Capella
star · Auriga · 0.1ᵐ
Actually a system of four stars: the two main components are yellow giants orbiting each other every 104 days.
Notable facts
About 233 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Capella in?
Capella lies in Auriga.
Is Capella visible to the naked eye?
0.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Capella?
Best observed in December.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 5h 17m · +46° 00′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Auriga
- How to observe
- 0.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- M1: comp — red star
- Absolute magnitude
- -0.5ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈137 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~43 light years
- Designation
- HIP 24608
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° | 76° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 81° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 89° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 74° | 34° |
| 0° | 44° | 44° |
| −35° | 9° | 29° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 21:31 |
| February | 19:24 |
| March | 17:39 |
| April | 15:45 |
| May | 13:51 |
| June | 11:45 |
| July | 09:41 |
| August | 07:40 |
| September | 05:47 |
| October | 03:58 |
| November | 01:57 |
| December | 23:49 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.