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Yed Prior

Delta Ophiuchi, 1 Ophiuchi

Red Star in Ophiuchus

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Proper Name	Yed Prior
Bayer Designation	Delta Ophiuchi
Flamsteed Number	1 Ophiuchi
HR (BSC)	6056
HD	146051
Constellation	Ophiuchus
Right Ascension	16h 14m 21s
Declination	-3° 41' 40"
Distance	171 light years 52 parsecs
Magnitude	Apparent: +2.8 Absolute: -0.8
Spectral Class	M0.5III red giant
Optimum Visibility	June
Notes	Yed Prior is a metal-rich red giant star in the later stages of its evolution. The hydrogen in its core has been depleted, and its outer shell has expanded to a diameter nearly sixty times that of the Sun, though the resulting giant star is much less dense than a dwarf star like the Sun.

This variable red giant lies very close to Ophiuchus' border with neighbouring Serpens Caput. About one degree 'behind' it as it travels across the sky is another giant, Yed Posterior. While these two appear to be close companions, they are in fact some seventy light years apart.

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