Star profile

HIP 2159

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

What is HIP 2159

In the modest constellation of the Sculptor, suspended near the south galactic pole, glows an orange giant 574 light-years away. Its light set out as the Portuguese were rounding the Cape of Good Hope and opening the maritime route to the Indies. A class-K sun, cooler and older than ours, its coppery glow is silhouetted against one of the cleanest and darkest corners of the sky, ideal for gazing beyond the galaxy.

Where it is and when to see it

HIP 2159 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 13° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 24° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 82° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 64° N.

It ranks no. 33 in brightness among the 33 stars of Sculptor in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alpha Sculptor, the brightest: it lies about 8° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 570 years ago.

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Astronomical data for HIP 2159

Constellation: Sculptor
Apparent magnitude: 5.99
Distance: 574.3 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 6.811° · Dec -25.547°
Catalogue: HIP 2159 · HD 2363

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Other stars in Sculptor

Sculptor has 33 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 33 stars in Sculptor