Yellow-white main-sequence star · Orion

Tabit

Also known as: π³ Orionis (π³ Ori), HIP 22449

mag 3.226 light-years

About

Tabit (π³ Orionis) is a yellow-white main-sequence star of magnitude 3.2 in Orion, about 26 light-years away.

Tabit is in the constellation Orion.
Best evenings: around mid-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 73° 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	Tabit
Designation	π³ Orionis (π³ Ori)
Hipparcos number	HIP 22449
Type	Yellow-white main-sequence star
Spectral type	F6V
Colour	YellowB−V colour index 0.48
Magnitude	3.2The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	26 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 2000.
Proper motion	0.46″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Orion
Right ascension (J2000)	04h 49m 50.4s
Declination (J2000)	+06° 57′ 41″