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Star profile

Phi 4 Ceti

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

What is Phi 4 Ceti

Phi-4 Ceti is one of four stars medieval Arab astronomers grouped under the name Al Nitham, «the string of pearls», a barely perceptible row along the flank of the sea-monster Cetus. A discreet, mature, orange-hued sun, over three hundred light-years away: one of the humble beads on that ancient necklace.

Where it is and when to see it

Phi 4 Ceti lies in the southern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is October, when it culminates around midnight.

  • From London it culminates about 27° above the horizon.
  • From New York it culminates about 38° above the horizon.
  • From Sydney it culminates about 67° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere south of 79° N.

It ranks no. 68 in brightness among the 111 stars of Cetus in our catalogue. To find it, start from Diphda, the brightest: it lies about 8° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 320 years ago.

Find it on the sky map

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Leave your signature on Phi 4 Ceti

Your name and a message go up on the map for everyone to read. Signing is free.

Without a lock, someone else can replace your signature. How the lock works

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Write my signature

A public signature from a real person. The chosen name is a symbolic denomination within Stelvia, with no official standing or IAU recognition: the sky is not for sale and belongs to no one.

Astronomical data for Phi 4 Ceti

Constellation
Cetus
Apparent magnitude
5.62
Distance
319.8 light years
Coordinates (J2000)
RA 14.683° · Dec -11.380°
Catalogue
HIP 4587 · HD 5722

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

Other stars in Cetus

Cetus has 111 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 111 stars in Cetus