White main-sequence star · Auriga

Menkalinan

Also known as: β Aurigae (β Aur), HIP 28360

mag 1.981 light-years

About

Menkalinan (β Aurigae) is a white main-sequence star of magnitude 1.9 in Auriga, about 81 light-years away.

Menkalinan is in the constellation Auriga.
Best evenings: around early February 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 35° 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.

EyesEasy, even from town.
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	Menkalinan
Designation	β Aurigae (β Aur)
Hipparcos number	HIP 28360
Type	White main-sequence star
Spectral type	A2V
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.08
Magnitude	1.9The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	81 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1945.
Proper motion	0.056″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Auriga
Right ascension (J2000)	05h 59m 31.7s
Declination (J2000)	+44° 56′ 51″