Star profile

Skat

Delta Aquarii · Aquarius

3D likeness based on its real data · class A · ~8,500 K

What is Skat

Skat shines on the leg of Aquarius, the water-bearer, in a region of sky crowded with aquatic figures: the Southern Fish, the Pisces, the nearby Dolphin, and the very urn pouring out a river of stars. It is a white A-type star about 161 light-years away, young and energetic, with a cool, crisp tone. Its light has been travelling since 1865, when the first stable transatlantic telegraph cable was being laid.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it culminates about 23° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 33° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 72° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 74° N.

It ranks no. 3 in brightness among the 99 stars of Aquarius in our catalogue. To find it, start from Sadalsuud, the brightest: it lies about 23° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 160 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Skat

Constellation: Aquarius
Apparent magnitude: 3.27
Distance: 160.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 343.663° · Dec -15.821°
Catalogue: HIP 113136 · HD 216627

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