Orange main-sequence star · Draco

Alsafi

Also known as: σ Draconis (σ Dra), HIP 96100

mag 4.719 light-years

About

Alsafi (σ Draconis) is an orange main-sequence star of magnitude 4.7 in Draco, about 19 light-years away.

Alsafi is in the constellation Draco.
Best evenings: around late 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 north of 10° S.

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.

EyesNeeds a dark sky away from city lights.
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	Alsafi
Designation	σ Draconis (σ Dra)
Hipparcos number	HIP 96100
Type	Orange main-sequence star
Spectral type	K0V
Colour	YellowB−V colour index 0.79
Magnitude	4.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	19 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 2007.
Proper motion	1.84″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Draco
Right ascension (J2000)	19h 32m 20.9s
Declination (J2000)	+69° 39′ 40″

Star data: HYG Database by David Nash, CC BY-SA 4.0. All data sources →