Star profile

Ran

Epsilon Eridani · Eridanus

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class K · ~4,200 K

What is Ran

Ran is one of the truly nearby stars to the solar system: an orange class-K that pulses with subtle variations just 10.5 light-years away, in the constellation Eridanus. It is so close that the light seen tonight set out little more than a decade ago, a minute distance on the cosmic scale. It takes its name from the Norse goddess of the sea, wife of Aegir, associated with the nets that dragged sailors to the depths: a cold name for a star that may yet harbour worlds of its own.

Where it is and when to see it

Ran lies in the southern 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 29° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 40° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 66° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 81° N.

It ranks no. 10 in brightness among the 129 stars of Eridanus in our catalogue. To find it, start from Achernar, the brightest: it lies about 53° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 11 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Ran

Constellation: Eridanus
Apparent magnitude: 3.72
Distance: 10.5 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 53.233° · Dec -9.458°
Catalogue: HIP 16537 · HD 22049

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

Other stars in Eridanus

Eridanus has 129 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 129 stars in Eridanus