Thuban
star · Draco · 3.7ᵐ
White star in Draco.
Notable facts
The light you see today left Thuban around the year 1723.
About 9 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Thuban in?
Thuban lies in Draco.
Is Thuban visible to the naked eye?
3.7ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Thuban?
Best observed in April.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 14h 04m · +64° 23′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Draco
- How to observe
- 3.7ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- A0III SB — white star
- Absolute magnitude
- -1.2ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈251 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~303 light years
- Designation
- HIP 68756
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° | 86° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 81° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 71° · never sets | — |
| +30° | 56° · never sets | — |
| 0° | 26° | 26° |
| −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 | 06:19 |
| February | 04:12 |
| March | 02:26 |
| April | 00:33 |
| May | 22:39 |
| June | 20:32 |
| July | 18:29 |
| August | 16:28 |
| September | 14:34 |
| October | 12:46 |
| November | 10:45 |
| December | 08:36 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.