Blue-white main-sequence star · Leo

Regulus

Also known as: α Leonis (α Leo), HIP 49669

mag 1.479 light-years

About

Regulus (α Leonis) is a blue-white main-sequence star of magnitude 1.4 in Leo, about 79 light-years away.

Regulus is in the constellation Leo.
Best evenings: around early April 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 68° S.
Star patterns: Spring Triangle, Sickle of Leo.
Sickle of Leo: A blue-white star almost on the ecliptic: the Moon and planets often pass close to it.

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.

EyesA first-magnitude star, obvious even from a city. 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	Regulus
Designation	α Leonis (α Leo)
Hipparcos number	HIP 49669
Type	Blue-white main-sequence star
Spectral type	B7V
Colour	WhiteB−V colour index −0.09
Magnitude	1.4The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	79 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1947.
Proper motion	0.25″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Leo
Right ascension (J2000)	10h 08m 22.3s
Declination (J2000)	+11° 58′ 02″