White subgiant · Sagittarius

Ascella

Also known as: ζ Sagittarii (ζ Sgr), HIP 93506

mag 2.688 light-years

About

Ascella (ζ Sagittarii) is a white subgiant of magnitude 2.6 in Sagittarius, about 88 light-years away.

Ascella is in the constellation Sagittarius.
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 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	Ascella
Designation	ζ Sagittarii (ζ Sgr)
Hipparcos number	HIP 93506
Type	White subgiant
Spectral type	A3IV
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.06
Magnitude	2.6The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	88 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1938.
Proper motion	0.015″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Sagittarius
Right ascension (J2000)	19h 02m 36.7s
Declination (J2000)	−29° 52′ 48″