White main-sequence star · Leo

Chertan

Also known as: θ Leonis (θ Leo), HIP 54879

mag 3.3170 light-years

About

Chertan (θ Leonis) is a white main-sequence star of magnitude 3.3 in Leo, about 170 light-years away.

Chertan is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around late April 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 65° 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	Chertan
Designation	θ Leonis (θ Leo)
Hipparcos number	HIP 54879
Type	White main-sequence star
Spectral type	A2V
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.00
Magnitude	3.3The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	170 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1860.
Proper motion	0.099″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 14m 14.4s
Declination (J2000)	+15° 25′ 47″