13point8 · The universe, sourcedAll discoveries
Bright star · Boötes

Arcturus

NameArcturus
DesignationsAlpha Bootis · Gliese 541 · HIP 69673 · HD 124897
ConstellationBoötes
Distance36.7 ly
Magnitude−0.05
Spectral typeK1.5III

Naked eye: magnitude −0.05, bright enough to see without a telescope under dark skies (limit ≈ +6).

From India (8°–34° N): rises above the horizon everywhere in the country.

Why it matters

When to look: Apr–Jul evenings, high in the sky.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia: List of brightest stars
  2. HYG Database v4.1 (D. Nash, astronexus), CC BY-SA 4.0: stars within 20 ly, derived list
  3. HYG Database v4.1 (Nash), CC BY-SA 4.0
  4. IAU, The Constellations (88 official names and abbreviations)
See it in 3D →

13point8 is an independent educational project. Every fact links to its source; send corrections to [email protected]. Privacy