Orange giant · Draco

Grumium

Also known as: ξ Draconis (ξ Dra), HIP 87585

mag 3.7110 light-years

About

Grumium (ξ Draconis) is an orange giant of magnitude 3.7 in Draco, about 110 light-years away.

Grumium 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 23° S.
Star patterns: Head of Draco.

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	Grumium
Designation	ξ Draconis (ξ Dra)
Hipparcos number	HIP 87585
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K2III
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 1.18
Magnitude	3.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	110 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1910.
Proper motion	0.12″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Draco
Right ascension (J2000)	17h 53m 31.7s
Declination (J2000)	+56° 52′ 21″

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