Vega
star · Lyra · 0.0ᵐ
Vega was the pole star 12,000 years ago and will be again in about 12,000 years. It was the first star ever photographed, back in 1850.
Notable facts
About 244 times brighter than the faintest star visible to the naked eye.
In brief
Which constellation is Vega in?
Vega lies in Lyra.
Is Vega visible to the naked eye?
0.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies).
When is the best time to observe Vega?
Best observed in June.
Data
- RA / Dec (J2000)
- 18h 37m · +38° 47′
- Type
- star
- Constellation
- Lyra
- How to observe
- 0.0ᵐ — visible to the naked eye (under dark skies)
- Spectral class
- A0Vvar — white star
- Absolute magnitude
- 0.6ᵐ
- Luminosity
- ≈49 × the Sun
- Distance
- ~25 light years
- Designation
- HIP 91262
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° | 69° · never sets | — |
| +55° | 74° · never sets | — |
| +45° | 84° | 28° |
| +30° | 81° | 44° |
| 0° | 51° | 51° |
| −35° | 16° | 40° |
Geometric altitude at upper culmination, atmospheric refraction not included. Positive latitudes are in the northern hemisphere.
Culmination time by month
| Month | Culmination |
|---|---|
| January | 10:51 |
| February | 08:44 |
| March | 06:59 |
| April | 05:06 |
| May | 03:11 |
| June | 01:05 |
| July | 23:01 |
| August | 21:00 |
| September | 19:07 |
| October | 17:18 |
| November | 15:18 |
| December | 13:09 |
Upper culmination in local solar time — no time-zone or daylight-saving correction applied.