Menkar

Menkar (α Ceti) is a red supergiant star in the constellation Cetus. With an apparent magnitude of 2.53 it is the 93rd-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 249 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationCetus
Designationα Ceti (Alpha Ceti), HR 911
Apparent magnitude2.53 (93rd brightest)
Spectral typeM1.5IIIa
Colorred (B−V 1.64)
Distanceabout 249 light-years
Right ascension3 h 2.3 min
Declination+4.09°
Best monthDecember (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 Menkar

Menkar is in Cetus. From 40° N it is highest in the south in December evenings, about 54° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 51° in the north. Nearby bright stars: Hamal (24° away), Aldebaran (26° away) and Rigel (35° away).

Cetus constellation →

Other named stars in Cetus

DiphdaMiraKaffaljidhmaBaten Kaitos

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