13point8 · The universe, sourcedAll discoveries
Nearby star · Ophiuchus

Barnard's Star

NameBarnard's Star
DesignationsGliese 699 · HIP 87937
ConstellationOphiuchus
Distance5.95 ly
Magnitude+9.54
Spectral typesdM4

Distance rank: by HYG distance it belongs to the Nº 3 nearest star system to the Sun (stars within 20 ly).

Fastest across our sky: it has the largest proper motion of every star in this 20 ly list (HYG).

Why it matters

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

Light-time: the light you see left it about 6 years ago.

Sources

  1. HYG Database v4.1 (D. Nash, astronexus), CC BY-SA 4.0: stars within 20 ly, derived list
  2. HYG Database v4.1 (Nash), CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. 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