Fomalhaut
star · Piscis Austrinus · 1.2ᵐ
Surrounded by a broad debris disc where one of the first directly imaged exoplanets was found.
Notable facts
About 86 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Fomalhaut in?
Fomalhaut lies in Piscis Austrinus.
Is Fomalhaut visible to the naked eye?
1.2ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Fomalhaut?
Best observed in September.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 22h 58m · −29° 37′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Piscis Austrinus
- How to observe
- 1.2ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- A3V — white star
- Absolute magnitude
- 1.7ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈17 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~25 light years
- Designation
- HIP 113368
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° | 0° | 171° |
| +55° | 5° | 150° |
| +45° | 15° | 134° |
| +30° | 30° | 125° |
| 0° | 60° | 120° |
| −35° | 85° | 127° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 15:12 |
| February | 13:05 |
| March | 11:20 |
| April | 09:26 |
| May | 07:32 |
| June | 05:26 |
| July | 03:22 |
| August | 01:21 |
| September | 23:28 |
| October | 21:39 |
| November | 19:38 |
| December | 17:30 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.