Star profile

Epsilon Ceti

3D likeness based on its real data · class F · ~6,500 K

What is Epsilon Ceti

Epsilon Ceti shines within the vast outline of the Whale, the sea creature sent against the princess Andromeda in Greek myth. At 70 light-years, it is a yellow-white F-type star, slightly hotter than the Sun and known to form a multiple system whose components have been resolved in high-resolution observations. It marks one of the discreet points along the body of the celestial cetacean.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it culminates about 27° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 37° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 68° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 78° N.

It ranks no. 22 in brightness among the 111 stars of Cetus in our catalogue. To find it, start from Diphda, the brightest: it lies about 29° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 70 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Epsilon Ceti

Constellation: Cetus
Apparent magnitude: 4.83
Distance: 70.1 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 39.891° · Dec -11.872°
Catalogue: HIP 12390 · HD 16620

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Other stars in Cetus

Cetus has 111 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 111 stars in Cetus