Altair

Altair (α Aquilae) is a white main-sequence star in the constellation Aquila. With an apparent magnitude of 0.77 it is the 13th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 17 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationAquila
Designationα Aquilae (Alpha Aquilae), HR 7557
Apparent magnitude0.77 (13th brightest)
Spectral typeA7V
Colorwhite (B−V 0.22)
Distanceabout 17 light-years
Right ascension19 h 50.8 min
Declination+8.87°
Best monthSeptember (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 Altair

Altair is in Aquila. From 40° N it is highest in the south in September evenings, about 59° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 46° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Enif (28° away), Aljanah (28° away) and Sadr (32° away).

Aquila constellation →

Other named stars in Aquila

TarazedOkabAlshainLibertas

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