Rukbat

Rukbat (α Sagittarii) is a blue-white main-sequence star in the constellation Sagittarius. With an apparent magnitude of 3.97 it is the 502nd-brightest star in the night sky, and it is about 180 light-years from Earth.

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

ConstellationSagittarius
Designationα Sagittarii (Alpha Sagittarii), HR 7348
Apparent magnitude3.97 (502nd brightest)
Spectral typeB8V
Colorblue-white (B−V -0.10)
Distanceabout 180 light-years
Right ascension19 h 23.9 min
Declination−40.62°
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 Rukbat

Rukbat is in Sagittarius. From 40° N it is highest in the south in August evenings, about 9° above the horizon. From 35° S it reaches about 84° in the south. Nearby bright stars: Kaus Australis (13° away), Nunki (15° away) and Peacock (19° away).

Sagittarius constellation →

Other named stars in Sagittarius

Kaus AustralisNunkiAscellaKaus MediaKaus BorealisAlbaldahAlnaslPolisArkab PriorArkab PosteriorTerebellumAinalrami

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