Capella

Capella (α Aurigae) is a yellow giant star in the constellation Auriga. With an apparent magnitude of 0.08 it is the 6th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 42 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationAuriga
Designationα Aurigae (Alpha Aurigae), HR 1708
Apparent magnitude0.08 (6th brightest)
Spectral typeG5IIIe+G0III
Coloryellow (B−V 0.80)
Distanceabout 42 light-years
Right ascension5 h 16.7 min
Declination+46.00°
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 Capella

Capella is in Auriga. From 40° N it is highest in the north in January evenings, about 84° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 9° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Menkalinan (8° away), Elnath (17° away) and Mirfak (19° away).

Auriga constellation →

Other named stars in Auriga

MenkalinanMahasimHassalehAlmaazHaedusSaclateni

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