Orange giant · Leo

Alterf

Also known as: λ Leonis (λ Leo), HIP 46750

mag 4.3330 light-years

About

Alterf (λ Leonis) is an orange giant of magnitude 4.3 in Leo, about 330 light-years away.

Alterf is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around late March 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 57° 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.

EyesVisible from the suburbs on a clear night, but lost in bright city skies.
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	Alterf
Designation	λ Leonis (λ Leo)
Hipparcos number	HIP 46750
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K5IIIvar
Colour	Orange-redB−V colour index 1.54
Magnitude	4.3The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	330 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1700.
Proper motion	0.044″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	09h 31m 43.2s
Declination (J2000)	+22° 58′ 05″