Yellow giant · Taurus

Prima Hyadum

Also known as: γ Tauri (γ Tau), HIP 20205

mag 3.7160 light-years

About

Prima Hyadum (γ Tauri) is a yellow giant of magnitude 3.7 in Taurus, about 160 light-years away.

Prima Hyadum is in the constellation Taurus.
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 64° 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	Prima Hyadum
Designation	γ Tauri (γ Tau)
Hipparcos number	HIP 20205
Type	Yellow giant
Spectral type	G8III
Colour	Pale orangeB−V colour index 0.98
Magnitude	3.7The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	160 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1860.
Proper motion	0.12″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Taurus
Right ascension (J2000)	04h 19m 47.6s
Declination (J2000)	+15° 37′ 39″