hip-55763

Cool red star

Its story

In southern Centaurus beats a red class M star at 446 light-years. Its light departed around 1580, when Philip II was annexing Portugal and the Spanish Empire reached its greatest territorial extent. It is cool: its surface hovers around 3,500 K, and its reddish hue is the result of that low temperature compared to the Sun. Despite the distance, its great size keeps it visible to anyone scrutinizing the southern skies with patience.

Constellation: Centaurus
Apparent magnitude: 5.87
Distance: 446.2 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 171.388° · Dec -37.748°
Catalogue: HIP 55763 · HD 99333

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Symbolic commemorative gift — no ownership, no IAU recognition.