Aldebaran

Aldebaran (α Tauri) is a orange giant star in the constellation Taurus. With an apparent magnitude of 0.85 it is the 14th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 67 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationTaurus
Designationα Tauri (Alpha Tauri), HR 1457
Apparent magnitude0.85 (14th brightest)
Spectral typeK5+III
Colororange (B−V 1.54)
Distanceabout 67 light-years
Right ascension4 h 35.9 min
Declination+16.51°
Best monthJanuary (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 Aldebaran

Aldebaran is in Taurus. From 40° N it is highest in the south in January evenings, about 67° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 38° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Bellatrix (16° away), Elnath (17° away) and Betelgeuse (21° away).

Taurus constellation →

Other named stars in Taurus

ElnathAlcyoneTianguanChamukuyAinAtlasPrima HyadumElectraSecunda HyadumMaiaMeropeTaygeta

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