Blue-white main-sequence star · Auriga

Haedus

Also known as: η Aurigae (η Aur), HIP 23767

mag 3.2240 light-years

About

Haedus (η Aurigae) is a blue-white main-sequence star of magnitude 3.2 in Auriga, about 240 light-years away.

Haedus is in the constellation Auriga.
Best evenings: around late January 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 39° 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	Haedus
Designation	η Aurigae (η Aur)
Hipparcos number	HIP 23767
Type	Blue-white main-sequence star
Spectral type	B3V
Colour	Blue-whiteB−V colour index −0.15
Magnitude	3.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	240 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1780.
Proper motion	0.075″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Auriga
Right ascension (J2000)	05h 06m 30.9s
Declination (J2000)	+41° 14′ 04″