Star profile

HIP 68498

3D likeness based on its real data · class A · ~8,500 K

What is HIP 68498

Back in Boötes, this time with a pure A-class white at two hundred and seventy light-years. Its light departed around 1755, the year of the catastrophic Lisbon earthquake that shook European conscience and prompted Voltaire to write his famous poem. Hotter and whiter than the Sun, it adds to the spring sky a cool point that contrasts with the familiar reddish glow of Arcturus.

Where it is and when to see it

HIP 68498 lies in the northern 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 culminates about 47° above the horizon.
From New York it culminates about 58° above the horizon.
From Sydney it culminates about 47° above the horizon.

It can be seen from anywhere north of 81° S.

It ranks no. 84 in brightness among the 88 stars of Boötes in our catalogue. To find it, start from Arcturus, the brightest: it lies about 11° away (a fist at arm's length covers about 10°).

The light you see today left it about 270 years ago.

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Astronomical data for HIP 68498

Constellation: Boötes
Apparent magnitude: 5.98
Distance: 270.3 light years
Coordinates (J2000): RA 210.335° · Dec 8.895°
Catalogue: HIP 68498 · HD 122365

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

Other stars in Boötes

Boötes has 88 stars in Stelvia's catalogue. Here are a few of them.

See all 88 stars in Boötes