Blue supergiant · Perseus

Menkib

Also known as: ξ Persei (ξ Per), HIP 18614

mag 4.01,200 light-years

About

Menkib (ξ Persei) is a blue supergiant of magnitude 4.0 in Perseus, about 1,200 light-years away.

Menkib is in the constellation Perseus.
Best evenings: around early 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 44° 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	Menkib
Designation	ξ Persei (ξ Per)
Hipparcos number	HIP 18614
Type	Blue supergiant
Spectral type	O7.5Iab:
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index 0.02
Magnitude	4.0The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	1,200 light-yearsThe light you see left it around AD 800. Distances this large are uncertain by 10% or more.
Proper motion	0.003″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Perseus
Right ascension (J2000)	03h 58m 57.9s
Declination (J2000)	+35° 47′ 28″