Orange giant · Aquila

Libertas

Also known as: ξ Aquilae (ξ Aql), HIP 97938

mag 4.7180 light-years

About

Libertas (ξ Aquilae) is an orange giant of magnitude 4.7 in Aquila, about 180 light-years away.

Libertas is in the constellation Aquila.
Best evenings: around early September 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 72° 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.

EyesNeeds a dark sky away from city lights.
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	Libertas
Designation	ξ Aquilae (ξ Aql)
Hipparcos number	HIP 97938
Type	Orange giant
Spectral type	K0III
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 1.02
Magnitude	4.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	180 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1840.
Proper motion	0.13″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Aquila
Right ascension (J2000)	19h 54m 14.9s
Declination (J2000)	+08° 27′ 41″