Blue-white subgiant · Vela

Markeb

Also known as: κ Velorum (κ Vel), HIP 45941

mag 2.5570 light-years

About

Markeb (κ Velorum) is a blue-white subgiant of magnitude 2.5 in Vela, about 570 light-years away.

Markeb is in the constellation Vela.
Best evenings: around late March 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 south of 25° N.
Star patterns: False Cross.

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. It looks blue-white.
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	Markeb
Designation	κ Velorum (κ Vel)
Hipparcos number	HIP 45941
Type	Blue-white subgiant
Spectral type	B2IV
Colour	Blue-whiteB−V colour index −0.14
Magnitude	2.5The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	570 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1450.
Proper motion	0.015″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Vela
Right ascension (J2000)	09h 22m 06.8s
Declination (J2000)	−55° 00′ 39″