Achernar

Achernar (α Eridani) is a blue-white star in the constellation Eridanus. With an apparent magnitude of 0.46 it is the 9th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 144 light-years from Earth.

Finder chart showing where Achernar is in the constellation Eridanus
Achernar (circled) in Eridanus, with the surrounding constellations and bright stars.
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Facts

ConstellationEridanus
Designationα Eridani (Alpha Eridani), HR 472
Apparent magnitude0.46 (9th brightest)
Spectral typeB3Vpe
Colorblue-white (B−V -0.16)
Distanceabout 144 light-years
Right ascension1 h 37.7 min
Declination−57.24°
Best monthNovember (at about 9 pm)

Sources: star positions, magnitudes and colors from the Yale Bright Star Catalogue; constellation boundaries and star names from the IAU; areas and distances from Wikidata; stick figures by M. van der Sluys. How the maps are made.

How to find Achernar

Achernar is in Eridanus. It never rises from 40° N. From 35° S it never sets. Nearby bright stars: Ankaa (19° away), Tiaki (28° away) and Alnair (33° away).

Eridanus constellation →

Other named stars in Eridanus

CursaZaurakAcamarRanaRanTheeminSceptrumAzhaBeemimBeidKeidAngetenarZibal

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