Star profile

Mu Ceti

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

What is Mu Ceti

Mu Ceti is an F-type subgiant about eighty light-years away, easing through the slow turn toward its giant phase. It marks one of the horns of the sea monster placed in this autumn quarter of the sky by Phoenician and then Greek lore. Its modest glow goes unnoticed among the great neighbouring beacons, yet offers anyone who seeks it one of those steady presences that seem never to age.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it culminates about 49° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 59° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 46° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 80° S.

It ranks no. 12 in brightness among the 111 stars of Cetus in our catalogue. To find it, start from Diphda, the brightest: it lies about 41° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 84 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Mu Ceti

Constellation: Cetus
Apparent magnitude: 4.27
Distance: 84.1 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 41.236° · Dec 10.114°
Catalogue: HIP 12828 · HD 17094

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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