Star profile

Ancha

Theta Aquarii · Aquarius

3D likeness based on its real data · class G · ~5,500 K

What is Ancha

Ancha is a yellow G-class giant in Aquarius, similar in temperature to the Sun but far more evolved and luminous. Her name, from archaic Italian, means 'the hip', a point on the celestial water-bearer's body who pours water onto the Southern Fish. Her light, departed 187 years ago, set out when scientists were still debating whether the Milky Way was one galaxy among many or the whole universe.

Where it is and when to see it

Ancha 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 31° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 42° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 64° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 82° N.

It ranks no. 12 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 190 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

It opens in your browser. Free, no account, nothing to install.

Leave your signature on Ancha

Your name and a message go up on the map for everyone to read. Signing is free.

Without a lock, someone else can replace your signature. How the lock works

We'll ask for an email to confirm it's you, no password.

Write my signature

A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Ancha

Constellation: Aquarius
Apparent magnitude: 4.17
Distance: 187.5 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 334.208° · Dec -7.783°
Catalogue: HIP 110003 · HD 211391

A symbolic commemorative gift: neither the signature nor the chosen name implies ownership of the star or recognition by the IAU.

Other stars in Aquarius

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

See all 99 stars in Aquarius