Mirfak
star · Perseus · 1.8ᵐ
A yellow-white supergiant, the brightest star in Perseus and the hub of the Melotte 20 open cluster.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Mirfak around the year 1519.
About 48 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Mirfak in?
Mirfak lies in Perseus.
Is Mirfak visible to the naked eye?
1.8ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Mirfak?
Best observed in November.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 3h 24m · +49° 52′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Perseus
- How to observe
- 1.8ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- F5Ib — yellow-white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -4.2ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈3,981 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~507 light years
- Designation
- HIP 15863
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° | 80° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 85° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 85° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 70° | 28° |
| 0° | 40° | 40° |
| −35° | 5° | 21° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 19:39 |
| February | 17:32 |
| March | 15:46 |
| April | 13:53 |
| May | 11:59 |
| June | 09:52 |
| July | 07:48 |
| August | 05:48 |
| September | 03:54 |
| October | 02:06 |
| November | 00:05 |
| December | 21:56 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.