Star profile

HIP 54522

Variable star

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

What is HIP 54522

In the Great Bear, some 382 light-years away, lives this variable red giant of type M. Its light set out around 1644, while Descartes was publishing his principles and Europe was beginning to separate philosophy from theology. Much cooler than the Sun yet monumentally larger, it modulates its brightness in slow cycles like an ember breathing inside the celestial chariot all humanity has learned to recognise.

Where it is and when to see it

HIP 54522 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 75° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 86° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 20° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 54° S.

It ranks no. 84 in brightness among the 124 stars of Ursa Major in our catalogue. To find it, start from Alioth, the brightest: it lies about 26° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 380 years ago.

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Astronomical data for HIP 54522

Constellation: Ursa Major
Apparent magnitude: 5.71
Distance: 382.0 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 167.330° · Dec 36.309°
Catalogue: HIP 54522 · HD 96813

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Other stars in Ursa Major

Ursa Major has 124 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 124 stars in Ursa Major