Kitalpha
star · Equuleus · 3.9ᵐ
Yellow star (like the Sun) in Equuleus.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Kitalpha around the year 1836.
About 7 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Kitalpha in?
Kitalpha lies in Equuleus.
Is Kitalpha visible to the naked eye?
3.9ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Kitalpha?
Best observed in August.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 21h 16m · +5° 15′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Equuleus
- How to observe
- 3.9ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- G0III+... — yellow star (like the Sun)
- Absolute magnitude
- 0.1ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈79 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~190 light years
- Designation
- HIP 104987
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° | 79° |
| +55° | 40° | 81° |
| +45° | 50° | 83° |
| +30° | 65° | 84° |
| 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 | 13:30 |
| February | 11:23 |
| March | 09:38 |
| April | 07:44 |
| May | 05:50 |
| June | 03:44 |
| July | 01:40 |
| August | 23:39 |
| September | 21:46 |
| October | 19:57 |
| November | 17:56 |
| December | 15:48 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.