Sections

Catalogues

Show the direction and distance to this object on the Galactic Map.

Proper Name	Arcturus
Bayer Designation	Alpha Boötis
Flamsteed Number	16 Boötis
HR (BSC)	5340
HD	124897
Constellation	Boötes
Right Ascension	14h 15m 40s
Declination	+19° 10' 57"
Distance	37 light years 11 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: -0.1 Absolute: -0.3
Spectral Class	K0 Orange Giant
Optimum Visibility	May
Notes	The brightest star in the northern sky, Arcturus belongs to two major asterisms, the Great Diamond and the Spring Triangle. This orange giant is an oscillating variable star, and there is evidence that it has binary companion, much fainter than the primary orange star.

Arcturus is the fourth brightest star in the sky: only Sirius, Canopus and Alpha Centauri outshine this orange giant. It is a variable star in the last stages of its life, and relatively nearby at just 37 light years' distance.

Imagery provided by Aladin sky atlas

v2.1g