Orange giant · Sagittarius

Alnasl

Also known as: γ² Sagittarii (γ² Sgr), HIP 88635

mag 3.097 light-years

About

Alnasl (γ² Sagittarii) is an orange giant of magnitude 3.0 in Sagittarius, about 97 light-years away.

Alnasl is in the constellation Sagittarius.
Best evenings: around early August 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 south of 50° N.
Star patterns: Teapot.

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.
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	Alnasl
Designation	γ² Sagittarii (γ² Sgr)
Hipparcos number	HIP 88635
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K0III
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 0.98
Magnitude	3.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	97 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1929.
Proper motion	0.19″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right ascension (J2000)	18h 05m 48.5s
Declination (J2000)	−30° 25′ 27″