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Mirfak

Mirphak, Algenib, Alpha Persei, 33 Persei

Proper NamesMirfak, Mirphak, Algenib
Bayer DesignationAlpha Persei
Flamsteed Number33 Persei
HR (BSC)1017
HD20902
ConstellationPerseus
Right Ascension3h 24m 19s
Declination+49° 51' 40"
Distance506 light years
155 parsecs
MagnitudeApparent: +1.9
Absolute: -4.4
Spectral ClassF5 Bright Yellow Supergiant
Optimum VisibilityNovember / December (Usually visible from northern latitudes)
NotesA bright yellow supergiant star more than fifty times the Sun's diameter, Mirfak is also sometimes given the traditional name Algenib, 'the side', a name it shares with the unrelated star Gamma Pegasi.

Mirfak or Alpha Persei lies at the heart of an extensive cluster of stars, mostly of the hot blue classification, named the Alpha Persei Cluster after its brightest member. Many of these clustered stars can be seen around Mirfak in this image. Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

Though Algol is probably the most famous of Perseus' stars, it is literally outshone by this distant supergiant.

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