White main-sequence star · Leo

Denebola

Also known as: β Leonis (β Leo), HIP 57632

mag 2.136 light-years

About

Denebola (β Leonis) is a white main-sequence star of magnitude 2.1 in Leo, about 36 light-years away.

Denebola is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around early May 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.

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	Denebola
Designation	β Leonis (β Leo)
Hipparcos number	HIP 57632
Type	White main-sequence star
Spectral type	A3Vvar
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.09
Magnitude	2.1The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	36 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1990.
Proper motion	0.51″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	11h 49m 03.6s
Declination (J2000)	+14° 34′ 20″