Cebalrai

Cebalrai (β Ophiuchi) is a orange giant star in the constellation Ophiuchus. With an apparent magnitude of 2.77 it is the 126th-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 83 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationOphiuchus
Designationβ Ophiuchi (Beta Ophiuchi), HR 6603
Apparent magnitude2.77 (126th brightest)
Spectral typeK2III
Colororange (B−V 1.16)
Distanceabout 83 light-years
Right ascension17 h 43.5 min
Declination+4.57°
Best monthAugust (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 Cebalrai

Cebalrai is in Ophiuchus. From 40° N it is highest in the south in August evenings, about 55° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 50° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Rasalhague (8° away), Sabik (22° away) and Altair (32° away).

Ophiuchus constellation →

Other named stars in Ophiuchus

RasalhagueSabikYed PriorYed PosteriorMarfik

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