White star · Eridanus

Zibal

Also known as: ζ Eridani (ζ Eri), HIP 15197

mag 4.8110 light-years

About

Zibal (ζ Eridani) is a white star of magnitude 4.8 in Eridanus, about 110 light-years away.

Zibal is in the constellation Eridanus.
Best evenings: around late December 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 south of 71° N.

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.

EyesNeeds a dark sky away from city lights.
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	Zibal
Designation	ζ Eridani (ζ Eri)
Hipparcos number	HIP 15197
Type	White star
Spectral type	A5m
Colour	Yellowish whiteB−V colour index 0.23
Magnitude	4.8The smaller the number, the brighter.
Distance	110 light-yearsThe light you see left it around 1920.
Proper motion	0.046″ per year across the sky
Constellation	Eridanus
Right ascension (J2000)	03h 15m 50.0s
Declination (J2000)	−08° 49′ 11″

Star data: HYG Database by David Nash, CC BY-SA 4.0. All data sources →