Star profile

Gamma 2 Volans

3D likeness based on its real data · class G · ~5,500 K

What is Gamma 2 Volans

Gamma-2 Volantis is the brighter component of the Flying Fish, a constellation drawn by sixteenth-century sailors in the southern sky. A yellow giant, it shares the field of view with its optical companion Gamma-1, forming a double easily split in binoculars. Its light, set out almost a hundred and forty years ago, has been travelling since the days when the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated.

Where it is and when to see it

Gamma 2 Volans lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is April, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it never rises above the horizon.
From New York it never rises above the horizon.
From Sydney it never sets and culminates about 53° up.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 20° N.

It ranks no. 2 in brightness among the 19 stars of Volans in our catalogue. To find it, start from Beta Volans, the brightest: it lies about 8° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 140 years ago.

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Astronomical data for Gamma 2 Volans

Constellation: Volans
Apparent magnitude: 3.78
Distance: 139.8 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 107.187° · Dec -70.499°
Catalogue: HIP 34481 · HD 55865

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Other stars in Volans

Volans has 19 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 19 stars in Volans