Cebalrai
star · Ophiuchus · 2.8ᵐ
Orange star in Ophiuchus.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Cebalrai around the year 1944.
About 20 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Cebalrai in?
Cebalrai lies in Ophiuchus.
Is Cebalrai visible to the naked eye?
2.8ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Cebalrai?
Best observed in June.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 17h 43m · +4° 34′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ophiuchus
- How to observe
- 2.8ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- K2III — orange star
- Absolute magnitude
- 0.8ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈42 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~82 light years
- Designation
- HIP 86742
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° | 35° | 81° |
| +55° | 40° | 82° |
| +45° | 50° | 84° |
| +30° | 65° | 85° |
| 0° | 85° | 85° |
| −35° | 50° | 84° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 09:58 |
| February | 07:51 |
| March | 06:05 |
| April | 04:12 |
| May | 02:18 |
| June | 00:12 |
| July | 22:08 |
| August | 20:07 |
| September | 18:14 |
| October | 16:25 |
| November | 14:24 |
| December | 12:16 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.