arcturus images →| Type | Star |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Boötes |
| Right ascension | 14h 15m 40s |
| Declination | +19° 11′ |
| Object distance | 36.7 light-years |
| Apparent magnitude | -0.05 |
| Also known as | Spectral type K2IIIp |
A bright orange giant, one of the closest giant stars to the Sun, racing through the galaxy on an unusual orbit.
Observing Arcturus
Arcturus lies in the constellation Boötes and is best placed in the evening sky around April. 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 Arcturus in Universe Finder
Open the interactive 3D map to fly to Arcturus 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