Star profile

Lambda Columbae

Variable star

3D likeness based on its real data · class B · ~15,000 K

What is Lambda Columbae

Lambda Columbae is a blue variable B-type star, set 335 light-years away within the constellation of the Dove. Its brightness does not stay still: it shifts subtly, born of inner pulsations or of the atmospheric processes typical of hot stars. Its bluish light flickers among the wings of a young, southern celestial bird, drawn by Renaissance cartographers over the freshly charted southern skies.

Where it is and when to see it

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

From London it culminates about 5° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 15° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 90° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 56° N.

It ranks no. 9 in brightness among the 45 stars of Columba in our catalogue. To find it, start from Phact, the brightest: it lies about 3° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 330 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Lambda Columbae

Constellation: Columba
Apparent magnitude: 4.88
Distance: 334.6 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 88.279° · Dec -33.801°
Catalogue: HIP 27810 · HD 39764

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Other stars in Columba

Columba has 45 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 45 stars in Columba