Atlas
star · Taurus · 3.6ᵐ
Blue-white star in Taurus.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Atlas around the year 1644.
About 9 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Atlas in?
Atlas lies in Taurus.
Is Atlas visible to the naked eye?
3.6ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Atlas?
Best observed in November.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 3h 49m · +24° 03′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Taurus
- How to observe
- 3.6ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- B8III — blue-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -1.7ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈421 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~382 light years
- Designation
- HIP 17847
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 | 20:04 |
| February | 17:56 |
| March | 16:11 |
| April | 14:18 |
| May | 12:23 |
| June | 10:17 |
| July | 08:13 |
| August | 06:12 |
| September | 04:19 |
| October | 02:31 |
| November | 00:30 |
| December | 22:21 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.