Alcyone
star · Taurus · 2.9ᵐ
The brightest star of the Pleiades — a hot blue giant wrapped in reflection nebulosity.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Alcyone around the year 1623.
About 18 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Alcyone in?
Alcyone lies in Taurus.
Is Alcyone visible to the naked eye?
2.9ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Alcyone?
Best observed in November.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 3h 47m · +24° 06′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Taurus
- How to observe
- 2.9ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- B7III — blue-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -2.6ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈946 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~403 light years
- Designation
- HIP 17702
Observing tip
Stars stay points at any magnification: aim your telescope for colour, brightness and companions, not detail.
Altitude above the horizon by latitude
| Latitude | Maximum altitude | Rise azimuth |
|---|---|---|
| +60° | 54° | 35° |
| +55° | 59° | 45° |
| +45° | 69° | 55° |
| +30° | 84° | 62° |
| 0° | 66° | 66° |
| −35° | 31° | 60° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 20:02 |
| February | 17:55 |
| March | 16:09 |
| April | 14:16 |
| May | 12:22 |
| June | 10:16 |
| July | 08:12 |
| August | 06:11 |
| September | 04:18 |
| October | 02:29 |
| November | 00:28 |
| December | 22:20 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.