Star profile

3 Aquarii

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class M · ~3,200 K

What is 3 Aquarii

3 Aquarii is a cool, swollen M-type red giant whose brightness drifts slowly across the months —a stellar respiration that astronomers tag as variability. Its reddish light travels close to five hundred and eighty-six years before reaching the figure of Aquarius, the water-bearer. When those photons set out, the first European books were still being pressed from movable type.

Where it is and when to see it

3 Aquarii lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is August, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 33° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 44° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 61° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 85° N.

It ranks no. 18 in brightness among the 99 stars of Aquarius in our catalogue. To find it, start from Sadalsuud, the brightest: it lies about 11° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 590 years ago.

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Astronomical data for 3 Aquarii

Constellation: Aquarius
Apparent magnitude: 4.43
Distance: 585.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 311.934° · Dec -5.028°
Catalogue: HIP 102624 · HD 198026

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Other stars in Aquarius

Aquarius has 99 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 99 stars in Aquarius