White supergiant · Carina

Aspidiske

Also known as: ι Carinae (ι Car), HIP 45556

mag 2.2770 light-years

About

Aspidiske (ι Carinae) is a white supergiant of magnitude 2.2 in Carina, about 770 light-years away.

Aspidiske is in the constellation Carina.
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 south of 21° N.
Star patterns: False Cross.

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	Aspidiske
Designation	ι Carinae (ι Car)
Hipparcos number	HIP 45556
Type	White supergiant
Spectral type	A8Ib
Colour	Yellowish whiteB−V colour index 0.19
Magnitude	2.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	770 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1260.
Proper motion	0.023″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Carina
Right ascension (J2000)	09h 17m 05.4s
Declination (J2000)	−59° 16′ 31″