Orange giant · Leo

Algieba

Also known as: γ¹ Leonis (γ¹ Leo), HIP 50583

mag 2.0130 light-years

About

Algieba (γ¹ Leonis) is an orange giant of magnitude 2.0 in Leo, about 130 light-years away.

Algieba is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around mid-April it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 60° S.
Star patterns: Sickle of Leo.
Sickle of Leo: A golden double star, split by a small telescope at 100×.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesEasy, even from town. It has a clear orange tint.
Binoculars (10×50)A sharp point; binoculars bring out its colour and the fainter stars around it.
Telescope (6–8 inch)Still a point of light at any magnification — stars are too far away to show a disc. Low in the sky, bright stars twinkle and flash colours.

Stars look the same in any instrument: brighter and sharper, but never bigger.

Proper name	Algieba
Designation	γ¹ Leonis (γ¹ Leo)
Hipparcos number	HIP 50583
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K0III
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 1.13
Magnitude	2.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	130 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1900.
Proper motion	0.35″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	10h 19m 58.3s
Declination (J2000)	+19° 50′ 29″