Star profile

Phi Aquarii

Cool red star

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

What is Phi Aquarii

φ Aquarii burns with deep red light at 202 light-years, an M-class giant set in the side of the Water Bearer. Its crimson tone is that of the coolest stars in the spectral catalogue — vast bodies whose atmospheres have swollen until they cooled to the edge of the visible. To look at φ Aquarii is to glimpse the long, quiet ending of a stellar life.

Where it is and when to see it

Phi 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 September, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 32° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 43° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 62° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 84° N.

It ranks no. 13 in brightness among the 99 stars of Aquarius in our catalogue. To find it, start from Sadalsuud, the brightest: it lies about 26° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 200 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Phi Aquarii

Constellation: Aquarius
Apparent magnitude: 4.22
Distance: 202.1 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 348.581° · Dec -6.049°
Catalogue: HIP 114724 · HD 219215

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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