Kochab
star · Ursa Minor · 2.1ᵐ
Orange star in Ursa Minor.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Kochab around the year 1895.
About 37 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Kochab in?
Kochab lies in Ursa Minor.
Is Kochab visible to the naked eye?
2.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Kochab?
Best observed in May.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 14h 51m · +74° 09′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Ursa Minor
- How to observe
- 2.1ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- K4IIIvar — orange star
- Absolute magnitude
- -0.9ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈205 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~131 light years
- Designation
- HIP 72607
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° | 71° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 61° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 46° · never sets | — |
| 0° | 16° | 16° |
| −35° | never rises | — |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 07:05 |
| February | 04:58 |
| March | 03:13 |
| April | 01:19 |
| May | 23:25 |
| June | 21:19 |
| July | 19:15 |
| August | 17:14 |
| September | 15:21 |
| October | 13:32 |
| November | 11:31 |
| December | 09:23 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.