Star profile

6 Leonis

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

What is 6 Leonis

6 Leonis is a K-type orange giant 500 light-years away, set within the head of the Lion —that inverted sickle ruling the northern spring. Its coppery light is the signature of a star that has burned through its core hydrogen and now glows from helium. The region also hosts the radiant of the Leonids, the most spectacular meteor shower of autumn.

Where it is and when to see it

6 Leonis lies in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is visible to the naked eye under a dark sky. Its best month of the year is February, when it culminates around midnight.

From London it culminates about 48° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 59° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 46° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 80° S.

It ranks no. 33 in brightness among the 80 stars of Leo in our catalogue. To find it, start from Regulus, the brightest: it lies about 9° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 500 years ago.

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Astronomical data for 6 Leonis

Constellation: Leo
Apparent magnitude: 5.07
Distance: 499.5 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 142.990° · Dec 9.716°
Catalogue: HIP 46774 · HD 82381

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Other stars in Leo

Leo has 80 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 80 stars in Leo