Orange giant · Draco

Eltanin

Also known as: γ Draconis (γ Dra), HIP 87833

mag 2.2150 light-years

About

Eltanin (γ Draconis) is an orange giant of magnitude 2.2 in Draco, about 150 light-years away.

Eltanin is in the constellation Draco.
Best evenings: around early 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 north of 29° S.
Star patterns: Head of Draco.
Head of Draco: The star James Bradley watched when he discovered the aberration of starlight.

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. Its orange-red tint is plain to see.
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	Eltanin
Designation	γ Draconis (γ Dra)
Hipparcos number	HIP 87833
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K5III
Colour	Orange-redB−V colour index 1.52
Magnitude	2.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	150 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1870.
Proper motion	0.025″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Draco
Right ascension (J2000)	17h 56m 36.4s
Declination (J2000)	+51° 29′ 20″

Star data: HYG Database by David Nash, CC BY-SA 4.0. All data sources →